Japan - Hotel deals in Tokyo, Osaka

So I'll be doing my yearly pilgrimage to Japan this March and am once again on the hunt for places to stay. Rough parameters for Tokyo:

- Budget 15000 yen-ish, can stretch if it's worth it (ended up at the Peninsula last time... :o )
- Convenient access to Sobu-sen, Shinkansen & Narita (roughly in that order) is a big bonus; in practice this means somewhere around Tokyo-eki/Yurakucho or Akihabara
- jpatokal jr will be romping about, so a room slightly larger than the usual business hotel coffin is a plus

What I've found so far:

Grand Arc (http://www.grandarc.com/) looks almost too good to be true pricewise (from under Y10000) and the 6-jo tatami rooms are intriguing, but the location is a bit awkward. I'm hearing good things about Hotel Niwa (http://www.hotelniwa.jp/english/) (Y16000+) but the rooms seem a little small. mrs jpatokal's agitating for her business trip standby the Century Southern Tower (http://www.southerntower.co.jp/english/) (also Y16000), which has generous rooms by Tokyo standards, but the Shinjuku location is a bit of a negative.

For Osaka, wife would prefer something around JR Osaka/Umeda, but location is not a huge deal. I'm currently looking at ANA Crowne Plaza (http://http://www.anacrowneplaza-osaka.jp/) (Y14000+) or, in the "somewhat extravagant but still pretty good value" category, Ritz Carlton (http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/Osaka/Default.htm) (from Y24000/22000 with/without breakfast).

Anything else I'm missing?

If you post your dates for Tokyo I'll be glad to have a look at what's available.

Personally, I'm hoping against hope that there'll be an ICH pointsbreak deal in March - at least for that I won't have to wait much more than a week before I'm disillusioned.

If you post your dates for Tokyo I'll be glad to have a look at what's available.
Ta! Mar 22-30, although 3-4 of those nights will be spent outside Tokyo -- still working out the details.

Personally, I'm hoping against hope that there'll be an ICH pointsbreak deal in March - at least for that I won't have to wait much more than a week before I'm disillusioned.
I've been watching Pointbreaks for years and can't ever recall them having Tokyo or even Osaka hotels in there... it's usually Sendai, Kumamoto etc.

You obviously missed Autumn 2007.
Both the Strings and the ANA IC near Roppongi came up as point breaks deals.
:cool:

Ta! Mar 22-30, although 3-4 of those nights will be spent outside Tokyo -- still working out the details.
I've been watching Pointbreaks for years and can't ever recall them having Tokyo or even Osaka hotels in there... it's usually Sendai, Kumamoto etc. Have you tried Priceline , "Name Your Own Price"? It can on occasion work in ones favour it has for me in Amsterdam of late.

I believe it was someone on here who mentioned that the largest standard rooms in Tokyo were at the Ritz Carlton(but I could be mistaken). And with 3, you will probably need a bit more space than is provided at most of these hotels. Do you have any points you can use, such as Starwood/Hyatt/Hilton/Jal/ANA or have anything to trade that might get you into one of the nicer hotel chains on the cheap(ish)?

By the way, enjoyed reading your blog!

Hmmm... Didn't see any "drop everything and book THIS" bargains.
I did see good rates for Mitsui Garden and Monterey Ginza.
One of the best deals for room acreage was actually the IC Tokyo Bay.
It was showing up at close to your budget figure on Expedia and it's also one of the hotels on priceline (or has been historically) and if you book it this way there is no extra adult fee. I'm sure you already know about the large twin rooms with two (very) small double beds.
I'll keep my eyes open. More options might become available in February.

Have you tried Priceline , "Name Your Own Price"? It can on occasion work in ones favour it has for me in Amsterdam of late.
I'd be happy to take my chances as a solo traveller, but it's a bit too risky for this trip.

