Last Updated: 9/13/2023 | September 13th, 2023
Tokyo is one of the most expensive cities in the world. While the city is amazing and worth spending a few days exploring, it can easily destroy any budget if you’re not careful.
Fortunately, there are plenty of amazing — and affordable — hostels in Tokyo where you can stay and lower your costs!
Like Tokyo itself, these hostels here are clean, arty, and have lots of charm. A lot of them are super trendy with beautiful décor. Wi-Fi is standard, and many will have cooking facilities too. Beds generally cost between 2,000 and 5,000 JPY per night and most hostels host events, serve a ton of tea, and have little cubbies you can sleep in.
Whether you’re looking for a relaxing stay or to party the night away, the city has something for everyone!
Tokyo does hostels right.
I’ve been visiting Tokyo for years now and have stayed in dozens upon dozens of places. There are a lot of things to consider when selecting a hostel.
To help you plan your trip, here is my list of the best hostels in Tokyo. If you don’t want to read the longer list below, the following hostels are the best in each category:
Want the specifics of each hostel? Here’s my comprehensive list of the best hostels in Tokyo:
Price Legend (per night)
- $ = Under 3,000 JPY
- $$ = 3,000-4,000 JPY
- $$$ = Over 4,000 JPY
1. Sakura Hotel Jimbocho
Sakura Hotel Jimbocho is centrally located yet in a quiet, residential neighborhood. It’s one of the few hostels in Tokyo that offers a great free breakfast (including eggs, toast, and tea/coffee). There’s also a 24/7 bar/cafe in the lobby to hang out in and get snacks or other food.
The shower pressure is great (always important), the beds are comfy and cozy, and there are privacy curtains so you can get a decent sleep. The lovely staff really go out of their way to make you feel welcome, and there are always a couple of organized activities throughout the week where you can easily socialize with other travelers!
Sakura Hotel Jimbocho at a glance:
- $$
- Free breakfast
- Cafe/bar for hanging out and meeting people
- Friendly staff and lots of organized activities
Beds from 3,550 JPY, private rooms from 6,300 JPY.
2. Sheena and Ippei
Sheena and Ippei is a small hostel located in downtown Tokyo near the Ikebukuro station. The place is very homey, and the staff are really helpful when it comes to suggesting things to do around the area. There is no kitchen, but you can use the microwave and refrigerator for basic for storage and prep.
The first floor is a café equipped with sewing machines that customers can use (local people make handicrafts and hold events here every week). It turns into a hostel lounge in the evenings, and you can have appetizers and sake on the weekends, which are great ways to meet other travelers.
Sheena and Ippei at a glance:
- $$$
- Café/Lounge for meeting people
- Awesome staff that can help you plan your visit
- Traditional Japanese décor gives it a very homey atmosphere
Beds from 5,000 JPY, private rooms from 11,700 JPY.
3. Hostel Chapter Two Tokyo
Chapter Two is a small, family-run hostel not far from Skytree Station in Asakusa. I really like the shared kitchen and common room, as there’s a real social feel to it. The dorms are modern, immaculate, and nicely equipped. You can book a deluxe pod, which gives you a partitioned-off bed with partial walls and a privacy curtain, which is a nice change from the open-concept dorm with bunk beds.
Hostel Chapter Two Tokyo at a glance:
- $$$
- Great place to meet people
- Co-working space for digital nomads
- Rooftop patio for relaxing and mingling
Beds from 5,600 JPY, private rooms from 13,500 JPY.
4. The Millennials Shibuya
This is undoubtedly the most expensive hostel on this list, but if you’re looking for a modern hostel with all the amenities in a central location (it’s in the heart of Shibuya), then this is it. It’s a great hostel for digital nomads as there’s a coworking area with lots of seating, outlets, and speedy Wi-Fi, as well as private booths for taking calls and meetings.
Everything about this hostel is high-tech from the smart beds that elevate with a touch of a button to the fantastic rain showers. They offer a lot of free amenities, including slippers, towels, toiletries, earplugs, charging cables, and adapters. And, every evening from 5:30-6:30pm, they offer free beer.
The Millennials Shibuya at a glance:
- $$$
- Free beer every evening
- Lots of common areas including a coworking space and rooftop terrace
- Fully equipped kitchen with free coffee/tea
Beds from 11,400 JPY.
5. Hostel Bedgasm
Located in East Tokyo, Hostel Bedgasm has a lively bar and guests get a free drink every night. The bathrooms are clean, and there’s a common kitchen and a quiet rooftop patio area. There’s plenty of storage for your items, and the staff is very helpful! While the mattresses aren’t too thick, the beds have curtains, reading lights, and plugs.
