Tokyo hostels are immaculate, well designed and silent. Choose by area, then choose by bar.
By area#
| Area | For | Against |
|---|---|---|
| Asakusa, Kuramae | The best hostels, Senso-ji on foot, old Tokyo, the river | Further from Shibuya and Shinjuku |
| Ueno | Every line, the park, value | Less charm |
| Shinjuku | Nightlife, Golden Gai, central | Noisier, pricier |
| Shibuya | Nightlife, a younger crowd | Fewer hostels, pricier |
| Ikebukuro, Nippori | Cheap, well connected | Nothing to do at night |
Where to stay in Tokyo covers hotels on the same map.
Hostel, capsule or business hotel#
A hostel for people and a kitchen. A capsule hotel for a cheap, private, silent solo night (and the sauna some include). A business hotel for a real room with a bathroom at a price Western chains can't touch. Hostel private rooms are the couple's answer and sell out first.
What to expect#
Shoes off at the door, slippers provided, curtained bunks, lockers, excellent showers, quiet hours, sometimes a curfew, a café or bar downstairs in the good ones, and dorm-mates who nod politely and never speak.
Meeting people#
The bar or café downstairs, the hostel's events (a sake night, a walking tour), the common room after 8. Then the city: how to meet other travellers in Tokyo and how to meet locals. Post your dates on Roavi Community: travellers in Tokyo the same days appear in one place, and Local Friends who live here reply.
Money#
Hostel beds are cheap by any standard; Tokyo on a budget covers the rest of the day. Cheapest months: January, February, June.
Out of the hostel bubble#
The hostel crowd sees the same six things. A Local Friend for one evening is the standing bar, the neighbourhood and the Tokyo the dorm never mentions.
Staying in a Tokyo hostel? Post your dates and see who else is in town.
Post your tripFrequently Asked Questions
Which area is best for hostels in Tokyo?
Asakusa and Kuramae for the best-designed hostels in the old city with Senso-ji on foot; Ueno for the rail links and value; Shinjuku and Shibuya for nightlife and a crowd that stays up. All are on good lines; Asakusa is a little further from the west side.Hostel, capsule hotel or business hotel in Tokyo?
A hostel for common space and people; a capsule for a cheap solo night with no socialising; a business hotel for a real private room at a modest price. Many hostels have private rooms that beat all three for a couple.What are Tokyo hostels like?
Clean to a degree that surprises people, thoughtfully designed, with curtained bunks, lockers, good showers and often a café or bar. Also quiet: Japanese and many international guests keep to themselves, and quiet hours are enforced. Some have curfews; check.How do I meet people in a Tokyo hostel?
Choose one with a ground-floor bar or café, join its events, sit in the common room at 8pm, and post your dates on Roavi Community so travellers in Tokyo the same days find you. Tokyo dorms are silent; the bar downstairs isn't.
