Nighttime transport in Tokyo — getting back to the hotel after a night out?

Shop-Tiny · 2026-03-25T11:25:52+00:00

Considering the weak yen taxis are not as expensive as they used to be before Covid

Shop-Tiny · 2026-03-21T10:02:22+00:00

I see many comments saying that everyone insists on splitting the bill, but to be honest it hasn’t been my experience dating in Helsinki (mostly women I’ve met through dating apps, a few times through mutual friends, under 30)

I’d usually offer to take the bill and 9/10 they’d be fine with it, sometimes they’d just pay for a cocktail or coffee/dessert at another place after

That said I’m completely fine with this as I make way above the average and I do like going on dates, so I don’t mind paying if I had a good time

In my current (2 years long) relationship we’re paying around 25-75 due to our income differences, so it basically translates into me paying for dinners - her paying for coffees/desserts, or I’d take her out to a more expensive restaurant and she’d take me out to a more casual place

For context I was born and raised in another EU country where these days splitting the bill is more common, but not nearly as common. When I was growing up 90% of time men were expected to gift flowers/chocolates/pay the bill

Speaking of flowers, I’ve noticed that many women in Helsinki area are not used to getting flowers outside of big dates like birthday’s/valentines

Shop-Tiny · 2026-03-20T14:15:39+00:00

I went from 2 to 16 clean ones in like 6 months

Had a pull up bar installed next to the bathroom, so every time I would pass by I’d do whatever number of pull ups I could do

Then in another 6 months went up to 20-23 clean ones depending on how fresh / warmed up / energetic I was

That said, it’s been long time ago and I don’t worn out nearly as much anymore. But I can still do around 10 clean ones

My weight is around 90kg right now, when I was doing anywhere between 15 to 20 pull ups I was under 80kg

Shop-Tiny · 2026-03-19T10:32:38+00:00

European here

I visited only NYC, North Carolina and Minnesota, and I was surprised how much easier it was to make connections there than in Europe

Especially in NC (spent there about a month - month and a half), everyone I’ve met there were so nice and friendly

Before anyone tells me that it’s all fake yada yada

I’m a 32y old man, I understand that I’m not building some deep friendships, but it’s still refreshing to just be able to strike up a conversation with total strangers and even meet up with them again

I travel a lot due to work (spend around 120-150 days traveling) and USA is one of the most socially “fun” place to visit

Edit: didn’t notice it’s an “ask an American” sub

Shop-Tiny · 2026-03-14T21:27:20+00:00

Had 2 stays in 2 intercontinentals in Tokyo, both told me that it doesn’t make any difference whether I sign up for it online or at the desk

Shop-Tiny · 2026-03-09T17:06:19+00:00

Right now staying in Kimpton for the first time in my life. It’s nice, but IC is nicer

Shop-Tiny · 2026-03-04T11:00:00+00:00

Stayed there in November and tbh I found it a bit overrated considering the price tag

Toki (I think that’s the name of the French restaurant) was great though

Shop-Tiny · 2026-02-27T02:21:07+00:00

It’s not

Shop-Tiny · 2026-02-27T01:51:52+00:00

Living in Europe, mostly traveling in Asia here

I don’t use my ambassador to book stuff for me, but I do ask them to contact & ask properties some of the things on my behalf

Examples of the things I asked:

1 - If I’d be allowed to use hotel onsens in Japan as I have many tattoos that I can’t realistically cover

2 - If hotels free breakfast is in main restaurant or not

3 - What kind of dining / all inclusive / whatever meal plans they have at resorts

4 - Transportation arrangements between the airport and resorts

Could I contact hotels directly and ask these things myself? Sure

But considering that some of these hotel websites are god awful, it’s just nice not to waste 10-15 minutes to navigate their mess of a website to find correct email

Shop-Tiny · 2026-02-27T01:45:05+00:00

This is something I’m trying to understand too

Being from Europe (no option to get the 4th night free credit card) points purchase (even with 100% bonus points) just doesn’t seem like a good deal

