7 Best (And Closest) Hotels for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics
Where will you be for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics?
If you’re lucky enough to be in Tokyo, expect exciting things – sport climbing, surfing, skateboarding, and karate will be making their Olympic debut.
Baseball and softball will return to the games, after being dropped from the core program in 2008.
And knowing the Japanese, you can be sure to expect some serious showcasing of the newest and greatest technological innovations leading up to and during the event.
Need a place to stay?
It’s not too early to start thinking about hotel options.
While Tokyo has tons of amazing hotels, you’ll want a place that’s conveniently located, not to mention clean and comfortable.
Not to worry – here are 7 of the best (and closet) hotels for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. This list covers all types of accommodations – luxury hotels, moderately priced business hotels, and low-budget hostels.
All you have to do is pick your favorite!
1. Hotel Allamanda Aoyama Tokyo
A short 11-minute walk to the New National Stadium, luxurious Hotel Allamanda Aoyama Tokyo is the place to stay if you want to live the high life while enjoying the Olympics.
And it’s central to so many other things as well. Here are some of the highlights:
- Just around the corner from Gaienmae, a metro stop on convenient Ginza line
- Fancy shopping and charming cafes on Omotesando
- Lots of beautifully maintained parks, like Shinjuku Gyoen
- The famous Meiji Jingu (Shrine)
- Art museums, restaurants, landmarks etc.
Even if you’re not going to see the Olympics, this hotel’s location would be a great choice for sightseeing in Tokyo.
Pros vs Cons
Pros
- Huge, beautifully decorated rooms
- Impressive fitness center + indoor swimming pool, free for hotel guests
- Super convenient location
- Cooked-to-order breakfast
Cons
- Expensive breakfast (3,500 yen at the time of this writing). Although there are convenience stores near the hotel that sell fresh, made-to-order coffee and food
- Priced accordingly as a luxury hotel
Restaurants
The all-day café and restaurant, Portofino, is on the 8th floor with an impressive view of the Aoyama neighborhood.
Tempura restaurant Tensho sources their seafood and vegetables from Tsukiji Market.
3-minute walk to Allamanda Garden, a rooftop collection of restaurants/bars.
Insider’s Tip
Take your kids!
Up to two children under the age of 11 get to stay for free (in the room with adults, using existing bedding).
Reservations
Check prices and availability on Agoda.com
Check prices and availability on Booking.com
2. APA Hotel Shinjuku Gyoen-Mae
Across the street from beautiful Shinjuku Gyoen, one of Tokyo’s biggest and most popular parks, is APA Hotel Shinjuku Gyoen-mae.
Well-loved for being conveniently located and reasonably priced, APA Hotel Shinjuku has a lot to offer for Tokyo Olympics fans.
Pros vs Cons
Pros
- A block from a subway stop, across the street from Shinjuku Gyoen, and a short walk to the world’s busiest railway station, Shinjuku
- Rooms come with an assortment of toiletries
- Yummy breakfast buffet everyday (extra charge)
- Spa/public bathing facilities available
- Clean rooms and friendly staff
- Reasonably priced
Cons
- Rooms are very compact, which helps with keeping costs down
- Bathrooms are also very small
Insider’s Tip
Pillows are small – you might want to request an extra one or bring your own!
Reservations
Check prices and availability on Agoda.com
Check prices and availability on Booking.com
3. Hostel Pumpkey Tokyo
If you’re looking for a cheaper lodging option, try Hostel Pumpkey Tokyo, located in Yotsuya. It’s a neighborhood in Shinjuku that’s way less touristy than other, more bustling areas of the ward.
With a hip, yet warm and cozy vibe, this design hostel is great for those traveling solo and want a more “local” experience.
You’re close to the famous Yasukuni Shrine, and lush Shinjuku Gyoen – escape the hustle and bustle of the city for some peace and quiet.
Pros vs Cons
Pros
- Clean, creative and design-conscious hostel
- Free daily breakfast
- Free wi-fi
- Close to subway stop
- Multilingual staff is friendly and accommodating
- Self-serve laundry
- Common areas have fridges, microwaves, and kitchen
- Yukata rental on site with a free commemorative photo for guests
Cons
- All rooms are shared, but blackout curtains help create some privacy
- Little pricey for a hostel with shared dormitory style rooms
Insider’s Tip
Looking for a fun and convenient way to get around? They rent out bicycles!
