Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
13
TOKYO'S CHEAPEST SLEEPS
The cheapest places to stay in Tokyo are not sleazy love motels (¥7800). They're not even capsule
hotel pods (¥3000), or hostel dormitories (¥2200). No, to really hit the bottom of the barrel in Tokyo
you have to head to an
internet café
, where you can get a night's sleep for under ¥1500. Those
thinking that such places cannot count as accommodation would be wrong - while most have
“regular” computer terminals lining open corridors, many have terminals in tiny walled-off cubicles,
often with a choice between a soft, reclining chair and a cushioned floor (the latter being
particularly comfortable). Many also have shower facilities (usually ¥100, if not free), snack
counters, and free soft-drink vending machines. Indeed, many Tokyoites actually live semi-
permanently in these places if they can't afford rent elsewhere (known locally as “cyber-homeless”).
Drawbacks include occasional loud snorers and neighbouring couples making the most of some
rare privacy. The main companies,
Popeye
(
ϙύΠ
),
Bagus
(
όΨε
) and
Manboo
(
Ϛϯϒʔ
) have
cafés sprinkled all over Tokyo; you'll often need to pay a one-off membership fee of around ¥300.
Ì
Retrometro Backpackers
ϨτϩϝτϩόοΫύο
Χʔζ
2-19-1 Nishi-Asakusa, Taitō-ku
T
03 6322 7447,
W
retrometrobackpackers.com; Tawaramachi or Asakusa
stations; map p.70.
As far as backpackers go, it takes one
to know one, and the owner of this tiny, two-dorm hostel
certainly knows her stuff. Balinese and Thai stylings betray
her favourite former travel destinations, and there's a sense
of cosi
ness he
re absent from some of Tokyo's larger hostels.
Dorms
¥2600
Ì
Sakura Hostel
αΫϥϗεςϧ
2-24-2 Asakusa,
Taitō-ku
T
03 3847 8111,
W
sakura-hostel.co.jp; Asakusa
station; map p.70.
This friendly, well-run hostel occupies a
cherry-pink building a couple of minutes' walk northwest of
Sensō-ji. Each floor has its own shower and toilet area and
there's a good kitchen and TV lounge. They also operat
e a hote
l
near
Jimbōc
hō Station, with similar prices. Dorms
¥2940
,
twins
¥8300
LONG
TERM ACCOMMODATION
Gaijin houses
Those on a budget usually start off in
what's known as a
gaijin
house - a privately owned
house or apartment consisting of shared or private rooms
with communal kitchen and bathroom. They're usually
rented by the month, though if there's space, weekly or
even nightly rates may be available. Tokyo has a wide
range of such places, from total fleapits to the almost
luxurious, though the best places are nearly always full.
Monthly rates start ¥30,000-40,000 per person for a
shared room and ¥50,000-60,000 for a single. A deposit
may also be required. Try looking at
Metropolis
(see p.25)
for listings.
Private apartments
The alternative is plumping for a
private apartment. These are usually rented out by real-
estate companies, although our recommended agencies
(see below) have apartments on their books. Using an
agency is recommended as there is still some endemic
prejudice among landlords towards renting to non-
Japanese. When you've found a place, apart from the first
month's rent, be prepared to pay a deposit of 1-2 months'
rent in addition to key money (usually 1-2 months'
non-refundable rent when you move in), and a month's
rent in commission to the agent. You may also be asked
to provide information about your financial situation and
find someone - generally a Japanese national - to act as a
guarantor. Rentals in Tokyo start at ¥50,000-60,000 per
month for a one-room box, or ¥100,000 for somewhere
with a separate kitchen and bathroom. For serviced
apartments, figure on daily rates of ¥13,000 and up, and
minimum terms of one month.
GAIJIN HOUSE AGENCIES
Kimi Information Center
8F Oscar Building, 2-42-3
Ikebukuro
T
03 3986 1604,
W
kimiwillbe.com.
Runs a
useful letting agency, with plenty of budget choices; they
can also help with shorter-term arrangements.
Ì
Sakura House
2F K-1 Building, 7-2-6 Nishi-Shinjuku,
Shinjuku-ku
T
03 5330 5250,
W
sakura-house.com.
One
of the biggest and best known agencies for
gaijin
houses,
with a tremendous range of places to stay across the city and
helpful, well-informed staff.
APARTMENT RENTALS
Hikari Tokyo Apartment
W
tokyoapartment81.com.
Agency used to dealing with foreign clients, with a wide
range of affordable options.
Ichii Corp
W
japt.co.jp.
More for the higher end of the
scale, this agency is a good option for those in Tokyo on
business, or with a family.
Mori Living
W
www.moriliving.com.
Another excellent
upper-end choice, mostly serviced apartments.
Oakwood
W
oakwood.com.
International chain that's
the best option at the high end of the price scale.
Tōkyū Stay
W
tokyustay.co.jp.
Good range of upmarket
serviced apartments, many of which are in highly
convenient locations.