Hostel Bedgasm at a glance:
- $$
- Lively bar (with free drinks) makes it easy to meet people
- Chill rooftop patio for hanging out
- Party hostel vibe
Beds from 3,500 JPY, private rooms from 8,500 JPY.
6. Nui. Hostel & Bar Lounge
Nui is a nice hostel for travelers who want to socialize but don’t want to stay in a party hostel. The staff is very friendly and welcoming, and there are many different common areas, from the quiet upstairs lounge and rooftop terrace to the bustling cafe/bar downstairs that is usually filled with a mix of both travelers and locals.
The rooms are all cozy, with wooden decor giving the place a homey feel. The beds are comfy and have personal reading lamps as well as curtains for privacy. There are lockers, though you need to have your own lock (if you forgot one, you can always buy one at the hostel).
Nui. Hostel & Bar Lounge at a glance:
- $
- Popular local cafe/bar downstairs
- Lounge and rooftop terrace to hang out in
- Fully equipped kitchen
Beds from 2,600 JPY, private rooms from 6,800 JPY.
7. Imano Tokyo Hostel
Imano Tokyo is a great place to stay if you want to be in the center of it all. It’s in Shinjuku, one of the city’s most popular neighborhoods that’s known for its great nightlife. The rooms are all a bit small here (it is central Tokyo, after all), but there’s a common area to hang out in, as well as a cafe/bar downstairs that serves breakfast and coffee in the morning and drinks and light snacks in the evening.
As for the beds, they’re all brand-new and comfortable, and with privacy curtains, reading lights, and individual sockets. It’s also a great hostel for female travelers as there’s both a men’s floor, women’s floor, and a mixed floor.
Imano Tokyo Hostel at a glance:
- $$
- Centrally located in Shinjuku
- Cafe/bar as well as a common area to hang out in
- New beds with privacy curtains, reading lights, and outlets
Beds from 3,500 JPY, privates from 9,000 JPY.
8. Unplan Kagurazaka
This hostel is only a few years old, so it’s still very clean and stylish, with wood floors and minimalist décor. Unplan has a variety of room styles, ranging from dorms to private rooms with four beds, making it a good fit for everyone from solo travelers to families. There’s a public café on the first floor that serves excellent coffee and turns into a bar at night, with plenty of sake and local beers to choose from. Breakfast is free and hearty.
Unplan Kagurazaka at a glance:
- $$$
- Large private rooms great for groups/families
- Hearty free breakfast included
- Café/Bar on-site for relaxing and meeting people
Beds from 4,600 JPY, privates from 24,000 JPY.
9. CITAN Hostel
CITAN is a hipster paradise in the Nihonbashi area, and what I would call a “boutique” hostel. The building is seven stories, with 130 beds, everything is kept clean, and the showers have strong water pressure. The common area on the first floor is a relaxed hangout, and there’s a good kitchen for cooking your own meals. The beds are pod-style with curtains, reading lights, and decent-sized mattresses.
There’s also an amazing coffee shop (Berth Coffee) on the first floor, and a bar and restaurant in the basement. This bar is packed on weekends, and not just with hostel guests; there is also usually a DJ on Saturday nights.
CITAN Hostel at a glance:
- $$
- Quiet neighborhood
- Bar, restaurant, and café all on-site
- Great showers (awesome water pressure)
Beds from 3,600 JPY, private rooms from 9,000 JPY.
10. Toco Tokyo Heritage Hostel
Toco Tokyo offers the unique opportunity to sleep in a traditional wooden 20th-century Japanese home, complete with a tranquil central garden and koi pond. Both the interior and exterior have been stunningly restored and include modern conveniences while keeping the simple and elegant Japanese design. The bunks are wooden but have thick mattresses and curtains so you can get a decent sleep. Hostel guests get a free drink every night.
Toco Tokyo Heritage Hostel at a glance:
- $$$
- Traditional Japanese style building and garden
- Bar/lounge with a nightly free drink
- Female-only dorms
Beds from 4,100 JPY.
Tokyo is an amazing city. And while it’s not the most budget-friendly destination in the world, you can save a lot of money by staying in these amazing hostels when you visit, leaving you plenty of spending money to indulge in food, drinks, and activities during your visit!
Book Your Trip to Japan: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Use Skyscanner to find a cheap flight. They are my favorite search engine because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned!
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
- Safety Wing (for everyone below 70)
- Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
- Medjet (for additional repatriation coverage)
Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.
Want More Information on Japan?
Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Japan for even more planning tips!
