Please suggest Tokyo hotel for short post Disney stay

aboveH20

DIS Veteran
Joined
Feb 9, 2010
Headed to Tokyo in April and have four nights booked at Disney. Would like a suggestion for a hotel in Tokyo to end our trip. Concerned about ease of getting there after Disney, ease of getting to the airport, and safety -- although from what I read Tokyo is generally considered to be safe anywhere. (Yes, of course price is a concern, but ease of getting there and leaving there is more important.)

Thanks
 
Tokyo is extremely safe. I've visited as an obviously foreign woman solo many many many times.

It depends on your price range and which airport you are using? If you're going with money is no object and you are tryin to get to Narita you want the Tokyo Station Hotel which is literally on the Marounouchi side of Tokyo Station.

Coming from TDR you take the Keiyo/Musashino line to Tokyo Station walk through the station to the Marounouchi side and voila. It's possible someone from the hotel would meet you in the station, I know they do meet the NEX and the shinkansen. When leaving, they will take you to your NEX to go back to Narita and will carry any bags you have to the NEX. It's pretty awesome. For a 2 person room or 2 person and child under 12 room, it will cost you around 35,000-40,000 yen a night. Their King rooms have actual King beds.

If you're going to be going to Haneda something near Shinagawa or Hamamatsucho might be good. There is a direct monorail from Hamamatsucho I believe. I like staying near Shimbashi, I'm currently booked there for my next trip. I don't like Shinjuku and it's not overly close to the airport. Depending on where you are trying to get in Tokyo you might need to do two transfers. Shin-Kiba might be an easier transfer point than Tokyo Station unless you are staying near Tokyo Station.

I know of a lot of bargain hunters who stay near Asakusa/Ueno. You can take the private Keisi line from Ueno or Nippori to Narita, but either will involve several transfers to get to Shinagawa or Hamamatsucho, where you need to go to get to Haneda.

Good luck!
 
While in Tokyo, I stayed at the Hilton Shinjuku and the Dormy Inn. The Hilton was spacious, breakfast was included with our upgraded room and since we were staying on Hilton Points, the total cost was only $80usd for three weekend nights. The Dormy Inn was located in Shibuya and had much more modest room sizes, but was also decently priced and suited our needs. That staff at both hotels were exceptionally helpful and polite because, well, this is Japan and that's standard across the board. I'd happily stay at either location again, but the Hilton has the edge for being more "plush."

Transport and trains -- Always clean and incredibly efficient. The stations can be huge and the maps may look like a pile of spaghetti noodles, but you'll get the hang of it, station attendants are always willing to assist, and there are apps like Navitime for Japan Travel that can help you find your way. The train system is more intimidating in theory than it is in practice. (An absolutely fascinating documentary is World's Busiest Train Station: Shinjuku if you want to get a peek into how seriously they take their train schedules.)

Your mention of safety made me chuckle. This is a country where restaurant workers will chase you down to return your tip while carrying the change on a napkin so as to not touch money that doesn't belong to them, and the leading crimes are bicycle and umbrella theft (aka, people took the wrong one by mistake). There are no "bad neighborhoods" and crime is not something to worry about.
 
Tokyo is extremely safe. I've visited as an obviously foreign woman solo many many many times.

It depends on your price range and which airport you are using? If you're going with money is no object and you are tryin to get to Narita you want the Tokyo Station Hotel which is literally on the Marounouchi side of Tokyo Station.

Coming from TDR you take the Keiyo/Musashino line to Tokyo Station walk through the station to the Marounouchi side and voila. It's possible someone from the hotel would meet you in the station, I know they do meet the NEX and the shinkansen. When leaving, they will take you to your NEX to go back to Narita and will carry any bags you have to the NEX. It's pretty awesome. For a 2 person room or 2 person and child under 12 room, it will cost you around 35,000-40,000 yen a night. Their King rooms have actual King beds.

If you're going to be going to Haneda something near Shinagawa or Hamamatsucho might be good. There is a direct monorail from Hamamatsucho I believe. I like staying near Shimbashi, I'm currently booked there for my next trip. I don't like Shinjuku and it's not overly close to the airport. Depending on where you are trying to get in Tokyo you might need to do two transfers. Shin-Kiba might be an easier transfer point than Tokyo Station unless you are staying near Tokyo Station.