Reservations
Check prices and availability on Agoda.com
Check prices and availability on Booking.com
4. Nippon Seinenkan Hotel
Recently re-opened in August 2017, Nippon Seinenkan Hotel has an impressive 90-year history in its Shinjuku location.
Baseball fans especially enjoy rooms overlooking the Jingu Baseball Stadium, and Olympics viewers will appreciate the less than 5-minute walk to the New National Stadium.
For everything else, the Gaien-mae Subway stop is also 5 minutes away on foot, and popular shopping/dining areas like Omotesando, Aoyama and Harajuku are within a comfortable walking distance.
But for being so convenient, the hotel isn’t right in the thick of major metropolitan areas, which is ideal for families and people who don’t like dealing with crowds.
Pros vs Cons
Pros
- Clean, new building
- Reasonably priced
- Big public bath (a nice one!) and massage services available
- Laundry room (extra charge) – you can monitor the time left in your machine from the TV in your room
Cons
- Like many Japanese hotels, the rooms are on the smaller side
Restaurants
There’s a large restaurant inside the hotel, great for every meal, as well as tea time and parties.
There are also several Japanese restaurants nearby.
Accessibility
The hotel has wheelchair accessible areas.
Insider’s Tip
If you forget to bring something or need a quick bite to eat, there’s a Family Mart convenience store in the lobby and a supermarket down the street.
Reservations
Check prices and availability on Agoda.com
Check prices and availability on Booking.com
5. Apartment Hotel Shinjuku
If you’re looking for something different from the average hotel for your Olympics experience, this might be the place for you.
Apartment Hotel Shinjuku used to be a traditional Japanese inn and was rebuilt in the early 70’s.
Fortunately, the hotel retains a lot of that groovy 70’s vibe, with original red roof tiles that make it stand out from the sea of grey buildings.
With a lounge space that’s open to the public (as well as hotel guests, of course), the hotel attracts all kinds of creative minds – artists, designers, and design-conscious people who enjoy staying in an eclectic, artsy atmosphere.
It’s generally used as a cool space to hang out and socialize or work, but at times is used for holding galleries, workshops and other events.
But even if the hotel’s aesthetics and artistic personality don’t do it for you, the location is amazingly convenient and the rates are reasonable, so it’s definitely worth checking out.
Pros vs Cons
Pros
- Though compact, each room has a bathroom with a proper bathtub – for taking authentic Japanese baths
- Each room has a nice desk and lamp that’s great for work or study
- Kitchenette has cookware, a hot plate, and an electric kettle so you can cook your own meals
- Each room has its own design, with brightly colored walls, cute furniture and an overall eclectic, visually appealing atmosphere
- Walking distance to Shinjuku Gyoen Park
- Super close to posh department stores Isetan and Takashimaya
Cons
- Room cleaning is not provided during your stay
- Compact rooms
Insider’s Tip
The hotel is just a 10-minute to Kabuki-cho – the entertainment and red-light district of Tokyo. It’s a lively, happening place that never sleeps, and great for watching a movie, dining, drinking and making new friends.
Reservations
Check prices and availability on Agoda.com
Check prices and availability on Booking.com
6. Tokyu Stay Aoyama Premier
Recently renovated (February 2017), the Tokyu Stay Aoyama Premier is a popular hotel for both solo business travelers and families because of its helpful amenities and services.
Located in the luxurious Aoyama neighborhood, it’s a comfortable walk to both the Gaien-mae and Omotesando subway stops. This makes it convenient for sightseeing, dining, shopping, and viewing the Olympics.
Rooms are clean and are on the spacious side, and guests enjoy having deep bathtubs in the bathrooms for a relaxing hot soak at the end of the day.
Pros vs Cons
Pros
- All rooms equipped with washer/dryers and air purifiers/humidifiers
- Some rooms have a kitchenette, featuring plates, mugs, an electric kettle, utensils, saucepans, etc. for cooking in your room
- Free extra toiletries available at the front desk
- Free (and good!) coffee/tea in the lobby
Cons
- Rooms are on the pricey side for this level of accommodation
Restaurants
There are two restaurants in the hotel: A western-style breakfast buffet for 1,200 yen at Monte Azul, and a European restaurant on the second floor.
