Where to Stay in Tokyo with Teenagers for Unlimited Fun

3 Weeks in Japan with Teenagers

It was our youngest son who inspired us to book a trip to Japan, telling us that he plans to move to Tokyo “as soon as he can” after he graduates high school. Of course we know he may be going through a phase, but another factor was that both of our sons, ages 12 and 18, were years deep into their love and appreciation of anime and manga. This, combined with an irresistible cruise deal sailing from Tokyo, convinced me to spend 3 weeks in Japan with teenagers, during the peak of summer season. Then all I had to do, was figure out the best places to stay in Tokyo with teenagers!

Itinerary Planning for 3 Weeks in Japan

As a self-proclaimed planner, I booked our Japan cruise a year and a half ahead, securing the best possible deal. With the cruise as our anchor, we then planned the rest of our trip around it. While I understand that some people aren’t fans of cruising, as a means of experiencing a country and its culture, it was the perfect solution for our family. The convenience of traveling without constantly repacking our luggage, combined with the all-inclusive meals, made it a practical and affordable choice. For a detailed account of our 12 Night Celebrity Cruises Best of Japan experience, please refer to this link here.

With flights bookable only 11 months in advance, we had to wait to secure our tickets. However, as soon as they became available, we booked dates that allowed us to enjoy a pre-cruise stay of five nights in Tokyo and a post-cruise stay of two nights.

Where to Stay in Tokyo with Teenagers?

To make the most of our Tokyo adventure with kids, we decided to base ourselves in three different neighborhoods. This strategy allowed us to immerse ourselves in various aspects of the city without the hassle of constant packing and unpacking. We chose Tokyo Bay for its proximity to Disneyland and DisneySea, Shibuya for its vibrant atmosphere and easy access to iconic spots like Shibuya Crossing and Harajuku, and Akihabara for its anime and electronics havens. This multi-neighbourhood approach proved to be a fantastic way to experience the best of Tokyo, Japan with teenagers.

Reviews for Tokyo Accommodation

Because we were travelling with teenagers, we obviously wanted to stay in areas close to the places and activities that appealed to us as a family. This included Disneyland, DisneySea, Shibuya Crossing, Harajuku, and Akhihabara.

When I say I research hotels, I mean I really really research. It takes me weeks to make this kind of commitment… and that was with FREE cancellation. It didn’t help that everyone kept telling me I’d get better deals closer to travel. Spoiler alert; it did NOT get cheaper. Yes, I kept checking (because I had free cancellation), from different IP addresses too, because I have trust issues.

Like everyone, I wanted value for money – and I also wanted our accommodation to be comfortable, clean, and convenient. Here are the places we chose and what we thought about each one.

Grand Nikko Tokyo Bay Maihama

We spent 3 nights at the Grand Nikko Tokyo Bay Maihama, in a Garden Superior Twin Room for 4 people at ¥37,060 per night which converted to around $385 AUD / $250 USD.

Staying at the Grand Nikko Tokyo Bay Maihama was a perfect location for access to the Disney Resort area. The Disney Resort Line, a convenient monorail, was just five minutes walk from the hotel, and whisked us directly to both parks. You can buy tickets at the monorail station, and the full day passes also make a really cute keepsake.

The Grand Nikko Tokyo Bay hotel is very impressive from the outside, and as you enter, it is even more stunning. The kids audibly gasped when we entered the lobby. Check-in was seamless despite the very clear language barrier; a quick show of our passports, along with a credit card swipe, and we were all set to head to our room.

I booked a family room for all 4 of us to share, as we knew we would be spending no time at all, apart from sleeping, at the hotel. The room was clean, had everything we needed in the way of amenities and toiletries, and the whole family gave me a “well done thumbs up” for a good choice.

Because we arrived on a late flight, all of us were hungry and tired. We went for a wonder around the main lobby and found a Sushi and Tempura restaurant, Tamakagari, still open. The kitchen closes at 10.00pm but the restaurant stays open until 10.30pm. The food was great, service friendly, and prices as you’d expect from a hotel restaurant.

