![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/japan\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/TOK_N87-5791.jpg\")
\n\t\tI assumed Tokyo would be eye-wateringly expensive (Picture: Yotel)<\/p>\n
\t\t
\n\t\tI assumed Tokyo would be eye-wateringly expensive (Picture: Yotel)<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve always assumed that visiting Tokyo<\/a> would be ridiculously expensive.\u00a0<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n So, despite always wanting to visit the Land of the Rising Sun, I never dared look into how much a trip would cost.\u00a0<\/p>\n But these days, it\u2019s a different story. A weak yen that has remained sluggish for the best part of a decade has turned Japan<\/a> into a destination that, for overseas visitors, is surprisingly good value for money.<\/p>\n So when Yotel<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n \t\t \t\t\t\tBest of Metro Deals\t\t\t<\/p>\n Get exclusive\u00a0discounts\u00a0with\u00a0Metro Deals<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 save on getaways and spa days.\u00a0Powered by Wowcher<\/p>\n Bannatyne Spa: Spa day for two with treatments, lunch & prosecco \u2014\u00a0save up to 57%\u00a0off.<\/p>\n Get deal now<\/a><\/p>\n Mystery Escape: Hotel stay with return flights from as low as \u00a392pp \u2014\u00a0save on worldwide holiday packages.<\/p>\n Get deal now<\/a><\/p>\n Beach Retreat (Lanzarote): 4* Lanzarote beach holiday with flights \u2014\u00a0save up to 58%.<\/p>\n Get deal now<\/a><\/p>\n First impressions<\/p>\n 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n The rooms<\/p>\n \t\t Ahead of the trip, I\u2019d read online that the Ginza Yotel rooms were on the small side. Yes, you\u2019d struggle to play hide and seek in them, but I had plenty of space.\u00a0<\/p>\n This is Tokyo we\u2019re talking about. Who travels there to sit in their hotel?\u00a0<\/p>\n This place has everything needed for a city break. Clean, compact and cosy, with a powerful shower, decent TV, and all the amenities you\u2019d expect \u2013 plus a comfy robe.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \t\t Bonus points for the high-tech control panel, which allows you to fiddle with the lights without getting out of bed.<\/p>\n However, what really blew me away was the toilet. I\u2019d heard tell of Japan\u2019s incredible toilets, but I wasn\u2019t prepared for what an impressive piece of kit this was. <\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \t\t The hotel offered a decent mix of local and Western dishes at its breakfast buffet, which was served in Komyuniti, the hotel bar.\u00a0<\/p>\n I must confess that most mornings, I didn\u2019t fancy the more exotic fare. <\/p>\n \t\t 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.<\/p>\n The lunch and evening menus also offered a fun mix of dishes, all reasonably priced. <\/p>\n You could get a burger and chips for \u00a316 or a Wagyu beef curry for \u00a38.44\u00a0 depending on your preference, and I even saw people getting an exquisite-looking afternoon tea.<\/p>\n 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 \u00a34.50.\u00a0<\/p>\n Komyuniti\u2019s real strength, though, was its cocktails. We were treated to a delicious selection \u2013 Old Fashioneds, Margaritas, Cosmos and more.<\/p>\n \t\t For those who prefer a beer, they had Asahi on tap. \u00a0<\/p>\n Outside the hotel, there are cheaper bars (a beer was about \u00a34.70 and cocktails cost \u00a37 on average), but compared to prices in London<\/a>, it all seemed very reasonable. <\/p>\n I saved the best for last\u2026 there\u2019s a daily happy hour from 5 to 7pm where drinks<\/a> are buy one get one free. \u00a0<\/p>\n The facilities<\/p>\n \t\t The facilities at the Yotel Ginza were decent but limited, though this is by design. <\/p>\n 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. \u00a0<\/p>\n The coolest service was the silver and pink room service robots<\/a>. <\/p>\n \t\t These little R2-D2-looking machines were automated waiters who delivered grub to your room. <\/p>\n I spotted two, Tomo and Aibo, pottering around the hotel and loved how they\u2019d politely ask you to move if you got in their way. <\/p>\n I was told that if you use the automated check-in, they\u2019ll escort you to your room, but sadly, we didn\u2019t get to see this in action.\u00a0<\/p>\n Location, location, location<\/p>\n \t\t Undoubtedly, the best thing about the Yotel Ginza was the location. <\/p>\n The hotel is just a 30-minute drive from Haneda Airport in the heart of Tokyo\u2019s premier shopping district, surrounded by everything from boujie boutiques to remarkable restaurants and buzzy late-night bars. \u00a0<\/p>\n 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. \u00a0<\/p>\n \t\t 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\u2019d forgotten to pick up souvenirs. <\/p>\n For those looking to explore further afield in Tokyo, the hotel is close to both Ginza Station and Shimbashi Station.<\/p>\n How much does it cost?<\/p>\n \t\t Yotel Ginza has eight room categories. <\/p>\n The most expensive, the Premium Family<\/a> Room, which sleeps four, costs around \u00a582,000 (\u00a3386) while the cheapest is the Queen Room. <\/p>\n That\u2019s the one I stayed in, and it costs around \u00a3127 a night. <\/p>\n According to Skyscanner, hotels in Tokyo can cost between \u00a3120 and \u00a3180, so it\u2019s reasonably priced for the service on offer.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n The verdict<\/p>\n The Yotel Ginza was exactly what a good city-break hotel should be: stylish, comfortable and in a perfect location. <\/p>\n While the rooms were compact, they weren\u2019t claustrophobic, and if you want to explore Tokyo, I can\u2019t think of a better place to stay, especially for the price. \u00a0<\/p>\n Do you have a story to share?<\/p>\n Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk<\/a>.<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/japan\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/TOK_N192-5d90-e1778244288843.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe Yotel Ginza is right in the heart of the district (Picture: Yotel)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/japan\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/TOK_N105-c506.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe rooms were compact but comfortable (Picture: Yotel)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/japan\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/11059116-d471-4502-83b8-6e4e31764d88-0d25.jpg\")
\n\t\tYou can\u2019t go back to an analogue toilet after flying one of these bad boys (Picture: Tom Percival)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/japan\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/TOK_N197-b527.jpg\")
\n\t\tIt was a high-tech room (Picture: Yotel)
\nFood and drink<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/japan\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/TOK_N196-7bba.jpg\")
\n\t\tKomyuniti was the bar and restaurant (Picture: Yotel)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/japan\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/TOK_N218-337a.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe interiors are chic and modern (Picture: Yotel)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/japan\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/4de90770-6c66-4145-84c7-a688ee977717-0001.jpg\")
\n\t\tTomo and Aibo were the room service robots (Picture: Tom Percivcal)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/japan\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/TOK_N204-900d-e1778250341823.jpg\")
\n\t\tThey\u2019re surely the coolest thing about the hotel (Picture: Yotel)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/japan\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/3d6cd7d4-3691-404b-a1e3-da437d9e1399-556a.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe hotel was in the heart of Ginza a rather bougie shopping district in Tokyo (Picture: Tom Percival)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/japan\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/10a6593b-57c8-4b74-b1f6-f20e1c956c64-14e4.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe Hamarikyu Gardens were just a short stroll away (Picture: Tom Percival)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/japan\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/TOK_N193-a970-e1778250265434.jpg\")
\n\t\tExactly what yon need from a city hotel (Picture: Yotel)<\/p>\n
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