Tokyo is perennially on our to-visit-again list, but let’s face it: it gets expensive. Luckily its new budget hotel options are abundant in the coolness factor. Here are some we’re especially excited about.
Kampai without Crawling Home
At first glance, you could easily mistake the inviting combination of glass and wooden decor at Nui Hostel for one of those stylish cafes in Shimokitazawa. This isn’t so far wrong, since the hostel is loved as much for its modest rooms as for the cafe and bar lounge on the first floor. The cafe opens from 8am-6pm, serving a seasonal menu of fusion dishes like teriyaki pizza and ginger chicken, while the bar takes over from 6pm and stays open till 1am. Drink as much draft Asahi as you like without having to worry about getting back to your hotel thanks to the on-site dormitory (mixed and female) as well as private rooms with views of the Sumida River from your veranda. Nui Hostel is located in Kuramae, a downtown area near Asakusa where creative arts and craft communities meet. Other facilities include shared bathrooms, kitchen and library.
Price: $31-$42 per person
Like a Hipster
Located in the quiet neighbourhood of Higashinagasaki, Capca Pucapuca is also the home studio of sound design artist Daisuke. As well as running a funky cafe and bar on the first floor, Daisuke has also turned the second floor of his place into a homestay welcoming likeminded travelers. Here, you’ll be sleeping on hammocks in a spacious and well-decorated room, sharing small talk with the host and his cool friends, and no doubt drinking at the bar (which stays open from 10am-midnight). Though the neighborhood isn’t particularly well known, it’s only two stations away from Ikebukuro, one of Tokyo’s largest metropolitan districts. One thing that might worry Thai travelers is that the place only has a toilet and no showers, but overcome your embarrassment and go get naked in public at the traditional local baths—a part of Japanese culture that is slowly disappearing. The bathhouse is only six minutes away on foot and the neighborhood is really safe. Capca Pucapuca can only accommodate up to four people, and at least three months of advanced boking is recommended.
Price: $23 per night
Future Solutions
Remember that futuristic-looking love hotel in The Wolverine (2013)? Yeah, this is it, and the actual name is Nakagin Capsule Tower. The mixed-use building is one of the earliest examples of Metabolist architecture, completed in just 30 days in 1972. The brutal-looking building gives way to an interior that’s kept very clean, offering small, capsule accommodation originally designed for salarymen in need of the bare minimum of living space. The location is also great, in the same neighborhood as the Imperial Palace, Tsukiji Fish Market and Ginza, and not far from Shimbashi station. For architecture enthusiasts, Nakagin Capsule Tower offers a rare, affordable stay in an iconic building, but book early—three months of advanced notice is recommended. Maximum stay of two people per booking.
Price: $105 per night
Minimal to the Max
Not so far from Ueno Zoo is a neighbourhood called Nezu, and within three minutes’ walk from the station you’ll find Hotel Graphy. Standing out thanks to simple yet smart design, the four-story building puts its minimalist concept first. As well as serving as residences, the 400-sq-meter space has also been chopped up for more innovative purposes, including a common area where guests from all over the world are encouraged interact and share their experience. It also serves as a venue for the occasional pop-up store or event. Room types range from single rooms with shared bathrooms to deluxe twin rooms. The hotel also owns a very cozy cafe and bar that runs from 7am-11pm, serving both traditional Japanese and fusion dishes. Be sure to check out the rooftop terrace, as well as rent a bike for a little sightseeing around the neighborhood. The hotel is within walking distance from Ueno Station, where you can get direct access to Narita Airport in 45 minutes via Keisei Skyliner express train.
Price: $163 per night for a small room
Meet the Geeks
Japan is famous for its fanboy obsession of pop-culture, and Akihabara is deemed the top destination for those seeking out anime and manga specialists, J-pop idol memorabilia and electrical equipment. It’s also where you’ll find A-POP House, which belongs to two self-confessed Japanese pop geeks, Riki and Hanzo. While Hanzo is a guru on the anime scene, Riki is the real deal when it comes to A-pop (that’s Akihabara pop culture), and their home is filled with their personal collection. Staying with them offers a real opportunity to talk it out with locals who are more than welcome to share their passion. The place is small yet very clean, meeting the most exacting Japanese standards, and is just 15 minutes’ walk from Akihabara Station. They both work on weekdays, so if you plan to hang out it’s best to plan your stay over a weekend. A few things to consider: you will be sleeping with the two hosts, and only up to three guests at a time are accepted. At least one-month advance booking recommended.
Price: $35 per night
Essentials
Singaporean citizens don’t need a visa for stays up to 90 days. Other nationalities may apply for a visa at the Japan Creative Centre (JCC) (4 Nassim Road., 6737-043, www.sg.emb-japan.go.jp.