I know of a lot of bargain hunters who stay near Asakusa/Ueno. You can take the private Keisi line from Ueno or Nippori to Narita, but either will involve several transfers to get to Shinagawa or Hamamatsucho, where you need to go to get to Haneda.

Good luck!

Thank you for the info on Tokyo Station Hotel. I don't mean to imply that money is not a concern, but for such a short stay convenience is more important. I looked at the website, wow!

While in Tokyo, I stayed at the Hilton Shinjuku and the Dormy Inn. The Hilton was spacious, breakfast was included with our upgraded room and since we were staying on Hilton Points, the total cost was only $80usd for three weekend nights. The Dormy Inn was located in Shibuya and had much more modest room sizes, but was also decently priced and suited our needs. That staff at both hotels were exceptionally helpful and polite because, well, this is Japan and that's standard across the board. I'd happily stay at either location again, but the Hilton has the edge for being more "plush."

Transport and trains -- Always clean and incredibly efficient. The stations can be huge and the maps may look like a pile of spaghetti noodles, but you'll get the hang of it, station attendants are always willing to assist, and there are apps like Navitime for Japan Travel that can help you find your way. The train system is more intimidating in theory than it is in practice. (An absolutely fascinating documentary is World's Busiest Train Station: Shinjuku if you want to get a peek into how seriously they take their train schedules.)

Your mention of safety made me chuckle. This is a country where restaurant workers will chase you down to return your tip while carrying the change on a napkin so as to not touch money that doesn't belong to them, and the leading crimes are bicycle and umbrella theft (aka, people took the wrong one by mistake). There are no "bad neighborhoods" and crime is not something to worry about.

Thanks for additional info tips and reassurance about safety. I do expect to have some time on my own and don't want to spend it all in the hotel room.

Do you know if any tea gardens are easily accessible from Tokyo or is that more of an outskirts thing?
 


Thank you for the info on Tokyo Station Hotel. I don't mean to imply that money is not a concern, but for such a short stay convenience is more important. I looked at the website, wow!


Do you know if any tea gardens are easily accessible from Tokyo or is that more of an outskirts thing?

Probably the easiest place to get to is Hama Rikyu Palace gardens. They have a small tea house where you can get tea and a traditional sweet while overlooking the garden. It's not the full on hours long tea ceremony, but it might be what you are looking for. It's a short walk from either: Shimbashi Station, Shiodome Station, Hamamatsucho Station, and Tsukijijo Station. Which station to use, depends on where you are coming from, from say JR Tokyo, i'd walk the 1km from Shimbashi Station.

If you wanted to do something more formal talk to your hotel and see what can be arranged in the Tokyo area. :)

Hope this helps!
 
Probably the easiest place to get to is Hama Rikyu Palace gardens. They have a small tea house where you can get tea and a traditional sweet while overlooking the garden. It's not the full on hours long tea ceremony, but it might be what you are looking for. It's a short walk from either: Shimbashi Station, Shiodome Station, Hamamatsucho Station, and Tsukijijo Station. Which station to use, depends on where you are coming from, from say JR Tokyo, i'd walk the 1km from Shimbashi Station.

If you wanted to do something more formal talk to your hotel and see what can be arranged in the Tokyo area. :)

Hope this helps!
^^^ What she said (because I don't know the answer). :laughing:
 
Probably the easiest place to get to is Hama Rikyu Palace gardens. They have a small tea house where you can get tea and a traditional sweet while overlooking the garden. It's not the full on hours long tea ceremony, but it might be what you are looking for. It's a short walk from either: Shimbashi Station, Shiodome Station, Hamamatsucho Station, and Tsukijijo Station. Which station to use, depends on where you are coming from, from say JR Tokyo, i'd walk the 1km from Shimbashi Station.

If you wanted to do something more formal talk to your hotel and see what can be arranged in the Tokyo area. :)

Hope this helps!

Yes, that's very helpful. Both the specific suggestion and the reminder that the hotel itself would be a good resource.

