Tokyo Guide Part 2: What to Do and Where to Stay!

Tokyo Guide

Tokyo is one of my favorite cities in the world, and there’s a reason why I keep going back time and time again. I talked about the planning side of the trip in Part 1 of the article, and that covers everything you need to know about planning for your trip, including when to go, how long to stay, how to get around, plus so much more.

Now, let’s dive into Part 2 of the Tokyo guide, which is all about what to do when you arrive. I’ll share my favorite things to do in Tokyo for a first time visit, a few day trips you can do from the city, and a breakdown of where to stay. 準備ができて? (Ready)😉

Best Things to Do in Tokyo

Tokyo really does have something for everyone, and if it’s your first visit, then here are my recommendations.

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

This is Tokyo’s City Hall, and it’s located near Shinjuku station. This offers an amazing viewpoint of Tokyo, and it’s completely free. You will find it quite crowded some days, but overall the views make it worth it and it beats the hassle of having to purchase a Shibuya Sky ticket.

Meiji Jingu + Harajuku

Meiji Jingu shrine is located inside Yoyogi Park, which is a very peaceful park located in between the chaos of Shinjuku or Shibuya.

Harajuku is right next to it, which means you can go be back in the action in minutes.

Senso-ji Temple (Asakusa)

Senso-ji is one of the most iconic temples in Japan, and definitely worth checking out. It’s quite touristy, so if you don’t like large crowds then it might not be worth going to. But beyond that there is an ample amount of shopping nearby too

Akihabara (for anime, tech, and chaos)

If you are into anime or tech, then Akihabara is a great area of Tokyo to walk through, both during the day and at night. For electronics, then I would highly recommend Yodobashi Camera. It is the world’s electronics store, but at the same time has so much more than that.

TeamLab (a modern Tokyo highlight)

TeamLabs is an art exhibit of sorts. It’s hard to explain, but I would highly recommend it. I’ve visited both in Tokyo, and I found myself preferring the one in Azabudai Hills (Borderless). Planets is more of a pain to get to, and also has some water exhibits.

Ginza

Ginza is the luxury shopping district of Tokyo. But even with that, it’s worth visiting for the world’s largest Uniqlo and Muji (clothes and stationery), as well as for the overall atmosphere.

Sunset: Odaiba

Odaiba is not somewhere I would recommend staying, but it’s worth visiting for sure. There are two large malls, but best of all the views of Tokyo are unforgettable. Furthermore, the train ride on the Yurikamome Line is my favorite one in Tokyo.

Day Trips From Tokyo

If you have more than 6 days, then adding a day trip is a great idea to leave the hustle and bustle of Tokyo. Here are my four favorite recommendations.

Hakone

Hakone is an easy place to get to from Tokyo, and offers stunning views of Mt. Fuji, weather permitting, ryokans — Japanese style inns, and hot springs. It is quite touristy, which I guess is a good thing and a bad thing.

Enoshima

Enoshima is located about 75 minutes from Tokyo, and offers a great beach, shrines, and a lighthouse. The three times I’ve visited I didn’t encounter many foreigners, for what it’s worth.

Fuji Q Highland

Fuji Q Highland is an awesome amusement park located very close to Mt. Fuji. It’s not at all close to Hakone, but it is still quite easy to get to from Tokyo. Tickets are about $40-50 per day, and I never found it crowded making it another excellent option if you have children.

Tokyo Disney

Disney is located in Chiba prefecture, which is the prefecture next to Tokyo (similar to a state) and is accessible by JR’s Keio Line which takes 20 minutes to get into Tokyo. So in theory, you could just stay where you are in Tokyo and just take the train in, but it’s a personal preference more than anything. I’ve personally never visited this Disney, but I think it’s important to note that it is a lot more inexpensive than the US parks.

Hotels in Tokyo

Tokyo is one of the best hotel cities in the world if you play the points game well—but it’s also a city where hotel pricing can swing wildly depending on season, weekday, and events.

Overall, Tokyo is not what it’s cracked up to be these days for points options these days. With rates at many hotels being ¥100,000 ($600 per night for a Hilton!), it means points rates are high as a result. But, I know many people like the ease of staying at an American hotel which is why many choose the Hyatt or Hilton in Tokyo. Here are the different hotel chain options in Tokyo.

