Create meetup in Tokyochevron_right
Select a place on the map to change the location.
I want to meet
Verified required?
want to meet at fmd_good The Spot
wants to visit a temple at fmd_goodThe Spot
wants to visit a temple at fmd_goodThe Spot
wants to take a walk at fmd_goodThe Spot
want to meet at fmd_good Nonno's
wants to eat something at fmd_goodNonno's
wants to eat something at fmd_goodNonno's
wants to eat breakfast at fmd_goodPatisserie Lune
explore Tokyo Guides
bar_chart Trends in Tokyo
Any expats have experience renting from Hmlet?
Had anyone rented from Hmlet and can offer their views, or if you know a similar service with furnished apartments including utilities please share as well
honestly hmlet is fine but you're right that the math works out for short stays. the thing nobody mentions is their cancellation policy is strict - if you need to leave early you're on the hook for the full remaining months unless you find a replacement tenant. happened to a coworker who got transferred suddenly.
for 19 months you might actually be better off with a regular lease through a real estate agent that works with foreigners. minna no chintai in shinjuku has english staff and they can find places with no key money. i did a 1 year in a 2dk in nakano for 150k, furnished through leopalace21 who do furniture rental separate. the upfront was only deposit and agent fee so about 3 months rent total, but over 19 months it was way cheaper than hmlet. just something to think about if you don't mind the initial hit.
i lived in an hmlet in naka-meguro for about 8 months last year. honestly the furniture was fine but the walls were thin as hell, could hear my neighbor sneeze. the price you see is basically what you pay though, no key money or agent fee nonsense which is nice.
if you want something similar but maybe a bit more local, check out oakhouse or borderless house. they do share houses mostly but also have private units in setagaya and shinjuku, utilities included and shorter leases. hmlet is fine for what it is but the community vibe is kinda fake, lotta people just passing through
used hmlet in shibuya for a year, it was fine but nothing special. the furniture is ikea-level and if anything breaks their support team takes like 3 days to reply. honestly the main draw is no deposit or key money, but you pay for that in the monthly rent being higher than a normal place.
if you want fully furnished with utilities, i'd check out monthly tokyo. they have actual apartments not just furnished studios, and you can do 6 month leases. had a friend use them in yoyogi-uehara and the building was newer, thicker walls. costs about the same as hmlet once you factor in everything. also their english support is better if that matters.
3 Days in Tokyo: Itinerary 2026
Start your morning at Shibuya Scramble Crossing, then walk to Meiji Jingu for a serene shrine visit. After lunch in Harajuku, head to Shinjuku for the Tokyo Metropolit… 🗼 Day 1: Shibuya & Shinjuku
Start your morning at Shibuya Scramble Crossing, then walk to Meiji Jingu for a serene shrine visit. After lunch in Harajuku, head to Shinjuku for the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building's free observation deck. End the day exploring Omoide Yokocho for yakitori and drinks.
🏯 Day 2: Asakusa & Ueno
Begin at Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa, arriving by 8am to avoid crowds. Stroll down Nakamise Street for snacks, then take the Tokyo Metro to Ueno Park for museums and a pond-side walk. In the afternoon, visit Ameya-Yokocho market for street food and bargains.
🌆 Day 3: Tsukiji & Odaiba
Arrive at Tsukiji Outer Market by 7am for fresh sushi and grilled seafood. From there, take the Yurikamome Line to Odaiba for teamLab Borderless (book tickets in advance) and a stroll on the beach. End with a view of Rainbow Bridge at sunset.
🚇 Getting Around
Use a Suica or Pasmo card for seamless travel on Tokyo Metro and JR lines. Most trips cost 180-300 yen, and a 72-hour Metro pass (1,500 yen) covers unlimited rides on 13 lines. Google Maps is reliable for real-time routes and train times.
🍜 Where to Eat
For budget ramen, try Ichiran in Shibuya (1,000-1,500 yen). For a sushi splurge, book a counter seat at Sushi Dai in Tsukiji (5,000 yen for a set). Convenience stores like 7-Eleven offer cheap onigiri and sandwiches for a quick breakfast.
🏨 Where to Stay
Stay in Shinjuku or Shibuya for easy access to nightlife and transit. Budget options include Capsule Hotel Anshin Oyado (3,000-5,000 yen per night). For mid-range, the Citadines Shinjuku offers studios with kitchenettes from 12,000 yen.
💡 Local Tips
Carry cash, as many small shops and restaurants don't accept cards. Download a translation app like Google Translate for menus and signs. Avoid rush hour (7:30-9am and 5-7pm) on trains to stay comfortable.
solid itinerary, the teamLab tip about midday slots is spot on. for day 3, instead of heading straight to Odaiba from Tsukiji, take a 10-minute walk to Hamarikyu Gardens. it's this old daimyo garden right on the water, total contrast to the market chaos. you can catch a water bus from there to Odaiba, it goes under Rainbow Bridge and drops you right by the ferris wheel. costs about 600 yen extra but the boat ride is worth it on a clear day.
also for day 1, the Met Govt Building deck is free and has solid views but the queue for the elevators can get long around sunset. there's a smaller viewing spot on the 45th floor of the Shinjuku Center Building that most tourists miss, same free entry and way shorter lines. just a 5 min walk from the station west exit.
This is a solid itinerary. I'd suggest swapping the order of day one a bit. Meiji Jingu is right next to Harajuku, so you can hit the shrine first thing when it's quiet, then walk through the grounds and come out right at Harajuku station to avoid backtracking. The Yurikamome Line ride to Odaiba on day three is a great call, the views from the driverless train over Rainbow Bridge are a highlight in themselves.
One thing the guide doesn't mention is that the Tsukiji Outer Market has really pushed up prices for tourists, especially for sushi. If you want a more local and less crowded experience, head to the Uogashi area right behind the main market stalls. You'll find the same quality grilled seafood and tamagoyaki for a couple hundred yen less. Also, for the teamLab booking, the 9am or 10am slots sell out first, so grab a midday entry if you want to avoid the school groups.
for day 2, if you're at sensoji that early, walk through the back of the temple grounds to the small cemetery area. it's quiet and has a great view of the pagoda without all the selfie sticks. also, ueno park's museums are good but the national museum of nature and science has a really cool exhibit on the history of tokyo's subway system with old train cars you can walk through. my kid loved it more than the zoo.
the guide mentions cash but i'd add that some of the best food stalls in ameyoko only take coins and don't have prices posted. just point at what looks good and hand over a 500 yen coin, they'll give you change. i got a huge plate of grilled scallops that way for 400 yen and it was better than any sit-down place i tried