The more concrete info I gather the more excited I'm becoming.


^^^ What she said (because I don't know the answer). :laughing:

Going any place the first time is always the most stressful, and I expect this to be the one and only trip to Japan.

Similarly I can't imagine how overwhelming it is for first timers to any of the Disney parks.
 


Yes, that's very helpful. Both the specific suggestion and the reminder that the hotel itself would be a good resource.

The more concrete info I gather the more excited I'm becoming.

No problem, I've been to Japan many times. :) I do know that the concierge at the Tokyo Station Hotel can pretty much get you anything you want. There was an article in the NYTimes in 2015 or 2014 talking about Tokyo for $1000 vs Tokyo on the cheap and they used the Tokyo Station Hotel for their example of expensive. They mentioned how the hotel can get you a reservation with Jiroh for sushi, which is not something every hotel can do. But I'm also not really sure what sort of activities or experiences you're really looking for and how hard to get they might be.

Another nice strolling garden in Tokyo is:
http://www.env.go.jp/garden/shinjukugyoen/english/2_guide/guide.html

It's particularly nice when momo/sakura are in bloom, though I admit I am curious about the roses and hydrangea.

If you want a more formal experience there is:
https://www.japanican.com/en/tour/detail/ACT1J00204MMC/?typecd=TOU&deptcd=D10&typegrpcd=TPA

I've not done this tour personally, but I have booked hotels using JapanIcan. They are a subsidiary of JTB, one of the big Japanese travel agencies. I think some of their tours are overpriced compared to doing it on your own, but particularly if you feel anxious about traveling alone, you can look at offered tours. If you have the time, I think Kamakura is one of the most rewarding day trips from Tokyo. I also enjoyed Nikko and Hakone.

Hope all this helps! :D
 
Once again, thank you for taking to time to make such a detailed reply. It occurs to me that I need to get myself a good map of Tokyo and environs.

I think I'm one of the last people on the planet without an ATM card. If I took the equivalent of $1000 in yen do you think that would be enough for a week? I'll have credit cards, or course, but I've read that cash is still widely used.
 
Once again, thank you for taking to time to make such a detailed reply. It occurs to me that I need to get myself a good map of Tokyo and environs.

I think I'm one of the last people on the planet without an ATM card. If I took the equivalent of $1000 in yen do you think that would be enough for a week? I'll have credit cards, or course, but I've read that cash is still widely used.

Depends on where you plan to go and what you plan to buy and where you plan to eat? That's close to $142 a day.

Credit cards are a LOT more widely used in Japan now. Heck, last trip there were places that even took Discover Card finally! You can now charge 500 yen worth of stuff at Lawson's but I don't think you can use your card to recharge a Suica card, though maybe you can at a physical ticket window.

Do not bring traveller's checks. No one in Japan takes them anymore. It changed sometime between 2010 and 2015.

At places like temples, parks, small shops/cafes, it might be cash only and there are plenty of rural areas that are cash only as well (see lots of ryokan in Kyushu ) But if you're going to be in TDR or Tokyo with far trips somewhere like Hakone or Kamakura you should be fine? I am not sure if quick service takes cash only. I think concession stands are cash only, like popcorn at TDR. Sit down restaurants in TDR take credit cards and you can charge your park tickets and hotel. I am pretty sure the limousine bus to/from Tokyo does not, but if you buy a JR ticket or a Keisi ticket fro the travel center they will but not from the ticket machines if I remember correctly.

Make sure you have a working cell phone in Japan. Some phones work as is, some you need to rent a SIM for and you can of course also rent a cell phone as well. It comes in handy to have a cell phone if your credit cards don't work and you need to contact the company. Speaking of which, I stopped bringing a map book with me to Japan because I can use Google Maps to find places! Hyperdia is great for train and travel times. If you really want a physical map, the best map is hands down the Tokyo City Bilingual Atlas. It has great close ups of most places in Tokyo where tourists want to go.

Good luck!
 
I think I'm one of the last people on the planet without an ATM card. If I took the equivalent of $1000 in yen do you think that would be enough for a week? I'll have credit cards, or course, but I've read that cash is still widely used.