I believe it was someone on here who mentioned that the largest standard rooms in Tokyo were at the Ritz Carlton(but I could be mistaken).
The Pen's 51 sq.m. last year wasn't too shabby :p

Do you have any points you can use, such as Starwood/Hyatt/Hilton/Jal/ANA or have anything to trade that might get you into one of the nicer hotel chains on the cheap(ish)?
I've pretty much exhausted my hotel point balances, except for IHG, and there's nothing particularly attractive on offer there at the moment. :(

The JAL idea is interesting though, as my wife has a balance we could raid; I presume you're referring to the 10,000 miles = Y15,000 coupon for JAL/Nikko hotels deal? (Wasn't aware of this earlier!) JAL Yotsuya and Nikko Osaka seem like potential candidates, Nikko Ginza appears to be a bit of a dump and the rest aren't well located.

Hmmm... Didn't see any "drop everything and book THIS" bargains.
I did see good rates for Mitsui Garden and Monterey Ginza.
Ta, will take a look.

One of the best deals for room acreage was actually the IC Tokyo Bay. It was showing up at close to your budget figure on Expedia and it's also one of the hotels on priceline (or has been historically) and if you book it this way there is no extra adult fee. I'm sure you already know about the large twin rooms with two (very) small double beds.
We stayed here two years ago, lured in by a very good Web rate over Xmas (when most hotels like to jack up prices), but were kinda "meh". The hotel itself is fine, if unremarkable, but the location in the middle of absolutely nothing a few Yurikamome stops out from Shinbashi is pretty bad; the closest thing to civilization is exciting Hamamatsucho, and even that's a fair hike away. :(

I'd be happy to take my chances as a solo traveller, but it's a bit too risky for this trip.


The Pen's 51 sq.m. last year wasn't too shabby :p


I've pretty much exhausted my hotel point balances, except for IHG, and there's nothing particularly attractive on offer there at the moment. :(

The JAL idea is interesting though, as my wife has a balance we could raid; I presume you're referring to the 10,000 miles = Y15,000 coupon for JAL/Nikko hotels deal? (Wasn't aware of this earlier!) JAL Yotsuya and Nikko Osaka seem like potential candidates, Nikko Ginza appears to be a bit of a dump and the rest aren't well located.

It was probably the PEN.....as 51 sq.m is a healthy size anywhere:) ! Glad I could offer an idea for use of miles. Don't you have a "deal" with anyone via your place of employ?

So Osaka is sorted -- turns out St. Regis is doing a promo until Jan 26 (http://www.stregisosaka.co.jp/stay/offer/detail/82/) for bookings until the end of May offering rooms from a scarcely credible Y19,000 for two, including breakfast. :eek: (Add Y2000 on weekends, rooms limited, etc.) Even more surprisingly, this doesn't even seem to be all that great a rate, there's a whole slew of just-above-Y20000 plans on their website. Given that this is about a third of what you'd pay in Tokyo for the same class of hotel, whoever decided to build a St. Regis in Osaka must be contemplating seppuku...

Glad I could offer an idea for use of miles. Don't you have a "deal" with anyone via your place of employ?
Alas, it doesn't quite work that way. We're too small a company to get much in the way of corporate rates, and "scratch-my-back-and-I'll-scratch-yours" deals for free accommodation are very much frowned upon. Now occasionally there are friend-of-a-friend things where a colleague knows somebody, which is eg. how I used to get F&F rates at Fairmont Singapore, but there are none that I know of for Japan. So that's why I'm trawling for deals on FT... :o

T
We stayed here two years ago, lured in by a very good Web rate over Xmas (when most hotels like to jack up prices), but were kinda "meh". The hotel itself is fine, if unremarkable, but the location in the middle of absolutely nothing a few Yurikamome stops out from Shinbashi is pretty bad; the closest thing to civilization is exciting Hamamatsucho, and even that's a fair hike away. :(
I agree and know exactly what you mean.
But.. it is coming up at 13,500yen +taxes/fees and gives you 37m2 of space (around 400yen per m2 - rock bottom for Tokyo) and two semi-double beds. A few taxi fares to eradicate those hikes through the barren neighbourhoods surrounding the hotel will be cheap enough and you have near direct access to the river route up to Asakusa.
Since there are three of you it might be still worth considering if you find you have to book a two or three night stay in the capital.

