Yadoya Guesthouse

If you're looking for a cheap hostel somewhere other than eastern Tokyo, your options get a lot more limited. The DIY-till-I-die Yadoya Guesthouse in Nakano offers a welcome change of scenery – not to mention dorm beds for just ¥2,200 per night – though it's not without its caveats. While Yadoya's office is just a short walk from the south exit of Nakano Station, the 'Guesthouse' is actually split across a handful of locations, some of them rather less convenient. Expect to find plenty of long-term residents amongst the backpackers, and be warned that the management is a lot less hands-on than at some other hostels (something that becomes particularly glaring if you're trying to check-out before 10am).