Insider’s Tip
Feel like staying in? There are tons of movies you can watch on demand in your room, for 1,000 yen a pop. There’s everything from classics to the latest Hollywood flicks, and movies in both English and Japanese. If you get a room with a kitchenette, you can cook your meals and have a relaxing night in.
And if you just want to watch the news, CNN is available to watch 24 hours a day.
Reservations
Check prices and availability on Agoda.com
Check prices and availability on Booking.com
7. Hotel Asia Center of Japan
Located in a quiet Akasaka neighborhood, this hotel is great for international travelers.
With useful services and amenities aimed at helping people visiting from other countries, this is an easy spot to call home while staying in Japan (especially if it’s your first time!).
Close to the busy, upscale Akasaka business center, as well as foreigner-friendly Roppongi with its lively nightlife, you can relax and enjoy yourself without worrying about getting around with limited Japanese language ability. Although keep in mind that some areas in Roppongi can be rowdy at night.
Pros vs Cons
Pros
- Caters to international guests with things like extra-long beds and universal electric outlets
- Staff is friendly, helpful, and speaks English
- You get free breakfast when you show your passport
- Close to two metro stops
Cons
- Not ideal for visitors wanting an authentically “Japanese” experience
Restaurant
Restaurant Ureshino offers casual farm-to-table Japanese cuisine for every meal, with a fresh salad buffet.
Accessibility
There’s a special room designed specifically for wheelchair users and elderly guests.
Insider’s Tip
You can get free bottles of mineral water in the lobby.
Be sure to take advantage of the rental bicycles – you can return them at a number of stations around the area.
Reservations
Check prices and availability on Agoda.com
Check prices and availability on Booking.com
2020 Tokyo Olympics
From luxury hotels to quirky little hostels, there’s a place to stay for every Olympics fan on any budget.
Central to not only the Olympic games but also to great dining, shopping, sightseeing, parks, and art museums, these seven hotels won’t disappoint with their convenient locations.
The Tokyo 2020 Olympics will be a thrilling, energetic time to be in an already exciting city, even if you’re not a huge sports fan.
Technological innovators are hard at work, coming up with amazing new products to wow us in the lead-up to and during the Olympics.
For example, Panasonic is working on a “speech bubble” translation device, Fukidashi, that looks just like a talking bubble out of a comic book – to break down language barriers and help people from around the world communicate more easily.
And that’s likely just the very tip of the iceberg of what’s to come.
For the best Olympics experience, it’s smart to start planning early, and finding a place to stay should be at the top of your to-do list.
Which of these hotels would you like to stay in?
Do you have any other recommendations for must-stay hotels? Please share with us in the comments!
We plan to travel to the 2020 Paralympics. Our son will be swimming and also playing wheelchair rugby. We are looking for accomodation that is within and easy commute as we are over 65 and have arthritis. Ideally we would like an apartment that we can cook some of our own food, however will look at anything
Hi Theresa. Please correct me if I’m mistaken, but I believe the swimming event for the 2020 Paralympics will be held at the Tokyo Aquatics Center. I think the nearest station is Tatsumi Station, but it isn’t that close. It’s around a 10 minute walk to the venue or so. I don’t think there are too many hotels near that station. But there are a couple of nice options near Shiomi Station, which is around 10 minutes away from Tatsumi Station by train/subway. A good option is the APA Hotel Tokyo Shiomi Ekimae, which is a business hotel. So the rooms might be a little small and there is no kitchen in the rooms. THe Hotel LiVEMAX Tokyo Shiomi Ekimae is another option, but just like APA, the rooms might run small and has no kitchen.
For the wheelchair rugby event, I believe that is being held at the Yoyogi National Stadium, which is close to Harajuku Station. The most hotels are located in Shibuya, which is next to Harajuku(3 minutes by train). Some hotels are within walking distance from the stadium. The social Trunk Hotel is arounda 13 minute walk from Yoyogi National Stadium and has a kitchen in their Terrace Suite room. Or there are vacation apartments like the vacation apartment JTKH available as well within the same walking distance. There are also tons of hotels and hostels around that area too.
I hope this helps!