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Tokyo, Japan’s capital, is the world’s most populated metropolitan. The city is known for its unlimited choice of shopping, entertainment and dining, with a mix of ancient and modern culture, An exciting destination for tourists, Tokyo is also known for high hotel prices! But luckily, with points you can stay in Tokyo for free. In this post I will show you the best hotels in Tokyo on points from four major hotel chains.

(SEE ALSO: Best routes and cheapest miles to Japan from mainland U.S. ]

Tokyo

Where to stay in Tokyo?

Tokyo is a big city divided into 23 special wards (think of them as districts or small cities that group into a big one). When picking a hotel in Tokyo, it is important to keep the following in mind:

  • Taxi is expensive, but luckily train/subway is cheap and fast, most importantly, ALWAYS on time!
  • Stay near the city center instead of outskirt (such as Disney area or Narita airport, it is too far).
  • Pick a hotel near a subway station along the JR Yamanote Line (the Tokyo loop line) for easy reach to Tokyo tourist sites.
  • Pick a hotel served by the airport limousine bus for easy access to both Haneda or Narita airport.
  • For tourist, the best area to stay is probably Shinjuku and Ginza.
  • Other area like Shibuya, Tokyo station, and Roppongi area nice but also pricier.
  • Other decent places include Shinagawa and Shiodome.
  • Asakusa area is cheaper as it is the old side of the city.
  • Book early as award nights are popular especially during peak seasons.

Best hotels in Tokyo on points

The table below lists all hotels in Tokyo on points from all four major chains, excluding those in Disney area and near the Narita airport, as they are a bit far from the city center.

Tokyo

Which hotel is the best redemption? That really is a personal choice. If you have free nights for Ritz Carlton or Park Hyatt, by all means book a stay there and enjoy the ultra luxury these hotels offer. But if you plan to be out all day long and just need a place to sleep and shower, it would be wise to pick a hotel requiring fewer points so you can stay a few nights longer. The challenge for a family is finding a hotel room that fits four people, as many award redemptions are for twin rooms with two twin beds!

Hotel NameHotel Program5th night freePoints required per night
Sheraton Miyako Hotel TokyoStarwoodYes10,000
The Prince Gallery Tokyo KioichoStarwoodYes20,000-25,000
(30,00-35,000 after 3/7/17)
The Westin TokyoStarwoodYes20,000
Tokyo Marriott HotelMarriottYes40,000
The Prince Sakura Tower TokyoMarriottYes40,000
The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo MarriottYes70,000
Hyatt Regency TokyoHyattNo12,000
Grand Hyatt TokyoHyattNo25,000
Andaz Tokyo Toranomon HillsHyattNo25,000
Park Hyatt TokyoHyattNo30,000
Hilton TokyoHiltonYes50,000
Hilton Tokyo OdaibaHiltonYes50,000
Conrad TokyoHiltonYes80,000-95,000
Intercontinental ANA TokyoIHGNo50,000
InterContinental - ANA: The Strings TokyoIHGNo50,000
InterContinental Tokyo BayIHGNo50,000

There are many well-located 3.5-star independent hotels in Tokyo costing about $150 per night. You can book these hotels through online travel agencies (best with a discount code such as one for Orbitz). You redeem bank points such as Barclay Arrival points or Chase Ultimate Rewards points to cover the hotel cost.

Hyatt Regency in Shinjuku

Shinjuku is probably the best place to stay in Tokyo. It is one of Tokyo’s biggest transport hubs and located on the Tokyo loop. Here everything is at your finger tip: several huge department stores, huge electronics shops, literally thousands of restaurant, and plenty of sights nearby.

I visited Tokyo for the first time in April 2014. After much debate, I opted to stay at the Hyatt Regency instead of the Park Hyatt. Rooms are small yet modern, service is great, most importantly location is awesome! The hotel is connected to a subway station and only one stop from Shinjuku train station, or you can also walk to Shinjuku station in less than 10 minutes. The airport limousine bus from both Haneda and Narita airport drops off and picks up directly in front of the hotel. At 12,000 points per night, Hyatt Regency is simply a fantastic value for Tokyo! You can stretch your points even further using 6,000 points plus $75 a night.

Conclusion

A visit to Tokyo can be wallet friendly. Not only you can get there free using the cheapest miles, you can also stay free using hotel points.  Have you stay at any hotels in Tokyo on points, especially one that fits a family of four in one room? If  so, share your recommendation in the comment below.


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