There is also a convenience store in the lobby, which sells drinks, snacks, toiletries, and gifts. We stocked up on a few things to keep in the room, and headed back to our room for showers and sleep. This was when we found one minor drawback in the room layout. The bathroom was a wet room, with no where to leave clothes while you shower that wouldn’t end up saturated. It made getting changed a bit awkward, since we were sharing a room all four of us. For future travelers, I’d recommend considering interconnecting rooms to ensure more privacy and convenience. However, this was a minor inconvenience, and we would absolutely stay here again.

Shibuya Tokyu REI Hotel

We spent 2 nights here, in 2 x Double Rooms for 2 people at ¥22,066 per night, which converted to around $230 AUD / $150 USD per room.

Staying at the Shibuya Tokyu REI hotel was another excellent choice for our visit to the vibrant districts of Shibuya and Harajuku. The location is unbeatable, with Shibuya Crossing just a short stroll away, allowing us to immerse ourselves in the energetic heart of Tokyo. Harajuku, famous for its eclectic fashion and quirky shops, was also within walking distance, and accessible by the subway a few minutes walk away.

Upon arrival, the check-in process was smooth, but the room would not be ready until after 3.00pm. This was fine because they were happy to let us leave our luggage with them while we explored Shibuya. When we did come back after 3.00pm, we were pleased to find our rooms well-appointed, and comfortable. Although our rooms weren’t side by side, our kids were just a few doors away.

After a day of sightseeing, it was a relief to return to such a comfortable space. The room, though cozy, was thoughtfully designed, making the most of the available space. We especially appreciated the soft bedding after another long day on our feet.

Overall, the Shibuya Tokyu REI hotel provided a perfect base for our Tokyo adventures, and the staff also helped us organise a taxi to take us to the cruise port on our day of checkout.

MONday Apart Premium AKIHABARA

We spent 2 nights here, in a Superior Family Room for 4 people at ¥39,700 per night, which converted to around $410 AUD / $270 USD.

Staying at MONday Apart Premium AKIHABARA was the perfect way to wrap up our Japan trip after the cruise concluded. We chose this hotel for its proximity to Akihabara, the anime and electronics mecca of Tokyo, and it did the trick. The location was ideal for our family, especially with kids eager to dive into the world of anime collectibles.

The hotel itself was everything we needed. The apartment-style room was spacious, a real treat in Tokyo, offering more than enough room for our family to spread out and relax after our cruise (especially needed after a lot of shopping). The amenities were modern and thoughtful, with a kitchenette that allowed us to store snacks, and a washer-dryer that was a lifesaver after days of travel.

Our kids were thrilled with the location. Akihabara’s bustling streets were just a short walk away, filled with endless shops dedicated to anime, manga, and collectibles. After a day of shopping and exploring, it was great to have such a comfortable and well-equipped place to return to. The rooms were quiet, which was a nice contrast to the lively streets of Akihabara.

Recommendations for Top Things to do in Japan with Teenagers

I hope this gave some insight into where to stay in Tokyo with teenagers! If you’re planning a family trip to Tokyo, check out our full itinerary from a week in Japan, where we explored the top things to do in Tokyo with teenagers and adults alike. From magical days at Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea to the vibrant streets of Shibuya, Harajuku, and the anime haven Akihabara, we covered it all. Dive into our Tokyo adventure, where we share tips on finding vegan food, navigating shopping districts, and booking through the best apps.

12 Night Cruise Around Japan with Teenagers

As mentioned above, for the remainder of our 3 weeks in Japan with teenagers, we were travelling by luxury cruise ship. This included an itinerary featuring the below cities, in this order:

• Kobe
• Hiroshima
• Nagasaki
• Jeju Island, South Korea
• Kagoshima
• Shimizu (Mt Fuji)

If you want to see more about these destinations and what we did in each port, read our Celebrity Cruises Best of Japan the Ultimate Itinerary Guide.