So Osaka is sorted -- turns out St. Regis is doing a promo until Jan 26 (http://www.stregisosaka.co.jp/stay/offer/detail/82/) for bookings until the end of May offering rooms from a scarcely credible Y19,000 for two, including breakfast. :eek: (Add Y2000 on weekends, rooms limited, etc.) Even more surprisingly, this doesn't even seem to be all that great a rate, there's a whole slew of just-above-Y20000 plans on their website. Given that this is about a third of what you'd pay in Tokyo for the same class of hotel, whoever decided to build a St. Regis in Osaka must be contemplating seppuku...


Alas, it doesn't quite work that way. We're too small a company to get much in the way of corporate rates, and "scratch-my-back-and-I'll-scratch-yours" deals for free accommodation are very much frowned upon. Now occasionally there are friend-of-a-friend things where a colleague knows somebody, which is eg. how I used to get F&F rates at Fairmont Singapore, but there are none that I know of for Japan. So that's why I'm trawling for deals on FT... :o That is great for the St. Regis and the room size is quite large too.^ Thing about Osaka and West is that they are more than willing to do a deal.......not so much in the big smoke (as you know). I did look at the Pen website and they do have a Tokyo style deal for 40,000JPY+ where they will give you a 10,000 Yen coupon to use in the hotel restaurants and also "Yankee" breakfast included and a 1 category room upgrade. I wasn't in Tokyo long enough, but I always had the impression that they would rather give gifts etc. instead of giving discounted prices. Of course that was just my impression....

So I'll be doing my yearly pilgrimage to Japan this March and am once again on the hunt for places to stay. Rough parameters for Tokyo:

- Budget 15000 yen-ish, can stretch if it's worth it (ended up at the Peninsula last time... :o )
- Convenient access to Sobu-sen, Shinkansen & Narita (roughly in that order) is a big bonus; in practice this means somewhere around Tokyo-eki/Yurakucho or Akihabara
- jpatokal jr will be romping about, so a room slightly larger than the usual business hotel coffin is a plus

What I've found so far:

Grand Arc (http://www.grandarc.com/) looks almost too good to be true pricewise (from under Y10000) and the 6-jo tatami rooms are intriguing, but the location is a bit awkward. I'm hearing good things about Hotel Niwa (http://www.hotelniwa.jp/english/) (Y16000+) but the rooms seem a little small. mrs jpatokal's agitating for her business trip standby the Century Southern Tower (http://www.southerntower.co.jp/english/) (also Y16000), which has generous rooms by Tokyo standards, but the Shinjuku location is a bit of a negative.

For Osaka, wife would prefer something around JR Osaka/Umeda, but location is not a huge deal. I'm currently looking at ANA Crowne Plaza (http://http://www.anacrowneplaza-osaka.jp/) (Y14000+) or, in the "somewhat extravagant but still pretty good value" category, Ritz Carlton (http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/Osaka/Default.htm) (from Y24000/22000 with/without breakfast).

Anything else I'm missing?

Stayed in the Grand Arc last year, its way above expectation for a Tokyo Hotel. I guess I stayed in the single room (travelling on biz by myself) and it was ample, but not exactly spacious, so I would hope that the room you are looking for is bigger proportionally than that if you are travelling +1. There was a subway line within 7mins walk. Both Hanzomon and Kojimachi seem to be in the same sort of distance, whilst they aren't premium lines for my commute they are well connected so quick to get around..

Best room and value for money was the Sakura Tower - the Hotel is nowhere near Peninsular status but the room was MASSIVE- they list the Twin room at 500Sqft, which was larger than my apartment when I lived in Japan. It is a nice Hotel too, rooms are a touch older, still very nice and certainly high end and public areas are very nice.

