14 best mid-range hotels in Tokyo for around ¥20,000

This stylish ryokan provides a taste of traditional Japan in bustling Shinjuku. The rooms have tatami spaces graced with bonsai plants, low tables and large futons, plus big windows with views out over the city.

One of the highlights is the relaxing onsen area on the 18th floor, with water brought in from a hot spring source in Hakone. There’s even a rotenburo (open-air bath) if you want to take your bath with a bout of fresh air.

From about ¥17,000 per room per night for one guest

You’ll find the minimalist Mustard Hotel in one of Tokyo’s coolest neighbourhoods, Shimokitazawa. Designed by architect Shin Ohori, the property features a clean, modern aesthetic with plenty of greenery and seating areas for people to socialise. 

The hotel's 60 rooms range from semi-double bunk beds to deluxe abodes with spacious outdoor balconies. All rooms come with a record player and you can borrow vinyl for free from the pop-up shop in the lobby during your stay. 

From about ¥14,450 per room per night for one guest

The chic Toggle Hotel is designed by Tokyo-based architecture firm Klein Dytham and features two-tone colour-blocking throughout the entire property. On the hotel's exterior, a bright yellow was chosen to match the colour of the Chuo-Sobu line trains that run near the hotel, while the grey was picked to match the surrounding concrete buildings. 

The interior is even more striking, with rooms and hallways decorated from floor to ceiling in two bold colours creating an eye-catching impact. For your stay, you can choose from five different colour combinations ranging from pink-grey to green-beige. 

From about ¥18,200 per room per night for one guest

This hotel in Oshiage is designed by renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma and features his signature wood panelling over the exterior of the building. Kuma’s wood-clad architectural style continues on the hotel’s stunning rooftop, which boasts an incredible view of Tokyo Skytree.

Besides regular rooms and suites, the hotel also has universal rooms that are wheelchair accessible. The spacious lobby is a nice place to spend time, too, with a cosy café that doubles as a hangout spot for guests and locals. 

From about ¥15,750 per room per night for one guest

This lively hotel contains a microcosm of Ginza’s vibrant nightlife, so much so that it’s possible to enjoy a night out without leaving the hotel premises. Here you’ll find live DJ sessions six times a week as well as a prosecco bar, a chic lounge and a members-only secret champagne bar.

For something more laid back, the second-floor Omoki Bar is designed for serious music fans, who come here to enjoy its collection of analog records curated by Tsukuhisa Shinkawa, the director of Ginza Records. This passion for audio integrity even extends to the hotel’s 161 rooms, which are all decked out with projectors, high-quality speakers and state-of-the-art audio systems.

From about ¥26,400 per room per night for one guest

Nohga Hotel makes for a great base if you’re looking to experience the shitamachi (old town) flair of Tokyo’s Taito district. The hotel’s 130 smart-looking rooms are spread out across ten floors and they feature homeware created in collaboration with local artisans from the surrounding ward, such as Kimoto Glassware. 

Teruo Kurosaki, the founder of homeware and interior shop Idée, was in charge of the hotel’s interior design. As such, there’s an emphasis on art, with the hotel displaying a rotating selection of creative works throughout the year.

From about ¥23,490 per room per night for one guest

This stylish yet affordable hotel in Shibuya is just minutes away from hotspots like Miyashita Park and Cat Street. It’s also home to a great in-house café, pizzeria and craft beer bar. 

There are 160 guest rooms ranging from compact rooms for two to suites that can fit up to four people. There's even a so-called 'Styling Room', which is outfitted with stylish furnishings curated by gallery Kian.

The hotel’s all-day dining restaurant Good Cheese Good Pizza is where you can enjoy hot-from-the-oven pizzas as well as freshly-made cheese and homemade bread. If you’re thirsty, stop by the outpost of About Life Coffee Brewers, which shares its space with craft beer specialists Mikkeller.

