Eating economically

There’s a myth that Tokyo is an expensive city to eat in but that is not entirely true. While there are restaurants where you could easily spend several hundred dollars, Tokyo actually has a multitude of reasonably priced restaurants, takeaway outlets, cafes and convenience store food.

Breakfast not included in your room rate and don’t want to pay for it at the hotel restaurant? Convenience stores like Family Mart and 7-11 sell a wide variety of pastries and yoghurts you can stock your room with. They also have a great range of Bento box options for lunch or dinner on the run, most priced at less than $USD10.

If you’re wanting to eat lunch or dinner out, try Japanese food chain restaurants like Ootoya for reasonably priced set meals (main meal, rice and miso soup) or Yoshinoya for cheap rice bowls.

The shopping malls across Tokyo also tend to have a wide variety of dining options at multiple price points and several of the larger department stores have food halls in their basements where you can get reasonably-priced sit down meals, or restaurants on their top floors with slightly higher price points.

Train stations are another great place to find either sit-down or takeaway food at inexpensive prices.

Where to Stay in Tokyo

Wondering where to stay in Tokyo? While there are numerous accommodation hubs dotted around the city, its best to find a hotel located close to a train station and preferably a train station where several trainlines intersect, as this will give you easier access to the various different areas you will travel to within Tokyo over the course of your stay. Some areas you might consider are:

Shinjuku is both a major train hub and a key shopping, restaurant and nightlife district. Choose a hotel near Shinjuku Station or Shinjuku Sanchome station for ease getting around.

Shibuya is another transport hub, with multiple hotels around the station and it’s shopping and nightlife district.

Ginza is a district with a more European feel, has multiple shopping malls and dining options. Choose a hotel near Ginza Station, Higashi-Ginza Station or Shiodome Station.

Ueno in the north of the city is a good option if you want to be close to numerous museums, a large park and an old-style market. It is also a gateway transport hub to side-trip areas like Nikko and Kinugawa Onsen.