Where to Stay - Tokyo - page 88

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there may be vending machines that dispense beer and soda. There may be same-day
laundry service as well, if you give up your laundry by 10am (no laundry service is avail-
able Sun or holidays). Some business hotels may not offer nonsmoking rooms, though
this is increasingly rare, especially in Tokyo. On the plus side, they're usually situated in
convenient locations near train or subway stations. If you're interested simply in a clean
and functional place to sleep rather than in roomy comfort, a nondescript business hotel
may be the way to go.
INEXPENSIVE It's difficult to find inexpensive lodgings in Tokyo; the price of land is
simply prohibitive. You can, however, find rooms—tiny though they may be—for less
than ¥15,000 a night for two people, which is pretty good considering that you're in one
of the most expensive cities in the world. Inexpensive accommodations include a bed or
futon and (usually) phone, TV, heating, air-conditioning, and usually Internet connec-
tions (either in-room or via lobby computers, usually at no charge). Unless otherwise
indicated, units also have private bathrooms and are generally spotless. Inexpensive Jap-
anese-style rooms account for about half in this category; they're described in more detail
above in “Japanese & Western-Style Accommodations.”
Many foreigners find Japan so expensive that they end up becoming youth hostel
regulars, even though they may never consider staying in one in other countries. There's
no age limit at hostels in Japan (except children younger than 4 may not be accepted),
and although most require a youth-hostel membership card, they often let foreigners stay
without one for about ¥600 extra per night. However, there are usually quite a few
restrictions, such as a 9 or 10pm curfew, a lights-out policy shortly thereafter, an early
breakfast time, and closed times through the day, generally from about 10am to 3pm. In
addition, rooms usually hold many bunk beds or futons, affording little privacy. On the
other hand, these are certainly the cheapest accommodations in Tokyo.
TIPS ON ACCOMMODATIONS
Although Tokyo doesn't suffer from a lack of hotel rooms during peak holidays (when
most Japanese head for the hills and beaches), rooms may be in short supply because of
conventions and other events. If possible, avoid coming to Tokyo in mid-February
unless you book well in advance—that's when university entrance exams bring multi-
tudes of aspiring high-school students and their parents to the capital for a shot at enter-
ing one of the most prestigious universities in the country. In summer, when many
foreign tourists are in Japan, the cheaper accommodations are often the first to fill up.
It's always best, therefore, to make your hotel reservations in advance, especially if
you're arriving in Tokyo after a long transoceanic flight and don't want the hassle of
searching for a hotel room.
WELCOME INN RESERVATION CENTER If you're looking for help in booking mod-
erately priced and budget accommodations, at the top of my list is the Welcome Inn
Reservation Center, operated in cooperation with the Japan National Tourism Organiza-
tion (JNTO). Some 50 modestly priced accommodations in Tokyo, including business
hotels and Japanese-style inns, are members of Welcome Inn, with rates of ¥8,000 for a
single and ¥13,000 or less for a double. There's no fee for the service, but you are asked
to guarantee your reservation with a credit card. This is a good option also if you decide
to travel outside Tokyo for a night or more and wish to secure reservations beforehand.
In addition to booking rooms via the Internet at www.itcj.jp , you can book a room
by appearing in person at one of the three TIC offices in Tokyo—at Narita Airport (in
the arrivals lobbies of terminals 1 and 2), or near Yurakucho Station in the heart of the

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