Tokyo accommodation decision

[Phar Lap]

Is anyone here familiar with Tokyo? I'll be there for four nights and need to make a decision on where to stay. It will be either Shinjuku or Asakusa, although I did find two places in Shibuya, the first two areas would probably be better. I've listed the places I'm interested in and grouped them by area and/or direction. Staying in Shinjuku, I can use my JR Pass (which is still valid) to get the JR train on the Yamonote line and see Tokyo by getting off and back on at various stations as it is a loop service this might be a good idea. I would I think also like to stay in Asakusa (one of the ladies here said it was lovely Janie D?) but I can't use my JR pass there as itn' not on the line.
The day I fly back home, I need to be at the airport by 9:15am and staying in Shinjuku means I need to leave accommodation an hour earlier than I would if I stayed in Asakusa. BTW, the bracketed figures are the time and distance to the train station by feet)


Shinjuku

East of station
Imano Tokyo Hostel 6 bed female dorm $179 - ( 11/12 mins 900 m)
Tokyu Stay Shinjuku - $562 - (7 mins 550m)
Toyoko Inn Tokyo Shinjuku Kabuki-cho (RED Light district) $398 breakfast (13/14 mins 1.1km)

West of station
Nishitetsu Inn Shinjuku $471 - (11 min 950m)
Kadoya Hotel - $577 - (6 mins 500m) nice colours

Shibuya
Tokyu Stay Shibuya Shin-Minamiguchi includes breakfast, microwave, washing machine - $567 (8 mins 650m)
Shibuya Granbell Hotel - $596 - (4 mins 280m)


Asakusa
Via Inn Asakusa $376 (7 mins 600m)
Red Planet Asakusa Tokyo Single Room with View $544 (8 min 650m)

Richmond Hotel Asakusa $493 (9 min 700m)
B:CONTE Asakusa $534 (7 mins 700m)

Asakusa Central Hotel Ladies floor $405 (5 mins 400m)

Dormy Inn EXPRESS Asakusa breakfast included Double room station side view $561 (2 mins 190m)

[poppy]

if you decide on Asakusa - you purchase a ??card for around 1200yen which gives you unlimited on that line for 3 or 4 days.

[poppy]

just asked cousin he said it is a PASMO card, it is a charge card for trains and buses. You purchase at a railway station, can be used in other cities as well. Costs around 300-500 yen and you put 1000yen on it.

May be other deals around for tourists though - worth doing some research.

[poppy]

cousin suggested this place - backpackersjapan.co.jp/nui_en/

this has a good reputation, requires early booking as do all things in Japan now with the increase of Chinese tourists.

Cousin knows what he is on about as he lived in Tokyo for 20 years and inlaws are Japanese.

[Phar Lap]

Thanks, Poppy. I searched their site and all the private rooms are gone, only vacancy is 8 bed dorm.

[mei]

yes, to getting a PASMO card to get around on subway etc. JR lines can get you to some part of the city (there's the circle Yamanote-line, but also some other JR-lines), but generally subway is more convenient.

for hotel advice, honestly, do what you think suits you best. I don't think there's that much difference as far as location. that is, both Shibuya, Shinjuku and Asakusa are good neighbourhoods to use as a base, Shinjuku is maybe the best of those, but Asakusa is quite a different area of town with a nice touch. And since you can get anywhere with public transport, you can get to many places easily.

[tzarine]

i like asakusa
the tiny shops, narrow streets, old world feel
we stay @ the khaosan there:
www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/Khaosan-Tokyo-Kabuki/Tokyo/47084?s_kwcid=AL!591!3!98206313660!e!!g!!khaosan%20tokyo%20kabuki&source=adwordsenhostelnames&network=g&creative=98206313660&adposition=1t2&uniqueclickID=2840507411322479557&sub_keyword=khaosan%20tokyo%20kabuki&sub_ad=e&sub_publisher=ADW&ef_id=VfS7SwAABWEUBxne:20160411074957:s

[hiagain]

The Tokyo Khaosan is a great place. There's a Hostelz.com official review of it with photos that do a better job showing it at www.hostelz.com/hostel/191466-Khaosan-Tokyo-Kabuki. You can also book it for a bit cheaper on there.

[tzarine]

we are friends w one of the former khaosan workers who we met up with in thailand

also stayed @ the sakura hostel jimbocho, charming neighborhood
lovely staff, not quite as nice amenities