Tokyo is a sprawling metropolis full of neon skyscrapers, funky neighbourhoods, hipster hangouts and history. Whatever you’re interested in, you’ll definitely find it in Tokyo.
It also happens to be one of the world’s most expensive cities. Not just to live in, but to visit. However, there are a number of tips and tricks that will help you stay in this eclectic city on a budget.
We’ve figured out the best and cheapest hostels in Tokyo to help you find somewhere that’s comfortable but won’t break the bank. So, without further ado, let’s get started!
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Not only one of the best budget hostels in Tokyo but arguably one of the coolest, CITAN Hostel is awash with on-point aesthetics and multiple additional extras. The main draw to this place is that it’s home to a vibrant restaurant and bar down in the basement.
Coupled with its ground-floor coffee shop Berth, it’s the perfect place to mingle with travelers and locals alike. It’s also popular among locals, who stop by to grab a coffee, have dinner in the evening, or come for the popular DJ sets.
The restaurant/bar prices aren’t exactly budget-friendly, but it does make for an easy place to enjoy food and drink in Tokyo. The industrial-style rooms are cool and simple, but this hostel focuses mainly on the social aspect.
It’s also super clean, but that’s standard for all of Japan’s hostels.
Where is CITAN Hostel?
You’ll find this cool hostel in Higashi-Nihonbashi. It’s not exactly central, but with four train stations nearby, getting to the Narita or Haneda Airport is fairly simple. This isn’t Shibuya or Shinjuku, more of an old-school business district, but you’ll get to see a different, cheaper side to Japan.
There are a lot of different room options available at CITAN Hostel. Dorm choices include:
- Mixed dorm
- Female dorm
Want a private room instead? You’ll have the following options available to you:
- Double bed with a shared bathroom
- Twin room with a shared bathroom
- Deluxe twin room with a shared bathroom
- Superior double bed with a shared bathroom
Prices at CITAN Hostel start at $25 USD per night.
Any extras?
It’s obviously not just about a cheap place to crash at this Tokyo hostel. You’ll also benefit from the following amenities:
- Common room
- Bar
- Laundry facilities
- Free Wi-Fi
- Air-con
- Restaurant
- Coffee shop
- Outdoor terrace
One of the coolest things at CITAN Hostel is that they’ll often have a DJ spinning some beats, which turns this place into a bustling nightspot.
All in all, it’s great. The decor is pretty cool, and the basement bar is even cooler. Most importantly, the rooms are cheap. Be warned – the food and drink prices are not hostel prices, so you may want to grab your grub from elsewhere.
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Toco Tokyo Heritage Hostel isn’t just budget-friendly, it’s the chance for you to stay in an old-school Japanese house and live out your anime fantasies to the max. It’s set in a traditional wooden house built in 1920, but it was been lovingly renovated recently into the awesome space it is today.
Boasting beautiful private rooms (seriously, they’re amazing) and calm, cosy dorms, you’ll be hard-pressed to not enjoy staying here. Throughout the hostel, the spaces are utterly immaculate, including the ramshackle-style bar and lounge where even locals stop by for a drink or two.
The stunning garden is a slice of serenity and an amazing place to chill out. Spend your time sitting on the veranda, drinking tea and looking out onto this mossy oasis. There’s even a mini mountain made with rocks from Mount Fuji itself. What’s not to love?
Where is Toco Tokyo Heritage Hostel?
This amazing budget accommodation in Tokyo is situated in the district of Taito, right near Iriya train station. It’s also close to the Yamanote Line station of Uguisudani. This is a quiet, local neighbourhood that’ll charm your socks off, with cute coffee joints and laid-back eateries dotted around.
There are some great room choices on offer at Toco, including the following dorm and private room options:
- Mixed dorm
- Female dorm
- Deluxe double private bed with en-suite bathroom
Prices start at $32 per night (note: the private room is way more pricey).
Any extras?
In addition to being set in a beautiful old building, there are also the following facilities to make use of during your stay at this hostel:
- Free Wi-Fi
- Garden
- Luggage storage
- Laundry facilities
- Bar/cafe
- Communal kitchen
- Bicycle rental (additional fee)
- Air-con
Aside from this place being utterly beautiful, there’s loads on offer to make your stay as comfortable as possible. It’s by no means a party hostel in Tokyo; Instead, it’s a small, intimate space that’s all about the atmosphere of the historic building it’s set in.
This place opened in 2019 as the second location of the burgeoning Unplan franchise. The whole message behind this place is to go with the flow, as well as providing budget backpackers the chance to stay in Tokyo for cheap.
Seriously though, this hostel is pretty dang cool. The social spaces are nicely thought out and very roomy, so you won’t feel cramped. There are actually quite a few different places to hang out, from the lounge – complete with a modern kitchen – to the dining area, and the amazing rooftop terrace. This is the perfect place for a few drinks with a view of the city, especially at night when it’s all lit up.
But the communal areas aren’t the only thing to celebrate. The dorms are also noteworthy, with large, comfortable pod-style beds giving you privacy to relax. This combo of peace-and-quiet twinned with a fairly sociable vibe easily makes this one of Tokyo’s best budget hostels.
Where is Unplan Shinjuku?