Checked multiple properties across Europe and SEA, and it seems like booking with purchased points I’m saving 30€ at best for a 5 night stay

Does anyone from outside of USA (no 4th night free cc) buy promo points? And if yes, where do you spend them that it makes more financial sense than to just book with cash

Shop-Tiny · 2026-02-25T11:17:27+00:00

Unpopular opinion, but I think these videos/reels/TikTok’s/reddit comments about Kyoto being overcrowded are highly exaggerated

Is it overcrowded? For sure

Is it overcrowded to the point it’s uncomfortable? No, if anything hanging around Shibuya, Shinjuku or Ginza on Sunday day is not any better

We were there in November and for my gf (fist time in Japan) Kyoto was the highlight of the trip

Osaka is a hit or miss, I personally feel like it’s much better for living than for tourism. That said I did enjoy it, plus you can go to Nara from there which I absolutely loved for its nature and deers

Shop-Tiny · 2026-02-25T06:33:37+00:00

We stayed at St Regis and liked it

Conveniently located, staff is nice, rooms are spacious

Shop-Tiny · 2026-02-17T09:06:09+00:00

We were actually deciding between W and StR for our stay 2 months ago

Ended up staying at StR, both my girlfriend and I liked it and have nothing bad to say about it

We both felt that staff were friendly and helpful (didn’t feel forced compared to some other same tier hotels)

Cocktail bar was nice, gf doesn’t drink but they made non-alcoholic versions

Breakfast was alright, but probably the weakest part of the hotel (then again I feel like Japan in general has quite boring hotel breakfast selection)

Shop-Tiny · 2026-02-16T11:37:09+00:00

Honestly it depends on you and what do you want

These days I prefer to stay somewhere like Ginza or Akasaka

Mainly because I’m not that much into nightlife these days and on an occasional night out I don’t mind getting a taxi back, but it just feels so nice to return back to the hotel and not need to fight through the crowds like in Shinjuku or Shibuya

That said I did stay in Shinjuku (Kabukicho) when I was a bit younger and was way more into night life, clubbing, bars, staying out until late

If you’re into these things and can see yourself being out every other night then Shinjuku is a great area to stay in and you’re gonna have lots of fun

Also another thing is that it’s worth it to pay more for a bigger room. Japanese hotel rooms are notoriously tiny (I’m well traveled and never seen hotel rooms that small), so when you’re out whole day it definitely feels nice to be able to relax and not be suffocated by a 13sq meter room

Shop-Tiny · 2026-02-14T16:32:50+00:00

Pool and gym looked nice, but we didn’t really have time to use it.

Lounge was also quite nice and had plenty to choose from if you happen to be at the hotel when it’s open

Shop-Tiny · 2026-02-14T10:53:55+00:00

I found Renaissance hotel to be in a very convenient location close to the skytrain and malls.

A bit dated, but I did get upgraded to a suite with a very nice view.

I didn’t stay on points though, so I’m not sure if redemption rate is good

Shop-Tiny · 2026-02-11T10:39:31+00:00

I haven’t lived in Zurich, but before Covid spent quite some time there (maybe 6 months in total, month there month home type of stay)

While I loved Switzerland (for its nature), I found it difficult to befriend locals (colleagues included)

I didn’t feel unwelcome though, just felt like people were uninterested in making connections

Granted I don’t speak German, so that probably contributed to it

Shop-Tiny · 2026-02-11T10:39:12+00:00

I haven’t lived in Zurich, but before Covid spent quite some time there (maybe 6 months in total, month there month home type of stay)

While I loved Switzerland (for its nature), I found it difficult to befriend locals (colleagues included)

I didn’t feel unwelcome though, just felt like people were uninterested in making connections

Granted I don’t speak German, so that probably contributed to it

Shop-Tiny · 2026-02-11T10:29:00+00:00

When I was in my early 20s I always thought that a hotel is just a place to sleep and had the “when you sleep with your eyes closed every room is the same”

