Top Tips for Staying in Tokyo Bay

Located on the far west of Tokyo, the Tokyo Bay resort area is surrounded by sea, has some large, family-friendly hotels, some of which have pools, and it’s right by the Tokyo Disney Parks, but if you do stay here, what can you do, where is there to eat – and, what are the best hotels to stay in? Find out here…

Where Is Tokyo Bay?

Tokyo Bay is the whole waterfront inlet that runs past Yokohama, Kawasaki, Tokyo and down the prefecture of Chiba to the east. However, when we talk about it with regards to a place to stay, we’re talking about the area around Maihama and the Tokyo Disney Resort.

This is technically not Tokyo, but it is located in the prefecture of Chiba, about 20 minutes from Tokyo Station by train. The main reason for staying here is to visit Tokyo Disneyland or Tokyo DisneySea, but it’s also relatively close to Odaiba and all the fun, family-friendly sights there.

Neither Haneda nor Narita airports are super near Tokyo Bay, but there are regular Airport Limousine Buses to the Tokyo Disney parks and hotels, as well as to the station of Shin Uruyasu, which is nearby.

The Main Sights In Tokyo Bay

1. The Disney Parks

They’re likely to be the main reason you’re thinking about staying in Tokyo Bay. In case you need a quick primer, though, Tokyo Disney Resort consists of two theme parks: Tokyo Disneyland, which has a lot of similarities to the US Parks but combines them with a unique Japanese spin, and Tokyo DisneySea, which is uniquely themed.

If you don’t have time to do both, check out our guide to choosing between Tokyo Disneyland or Tokyo DisneySea.

2. Ikspiari

This is a big shopping and dining area. If you’re expecting a Downtown Disney-like experience, it’s not like that – the only real sign of Disney is in the Disney Store, but it’s a good place to dine when you get fed up with theme park food or want to buy souvenirs that don’t have a mouse or Duffy the bear, on them!

3. Uruyasu City Folk Museum

You probably don’t need to go out of your way to come here, but if you’re having a non-Disney day and are looking for something fun but low-key to do with kids, you might want to check this out, as it’s free. It’s a full-size replica of an old edo-era fishing town, and you can wander in and out of the buildings.

4. Kasai Rinkai Park

This large park is a great place for kids to let off steam, but it also contains a giant Ferris wheel and an interesting piece of architecture called the Crystal View Rest House. There is a small aquarium here, but, as with any animal experience in Japan, I would suggest reading reviews before you consider visiting, as Japan’s zoos and aquariums aren’t always up to international standards.

Where to Eat in Tokyo Bay

If you’re not eating in the parks, in your hotel, or in a Disney-themed restaurant like Chef Mickey, where else can you go? Well, it’s a bit limited around here. You won’t find any cozy izakayas or yakitori shops wafting smoke down tiny alleys in Tokyo Bay itself, but not do you have to resort to Red Lobster or Guzman y Gomez either (unless you want to). Here are some more local options to try…

Komeraku

This restaurant, located on floor 1F of The Courtyard Area in Ikspiari, specialises in a dish called ochazuke. This starts served as a bowl of chopped raw fish on top of rice, but it comes with a tea kettle full of broth on the side.

After you’ve eaten your fill of the fish and the rice as it’s served, add the broth to the rice to make a kind of gloopy risotto-like dish – it changes everything and is delicious.

If you’re going with a less adventurous eater, Komeraku also sell different types of karaage chicken.

Sukiyaki Ningyocho Imahan

I haven’t eaten her personally, but it’s one of the highest-rated restaurants in Ikspiari – although. admittedly not the cheapest.

If you haven’t tried sukiyaki before, the friendly staff will introduce you to this type of cooking, where lean meat is bubbled in a broth with vegetables and other ingredients. You lift out the goodies and dip them in raw egg once they’re cooked. The course-type meal also comes with other dishes on the side.

Ippudo

It’s a chain, but their creamy Tonkatsu ramen and gyoza hit the spot on my last trip when I was done with theme park food.

If you’re tired, a big bonus about this one is that it’s located close to where you exit the Disney monorail. However, you do have to make a bit of a trek around the houses to get back to the monorail station.

Mitomi Ramen

If you really want to get out of the Disney bubble and don’t mind jumping on a local bus, this fun ramen restaurant has been on my to-do list for my last two trips. It’s a place for the hungry – not only can you load up on cheap bowls of thick, creamy chicken ramen, but they also offer free curry rice on the side.

With a decor of plastic chickens hanging from the ceiling, a ticket machine to order from, and the ability to write your thoughts on the walls if you so desire, it’s a more authentic stop than most of the restaurants near Disney. The menu is all in Japanese, but you can use Google Translate or read our guide on how to find the best meal in a ticket-machine restaurant.

Where to Drink in Tokyo Bay

Because it’s a very family-friendly area, there’s not a huge amount of temples to booze in the Tokyo Bay area. I normally get my post-park beer from the 7-11 or Family Mart and stash in the fridge in my room, but there are a couple of options outside of any bars in the hotels…

Torcedor

This is a British-style cigar bar in Ikspiari – as such, it’s not one of those who don’t like the smell of smoke – but, if you like cigars, or at least don’t mind the smell, you’ll find cocktails, whiskey and beer consumed in wood-panelled rooms with leather sofas – a vibe that’s a million miles away from the theme parks next door.

