The Inn Crowd

Finding the right (hotel) fit in Tokyo

TOKYO’S greater metropolitan area sprawls a whopping 5,240 square miles and fits nearly 38 million people. Fittingly, Japan’s capital has a huge array of attractions to match — from the traditional (like the Senso-ji shrine in central Asakusa) to the downright bizarre (the quasi-fetishist Maidreamin cafe in nearby Akihabara, where patrons are served by waitresses in maid outfits ( MaiDreamin.

com). The same diversity applies to the city’s hotel options, which range from Old World-style stays to edgy hostels that’ll suit any traveler’s taste.

Looking for a traditional night’s sleep? Check out a ryokan, a Japanese inn decked out with tatami (straw mat) floors, minimalist futon beds and open-air onsen (hot spring) baths. Last year in Otemachi — the equivalent of New York City’s Financial District — Hoshino Resorts opened the stunning 84-room Hoshinoya Tokyo, blending age-old inspiration with every modern luxury (from $638; HoshinoResorts.com).

Instead of a futon, guests sleep on comfortable beds. And although visitors remove their shoes at the entry, they also surf ultrafast Wi-Fi.

For more of a scene, head to the Asakusa neighborhood — a bit of a Midtown equivalent with souvenir shops and touristtrap owl cafes that’s also home to the 2015-opened Bunka Hostel (from $26; BunkaHostel.jp).

In the run-up to the 2020 Olympics, a wave of funky hostels is cropping up throughout the city. Named for the Japanese word for culture, Bunka features a ground-level izakaya, or casual bistro and bar, where guests mingle over evening glasses of sake and small noodle dishes by night. Accommodations include pod-style bunk beds and private quarters for families. But, as expected in a room with lots of other travelers, noise can be an issue. Meanwhile, clean bathrooms are also communal, akin to college dormitories. But when you’re staying in the thick of an expensive city for a bargain-basement price, that’s an OK trade-off. The author was a guest of both hotels.

Hoshinoya Tokyo blends tradtional Japanese settings — think tatami mats and rice paper walls — with modern comforts.

Hostels don’t have to be shabby. Among Tokyo’s newly opened ones, Bunka offers stylish sleeping quarters and cool common spaces.

Find a fusion of French and Japanese cuisine at Hoshinoya’s restaurant, a space where guests can nibble on beautiful bites while wearing traditional kimonos.