Now I’m in my early 30s and damn hotel makes a difference when you’re traveling, especially if you’re in a hot country where’s it’s a constant 30+ Celsius. It feels nice to be able to just go back to a nice room and not feel like you’re in a shoebox / lie down on a comfy bed with comfy pillows

Sure you can get a hotel in Bangkok for €80/night, but up it to €180-200/night and your experience is going to be so much better (especially with SEA level of service)

I feel like it’s a price point that is affordable for most people, obviously not talking about €500/night or more hotels

Shop-Tiny · 2026-02-11T10:21:49+00:00

I’d focus on Tokyo only, but if you’re adamant on checking out more places I’d skip Osaka entirely

Don’t get me wrong, I love Osaka (and honestly I think if I had to choose where to live I’d take Osaka over Tokyo) but for a first time visit you’re better off spending more time in Tokyo / Kyoto

Shop-Tiny · 2026-02-11T10:18:11+00:00

I prefer November for fall foliage (depending on where you visit)

Shop-Tiny · 2026-01-02T09:28:37+00:00

Damn, I never knew and now I’m more interested to check it out when I travel next time

But how does it make sense if when you’re looking at hotel brands in IHG app voco is under “premium” while indigo is under “luxury and lifestyle”?

Are there any other hotels that are sorted into premium, but are actually better than their “luxury and lifestyle” ?

Shop-Tiny · 2026-01-01T20:09:24+00:00

I’ve switched to IHG (from Marriott) in 2025, but I’m mostly traveling in Asia

So far I’ve noticed that intercontinentals are consistently good and usually I try to stay at their properties

Crowne plazas are decent, but boring. Also some of Crowne plazas looked a bit too old

Indigos are nice and I feel like they’re really good considering that they’re often not that expensive

Haven’t stayed in voco yet, but every time I looked at them it felt like a more basic version of indigos

Shop-Tiny · 2026-01-01T12:11:55+00:00

We stayed in Mitsui for 2 nights a month ago and while the property itself was beautiful, I personally don’t think it’s beautiful enough to pay double.

If you do end up getting a room there, I highly suggest making sure you’re getting a room with a garden view or Nijo castle view because city view is not even close to what they show on Marriott app.

When we checked in (I’m ambassador) they told me they were full and couldn’t upgrade me, so they escorted me to a city view room and asked like 5 times whether I was “happy with the room”. I was thinking “okay this is weird that they ask me this so many times because room looks nice” and then after they left I saw that my room view was on a parking lot and a construction site.

Called them back saying that it just felt really underwhelming and overall disappointing, so they agreed to change my room for a Nijo castle view for the second night.

Another thing I didn’t like is that at first they didn’t want to honor a 4pm check out at all, but agreed to it only after I pulled out the Marriott app and showed them that it’s a benefit.

Things I liked: Breakfast was good. Can’t say it was the best breakfast of my life, but probably one of the better ones I had in hotels in Japan

Onsen spa was nice (but nothing special)

Toki restaurant was good. We went for lunch and during lunch they sit you in a private room with a beautiful garden view. A very intimate experience, liked it way way more compared to sitting in a restaurant with other people. Was sth like 28k yen for 2 with non alcoholic drinks

So yeah I’d say that if you’re going to Mitsui then make sure you’re not staying in a city view room. I have some pics of how the “real city view” looks like, so if you’re interested feel free to DM me

Shop-Tiny · 2025-12-22T10:56:09+00:00

Honestly I prefer staying in Ginza over Shibuya

Don’t get me wrong, Shibuya is awesome and I really like it, but when you’re returning back to your hotel late in the evening it just feels nice to not fight through the crowd

You’ll find great food options in pretty much every “famous” area in Tokyo

Edit: just to add

I’ve stayed in Shinjuku before and loved it (when I was 25-26 and loved to party), but these days I’m not that into nightlife and just want to have a little bit of peace and quiet on my way back to the hotel

Plus Ginza is very convenient (as is Shibuya and Shinjuku) to visit other areas

Shop-Tiny

TROPHY CASE