However, perhaps due to the British theme, they mostly serve Scottish whiskeys, not Japanese ones, although there are a couple of options on the menu.

Again, as a reminder, you won’t escape smokers in here, and as such, children aren’t allowed.

English Pub Old Owl

Okay, this is on my list for next time, as it has a terrace to sit on that I did not know about! They also have a happy hour.

Their thing is highballs – aka whiskey and soda – which are very popular in Japan, but they also sell beer, wine and sake. They also do food – and if you’re craving cheese after a couple of weeks in Japan, you can pick up a small cheese platter from the menu!

Unlike Torcedor, it’s non-smoking. Children are allowed, but remember, if you’re traveling with older teenagers that the drinking age in Japan is 20. Find the opening hours and menu here.

Where to Stay in Tokyo Bay

If you’re here for Disney, the closer to the park, the better – but convenience does come at a price. There are three main types of hotels in the area.

The Disney Hotels

There are five of these in the main Tokyo Bay area, and the Celebration Hotel which is just outside it. You can’t really go wrong with any of them (but read our tips guide to booking them as it can be a process).

The Monorail Hotels

This is the group name for the cluster of hotels around the Bayside Monorail station. These are all large, resort-style hotels with larger-than-average rooms for families, restaurants in-house and some of them even have pools.

Which you choose to stay in might be down to things like brand loyalty – you’ll find the Sheraton Grande and Hilton here, which could be handy if you’re a points member – or budget.

On my last trip, I got a great deal at the Grand Nikko Tokyo Bay, which was a good choice. The room was huge, with two single beds but room for another double bed in it. My ‘park view’ room had a balcony overlooking the monorail, and the fireworks in the park. I could also hear the music from the parades, which was a nice touch when I first arrived.

I’d definitely stay here again, but next time I’d book a bayside room as, while I liked seeing the monorail, the Park View is actually more of a car park view, and you can also see the construction of Space Mountain, so I think I’d appreciate seeing the sea more.

Independent Hotels

This is where to look if you want to pay a little less but still stay near the parks.

My choice is the MyStays Maihama, which is within walking distance of DisneySea and about a 25-minute walk to Disneyland.

I stayed here two trips ago and would recommend it as a more budget option. It has a shuttle to the parks, but I either walked or got the local bus to/from Maihama Station.

Note – when you’re looking at the more budget end of hotels in Tokyo Bay, check their locations carefully. Some of them aren’t that near the parks (or the bay) but still use Tokyo Bay in their name. They will usually run a shuttle to the parks, though.

Tips for Staying in Tokyo Bay

Work Out How to Get There

Ensure that there is easy, affordable transport when your flight arrives. I see many people hoping to get the Limousine bus, then discovering it’s stopped by the time they arrive and that they need a taxi or private car.

A taxi from Haneda to Tokyo Bay will cost about 10,000 yen.

Find more tips for a smooth arrival in our step-by-step guide to arriving in Japan.

Know About the Alternative Bus

If you’re a more independent traveler, and traveling relatively light, the bus to Shin Urayasu Station runs later than the direct buses, and you can then catch the train to Maihama and the monorail to your hotel.

Be Shuttle Savvy

If you’re not staying in a monorail hotel, make sure you know the timetable – and how to book – your hotel shuttle, as they can get booked out. Find our full list of the Disney hotel shuttles, including links to timetables here.

Stock Up With Provisions

Unlike the rest of Tokyo, convenience stores are not found on every corner of Tokyo Bay.

If you want snacks, sandwiches for breakfast or a sneaky post-park beverage, etc, you’ll either need to buy them in the small shops that you find in most of the hotels (but stocks will be limited, and prices are a little higher), pick them up when you arrive in Maihama – there is a New Days by the station or, there is a 7-11 tucked away in the Tokyo Bay Hilton so, you can stock up there.

Consider a Monorail Pass

Chances are you’ll be using the monorail to get to and from your hotel and the parks. If so, it’s cheaper to buy a pass that covers all the days of your stay than to pay for single rides.

You’ll find a guide to using the monorail here with more helpful tips.

Use the Welcome Centre

If you are staying at an official Disney hotel or one of the monorail hotels, you can leave your bags and do a pre-check in, at the Disney Welcome Centre near Maihama Station. This can be very convenient if you’re going straight to the parks and don’t want to spend time traveling to your hotel first.

Don’t Do Tokyo Itself From Here

Well, not if you can help it anyway. Going back and forth can get draining, also, while Tokyo Bay is a fantastic place to stay when visiting Disney, it’s not Tokyo. It doesn’t have the buzz, the neon, the tiny roads of little restaurants selling ramen or anything else that makes Tokyo such a fantastic city to visit.

If you can face moving rooms, I’d definitely suggest splitting your stay between Tokyo Bay while you do Disney and another area in Tokyo for the main sightseeing part of your trip.

So there you have it — our quick guide to things to know if you decide to stay in Tokyo Bay.

If you’re still not sure whether you want to stay over this side of town, have a look at our article on whether you should stay near Tokyo Disney as it might help you decide.

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