World of Hyatt

Hyatt has got a pretty decent offering in Tokyo, with options all around the city…at a price, but:

• Points redemptions can be a high value
• Globalist perks can be helpful

Hyatt options in Tokyo:

• Park Hyatt Tokyo: Located in Shinjuku, this property recently reopened after an extensive remodel, but it is a Category 8 and known for its appearance in the movie Lost in Translation.
• Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills: Many consider this to be the best option in Tokyo, with an excellent location, and great amenities, but it is also a Category 8. You cannot use a suite upgrade at this hotel.
• Grand Hyatt Tokyo: The Grand Hyatt is also a Category 8, which is very overpriced, but it is in a great location being in Roppongi.
• Hyatt Regency Tokyo: The Hyatt Regency Tokyo is also located in Shinjuku, just like the Park Hyatt. It is a Category 5, which is still expensive for the product offered.
• Hyatt House Tokyo Shibuya: This is a new option for Tokyo and located in the popular Shibuya. Many like this hotel for its good location and in-room washer and dryer.
• Hotel Toranomon Hills: The Hotel Toranomon Hills is quite new to Tokyo, and offers a good location, as it’s right across the street from the Andaz, but it’s also a bit closer to the train station. The Andaz does offer better amenities, but the Hotel Toranomon Hills offers a club lounge.
• Hyatt Centric Ginza Tokyo: The Hyatt Centric Ginza all in all probably offers the best location of the Tokyo Hyatts, but it is very bare bones for a Category 7 hotel.
• Caption by Hyatt Kabutocho Tokyo: This hotel only opened in the past few months, and overall the location is pretty meh for Tokyo. It’s still convenient, but the nearby Nihombashi doesn’t have anything interesting.
• Hyatt Regency Tokyo Bay: Don’t let the low price fool you. While it is very affordable, this hotel is in Chiba, and requires one transfer to get to Shin-Urayasu station, and then from there you can go to Tokyo Station or Disney. So if you are staying here as you are a Hyatt loyalist and want to go to Disney, then it might make sense but otherwise I don’t recommend it.

Marriott Bonvoy

Marriott also has a ton of options. I’ve never stayed at a Marriott in Tokyo, so I will just provide a sentence or two of thoughts for each hotel.

Top Marriott options in Tokyo:

• Four Points Flex by Sheraton Tokyo Shibuya West: The rooms are small, and it’s a stop away from Shibuya, so it’s not really in Shibuya. It’s important to note that these hotels only earn 0.5 elite night credits per night.
• The Prince Gallery Tokyo Kioicho, a Luxury Collection Hotel: The location is excellent (Akasaka), and it is inside of a large shopping center.
• The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo: This hotel has a fantastic club lounge, and is located in Roppongi.
• The Tokyo EDITION, Toranomon: Great views, and the hotel has awesome amenities.
• The Westin Tokyo: The hotel is not in a great location, and it’s also located rather far from the Ebisu and Meguro stations. If you like club lounges, this hotel does offer one.
• Sheraton Miyako Hotel Tokyo: The Sheraton Miyako is not in a good area either, as it is located between Shibuya and Shinagawa. Like the Westin, this hotel also has a club lounge.
• Bvlgari Hotel Tokyo: The Bvlgari Hotel has an incredible location, with it being just steps from Tokyo Station.
• Courtyard, AC Hotel, andAloft Tokyo Ginza Hotels: These 3 hotels are all very expensive for what they are, but they are in good locations being in Ginza.
• The Tokyo EDITION, Ginza: Also located in Ginza, the EDITION is a great hotel but lacks amenities for the price.
• Courtyard by Marriott Tokyo Station: This Courtyard is located right near Tokyo Station making it easy to get to anywhere in Tokyo. But, this comes at a price.
• Mesm Tokyo, Autograph Collection: The Mesm offers stunning views of the garden and water below, but it’s not well located.
• JW Marriott Hotel Tokyo: The JW Marriott is located steps from Shinagawa but this location isn’t particularly great for sightseeing as its far south. This hotel features a club lounge.
• The Prince Sakura Tower Tokyo, Autograph Collection: The Prince Sakura is also located near Shinagawa station. Surprisingly, this hotel features a club lounge.
• Four Points Flex by Sheraton Tokyo Higashi Kanda: This location is not the best, but also not bad as you can reach Shinjuku in about 20 minutes and Akihabara in 12. Since it’s a Four Points Flex you only receive 0.5 elite night credits per night.
• Four Points Flex by Sheraton Tokyo Ueno: This location is really good and decently priced for the location, but once again it’s a Four Points Flex so you earn 0.5 elite night credits per night.
• Tokyo Marriott Hotel: This hotel is to the south of Shinagawa station, which makes it convenient for flights out of Haneda Airport (HND), but that’s about it.
• Moxy Tokyo Kinshicho: The Moxy is located near a JR station which takes you to Shinjuku or Shibuya in about a half hour so it’s not inconvenient, but it’s not got a lot of touristy things around. This is similar to a lot of the hotels near Shinagawa station.
• Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay Hotel: The Sheraton is located on Disneyland property, which makes it very conveniently located for that. But, for Tokyo proper it isn’t very good. There’s also a club lounge which is great for avoiding Disney’s high prices.

