Tokyo is a fascinating blend of precision and play — where centuries-old shrines share the skyline with neon-lit skyscrapers, and sushi counters coexist with robot cafés. One minute you’re exploring serene gardens and ancient temples, the next you’re dodging neon-wheeled go-kart cosplayers in Shibuya. It’s this mash-up of tradition, tech and incredible cuisine that makes the city endlessly exciting.
Here are my favourite Tokyo hotels under $500 a night (though prices can be higher during peak travel weeks). From design-forward high-rises to hidden gems with rooftop views, these stays put you right in the middle of the action — with plenty left over for ramen and vintage shopping in Harajuku.
Kimpton Shinjuku Tokyo
Sleek, smart and full of personality, Kimpton Shinjuku blends NYC cool with Tokyo creativity in the city’s buzziest neighbourhood. Just a 10-minute stroll from Shinjuku Station, this 17-story art deco-inspired hotel embodies the Kimpton’s playful flair with a distinct Tokyo twist. Local art is everywhere (starting with a bold “impressionism wall” in the lobby), while rooftop cocktails are mixed to match your mood. Expect feel-good perks like nightly socials, loaner bikes and in-room yoga mats. Rooms are thoughtful and cool, with citrusy Atelier Bloom products, deep soaking tubs, sleek screen doors and curated books on Tokyo by the bed.
- Fora’s IHG Destined partner perks include $100 hotel credit, a welcome amenity, daily breakfast, upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
The Prince Park Tower Tokyo
A hotel with a bowling alley and an onsen — only in Tokyo. The Prince Park Tower rises 33 stories above the calm of Shiba Park, balancing city energy with leafy views — plus some of the best front-row seats to Tokyo Tower in the city. Rooms are spacious (a treat in Tokyo), with marble baths, sleek tech and massive windows framing cityscapes, park scenes or both. There’s a whole world inside the hotel too: seven restaurants (yakitori to French fine dining), a rooftop bar for champagne with a skyline, a karaoke lounge, a natural hot spring spa and even a bakery for your morning pastry fix. The themed floors bring a little extra fun featuring tatami rooms, surround sound and jetted tubs with a view.
- Fora’s Preferred Hotels & Resorts Platinum partner partner perks include $100 hotel credit, a welcome amenity, daily breakfast, upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Hyatt Regency Tokyo
Set in the heart of Shinjuku, the Hyatt Regency Tokyo nails city-meets-comfort with smart, renovated rooms, skyline views and one seriously grand lobby. In cherry blossom season, the views over sakura-lined Shinjuku Central Park are magical. The hotel is well connected to the metro, with an underground tunnel leading directly to Tochomae Station — making sightseeing a breeze. Inside, rooms are sleek and smart, with blackout shades, bedside lighting controls and bathrooms with all the buttons. The grand lobby makes a strong first impression with chandeliers and plush seating — and with five restaurants (from teppanyaki to sushi) and a speakeasy-style bar, you’re sorted from morning coffee to late-night drinks.
- Fora’s Hyatt Privé partner partner perks include hotel credit, a welcome amenity, daily breakfast, upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel
Rising above the pulse of Shibuya, the Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel delivers some of the city’s most spectacular views — Mount Fuji on clear mornings, Tokyo Tower glowing after dark and sweeping panoramas all the way to the bay. Occupying the upper floors of one of the district’s skyscrapers, rooms feel calm and spacious, with corner kings featuring deep soaking tubs positioned perfectly for the view. The location couldn’t be more convenient, putting you steps from Shibuya’s shops, restaurants and nonstop energy. For a nightcap with a view, head up to Bar Bellovisto on the 40th floor, or wind down in the top-notch wellness area with massage chairs.
- Fora’s Preferred Hotels & Resorts Platinum partner partner perks include $100 hotel credit, a welcome amenity, daily breakfast, upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Hotel Indigo Tokyo Shibuya
Hotel Indigo Shibuya brings bold, fresh energy to the Shibuya hotel scene. Spread across floors 11–28 of Dogenzaka-dori (a retail complex packed with shops and restaurants), it delivers the Indigo brand’s signature design-forward, boutique vibe in a spot that’s ideal for first-timers and anyone wanting to stay in the thick of it — just minutes from the famous Shibuya Crossing and Shibuya Sky. Rooms are bright, modern and cleverly designed to make the most of the space, while the overall mood is creative and colourful, with nods to the city’s street art and music scenes. The standout 11th-floor restaurant, Gallery 11, features an open-kitchen omakase counter with an impressive art collection and a terrace overlooking the city.
- Fora’s IHG Destined partner perks include $100 hotel credit, a welcome amenity, daily breakfast, upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Palace Hotel Tokyo
Palace Hotel Tokyo delivers polished Japanese hospitality with a strong sense of place. The hotel overlooks the Imperial Palace gardens and is conveniently located near Tokyo Station, with direct metro access via a tunnel beneath the lobby. This independent, Japanese-owned hotel feels like an oasis in the middle of the city, offering understated luxury and standout service — heated sleep masks at turndown, soft sleepwear and tea sets in every room. Interiors are calming and refined, and those who need to unwind can book a treatment at the Evian Spa (there’s even an indoor pool with garden views). Dining is not to be missed, from the Michelin-starred Esterre to a six-seat tempura bar where you can chat with the chef. Pro tip: book a south-facing room for views of the gardens.
- Fora Perks include $100 hotel credit, daily breakfast, upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Email: Italia.dutton@fora.travel
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