I assumed Tokyo would be eye-wateringly expensive (Picture: Yotel)

I’ve always assumed that visiting Tokyo would be ridiculously expensive. 

This idea is presumably a consequence of being a child in the 90s, when the Yen proved astonishingly strong in the face of economic downturn.

So, despite always wanting to visit the Land of the Rising Sun, I never dared look into how much a trip would cost. 

But these days, it’s a different story. A weak yen that has remained sluggish for the best part of a decade has turned Japan into a destination that, for overseas visitors, is surprisingly good value for money.

So when Yotel offered to fly Metro out to Tokyo to visit their Ginza hotel, promising to show us that Japan is easily done on a budget, I was the first out the door.


The Yotel Ginza is right in the heart of the district (Picture: Yotel)

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First impressions

After a 14-hour flight, I was exhausted when I first caught sight of the glass-fronted Yotel Ginza. There was only one thought in my mind: bed. 

Sadly, a nap would have to wait as almost as soon as we entered the modern reception, we were met by unfailingly polite hotel staff and manager Ken, all of whom seemed genuinely thrilled to meet us. 

After a quick exchange of pleasantries (the staff all spoke good English and seemed to realise how tired we were), we were given our keys and shown to the lift.

The rooms


The rooms were compact but comfortable (Picture: Yotel)

Ahead of the trip, I’d read online that the Ginza Yotel rooms were on the small side. Yes, you’d struggle to play hide and seek in them, but I had plenty of space. 

This is Tokyo we’re talking about. Who travels there to sit in their hotel? 

This place has everything needed for a city break. Clean, compact and cosy, with a powerful shower, decent TV, and all the amenities you’d expect – plus a comfy robe.

The bed was a treat. When I first crawled in, it was like being hugged by a cloud, and I looked forward to climbing back into it each night.


You can’t go back to an analogue toilet after flying one of these bad boys (Picture: Tom Percival)

Bonus points for the high-tech control panel, which allows you to fiddle with the lights without getting out of bed.

However, what really blew me away was the toilet. I’d heard tell of Japan’s incredible toilets, but I wasn’t prepared for what an impressive piece of kit this was.

It had a heated seat, a built-in bidet feature, and it could play white noise to spare any blushes for travellers sharing a room.


It was a high-tech room (Picture: Yotel)
Food and drink

The hotel offered a decent mix of local and Western dishes at its breakfast buffet, which was served in Komyuniti, the hotel bar. 

I must confess that most mornings, I didn’t fancy the more exotic fare.


Komyuniti was the bar and restaurant (Picture: Yotel)

However, for those more adventurous than I, there were a number of Japanese staples, including miso soup, fish and rice, as well as classics: cereals, pastries and yoghurts.

The lunch and evening menus also offered a fun mix of dishes, all reasonably priced.

You could get a burger and chips for £16 or a Wagyu beef curry for £8.44  depending on your preference, and I even saw people getting an exquisite-looking afternoon tea.

If you are there, I recommend the chips. I know that may sound a bit odd, but they saved my life after a heavy night out, and only cost £4.50. 

Komyuniti’s real strength, though, was its cocktails. We were treated to a delicious selection – Old Fashioneds, Margaritas, Cosmos and more.


The interiors are chic and modern (Picture: Yotel)

For those who prefer a beer, they had Asahi on tap.  

Outside the hotel, there are cheaper bars (a beer was about £4.70 and cocktails cost £7 on average), but compared to prices in London, it all seemed very reasonable.

I saved the best for last… there’s a daily happy hour from 5 to 7pm where drinks are buy one get one free.  

The facilities


Tomo and Aibo were the room service robots (Picture: Tom Percivcal)

The facilities at the Yotel Ginza were decent but limited, though this is by design.

The hotel was clearly built with the understanding that people would be out and about in Tokyo, not lounging in the building. As such, the 24-hour gym offers only the most basic of equipment.  

The coolest service was the silver and pink room service robots.


They’re surely the coolest thing about the hotel (Picture: Yotel)

These little R2-D2-looking machines were automated waiters who delivered grub to your room.

I spotted two, Tomo and Aibo, pottering around the hotel and loved how they’d politely ask you to move if you got in their way.

I was told that if you use the automated check-in, they’ll escort you to your room, but sadly, we didn’t get to see this in action. 

Location, location, location


The hotel was in the heart of Ginza a rather bougie shopping district in Tokyo (Picture: Tom Percival)

Undoubtedly, the best thing about the Yotel Ginza was the location.

The hotel is just a 30-minute drive from Haneda Airport in the heart of Tokyo’s premier shopping district, surrounded by everything from boujie boutiques to remarkable restaurants and buzzy late-night bars.  

If you want to see a less commercial side of the city, there are loads of tourist spots on your doorstep as well, including the Kabuki-za Theatre and the gorgeous Hamarikyu Gardens, both of which are a short walk away.  


The Hamarikyu Gardens were just a short stroll away (Picture: Tom Percival)

Best of all, there was a Don Quixote store about 2 minutes away, which came in handy on the final day when I realised I’d forgotten to pick up souvenirs.

For those looking to explore further afield in Tokyo, the hotel is close to both Ginza Station and Shimbashi Station.

How much does it cost?


Exactly what yon need from a city hotel (Picture: Yotel)

Yotel Ginza has eight room categories.

The most expensive, the Premium Family Room, which sleeps four, costs around ¥82,000 (£386) while the cheapest is the Queen Room.

That’s the one I stayed in, and it costs around £127 a night.

According to Skyscanner, hotels in Tokyo can cost between £120 and £180, so it’s reasonably priced for the service on offer.  

The verdict

The Yotel Ginza was exactly what a good city-break hotel should be: stylish, comfortable and in a perfect location.

While the rooms were compact, they weren’t claustrophobic, and if you want to explore Tokyo, I can’t think of a better place to stay, especially for the price.  

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