We spent the equivalent of $1000 USD in cash over 11 days for our family of 4. For purchases under about 1000 yen, we felt a little weird using credit cards, so in general we used cash. Otherwise, if we could use credit cards, we used it. The big expense was train tickets, that was all cash only. Even when I went to a ticket window to buy a kids' reduced fare Suica, it was cash only. A couple restaurants were cash only, but most took credit cards. If you go to one that's order/pay with a vending machine, those tend to be cash only. Popcorn, snacks at TDR we paid cash, though I seem to remember a trip report that mentioned being able to pay with credit card.

There is foreign currency exchange in the parks at guest services. We exchange some money at DisneySea and surprisingly the exchange rate was quite good (YMMV). The rate at the Sheraton Tokyo Bay, on the other hand, was truly awful.
 
Depends on where you plan to go and what you plan to buy and where you plan to eat? That's close to $142 a day.

Credit cards are a LOT more widely used in Japan now. Heck, last trip there were places that even took Discover Card finally! You can now charge 500 yen worth of stuff at Lawson's but I don't think you can use your card to recharge a Suica card, though maybe you can at a physical ticket window.

Do not bring traveller's checks. No one in Japan takes them anymore. It changed sometime between 2010 and 2015.

At places like temples, parks, small shops/cafes, it might be cash only and there are plenty of rural areas that are cash only as well (see lots of ryokan in Kyushu ) But if you're going to be in TDR or Tokyo with far trips somewhere like Hakone or Kamakura you should be fine? I am not sure if quick service takes cash only. I think concession stands are cash only, like popcorn at TDR. Sit down restaurants in TDR take credit cards and you can charge your park tickets and hotel. I am pretty sure the limousine bus to/from Tokyo does not, but if you buy a JR ticket or a Keisi ticket fro the travel center they will but not from the ticket machines if I remember correctly.

Make sure you have a working cell phone in Japan. Some phones work as is, some you need to rent a SIM for and you can of course also rent a cell phone as well. It comes in handy to have a cell phone if your credit cards don't work and you need to contact the company. Speaking of which, I stopped bringing a map book with me to Japan because I can use Google Maps to find places! Hyperdia is great for train and travel times. If you really want a physical map, the best map is hands down the Tokyo City Bilingual Atlas. It has great close ups of most places in Tokyo where tourists want to go.

Good luck!

My traveling partner has an ATM card -- and knows a lot more about cells phones than I do. May be time to adopt some 21st century ways :scared:

We spent the equivalent of $1000 USD in cash over 11 days for our family of 4. For purchases under about 1000 yen, we felt a little weird using credit cards, so in general we used cash. Otherwise, if we could use credit cards, we used it. The big expense was train tickets, that was all cash only. Even when I went to a ticket window to buy a kids' reduced fare Suica, it was cash only. A couple restaurants were cash only, but most took credit cards. If you go to one that's order/pay with a vending machine, those tend to be cash only. Popcorn, snacks at TDR we paid cash, though I seem to remember a trip report that mentioned being able to pay with credit card.

There is foreign currency exchange in the parks at guest services. We exchange some money at DisneySea and surprisingly the exchange rate was quite good (YMMV). The rate at the Sheraton Tokyo Bay, on the other hand, was truly awful.

Good to know. I actually have some pounds left from a trip to Northern Ireland in May that I should take with me and exchange.

I'm looking forward to the trip, but the first time is always the hardest -- that and how far Tokyo is from New York!
 
My traveling partner has an ATM card -- and knows a lot more about cells phones than I do. May be time to adopt some 21st century ways :scared:

Good to know. I actually have some pounds left from a trip to Northern Ireland in May that I should take with me and exchange.

I'm looking forward to the trip, but the first time is always the hardest -- that and how far Tokyo is from New York!

JFK to NRT is not so bad. I've done it many times. Unless you are planning to go elsewhere, fly direct. ANA and JAL have directs and both have better service than the US airlines. You can use US airline miles to book them. If you can afford Economy Plus or Economy Premium or whatever they are calling it now, do. I usually get fares through JTB since they tend be better than anywhere else.