It is close to Shinagawa station JR which means you can get to Akihabara quickly and Narita is direct link, I use the bus for this as it stops at the hotel.

Hotel is a little set back from the JR Station, so takes about 10mins walk (it is up a lovely tree lined hill). It has a very nice Sakura viewing and Japanese Garden.

I got a deal on a King for about 110 per night, but now its up higher to about 170 for a twin on Hotels.com - maybe you can get a better price shopping around.

http://www.princehotels.com/en/sakuratower/roominfomation/

Just had a thought

There is currently an amnesty with Priority Club so that you can book ICs at the old rate (it's just gone up to 50k).

What I had in mind was the Strings.

It should be possible for you to purchase 40,000points for just under 19,000yen (points come out at $60 for 10,000)
and with reward bookings there is no 7,000yen 2nd adult fee.

Deluxe rooms are available with points and they come in at a respectable 32m2.

It's a much, much nicer hotel than the IC Tokyo Bay.

So after way too much wrangling.. we went with the Century Southern Tower. It's a known quantity, rooms are reasonably big (26+m2 for a double), Y16,000 for their 45% off deal (https://asp.hotel-story.ne.jp/ver3d/ASPP0200.asp?hidSELECTCOD1=08090&hidSELECTCOD2=001&hidSELECTPLAN=79864&pac=R/C&hidSELECTARRYMD=2012/3/21&hidSELECTHAKSU=1&rooms=1&selectptyp=&selectppsn=00020&hidk=&reffrom=&LB01=server1) was in the ballpark, and while it's not physically 'near' where we wanted to be, it's located literally right next to Shinjuku station with stupendous shopping/dining nearby and we can very easily get from there to Narita (NEX), Tokyo station/Chiba (Chuo Rapid) etc.

Nevertheless, here's a few other interesting places I found in my wanderings. Maybe next time...
* JAL City Yotsuya (http://www.yotsuya-tokyo.jalcity.co.jp) actually looks pretty good. 20m2 rooms from Y16,000, and that can be paid in JAL miles.
* City Pension Zem (http://www.p-zem.co.jp/) is a quirky little family-run apartment hotel in Ningyocho, right next to TCAT... and not much else. 31m2 from Y13,300.
* Citadines Apart'Hotel Shinjuku (http://www2.citadines.com/en/japan/tokyo/shinjuku.html) does one-night apartment(-ish) stays from Y11,000, with microwave, laundrette downstairs, etc,. Rooms look pretty small, and it's two subway stops out from Shinjuku proper though on the wrong side of Kabukicho.

Now to figure out the onsen and we'll be all set!

Now to figure out the onsen and we'll be all set! Why look any further than Q Shoe.....:p ;) :D

for Tokyo: http://www.ezchoicehotels.com/hotel-tokyo-hamamatsucho.html
on Yamanote line, room 25m2

i might just hop in and ask for similar advice -

we arrive tokyo 10 may, stay 1 night, onto Hakone for 1 or 2 nights then Kyoto (prefer to stay kyoto than osaka i think) for a few nights before returning to tokyo for 17th - fly out early on 18th.

Any tips, deals etc would be appreciated. We have 2 kids (4yo and 18mth) so space is appreciated, as is a location thats handy to get places quickly and easily. 2 double beds ideal (preferably decent size)

Fussy eaters so near options that might suit them. cucumber sushi ok, otherwise mostly basic western - eggs, fish and chips, pizza etc..

thanks!

Regarding deals, Priceline works for Tokyo. Tends to book into IC Tokyo Bay along the monorail to ODaiba (not so convenient) or Crowne Plaza in Ikebukuro (convenient but boring).

As for basic western food, there are over 450 McDonalds in Tokyo. Also Dennys, Krispy Kreme, Starbucks, KFC, etc etc etc

thanks! have never tried Priceline before - based on your assessment of those 2 as not so great I might leave it for now. Was considering one of the IHG properties under the Friends and Family scheme anyway, not sure which would be nice - mind you we aren't really planning to do an awful lot in Tokyo, mostly recovering from flight, acclimatising and picking up rail pass.
when i say picky i mean including no McD/KFC etc etc!! not that i'd want her to eat them anyway, but at most she might touch a couple of fries..

