This Hotel Is Perfect for Seeing Tokyo by Train (Especially If You’re Solo)

The vibe at OMO5 Tokyo Otsuka: A hotel that draws you in and helps you get out

Your first hint that OMO5 curates a mini world unto itself amid Tokyo’s sprawl is the elevator that takes you up to the main lobby from the street once you enter the building. When you exit the elevator, you’ve arrived at OMO Base, the aptly named common area where you can work or socialize, grab a snack, and plan your daily travels.

The lobby lounge was designed to resemble a train car since train travel is such an integral part of exploring Tokyo. Benches and handrails along the windows add to the theme that this is a place that’s meant to connect you with the rest of the city. There’s a large map of the surrounding neighborhood on the wall, packed with local restaurants, shops, cafes, bakeries, breweries, and other attractions. There are also maps available to lead you on your adventures.

Further into the lobby, you’ll find local goods, snacks, and drinks for sale. The whole lobby was designed to be a social gathering space, complete with a permanent DJ booth setup where the hotel hosts nightly parties. The music was a great mix of pop, hip hop, and even some 1990s RnB. The nighttime events were the perfect activity to connect with other travelers and exchange favorite spots around the city before heading out to go bar-hopping or to a late dinner.

The rooms at OMO5 Tokyo Otsuka: Loft-style lodging means extra comfort

OMO5 feels intimate like a boutique hotel, but it has 125 guest rooms. I stayed in a Yagura Room, the standard offering. (Yagura translates to “tower” and refers to a customary style of wooden structure in Japan.) The first thing I noticed upon entering my room was the half-bath located behind a door on the right and the separate room housing the combo bathtub and shower next to it. Then I saw the sink and mirror located in the common area just before reaching the stairs that lead up to the sleeping area.

I was pleasantly surprised by how spacious my room was because of the elevated loft-style bed. The living area underneath was lined with tatami mats, making for a cozy space to kick off your shoes, watch TV, and relax on the wide day bed. Local sumo matches were my entertainment of choice during my stay. Beneath the stairs, I found plenty of storage for clothes and luggage. There was also a coffee maker and a safe to store valuables.

Efficient design was a theme throughout the room. Another example of thoughtful, space-saving touches was the built-in shelving and hooks on the walls to hang things like clothes or towels. This was the perfect spot to hang my camera. My room was on one of the higher floors and provided a great view of the neighborhood — another reason to keep my camera nearby.

Yagura Rooms have an average nightly price of $117 with breakfast included.

The food at OMO5 Tokyo Otsuka: From hangover breakfasts to late-night bites

Adjacent to the main lobby, you’ll find the casual OMO Cafe & Bar. The cafe features a walk-up counter where you can select pastries and beverages throughout the day. The counter is located across from a seating area that has about a dozen tables and booths. OMO Cafe & Bar also serves coffee, snacks, beer, and other spirits until 11 PM.

The hotel breakfast is available every morning until 10:30 AM. You can choose between the fukagawa-meshi (a specialty Japanese rice dish similar to seafood risotto that the hotel has branded as “OMOrning Risotto”) or an American-style breakfast that comes with eggs, bacon, and a variety of breads. Opt for the fukagawa-meshi if you’ve had a late night — it’s affectionately known to locals as a hangover cure.

After a short tour of the property, I was invited to join a fun culinary experience at the hotel: a sake and ice cream tasting. I wasn’t sure what to expect from the combination, but the floral sake was a perfect compliment to the sweet ice cream and strawberry syrup. This was a seasonal treat offered to all guests and promoted on colorful posters throughout the hotel.

In the neighborhood: Guided tours and sightseeing from OMO5 Tokyo Otsuka

Once I arrived in Otsuka, I was met with colorful roses lining the Sakura railway and friendly neighborhood restaurants and shops all around. OMO5 was an approximately two-minute walk from the station. During my short walk I was offered tea, invited into an izakaya (a type of Japanese bar that serves food) spot that smelled heavenly, and passed a conveniently located 7-Eleven where I stopped for snacks and drinks.

Once I was settled in at the hotel, I took advantage of the neighborhood tour, a staple activity at the property. The tour is free of charge for hotel guests and departs every morning at 11 AM. You’ll need to make a reservation in advance and then meet in the lobby for departure.

Walking around Otsuka with the hotel guide felt more like being invited into the home of a good friend. We were offered tea and pastries at various shops, and we received friendly waves everywhere we went. There was a very popular ramen restaurant located next to the hotel that had a line meandering down the street farther than I could see. I took note of that and a few other places to visit over the coming days. My first stop of the night would be for izakaya at Otsuka Torichu, a local dive that was highly recommended by my tour guide.

Venturing out into Tokyo was as simple as crossing the street and entering the train station. I could see the trains coming and going from my room, so a five- to 10-minute head start was more than enough time. I frequented Yoyogi Park for coffee in the mornings, Ginza for shopping, and Shibuya to check out speakeasies and photograph the busy intersections at night.

Ginza is a high-end fashion district where I checked out some watch boutiques like Swatch and Omega. I also got to explore the Uniqlo flagship store, which has a restaurant on the top floor. Shibuya is the most lively neighborhood at all times of the night and the place where I spent many late nights. My favorite speakeasy was Music Bar Cave, a dimly lit basement restaurant that plays vintage vinyl tracks and serves high-end cocktails.

When it was time to venture further out to Kyoto and Mount Fuji, it was convenient to only have to haul my luggage a few minutes to the station. I could get to Tokyo station in less than 30 minutes to connect to the Shinkansen train and travel out into the countryside.

Getting to OMO5 Tokyo Otsuka and getting around Tokyo

From Tokyo’s Haneda Airport (HND), it was easy to navigate to the hotel by train. First, I traveled to Tokyo Station and then transferred lines to reach Otsuka Station after some stops. OMO5 was just two minutes on foot from the station. Rail is also a great way to get around Tokyo and Japan at large. While rideshare services like Uber are available in Tokyo, rideshares are a less time- and cost-efficient way to navigate the city.