You’ll find this place in bustling Shinjuku, but not right near where all the madness is. This means you can stay in the centre of the city and still get a good night’s sleep. Right on its doorstep are a fair few LGBTQ+ friendly bars, as well as a vibrant selection of street-side restaurants and izakaya (Japanese pubs). Shinjuku Station – the world’s busiest train station – is just a few minutes’ walk away.
Sleeping arrangements at Unplan Shinjuku include the following ridiculously sized dorms:
- Female dorm
- Mixed dorm
There are also some private rooms on offer:
- Double bed with en-suite bathroom
- Four bed with shared bathroom
- Six bed with shared bathroom
Prices start from $21 USD per night.
Any extras?
There are some great perks you should know about if you’re thinking about staying at Unplan Shinjuku. These include:
- Luggage storage
- Rooftop terrace
- Nintendo Switch
- Board games
- Free Wi-Fi
- Bicycle rental (additional fee)
- Restaurant/bar
- Free breakfast
This place is perhaps the most comprehensive of Tokyo’s budget hostels. There’s lots of room to socialise, the quality of the decor and facilities is great, and the free breakfast and location are top-notch.
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Almond Hostel & Cafe is possibly the cutest hostel in Tokyo. Known for its ground floor cafe –which is a top spot for coffee and snacks – this place is all about having a chill, aesthetically pleasing base for your travels.
The atmosphere is something that’s particularly great about this hostel. It’s got an easygoing vibe which really helps to make you feel welcome – think chilled music playing and friendly staff.
Aside from that, however, the dorms themselves are super comfy and peaceful. With a minimalist aesthetic to match the vibe of the place, you’ll get your own pod-style cubby hole to sleep in, complete with power sockets, lights and privacy curtains.
Where is Almond Hostel & Cafe Shibuya?
This cheap Tokyo hostel is situated in the district of Shibuya, but not directly next to all the action. Instead, the local neighbourhood Yoyogi Uehara means you’ll have a whole host of cute coffee shops and bakeries on your doorstep. Two train stations close by providing easy airport access, while nearby sights include Meiji-Jingu Shrine and Yoyogi Park.
With no private rooms on offer, Almond Hostel & Cafe has the following simple dorm options available:
- Female dorm
- Mixed dorm
Prices per night start from $19 USD.
Any extras?
In terms of amenities, you’ll get the following:
- Laundry facilities
- Hairdryers
- Towels (additional fee)
- Luggage storage
- Air-con
- 24-hour security
- High-speed Wi-Fi
- Cafe/bar
It’s simple, but that’s the charm of this particular budget hostel in Tokyo. It’s not the most sociable hostel or got the most amenities, but it is affordable. With its superb location, it’s a great place to base your travels in Tokyo.
This cool budget Tokyo hostel is part of a city-wide chain of accommodation, all equally modern and contemporary in terms of decor. However, we think this one has the best location.
One of the best things about this particular iteration of Grids is the large coffee shop/bar area downstairs. Here’s where you can get to know other travellers, and maybe even a local or two. The vibe is here is more like somewhere you’d get some work done, making this place ideal for digital nomads visiting Japan.
The dorms are fairly simple. Bunks are spacious and come with privacy curtains, power sockets and lights – which are great for a good night’s sleep and a must for hostel living. The bathrooms are immaculate, which is another big tick.
Where is Grids Tokyo Asakusa-Bashi Hotel & Hostel?
This budget Tokyo hostel is Situated in Asakusa-Bashi, an old industrial neighbourhood. It’s not far from some of the city’s top places to explore, including Senso-Ji, Tokyo Skytree and sumo action at Ryogoku. You could even walk to the geek heaven that is Akihabara from here. It’s an easy stroll from the hostel to the nearby Asakusa-Bashi train station, and the area is full of bars and eateries.
In terms of room options, let’s start with the dorms:
- Mixed dorm
- Female dorm
Feel like staying in a private room instead? You can choose from the following:
- Standard twin room with private en-suite bathroom
- Basic four bed with shared bathroom
- Standard four bed with en-suite bathroom
Prices start from $15 per person, per night.
Any extras?
Other than the cheap pricetag at Grids Tokyo Asakusa-Bashi Hotel & Hostel, there certainly are few good amenities that you should know about:
- Bar/cafe
- Laundry facilities
- Free Wi-Fi
- Communal kitchen
- Air-con
- 24-hour reception
- Elevator
- Common room
This Tokyo hostel is budget-friendly – perhaps the cheapest of them all – and it looks more expensive than it actually is. There’s not an amazing social vibe, but that bar on the first floor is a nice place to hang out. Overall, it makes exploring the city as affordable as it is comfortable.
Cheap Hostels in Tokyo FAQ
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Final Thoughts on Cheap Hostels in Tokyo
Tokyo has a pretty healthy hostel scene. Not only do they provide an affordable place to sleep in the capital, but they are usually squeaky clean and really chilled places to hang out.
There’s also a varied range of cheap hostels in Tokyo. From the more modern and contemporary to the traditional and local, you’re bound to find the perfect place to suit your travel type. The best aspect of these hostels is you can embrace local life, whether you bond over a cup of joe or a shot or two of sake!
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