Hotels with balcony in Tokyo

I come to Tokyo several times a year, staying a fortnight or more each time. This time I spent seven nights at The Capitol Hotel Tokyu. The room faced Hie Shrine. Through the floor-to-ceiling windows I could see the shrine's copper roof and half of Tokyo's skyline. The décor was modern without excess; the layout flowed easily, Bose speakers hidden in the walls, another set in the bathroom ceiling, connected by a 3.5mm jack. The curtains were motorized, though you hardly needed to close them. The turndown service. I would leave in the evening and return late to find the room changed: only the hallway light and bedside lamp left on, a bottle of water and a glass on the nightstand, two chocolates beside them. The evening tea and teacup, previously stored in the cabinet, had been moved next to the coffee machine. These changes were so slight you had to think back carefully to confirm they had happened at all. The temperature and humidity had been adjusted. As if the room itself remembered your habits. Room service fell short of the ryokan in Hakone or Lake Toya, but well above the ordinary hotel. Each day I made two or three cups of complimentary coffee, played music, read, wrote. In seven days I finished three books. The research ahead began to take shape. There were drawbacks. No washing machine, but a decent laundromat ten minutes' walk away—a chance to wander the streets of Akasaka. The room provided HDMI and ethernet ports but no cables; for those who came to rest, perhaps a mercy. The minibar fridge was mostly occupied by drinks for purchase, same as the Imperial, though there was still room for my sparkling water. The day I left it was half past five and fully dark. I could barely make out the faces of the bellhop and the taxi driver. Together they loaded my luggage into the boot. I wished the bellhop a happy new year in Japanese and told her I liked her hat. She smiled and returned the greeting. As the taxi pulled out of the underground drive, I thought of the inns Kawabata once wrote about: what had to be sought in the mountains of snow country can now be reached by elevator from the B2 exit of a metro station. I have watched the Shinagawa Prince Hotel loosen quietly over time, slip a little. That kind of decline is rarely one great error. It begins the day someone forgets to leave a glass of water, neglects to move a packet of tea, omits a newspaper. As for The Capitol Hotel Tokyu: in Japanese, what I experienced over these seven days is called ちょうどいい.

I visited Tokyo with my 88-year-old father. The hotel’s location is arguably the absolute best, making it incredibly convenient to visit Tokyo’s major attractions. The hotel facilities were also highly satisfying. First and foremost, the amenities in the guest room were excellent, and the thoughtful accessibility considerations for the elderly or infirm gave us great peace of mind. For instance, the provision of a bath chair with a backrest was very impressive. The hygiene and meticulous housekeeping were of the highest standard. Furthermore, the non-slip mat provided in the bathroom clearly reflected a deep consideration for the guests' specific needs. All of this, of course, is a testament to the staff’s proactive service and attentive care. If there was one minor disappointment, I wish a wider variety of pillows had been available in the room. In this regard, I felt it fell slightly short of meeting guests' diverse preferences. Additionally, as a helpful suggestion for safety, designing bathroom doors to open outward to facilitate emergency access in case of an accident inside is a fundamental design principle for luxury hotels. While preventing accidents altogether is ideal, being fully prepared for emergencies is what sets the highest standard of excellence. On another note, despite the hotel being located within a major railway station, there was absolutely no noise. The soundproofing was truly remarkable. The breakfast offered a rich and diverse selection, beautifully balancing traditional Japanese cuisine with Western options. While ordering a more unique or specialized beverage took a bit of time, the quality and taste were highly satisfying. The other facilities, particularly the restaurants and cafes, were exceptionally calm, elegant, and quiet, providing a very pleasant experience. The food, of course, tasted excellent. However, you must ensure you have ample time to enjoy it; it can require a significant amount of time and patience before the food is served in front of you. Overall, our experience was exceptionally satisfying and wonderful. With its rich historical background and narrative, the hotel offered a deeply engaging and far from boring stay.

Hotel staff are friendly, helpful and attentive. The bell boy who helped me with bringing my luggages to the room was very friendly and helpful, spoke good English too. Though not all staff spoke good English, they tried their best to assist me. Their service standard is consistent throughout. The room and the toilet was spacious and clean. There were 4 restuarants that I could go to for breakfast. The Garden Lounge which served buffet breakfast has a wide selection of food and drink. Most importantly the food was yummy! I enjoyed looking at the beautiful garden with waterfall view as I was seated by the window during breakfast.

I booked two rooms, and the panoramic king room was clearly superior and more comfortable. Although it only offered a partial view of the Tokyo Tower, the sunlight streaming in was very pleasant. The room was on a high floor, very clean, and spacious. The hotel's facilities were also well-maintained and felt quite new. A good choice, highly recommended! 👍

We traveled with a group of five. The apartment was quite spacious for the number of people, very clean, with a balcony and a traditional-style room. It had everything necessary for a large group: two showers, toiletries for washing and bathing, a washing machine with detergent, shoe shine equipment, an iron, a small ironing board, and other household items. It's located a 5-minute walk from Asakusa Temple and about a 10-15-minute walk to the nearest subway station. There are several 7-11 stores, cafes, and bars nearby. The only downside is that you have to carry luggage up a rather small staircase to the 3rd floor, but overall, it's tolerable.

