Tokyo hotel prices can be brutal, so a dependable mid-range option in a central neighbourhood is worth knowing about. The b Akasaka, part of the small Japanese b hotels chain, has been doing exactly that since 2002. The chain runs practical, comfort-over-luxury properties in Tokyo, Osaka and Sapporo, and the Akasaka branch is one of its bigger ones, with 160 rooms.

The location is the main selling point. Akasaka sits in Minato-ku, a business-and-entertainment district that's lively but noticeably calmer than nearby Shinjuku, so you can find bars and restaurants without sacrificing sleep. Akasaka Station on the Chiyoda Line is about five minutes on foot, and Akasaka-mitsuke Station is also walkable, putting much of central Tokyo within easy reach.

Rooms run from compact singles to family rooms sleeping four. Indicative nightly rates: singles from ¥8,000-15,000 (about US$53-100), doubles ¥10,000-18,000, twins ¥12,000-20,000, superior doubles ¥13,000-22,000, superior twins ¥15,000-25,000, and family rooms ¥20,000-35,000 (US$133-233). Expect the usual Tokyo squeeze — rooms are functional rather than spacious — but you get free Wi-Fi, a TV, a fridge and tea and coffee facilities. Some rooms have shower booths instead of bathtubs. There's a breakfast buffet for an extra charge, described as decent if not exciting.

Two things worth knowing before booking. First, prices swing a lot with season, demand and how early you reserve, so booking ahead genuinely pays off here. Second, service runs on strict Japanese hotel logic: check-in is 3 pm sharp, check-out 11 am sharp, and flexibility is not on the menu. Arrive three minutes early or leave three minutes late and you may well be charged or lectured. If you're the type who likes an early bag drop or a late checkout, manage expectations accordingly — though for many travellers the predictability is part of the appeal.

Who is this for? Budget-conscious couples, solo travellers and small families who want a clean, central base without paying Shinjuku or Ginza prices, and anyone joining a group tour who wants a reliable pre- or post-tour hotel. It's less suited to people who want luxury touches, big rooms, or flexible house rules. Akasaka itself is a genuinely good-value neighbourhood for eating and drinking, which adds to the case.

Full review and details via Young Pioneer Tours.