From about ¥25,820 per room per night for one guest

This artsy hotel in Nihonbashi is run by BnA (short for ‘Bed and Art’) and sits across the street from the very chic Commissary food hall. BnA Wall is more than just a place to stay – each of the 26 rooms is unique and designed by one of 23 different local emerging artists. Some have taken a minimalist approach, while others have decorated the room with all the colours of the rainbow.

The lobby bar is run by the team behind Shibuya Oiran, a popular hangout spot among locals and tourists for the past decade. Sip on the speciality CBD-infused lassi, a seasonal sake or even a Japanese non-alcoholic cocktail while you observe the massive six-metre-tall mural that runs all the way down to the basement – you’ll find more of the artists’ creations down there. 

From about ¥18,225 per room per night for one guest

This stylish budget hotel is the first of its kind run by Prince Hotels chain. As it caters to the young, mobile generation, the hotel operates via a smartphone app, which also acts as a door key. Keeping up with the high-tech theme, certain rooms are equipped with a ‘smart mirror’ that you can use to check the weather and control the music in the room.

Location wise, the hotel is conveniently placed in the middle of Ebisu, close to plenty of restaurants and bars but still slightly away from the crowds. At the hotel you’ll find Da Café Ebisu, which serves one of the city’s best fruit sandwiches as well as seasonal desserts. 

From about ¥17,372 per room per night for one guest

Close to both Toyosu fish market and the teamLab Planets art museum, this affordable hotel in Shinonome is hard to beat when it comes to location. What’s more, the hotel runs a free shuttle bus that takes you directly to Toyosu Station. 

Before you head out for some sightseeing, fill up at the hotel’s generous Japanese-style breakfast buffet. You can choose from the likes of grilled fish, soba, udon, tamagoyaki omelette and more. Then, once you’re back from exploring Tokyo, unwind in the hotel’s relaxing public bath. 

From about ¥20,350 per room per night for one guest

If you want to make Shibuya the base for your Tokyo trip, then this hotel is a great choice. It’s just a one-minute walk from Shibuya Station's new south exit, and around ten minutes from Shibuya Scramble Crossing. You can chill out at any time of day in the 24-hour lobby lounge, which is also ideal for meetings and remote working. There’s free wifi and coffee for guests, too.

From about ¥22,892 per room per night for one guest

There's a strong affinity for robots in Japan – just see some of the restaurant workers and pets. Japan has also pioneered the ‘robot hotel’, with Henn na Hotel in Nagasaki holding the Guinness World Record for the ‘first robot-staffed hotel’.

Henn na Hotel – whose name’s first character means both ‘strange’ and ‘change’ in Japanese – now has properties around Tokyo, including this one in Ginza. Straight off the bat, you’ll be welcomed and checked in by androids at the reception. There are other robots on duty, and your room comes with the cutting-edge LG Styler, a sort of steam wardrobe that will help freshen your clothes. 

From about ¥14,700 per room per night for one guest

Just a six-minute walk from Ueno Park and three minutes from Uguisudani Station, this hotel is close to some of the city’s best museums, nature attractions and the ever-popular Ueno Zoo. Rooms are stylish and well-equipped, and some even have nice views out over the city towards Ueno Park.

The best way to start your day here is with the hotel’s varied breakfast buffet. You can choose from Western dishes like sausages, scrambled eggs and pastries, or go for Japanese breakfast options like miso soup, tofu and grilled fish.

From about ¥9,500 per room per night for one guest

If you’re looking for a quintessential Japanese accommodation experience, opt to stay in a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn). Sawanoya is a great choice as it caters almost exclusively to foreign guests and has private rooms with ensuite bathrooms. 

Rooms are lined with tatami mats and you'll be able to experience sleeping on a futon floor mattress. You’ll also be given a yukata (casual cotton kimono) to lounge around in. There are mod cons, too, like free wifi, air conditioners and televisions. 

From about ¥13,970 per room per night for a private room with bathroom (from ¥6,930 for a room without a private bathroom)