Originally Posted by
MSPeconomist
Look at some of the local chains of business hotels. There's a Washington something one next to the Big Sight (convention center on the island) and another one (I forget the name) next to the Park Hyatt in Shinjuku. You should expect a small room with a small bathroom, TV mounted on the wall, vending machines, and a clientele that expects good wifi.
Another idea would be the less expensive properties in the Prince (Japanese) chain.
There are boutique hotels in Japan too. For example, there's a newish one across the major side street from the Imperial Hotel
For a longer stay, International House if you can get a reservation. The Tokyo one is in Roppongi while in Osaka it's near the old (non-science) campus of Osaka University.
Thanks for the reply MSPeconomist. Out of the list, I've stayed at the prince hotels, specifically the one across from the Shinagawa station. It was very comfortable, hotel was nice, even with tiny rooms. And couldn't beat be across the street from the Yamanote line.
Boutique hotels seem very interesting to me. I've noticed the "b" hotels around (red square with a lowercase b in it) in different places, and online pictures look like they're modernish and they have some pretty good hotels, location-wise.