Wondering where to stay in Akasaka with kids?
I love this area because it isn’t too touristy, its SOOOO vibey at night without being too noisy. There are lots of family-friendly dining options and lots of places to see, even before you get on the train! There are also parks/playgrounds within walking distance for children who need to wriggle (mostly in the neighbouring Roppongi and Azabujuban areas.)
The hotels are more reasonably priced and I think its because many tourists make the mistake of avoiding this area, BECAUSE they think that not being on the JR Yamanote Line (City Loop Station), makes it inconvenient. But it means you’ll be in a WAY cooler area and will save a lot of money while doing it.
If you like eating local food, chatting to locals in Mum- & Pop style eateries in a safe area with lots of foot access to other places such as shrines and parks ? You will love Akasaka as much as I do.
See here for my FULL list of recommended hotels for families in Tokyo or see my article here for my list based on ages, interests and budgets.
This is also the area of the Harry Potter Cafe & Shop
PLEASE NOTE: This article contains some affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Local stations: Tokyo Metro Stations Akasaka and Akasaka-Mitsuke. Nagatacho Station ( 5-10 minutes walk away.)
Closest JR Yamanote Line ( City Loop) Station: Akasaka to Hibiya is 5 mins and then 4 mins walk to Yurakucho ( on the JR Yamanote Line.) Akasaka-Mitsuke to JR Shibuya is 8 minutes, Akasaka-Mitsuke to JR Shinjuku is 9 minutes.
If you like exploring the city on foot like I do? You can walk to:
– Roppongi ( 16 mins on foot or approx 6 mins/ 1200 yen in a taxi or 5-10 minutes on the subway with one train change for 170 yen per ticket)
– Aoyama ( 18 mins on foot or approx 5 mins/ 1200 yen in a taxi or 10 minutes on the subway with one train change for 170 yen per ticket)
–Azabujuban (30 mins on foot or approx 8 mins/1300 yen in a taxi or 8-15 minutes on the subway with one train change for 170 yen per ticket )
– Ginza ( 38 mins on foot or approx 8 mins / 2000 yen in a taxi or 6-10 minutes on the subway for 170 yen per ticket)
– Hiroo ( 42 mins on foot or approx 10 mins/ 1200 yen in in a taxi or 8-15 minutes on the subway with one train change for 170 yen per ticket)
–Harajuku ( 46 mins on foot or approx 10 mins / 2000 yen in a taxi or 6-8 minutes on the subway to Meiji-Jingumae which is a few minutes from Harajuku for 170 yen per ticket)
What is actually in this area?
My Akasaka with Kids post is here, for restaurants and sightseeing options.
For date night ideas in Akasaka read my post here.
How to get here from Narita and Haneda airports?
The easiest option after a private shuttle is to take an airport limousine bus. Even if you aren’t staying at one of the bus stop hotels, you can take a cab from that stop for that last little leg OR maybe it might even be close enough to walk!
It stops at the Capitol Hotel Tokyu and Akasaka Excel Tokyu.
IN WHICH HOTELS WOULD I HAPPILY STAY?
MIMARU Hotel Apartments, Akasaka
The rooms are big. Clean. Modern. Photogenic. You can have western rooms or half western half Japanese rooms. Connecting rooms are available. There is a small kitchenette. Private bathrooms. There is even a communal rooftop dining area with a breathtaking view of the city. There is a convenience store right across the road.
Mimaru Akasaka also has a Japanese connecting room room-type where there is a door separating two sections of the room. This is great for families where parents don’t necessarily want to go to sleep at the same time as their children. Many rooms types can sleep as many as 8 people.
This hotel does not have a restaurant.
If you’re confused as to which Mimaru Tokyo option might best suit your family, see my blog post on Which Mimaru location is best for families? blog post here.
I have written in detail about Mimaru Akasaka here – including which restaurants and playgrounds are close by. Lots more photos too.
Henn na Hotel, Akasaka. *Lower budget option*
This place is so affordable and new. It is an entirely non-smoking property. There is also a laundry. Rooms are VERY small (really really small so really only consider this place if you plan on sleeping here only and are just trying to keep costs down) and simple but have everything you need.
We are only able to stay here as a family if we get a twin room and each of us adults shares a bed with one child – which is fine with us but I understand that isn’t for everyone. I talk more here about the bed-sharing thing in Japan and why many hotels assume you will share a bed with your child.
Oh…and the front desk is manned by Android Robots. It’s pretty funny.
*A little note on coin laundries in hotels in Japan. The detergent is almost always built into the machine. If someone in your family has allergies to certain washing powders it is probably best to email in advance to find out what they use and what your options are. Oh.. and another note.. if the washer and dryer is built into one machine – the dryer setting really only works well for 1-2 items (big items like a pair of jeans and a long sleeved top, I mean) so don’t do what I do and just put in heaps of things to dry for longer – hoping that they will dry. It doesn’t work like that. Best to do little tiny drying sessions for the best drying results. It a lesson in patience but it will save you lots of coins in the long run
Centurion Classic Akasaka *spacious rooms for families*
They offer traditional Japanese style rooms. Private bathrooms and a bath with a shower.
Alternatively, if you book a “Luxury Corner Twin” you can get a room with two queen beds that you can push together to make one giant bed for the family, there is a balcony all the way around and a washing machine inside your own room !!!! The rooms here are really big.
The beds here are BIG! The room is MASSIVE! The area is amazing!
I have written in detail about the Centurion Classic Akasaka here.
I also recommend their very big family rooms. So much space and lots of tatami (in some of the room options) and even a massage chair in others!
*Please note that there is another hotel called the Centurion Hotel Residential Akasaka that I don’t personally recommend. Please don’t let the two similar names confuse you.
1 Hotel Tokyo *high end boutique hotel*
This luxury hotel has rooms that sleep 2 adults, 2 adults +.1 child or 2 adults + 2 children. 1 Hotel Tokyo has in-room dining, an in-house restaurant and a cafe. The hotel has a pool – and children aged 4 and older are welcome to swim here between 9am-7pm. Adult guests have access to a 24 hour gym on the 35th floor. This hotel is 4 mins walk from Tame-ike Sanno Station, 7 mins walk from Akasaka Station, 11 mins walk from Akasaka-Mitsuke Station.
Also, read this guest post by Priscilla who reviewed the Capitol Hotel Tokyu in Akasaka.
PLEASE NOTE: This article contains some affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
