By: Peng Jieying
Although the yen remains weak, just like in Hong Kong, Tokyo also faces the "land problem," making accommodation inevitably a bit of an expense. Want to stay affordably yet stylishly? Here are 3 hipster hostels with design, awards, and all for under $300!
1. Toco
With the exterior of a traditional Japanese-style old house and an interior design combining Western bar aesthetics, Toco Guest House is one of Tokyo’s top small design hostels. Just the bar-designed entrance has appeared in numerous international design magazines. Guests are even given a complimentary non-alcoholic drink to enjoy. The building features a 400-year-old sacred tree relocated from Mount Fuji, which is only open for “climbing” in June each year—otherwise, it can only be admired from afar.
(Photo: Facebook @ Global Hotels Underground Curator)
Address: 2-13-21 Shitaya, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Phone: +81-(0)3-6458-1686
Website: http://backpackersjapan.co.jp/
Room Rate: 2,600 – 3,000 JPY per person (approx. $165 – $190)
Other: The hostel offers free Wi-Fi, hair dryer, cooking facilities; bath towels are 100 JPY and face towels 50 JPY each.
2. RetroMetro Backpackers
Love raw, industrial vibes? Then RetroMetro Backpackers in Asakusa is totally your hipster style. The earth-toned lobby, paired with dim lighting, gives off a natural cave-like feel with a warm visual atmosphere. Opened in 2012, the hostel offers mixed-gender and female-only dorms with limited rooms, helping travelers get to know each other and fostering a friendly vibe.
(Photo: Facebook @RetrometroBackpackers )
Address: 2-19-1 Nishi-Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Phone: +81-(0)3-6322-7447
Website: http://retrometrobackpackers.com/index.html
Room Rate: 2,600 JPY per person (approx. $165)
Other: The hostel offers free Wi-Fi, hair dryer, cooking facilities; bath towels are 100 JPY each.
3. Kangaroo Hotel
Award-winning doesn’t have to mean expensive. The Kangaroo Hotel, which won the Good Design Award in 2011, is an affordable gem. It offers multiple room types, and despite its budget-friendly price, the interior design maximizes space. All options come in well under $300. Location-wise, it sits along the Yurakucho/Hibiya Line—just an 11-minute walk from the station.
(Photo: Facebook @Kangaroo Hotel )
Address: 1-21-11 Nihonbashi, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Phone: +81-(0)3-3872-8573
Website: http://kangaroohotel.jp/access.html
Room Rate: 3,600 JPY for single occupancy (approx. $225); 5,500 JPY for double occupancy (approx. $345)
Other: The hotel provides free Wi-Fi and hair dryer.
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