Who else finds hotel hunting in Tokyo a headache? I mean, for picky travellers on a shoestring budget like me? We’re not rich enough to book a 5 star hotel that costs 20% of my salary a night, yet reluctant to travel 1 hour everyday to reach the places of interest. I was skeptical when I clicked into the hotel listing for JPY 20,600, expecting to see a capsule hotel, but saw a standard Japanese hotel. In fact, it looked like APA Hotel, but a fraction of its price. Here’s what I discovered about lyf Ginza Tokyo.
Room Overview
Room Number: 418
Room Type: Studio Single
Number of Nights: 1
Cost: JPY 20,691
Specialty: Social space at level 2.
Room Amenities: Toiletries / Hair dryer / Power socket (Japanese type outlet, bedside x1, desk x1) / AC (Room, fully controllable)
Bathroom: Shower / Vanity Counter space / Toilet with bidet
Safety: Card access to guest levels and rooms
Staff: Friendly / English proficiency
Neighbourhood: In Ginza, between train stations of 2 lines. 7-eleven around the block.
Getting around: Koyabashi Station (72m) (Ginza (Orange) line), Takaracho Station (150m) (Asakusa (Pink) Line), Tokyo Station (450m)
Checking In to lyf Ginza Tokyo
As an Ascott member, I was able to check in early (at 1pm), which was a surprise, considering how strict Japanese hotels are when it comes to their check in / check out timings. I was already prepared to request to deposit my luggage while I go to the new Pokemon Centre Tokyo Bay to kill time.
Equally unexpected was the staffโs fluent English. She also explained key amenities of the hotel, like the social space beside the reception, and the cafe on the ground floor.
lyf Ginza Tokyo’s Bedroom
The bedroom was long-ish, with the bathroom and vanity counter by the door and the bedroom beyond; The single bed that was positioned with the headboard against the window.
I found the single bed to be wide enough and good for a nightโs sleep. The downside though? It was squeaky. The headboard was a tad too high even though it provided space to place and charge my handphone.
Decent Space for a Downtown Tokyo Hotel
The room was spacious by Tokyo standards. However, the only space big enough for me to open up my 76cm suitcase was on the floor behind the door. Anyone with a smaller bag can either spread them out on the cabinet or the floor at the foot of the bed.
However, there was ample horizontal space for personal belongings. There was a bench and low cabinet extending the length of a wall. The vanity counter also provided extra space. In addition, there was a little bedside table (though it was at the foot of the bed) and the ledge at the top of the bed.
Bathroom
Amazingly, lyf Ginza Tokyo provided dental kits in-room. I neednโt pick them up by the lobby or something! They also provided pyjamas, which was usually only for hotels with public baths.
The shower stall and toilet was separated from the wash-up area. That said, the shower was well stocked with fragrant body soap, shampoo and conditioner. The toilet, however, was basic. Other than a bidet, it lacked heated seat. In hindsight, that didnโt matter much, since the room was warm.
lyf Ginza Tokyo’ Amenities – F&B & Social
The hotel cafe was located at the first floor, which also doubled up as the breakfast place. As I didn’t include breakfast in my accommodation plan, I didn’t get to try it. However, I noticed there was only a table with 4 seats, so I wonder how they catered breakfasts.
At the lobby on the second floor was where they called the social space. Over there, one could find space for hot desking or simply to chill with other guests. I guess they were trying to update the format of business hotels for the younger generation. One who is OK with hot desking, prefers to network over coffee instead of beer, and of course, wants to return to sleep at their earliest convenience.
There were also a gym and laundromat at level 2 (gotta give it to them for packing quite some amenities in a single floor space). It did make sense, as these are some of the facilities in which guests would inevitably mingle. It reminded me of the public bath of Dormy Inn Nagano. That hotel combined the laundromat and massage facilities, which was the busiest space next to the lobby / restaurant.
Security and Safety
I would say the card access key provided much security for guests, given that we needed to use the card even to access the guest levels. While still requiring at least a 5 minute walk to the nearest train stations, the hotel was within reach of Kyobashi, Takaracho and Tokyo stations.
Unfortunately, the hotel made a weird decision to designate a space within the lift lobby for the housekeeping to station their supplies. The lift lobby wasnโt spacious, so the giant pushcart was in the way most of the time!
Parting Words
There was plenty of skepticism from peers who heard that I could get a hotel in Ginza at such an affordable rate. At JPY 20,691 a night, everyone thought I would be staying at a capsule! However, I was lucky to find lyf Ginza Tokyo, which provided a basic, but enjoyable stay nonetheless.
On top of its cleanliness, it provided all the toiletries and there was ample space to walk around and place my stuff. To me, those were enough! Those who are slightly claustrophobic can also go down to the social space to take a breather. It was also in a convenient neighbourhood. There are 3 train lines within 5 – 10 minutesโ walk that could bring me anywhere in Tokyo!
So yes, I thought lyf Ginza Tokyo was a hidden gem. Till then, stay wanderlust!
If you enjoyed my trip reports, do check out my travelogues getting in touch with the nature of central Japan.
Singapore to Tokyoโs Haneda Airport on ANA B787-9 Economy Class (NH842 SIN-HND): Trip review on the early flight out of the lion city to the land of the rising sun.
Hello Nagano: Sights and bites in Nagano in between day trips out of the city
[Review] 1-Day Kamikochi & Matsumoto Castle Tour (from Nagano / Matsumoto): Hiking in the land of the gods – in the rain.
Matsumoto in 10 hours: Visiting Japan’s 1 of 3 remaining original castles, and more.
Snow Monkey Park (Jigokudani Yaen Koen) in Nagano: No snow, no monkey?
Manyo Club Toyosu Review: The ultimate onsen spa for early checkouts & Tokyo Bay views
Tokyo Stopover: High-end tempura, rare Pikachu hunts, and a 9-Story onsen escape
All photos and videos were taken using Google Pixel 7Pro, and edited with Google Photos.