Was considering one of the IHG properties under the Friends and Family scheme anyway, not sure which would be nice - mind you we aren't really planning to do an awful lot in Tokyo, mostly recovering from flight, acclimatising and picking up rail pass.

Of the three Intercontinental hotels (InterContinental ANA (in Roppongi), InterContinental Tokyo Bay, InterContinental ANA The Strings (in Shinagawa)), my preference would be for The Strings.

The Strings is located just outside the Konan exit of Shinagawa station (practically above the station, really). It's on the Tokaido Shinkansen line (for "bullet" trains to Kyoto) and the Narita Express (N'EX) stops there. The immediate surroundings are a bit sterile (office towers) but proximity to the station makes it easy to get places. I have always liked the hotel ... except the time when they were doing their annual electrical checks, which was a PITA.

By comparison, the Intercontinental ANA in Roppongi is more central and closer to the buzzing nightlife of Roppongi, but I guess that's not a priority for a family with young children

Intercontinental Tokyo Bay is a weird one. Not much going on in the immediate environs and the location isn't convenient IMHO. It's a hike to get to any public transit except the Yurikamome line (which goes to Odaiba). You might get a bigger room there, I guess ... I'm not sure.

Getting the pass seems to be a concern for you. I think Shinagawa is one of the stations where you can do the exchange, so that might also be a reason to stay there.

If I were you, I'd take a look at the queue in the travel center at the airport when you arrive. It's possible to exchange the passes there with a later date for activation. And you can make reservations too. Depends if you're in the mood for exchanging rail passes on arrival.

Another tip - The N'EX & SUICA combo ticket
If you choose to stay at The Strings, and you don't activate your JR pass for the day of arrival, buy yourselves the N'EX & SUICA combination tickets at Narita airport:
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/suica-nex/

Kids over 1yr old and less than 6yrs old ride subways free. (Up to two kids with an accompanying adult). I think it's the same for JR trains. Someone else will confirm or refute this, I'm sure.

And there's more - some interesting blogs and books about Tokyo/Japan with kids
http://mylittlenomads.com/tokyo-with-kids
http://www.tokyowithkids.com/
http://www.amazon.co.jp/%E8%8B%B1%E6%96%87%E7%89%88-%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E5%AD%90%E9%80%A3%E3%82%8C%E3%8 1%8A%E5%87%BA%E3%81%8B%E3%81%91%E3%82%AC%E3%82%A4% E3%83%89-Family-One-Day-Outings/dp/4770020406

very helpful indeed, thanks!

i might just hop in and ask for similar advice -

we arrive tokyo 10 may, stay 1 night, onto Hakone for 1 or 2 nights then Kyoto (prefer to stay kyoto than osaka i think) for a few nights before returning to tokyo for 17th - fly out early on 18th.

Any tips, deals etc would be appreciated. We have 2 kids (4yo and 18mth) so space is appreciated, as is a location thats handy to get places quickly and easily. 2 double beds ideal (preferably decent size)

Fussy eaters so near options that might suit them. cucumber sushi ok, otherwise mostly basic western - eggs, fish and chips, pizza etc..

thanks!

Japan has a couple of chains of "family restaurants," Jonathan's and Skylark Gusto (yes, those are the actual names), that serve both (sort of) Western and Japanese food.

Japan has a couple of chains of "family restaurants," Jonathan's and Skylark Gusto (yes, those are the actual names), that serve both (sort of) Western and Japanese food.

Why do you choose two of the worst chains as examples?

Dennys, Big Boy, Saizeriya, Cocos, Royal Host, Red Lobster, and Volks are all far better choices for fussy palates.

And if those aren't good enough, there are plenty of TGI Fridays and Hard Rock Cafes to choose from as well.