It's just good to have a cellphone to use in Japan in case: Your credit card is declined. I have had this happen multiple times. You don't want to need to find someplace to try to call collect should it happen. You need directions. You want to check train times. I use mine now as a camera and to call my husband back home. :D
 
Good to know. I actually have some pounds left from a trip to Northern Ireland in May that I should take with me and exchange.

Hmm...I'm not sure about that. I've been researching Scotland, which also issues their own pound notes. Seems the banknotes are hard to exchange internationally. Northern Ireland was also mentioned when I came across this info.

In any case, if you want to try, you'd probably want to do it at the airport or at a bank, instead of TDR or a hotel.
 
JFK to NRT is not so bad. I've done it many times. Unless you are planning to go elsewhere, fly direct. ANA and JAL have directs and both have better service than the US airlines. You can use US airline miles to book them. If you can afford Economy Plus or Economy Premium or whatever they are calling it now, do. I usually get fares through JTB since they tend be better than anywhere else.

It's just good to have a cellphone to use in Japan in case: Your credit card is declined. I have had this happen multiple times. You don't want to need to find someplace to try to call collect should it happen. You need directions. You want to check train times. I use mine now as a camera and to call my husband back home. :D

We did upgrade our seats -- the most i've ever paid to get from point A to point B, but figure this is the time to do it.

I've read about renting phones. Where do you do that?

Hmm...I'm not sure about that. I've been researching Scotland, which also issues their own pound notes. Seems the banknotes are hard to exchange internationally. Northern Ireland was also mentioned when I came across this info.

In any case, if you want to try, you'd probably want to do it at the airport or at a bank, instead of TDR or a hotel.

You might think I would learn my lesson about using cash. We came home from Ireland (north and south) with over 500 euros and 150 pounds.

Thanks for the tip about exchanging at the airport or bank.
 
We did upgrade our seats -- the most i've ever paid to get from point A to point B, but figure this is the time to do it.

I've read about renting phones. Where do you do that?



You might think I would learn my lesson about using cash. We came home from Ireland (north and south) with over 500 euros and 150 pounds.

Thanks for the tip about exchanging at the airport or bank.

Make sure you exchange at the airport in Japan. The rates in US airports tend to be awful, but Japanese airports tend to have fair and decent rates. Overall, exchanging money in Japan is easier than in Europe imho.

In the past, I've rented from Softbank: https://www.softbank-rental.jp/en/ They're one of the big carriers in Japan and have lots of rental locations. I used to rent at the airport and return at the airport because it was easiest. Since Softbank is so large I could rent from Narita and return at KIX even. There are lots of other companies that do smartphone rental as well. I think Japan Experience (I got my rail pass from them last trip) and JTB might offer rentals as well. I like Softbank because I like picking it up and dropping it off at the airport. It's one less thing I need to remember to pack. I use to rent a physical phone because my US phone didn't work. I guess if I were to do it now, I would think about just renting the SIM card, I don't know. I've thought about renting personal WiFi but I'm not sure how well that will work in rural locations.

Depending on your phone brand and carrier in the US, your phone might work in Japan with just allowing roaming. I am on Project Fi, and my phone works in Japan as is. I love it, it means cheaper phone calls home. Apple products also tend to work in Japan. Everything else is sort of mixed bag.

Hope this helps! :)
 
Make sure you exchange at the airport in Japan. The rates in US airports tend to be awful, but Japanese airports tend to have fair and decent rates. Overall, exchanging money in Japan is easier than in Europe imho.

In the past, I've rented from Softbank: https://www.softbank-rental.jp/en/ They're one of the big carriers in Japan and have lots of rental locations. I used to rent at the airport and return at the airport because it was easiest. Since Softbank is so large I could rent from Narita and return at KIX even. There are lots of other companies that do smartphone rental as well. I think Japan Experience (I got my rail pass from them last trip) and JTB might offer rentals as well. I like Softbank because I like picking it up and dropping it off at the airport. It's one less thing I need to remember to pack. I use to rent a physical phone because my US phone didn't work. I guess if I were to do it now, I would think about just renting the SIM card, I don't know. I've thought about renting personal WiFi but I'm not sure how well that will work in rural locations.