A Stay That Feels Like Coming Home – My Honest Review 1. Prime Location, Peaceful Setting Tucked just a short stroll from Shinagawa Station, this guesthouse is brilliantly located for exploring Tokyo. Despite being so close to a major transport hub, the neighborhood is remarkably quiet and residential. Finding the place was a breeze – clear instructions and a distinctive exterior made it instantly recognizable. 2. Thoughtful, Characterful Interior Design This is no cookie-cutter hostel. The owner has poured genuine creativity into every corner – vintage posters, handmade handpicked furniture, and an artsy blend of retro and modern elements. I booked a single bed this time, but unlike the typical 10-square-meter hotel boxes in Tokyo, my space felt genuinely roomy. I could stretch out, lay open my suitcase, and still have floor space to do morning stretches – a rare luxury for solo travelers. 3. Fully Equipped – With Surprising Extras The amenities go way beyond basics. A full kitchen with cookware, a washing machine. But the real delight? The owner’s personal toy collection scattered around – retro figures, board games, and quirky knickknacks to tinker with. And the crown jewel: a vintage record player with a curated vinyl selection, plus a compact DJ setup. I spent one evening spinning tracks with the host personal collections – an unforgettable Tokyo memory. 4. The Host – Warm, Witty, and Genuinely Sociable The owner is the heart of this place. They greet every guest like an old friend, share honest food recommendations for the local alleyways (I tried three of his tips – all phenomenal), and even bring their little dog down to the common area in some evenings. We’d gather around, sip drinks, chat about life, and laugh at their stories. It’s that rare blend of hospitality and authenticity that you can’t book – it just happens. Who Would Love This Place? Solo adventurers who crave connection but value their own space. Digital nomads needing room to work and relax. Music lovers, design nerds, and anyone tired of sterile hotel chains. If you’re traveling alone in Japan and actually want to make friends – over a shared meal, a vinyl crackle, or a dog’s gentle nudge – this is your spot. Highly, highly recommended.

I'd like to point out the apartment's excellent location: the building is right next to the metro exit. The view from the balcony is excellent. The neighborhood is very quiet, with plenty of convenience stores nearby, a 10-minute walk to the SkyTower shopping center, and plenty of nice restaurants nearby. It's interesting that when you step outside, it's very quiet, but in the apartment with the open balcony, you can hear a lot of traffic noise. There was enough space for three of us, but the fold-out sofa isn't very comfortable. We used a mattress, an extra blanket, and a blanket underneath ourselves to soften it, but overall, we didn't have any problems, such as back pain. The apartment includes an iron, a microwave, and other kitchen appliances. There's a washing machine, but it wasn't plugged in, so we didn't bother fixing it ourselves. There was a hair dryer, but it was very weak and dusty. When you turn it on, it starts to smell burnt, so we didn't use it. The apartment itself is in good condition, but it feels like it could quickly become too old. Aside from the hair dryer, there was a dirty sheet in the linen set. We informed the owner, who apologized and offered to send a new set, but we only found another sheet. We also mentioned that there would be three of us staying, but the ”sofa” wasn't made, so we had to make it ourselves.

The sign at the entrance is tiny and easy to miss. There's no elevator, and the stairs are narrow. The front desk is on the second floor, and the female dorms are on the fourth, making it really difficult to carry luggage up. The hygiene was terrible. For the few days I stayed, it barely seemed to be cleaned. The floors, mirrors, and sink were all dirty. The large trash can in the room wasn't emptied daily. Both the toilet and shower stalls were extremely cramped. There was nowhere to put clothes, so I had to put them on the floor by the door, which incidentally opened inward, meaning my legs hit the toilet. Sitting on the toilet, my knees were practically touching the door. The bed was incredibly creaky; even a slight turn resulted in a loud squeak. The mattress protector kept slipping off. The sliding door for the bed wasn't functional, so only the curtain could be used. There were no curtains on the window, so people outside could see in. Someone was changing clothes, unaware, and was clearly visible from the residential buildings across the street. Each person gets a locker for valuables. The door couldn't be locked, meaning anyone could walk straight up the stairs from the street to the room. The front desk was sometimes unattended, which made me feel unsafe. It's run by Chinese people, and they also have guesthouses. It's about a 10-15 minute walk from Shibuya Station, and there's another station nearby. There are plenty of food options and supermarkets in the area.

The room is very good and clean

The room was very spacious and clean. The bathroom had heating and a drying function, which was great for drying clothes. The space had many thoughtful designs. I stayed for four nights and was very satisfied. The room had two large trash cans and two small ones, so I didn't have to worry about managing trash. The cooking facilities were excellent. It's very suitable for families, and it's also convenient for visiting nearby attractions. There's a fantastic BBQ restaurant right around the corner. The only thing to note is that you need to make a reservation for the BBQ place. Their beef tongue is delicious!