Of the three Intercontinental hotels (InterContinental ANA (in Roppongi), InterContinental Tokyo Bay, InterContinental ANA The Strings (in Shinagawa)), my preference would be for The Strings.
You might as well put the Intercontinental Yokohama Grand Hotel in the mix as well. I'd rate that ahead of all the Tokyo ones.

You might as well put the Intercontinental Yokohama Grand Hotel in the mix as well. I'd rate that ahead of all the Tokyo ones.
No way (you should try sharing this opinion in the Priority Club forums)
Top choice:
ANA IC Tokyo if RA or on club floors
Then
Strings
Then
ANA IC regular rooms
Then
A tie between Tokyo Bay IC and Yokohama IC

Did you get a suite or something at Yokohama?

No way (you should try sharing this opinion in the Priority Club forums)

jib71 was talking about the surrounding areas of the hotels. I'd much rather be in the thick of Minato Mirai on leisure than in the area of any of the Tokyo Intercontinentals.

jib71 was talking about the surrounding areas of the hotels. I'd much rather be in the thick of Minato Mirai on leisure than in the area of any of the Tokyo Intercontinentals.
I once did a 9 day stint at the Minato Mirai IC and can't agree with that either. The area is dead after 10pm and it's a real hike to anywhere with a bit of action.
It's fine for a day or a dirty weekend but going through the long shopping mall each and every time you wish to go anywhere of interest soon gets tiring.

Why do you choose two of the worst chains as examples?


They're the only ones I've actually eaten at.

I once did a 9 day stint at the Minato Mirai IC and can't agree with that either. The area is dead after 10pm and it's a real hike to anywhere with a bit of action.
It's fine for a day or a dirty weekend but going through the long shopping mall each and every time you wish to go anywhere of interest soon gets tiring.

Hey, let's hear a bit more on that dirty weekend topic! :):)

I once did a 9 day stint at the Minato Mirai IC and can't agree with that either. The area is dead after 10pm and it's a real hike to anywhere with a bit of action.
It's fine for a day or a dirty weekend but going through the long shopping mall each and every time you wish to go anywhere of interest soon gets tiring.

interesting - I hadn't even considered this one. AS we are with 2 young kids the nightlife is a non-issue and we aren't really bothered about being completely central (as long as we can pick up the rail pass, which it sounds like might be best to do on arrival at airport). So this could actually be an option for us. it certainly seems to be a lot cheaper. any other views on this place and its surrounds for a leisurely family one day visit?

interesting - I hadn't even considered this one. AS we are with 2 young kids the nightlife is a non-issue and we aren't really bothered about being completely central (as long as we can pick up the rail pass, which it sounds like might be best to do on arrival at airport). So this could actually be an option for us. it certainly seems to be a lot cheaper. any other views on this place and its surrounds for a leisurely family one day visit?

I agree that a nine day stay would be a bit tedious (my only experience with staying in the area is two separate one night stays at the Pan-Pacific), but for one day, I'd absolutely recommend it. You've got a great view from your room, an amusement park, a few different kinds of boat tours, lots of wide open spaces for walking and exploring, literally hundreds of shopping and dining choices nearby, and a clean, cosmopolitan, almost futuristic environment all around you.

I think that you and your family would have a great time there.

interesting - I hadn't even considered this one. AS we are with 2 young kids the nightlife is a non-issue and we aren't really bothered about being completely central (as long as we can pick up the rail pass, which it sounds like might be best to do on arrival at airport). So this could actually be an option for us. it certainly seems to be a lot cheaper. any other views on this place and its surrounds for a leisurely family one day visit?
It would depend on the age of your children.
Look at a transport map for Yokohama and google maps and see if all the train connections you'll need to make make it worth while. Cosmopark is where teenagers go dating so may not be appropriate.
You can have boat rides from the Tokyo IC, and the Konan area of the Strings gives little ones almost unlimited running space away from cars (I stayed here with my 2.5 year old a couple of days ago and got her nice and tired from charging around down there before bed time). Also the view over Shinagawa station as well as over to Shinjuku and Tokyo tower really sparked her imagination.
Commuting from the very end of the Minato Mirai pier takes a lot of stamina.
With a toddler this isn't something I'd do. with a preteen/teenager... Perhaps.

