Apartment Hotel in Tokyo: Compare MIMARU, MONday, Stylio

Apartment hotels in Tokyo have become a go-to option for travelers who need more than a standard hotel room. These properties combine the space and functionality of a rental—full kitchens, separate living areas, and laundry facilities—with the convenience of a hotel front desk and regular cleaning. This guide compares three dedicated brands—MIMARU, MONday Apart, and The Apartment Hotel by stylio—using official websites, review platforms, and regulatory sources to help you decide which fits your extended stay or family trip.

Last checked: 2026-08-06

Top Brand: The Apartment Hotel by stylio · Coverage: MIMARU: 29 locations in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka · Key Feature: MONday Apart: full kitchens and in-unit laundry · Search Results: TripAdvisor lists 5 best apartment hotels in Tokyo

Does Japan have apartment hotels?

Yes, and the category is well-defined. Japan’s Hotel Business Act ( ) licenses hotels that offer lodging for a fee, and many apartment hotels operate under that license. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism distinguishes hotel business from room renting (apartments) by noting that cleanliness management rests with the operator and the room is not the lodger’s principal residence. The Private Lodging Business Act (minpaku law) caps private rentals at 180 days per year, which does not apply to licensed hotel operators.

What defines an apartment hotel in Tokyo? According to MIMARU’s official guide, a true apartment hotel must include a kitchen, a living/dining area, and laundry facilities—either in-room or shared. That combination sets it apart from a standard hotel room, which typically lacks a cooking space and a separate living zone.

What is an apartment hotel?

An apartment hotel, also called a serviced apartment, is a hybrid. The Staytuned Asia guide describes it as combining hotel services—professional cleaning, linens, secure check-in—with home-like amenities: full kitchens, in-room laundry, and spacious living areas. The iTravelBlog article on the topic states that “serviced apartment” and “apartment hotel” are used interchangeably in Tokyo to describe apartment-style hotels with residential-level space and facilities.

Examples of apartment hotel chains in Tokyo

Three brands dominate the category: MIMARU, with 29 locations across Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka; MONday Apart, which highlights complete kitchens, in-unit laundry, and work/relax spaces; and The Apartment Hotel by stylio, which markets itself as a “Tokyo Local Stay” concept. Each caters to families and extended stays, but their offerings differ in layout, location, and price.

What are apartments called in Tokyo?

In Tokyo, the term “apartment hotel” is used by brands like MIMARU and MONday Apart. However, local rental terminology is different. A standard rental apartment is called “mansion” ( ) for a concrete building or “apato” ( ) for a smaller wooden structure. “Service apartment” ( ) is another term for the hotel-style category, often used interchangeably with “apartment hotel.” The iTravelBlog article notes that the terms are synonyms in the context of short-term tourist stays.

Understanding this naming helps when searching for accommodations. The iTravelBlog guide explains that a serviced apartment can be a residence with hotel services, an apartment hotel with a front desk, or an extended-stay hotel room with a kitchenette. The functional features matter more than the label.

How much does it cost to live in a hotel in Tokyo?

Apartment hotels in Tokyo generally fall into a higher price tier than budget business hotels, but they offer better value for longer stays. MIMARU’s guide states that typical nightly rates for Tokyo apartment hotels are approximately 45,000–60,000 JPY per night, depending on room type, size, and location. That range covers a family-sized room with a kitchen and living area. By comparison, a standard hotel room in central Tokyo often costs 20,000–40,000 JPY per night but lacks cooking facilities and separate living space.

Factors affecting cost include neighborhood (Shibuya and Akasaka tend to be pricier than less central districts), season (cherry blossom and holiday periods command a premium), and room size. Apartment hotels often offer discounts for weekly or monthly stays, which can bring the per-night cost down significantly.

The bottom line: Apartment hotels are a premium option for travelers who value space and kitchen facilities, and they can be cost-effective for groups of three or more, especially when factoring in the ability to cook meals.

Can you rent an apartment as a tourist in Japan?

Technically, a tourist visa does not allow signing a long-term residential lease. The Private Lodging Business Act regulates short-term rentals, but private lodgings (minpaku) are limited to 180 days per year and must be registered. Many apartment hotels, however, operate under the Hotel Business Act and can accept short-term bookings without the restrictions of minpaku.

MIMARU and MONday Apart, for example, accept bookings for stays as short as one night, though they are designed for longer durations. The MIMARU Tokyo Hatchobori property, reviewed by iTravelBlog, is built around four-person family rooms and connecting rooms, and does not serve breakfast—guests use the in-room kitchen instead. That makes it a practical alternative to a traditional apartment rental for tourists.

Comparing the Top Three Brands

Pros and Cons

Best for Segments

• Families: MIMARU – its rooms are designed for four people, and many properties have connecting rooms. The MIMARU guide emphasizes spacious living areas and kitchens for baby food preparation.
• Couples: The Apartment Hotel by stylio – monthly stays and a local-style experience suit couples wanting a longer, more residential stay.
• Solo Travelers: MONday Apart – studios with kitchens and laundry are efficient for solo extended stays.
• Business Travelers: MONday Apart – work/relax spaces and convenience of in-unit laundry appeal to professionals on longer assignments.

Pricing Band Guidance

Based on the MIMARU guide, expect to pay roughly 45,000–60,000 JPY per night for a family-sized apartment hotel room in central Tokyo. MONday Apart and The Apartment Hotel by stylio likely fall in a similar range, though exact pricing varies by season and booking channel. For shorter stays, budget 30,000–50,000 JPY per night; monthly stays may bring the rate down to 25,000–35,000 JPY per night. No exact prices were available from the inputs for a direct comparison.

Location and Getting There

Most apartment hotels in Tokyo are concentrated in central wards: Shinjuku, Shibuya, Minato, and Chiyoda. MIMARU has properties near major stations like Shinjuku, Ueno, and Asakusa. MONday Apart locations are often within a 5‑minute walk of a subway or JR station, as recommended by the Staytuned Asia guide. The Apartment Hotel by stylio is in the Yoyogi area, a residential neighborhood convenient for Shibuya and Shinjuku.

Alternatives in the Set

If you cannot book at one of the three brands, consider Serviced Apartment Azabu Court in Minato (28 sqm studio with kitchenette, baby cots available) or Section L Kuramae (5‑minute walk from Asakusa Station, in-room washing machine, free Friday cocktails). Both are smaller operators but offer similar apartment-style features. User reviews on TripAdvisor and Facebook note their suitability for families and long stays.