Depending on your phone brand and carrier in the US, your phone might work in Japan with just allowing roaming. I am on Project Fi, and my phone works in Japan as is. I love it, it means cheaper phone calls home. Apple products also tend to work in Japan. Everything else is sort of mixed bag.

Hope this helps! :)

Yes! Very helpful, thanks. I'm going to pass the information onto my tech support person -- my son - who is going on the trip with me. :thumbsup2
 
My main concern would be dragging suitcases on the train. Your hotel can help you use Takuhaibin service to transport your suitcase from one hotel to another. It usually takes less than 24 hours to receive your suitcase at the new hotel and costs around $20/suitcase. If you rather hold on to your belongings you can take a taxi, but it's very expensive. You can expect to pay $50 for to any area in the Southeast portion of Tokyo, up to $100+ to Shinjuku. The cheapest alternative would be to take the train/metro, but it can be a pain to lug your suitcases, especially during rush hour. Most, but not all station in Tokyo have elevators or escalators.

I would suggest a hotel near Hatchobori station. It's on the Keiyo line so you don't need to transfer trains while lugging suitcases, and I believe it's one stop away from Tokyo station. There are several inexpensive hotels that are clean, safe, and include breakfast. You can expect to pay less than $125/night for two people. The back alleys in this area are filled with mom and pop type restaurants and bars, but there's also a Denny's and Yoshinoyas. The Kayabacho line is just a block away from the Hatchobori station. If I have to stay in a hotel (I prefer to rent apartments), this is my favorite area for price and convenience.
 
My main concern would be dragging suitcases on the train. Your hotel can help you use Takuhaibin service to transport your suitcase from one hotel to another. It usually takes less than 24 hours to receive your suitcase at the new hotel and costs around $20/suitcase. If you rather hold on to your belongings you can take a taxi, but it's very expensive. You can expect to pay $50 for to any area in the Southeast portion of Tokyo, up to $100+ to Shinjuku. The cheapest alternative would be to take the train/metro, but it can be a pain to lug your suitcases, especially during rush hour. Most, but not all station in Tokyo have elevators or escalators.

I would suggest a hotel near Hatchobori station. It's on the Keiyo line so you don't need to transfer trains while lugging suitcases, and I believe it's one stop away from Tokyo station. There are several inexpensive hotels that are clean, safe, and include breakfast. You can expect to pay less than $125/night for two people. The back alleys in this area are filled with mom and pop type restaurants and bars, but there's also a Denny's and Yoshinoyas. The Kayabacho line is just a block away from the Hatchobori station. If I have to stay in a hotel (I prefer to rent apartments), this is my favorite area for price and convenience.

Thank you for taking the time to write such a detailed answer. We've been talking about carry on or checkered luggage and I never thought about lugging it on the train. I've made notes about your suggestions. Thank you!
 
Our family of four (two teenagers) have been to Tokyo and TDR twice in the past three years. Both times we've taken NEX from Narita to Tokyo then transferred to the Keiyo Line out to Disney luggage and all. The connection gives you the grand tour of the entire Tokyo Station, just be ready to get off the train when it stops.
It can be done.

We've stayed at the MiraCosta (pricey) at Disney Sea and Disney Celebration (15 minute bus ride from TDR) Hotel. The only other hotel was a Comfort Hotel near Kiyosumi-Shirakawa subway station. Reasonable and nice. Try booking.com for neighborhood info, prices and pictures.

You'll find ATMs at all 7-11, Lawson's & FamilyMart locations. Best way to obtain cash as we found most transactions were still in cash. I agree with exchanging back into dollars at Narita/Haneda and not in US.

I agree with everyone else about the safety and security in Tokyo. It's not a concern.

Don't worry about the flights as the time will pass (you'll nap, eat, watch 2-3 movies and shows and catch up on any reading you bring along).

The food in Tokyo is great and reasonable. Try a McDonalds/Wendy's/KFC for comparison, but also be adventurous. We stumbled across a sushi go-round restaurant in Shibuya called Genki Sushi. It's a chain (Honolulu has them) but others like them are around Tokyo. Kinda fun......
 

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