Commuting from the very end of the Minato Mirai pier takes a lot of stamina.

:confused:The hotel is about a five or six minute walk from Minato Mirai station...which itself is a three minute train ride from Yokohama station. And there's much more frisky teenage behavior in Odaiba than in Cosmopark (though recently, the Cosmopark area as a whole is fairly deserted...can't remember waiting in line for anything other than the Ferris Wheel)

The girls are 4 and 1.5.

Probably would get cab from airport and then not venture too far afield before we get train to Hakone the next day.

We are coming back again briefly to Tokyo at the end of our trip too - though as its a morning flight it may make sense to stay in an airport hotel instead..

:confused:The hotel is about a five or six minute walk from Minato Mirai station...which itself is a three minute train ride from Yokohama station. And there's much more frisky teenage behavior in Odaiba than in Cosmopark (though recently, the Cosmopark area as a whole is fairly deserted...can't remember waiting in line for anything other than the Ferris Wheel)
Exactly.
In other words, with kids and strollers it takes around half an hour after leaving the hotel before you are on the train at Yokohama going anywhere else.
(6 minutes to get to the station, 5 minutes to get to the platform, 5 minutes waiting for the train, 3 minute ride, 6 minutes to get to the next platform, 5 minutes wait for the next train)
I wasn't referring to frisky behaviour at Cosmopark just that there are few attractions aimed at young children, it caters for the older set.

Exactly.
In other words, with kids and strollers it takes around half an hour after leaving the hotel before you are on the train at Yokohama going anywhere else.
(6 minutes to get to the station, 5 minutes to get to the platform, 5 minutes waiting for the train, 3 minute ride, 6 minutes to get to the next platform, 5 minutes wait for the next train)
Isn't that the same for any hotel that's not next to a major train hub? If that's a major inconvenience, it's not that expensive to take a cab to Yokohama station.

I wasn't referring to frisky behaviour at Cosmopark just that there are few attractions aimed at young children, it caters for the older set.
There's a whole little island of stuff for small children. The little boat ride, the double-decker merry-go-round, the sky bicycles, the fun house like attraction, the search-for-Pokemon-like-things attraction, and lots of little 100/200 yen arcade like amusements. Probably more that I'm forgetting. Another 10 minute or so walk away is the Borneland Play World, that little kids especially would _really_ love!

Why do you choose two of the worst chains as examples? Dennys, Big Boy, Saizeriya, Cocos, Royal Host, Red Lobster, and Volks are all far better choices for fussy palates.

My favorite Western family restaurant in Japan is Sizzler, but it's hard to come by. The most prominent location is on the west side of Shinjuku, just north of the Tokyo government building, near the Hilton and Century Hyatt. Big buffet, lots of food to choose from, very family-friendly. There is also one in Minato Mirai, but the other locations are pretty far from the beaten path.

Denny's is definitely worth a visit. The Japanese version is completely different from the American version, in a good way.

The only good thing about Saizeriya is the 100 yen wine -- and the fact that screaming kids will not be out of place there at all. (These two features possibly feed into each other.)

There's a whole little island of stuff for small children. The little boat ride, the double-decker merry-go-round, the sky bicycles, the fun house like attraction, the search-for-Pokemon-like-things attraction, and lots of little 100/200 yen arcade like amusements. Probably more that I'm forgetting. Another 10 minute or so walk away is the Borneland Play World, that little kids especially would _really_ love!

I agree with the general idea that Minato Mirai would be good for kids of any age. Another nice attraction is the boat which runs around the harbor toward the brick warehouses and Chinatown. Usually a number of boats and ships to look at along the way.

I agree with the general idea that Minato Mirai would be good for kids of any age.