Hilton Honors

Hilton has an average portfolio of options, and I hope more are added soon as there aren’t a lot of budget options. But for luxury the Conrad is by far the best pick.

Top Hilton options:

• Conrad Tokyo: This hotel has a club lounge and has an above average location, being right near Shimbashi and Shiodome stations. There are also great views of the Hamarikyu gardens below as well as Tokyo Bay. If you have a Hilton Free Night Certificate this is a great value.
• Tokyo Station Hotel: The Tokyo Station Hotel has a phenomenal location as it’s inside of Tokyo Station. Prices are actually pretty decent for what you get, but award availability is hard to find. This is a Small Luxury Hotel (SLH).
• Takanawa Hanakohro: Like the Tokyo Station Hotel, this is also part of the SLH collection. It’s near Shinagawa station which isn’t great. But, it is close to the station which can’t be said about some of the Marriott options.
• DoubleTree by Hilton Tokyo Ariake: The DoubleTree hotel is located in the Ariake area, which is a manmade island in the Tokyo Bay. It’s close to a lot of meeting space, which is probably the only reason it was built. And if you aren’t there for that, I don’t recommend it.
• Hilton Tokyo Bay: The Hilton Tokyo Bay is located in the Tokyo Disney area like the Sheraton, so if you are there for that then the location is great.
• Hilton Tokyo: This is located very close to the Hyatt Regency, both of which have good locations. It’s a perfectly fine hotel with a club lounge, and it’s conveniently located near Shinjuku station.

IHG One Rewards

IHG has a below average presence in Tokyo, as the hotels are not in the best areas for tourism.

Top IHG options:

• InterContinental Tokyo Bay: The InterContinental has a pretty bad location, though it is convenient if you want to visit Odaiba. Beyond that, the club lounge is quite good but does come at an extra cost.
• ANA InterContinental Tokyo: This is located in the Akasaka neighborhood, which is quite central. But the surrounding area of the hotel doesn’t have a lot. Furthermore, it is also quite a walk to the nearest metro station (Tameike Sanno on the Ginza Line).
• InterContinental The Strings Tokyo: The InterContinental is located by Shinagawa station which is a decent location but not as central, as say, Ginza is. This is considered by many to be the best IHG option.
• Kimpton Shinjuku Tokyo: The Kimpton is in Shinjuku, just like the Hyatt Regency and Intercontinental are, but it’s a 15 minute walk to Shinjuku station, so in some aspects its not even that close.
• Hotel Indigo Tokyo Shibuya: Last but not least for IHG is the Hotel Indigo. The location is actually by far the best of the IHG options, and its located in the heart of Shibuya. So if you are an IHG loyalist, then this is the option I’d pick.

Japanese Business Hotels

While this blog primarily focuses on American hotel chains, I will say that it’s definitely worth looking into Japanese hotels in Tokyo. I find them to be an amazing value, with some costing as little as $45 or $50 per night. At that price, the hotels are pretty bare bones in terms of amenities, but it’s perfectly fine if you are just needing a place to sleep. There are also some hotels located inside train stations, such as the JR Hotel chains which makes getting around Tokyo incredibly convenient.

But, if you want more than that, then the luxury options provide even better value. The Courtyard and Alofts in the Ginza/Tokyo Station area go for $400+ a night. But on the other hand, you can find the Okura or Capital Hotel Tokyu for the same price, which are true 5 star hotels in excellent locations. Yes, you don’t get your elite benefits, but at an Aloft or Courtyard you wouldn’t be getting much anyways.

So overall, don’t sleep on the Japanese hotel options when in Japan.

Final Thoughts: Tokyo Guide

Tokyo is one of, if not my favorite cities in the world. In the matter of minutes you can go from a high energy area like Shinjuku to the peaceful Meiji Jingu Shrine. And suffice to say, whether you spend 3 days or 3 weeks you will have an unforgettable time. There are also hotel options for everyone — whether you want to stay on a budget or stay at a 5 star luxury hotel like the Park Hyatt. So all that there is left to do now is plan your trip!