There's also the great Mitsubishi Minato Mirai Industrial Museum (http://whereintokyo.com/venues/25321.html) (rocket engines, big ships), and the Cupnoodles Museum (http://whereintokyo.com/venues/25295.html).

I'm really appreciating all the responses and quite like the sound of this IC, having said that in a sleep deprived haze yesterday I actually did make 2 bookings (the first was a mistake!) with and Conrad - luckily both are cancellable

So, any thoughts on which of these 3 options is best? I think the IC is cheaper though not sure re transport from airport.


1. Hotel Century Southern Tower - no breakfast included
Total Price: 22349.25 JPY
Taxes and service fees (15.5% ) : 2999.25 JPY
2. Conrad inc breakfast but it was a Jetsetter deal for 2 adults so i'm not yet sure what the impact of 2 kids (1 and 4) will be
$279
Taxes & Fees $44
Total Cost $323.00
3. IC - I can get a single upgrade as an ambassador, could get good rates on friends and family in particular - likely to be a fair bit cheaper than either but i don't mind paying a bit more e.g. the Conrad seems to be a large room and includes breakfast (at least for the adults)

Any further tips appreciated..

Meanwhile we will come back to Tokyo from Kyoto on 17th ready to fly to London on 18th in the morning, I am assuming with the distances involved we are best staying around Narita??

The IC Tokyo Bay is a decent upscale hotel. I am sure the hotel itself will do just fine. It comes up on Priceline for that area all the time, by the way.

1. Hotel Century Southern Tower - no breakfast included
Total Price: 22349.25 JPY
Taxes and service fees (15.5% ) : 2999.25 JPY
Where did you get this rate from? It's way too high. Their own website has prices from Y15,000 night all in:

https://asp.hotel-story.ne.jp/ver3d/di/?hcod1=08090&hcod2=001&p=on&def=p

Meanwhile we will come back to Tokyo from Kyoto on 17th ready to fly to London on 18th in the morning, I am assuming with the distances involved we are best staying around Narita??
Not necessarily, unless you have really early morning flight and every minute counts. Stay around Tokyo station or Shinagawa, which are easy to get to on the way in and let you zip to the airport in just over an hour on the Narita Express.

Sorry i should have been clearer - of the IC's I was considering the Yokohama, I quite liked the sound of the park, boat, train for the kids - but yes the journey might be just too much from Narita (and then onto station for Hakone)? Distances seem so huge here

Conrad sounds nice and the fact its a larger room appeals with 4 of us sharing..

[QUOTE=jpatokal;18330090]Where did you get this rate from? It's way too high. Their own website has prices from Y15,000 night all in:

https://asp.hotel-story.ne.jp/ver3d/di/?hcod1=08090&hcod2=001&p=on&def=p

It was the hotel website for superior twin..

It was the hotel website for superior twin..
Ah, OK. The link I posted above has rates starting from Y10,000 pp, in other words Y20,000 all-in, for a non-smoking superior twin for two (スーペリアツイン (禁煙) 2名1室). Pre-school kids in the same beds are free, or you can pony up Y2310 for an additional bed.

Ah, OK. The link I posted above has rates starting from Y10,000 pp, in other words Y20,000 all-in, for a non-smoking superior twin for two (スーペリアツイン (禁煙) 2名1室). Pre-school kids in the same beds are free, or you can pony up Y2310 for an additional bed.


it was that link that i booked through - they added taxes on top..

still not convinced we will stay there though, need to really assess the pros and cons of all 3 options.

My favorite Western family restaurant in Japan is Sizzler, but it's hard to come by. The most prominent location is on the west side of Shinjuku, just north of the Tokyo government building, near the Hilton and Century Hyatt. Big buffet, lots of food to choose from, very family-friendly. There is also one in Minato Mirai, but the other locations are pretty far from the beaten path.

The Odaiba Aqua City Sizzler is easily accessible if you happen to be visiting there. Also the Tokyo Dome Hotel Sizzler is in the middle of Tokyo, although a bit of a walk from any station.