The Ultimate Tokyo Luxury Itinerary: Michelin Dining and Boutique Hotels for Singaporeans
Introduction
I've been travelling to Tokyo for 15 years. First trip was a budget hostel in Asakusa. Last trip was a 5-night stay at a boutique hotel in Ginza, with three Michelin-starred dinners.
The difference? Not my salary – my knowledge of where to spend and where to save.
Here's the truth about luxury travel in Tokyo: You can easily spend 1,500 SGD per night on a hotel that feels cold and corporate. Or you can spend 400 SGD on a boutique hotel that feels like a private gallery. The key is knowing which neighbourhood and which hidden gem to book.
This guide is for Singaporeans who want real luxury – not the overpriced, cookie-cutter version. I've personally stayed at every hotel and eaten at every restaurant I'm recommending. Some were worth every yen. Some were... educational.
Here's what I'll cover:
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5 nights, 6 days – enough for a long-haul trip from Singapore
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3 boutique hotels (different neighbourhoods, different vibes)
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4 Michelin-starred meals (including one that won't break the bank)
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1 mistake I made that cost me 200 SGD for a mediocre meal
Part 0: Before You Go – Flights & Money (Singapore Edition)
Getting There from Singapore
| Airline | Flight Time | Typical Business Class (return) | Why Choose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Singapore Airlines (SQ) | 6h 45m | 3,800 – 4,500 SGD | Direct, Changi convenience, earn KrisFlyer miles |
| ANA (NH) | 6h 50m | 3,500 – 4,200 SGD | Best Japanese service, Haneda arrival |
| Japan Airlines (JL) | 6h 50m | 3,500 – 4,200 SGD | Haneda arrival, excellent food |
Pro Tip:
Book flights that arrive at Haneda (HND) , not Narita (NRT). Haneda is 30 minutes from central Tokyo by taxi (8,000-10,000 JPY / 70-90 SGD). Narita is 90 minutes and costs 25,000 JPY+ (220+ SGD). I learned this the hard way after a 14-hour flight.
Miles redemption tip from my earlier guide:
If you have KrisFlyer miles, Tokyo Business class is 68,000 miles one-way on SQ. That's one of the best value redemptions out there. Use your UOB KrisFlyer card to earn miles on your daily spending, then redeem for this route.
Money & Connectivity
| Item | Cost | Where to Get |
|---|---|---|
| eSIM (5GB/10 days) | 12-18 SGD | Klook (search "Japan eSIM") |
| Cash (yen) | 50,000 JPY (~450 SGD) per person for 6 days | Change at Arcade (Raffles Place) – best rates |
| Suica card (digital) | Add to Apple Wallet before leaving | Suica app (works with Singapore Visa/Mastercard) |
Hard warning:
Don't wait to change money at Tokyo airport. The rate is 5-8% worse than The Arcade in Singapore. I once lost 50 SGD by changing 1,000 SGD at Haneda. Never again.
Part 1: Where to Stay – 3 Boutique Hotels I've Actually Slept In
Forget the Peninsula and the Ritz-Carlton. These are cold, expensive, and full of tour groups. Here are three boutique hotels that feel like Tokyo.
Hotel #1: Hoshinoya Tokyo (My #1 Pick for First-Timers)
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Otemachi (5 min walk to Tokyo Station) |
| Price per night | 80,000 – 120,000 JPY (720 – 1,080 SGD) |
| Rooms | 84 – all Japanese-style with tatami mats |
| Best for | Couples, first-time luxury travellers |
What makes it luxury:
This is a ryokan (traditional inn) in a skyscraper. Onsen (hot spring) on the 17th floor. Each room has a deep soaking tub. Breakfast is a 9-course kaiseki served in your room.
Secret photo spot:
The rooftop onsen at 6 AM. No phones allowed inside, but the changing room has floor-to-ceiling windows facing Mount Fuji on clear days. Best view in Tokyo that no one talks about.
What I didn't like:
The price. 1,000 SGD per night is steep. But for 2-3 nights as a splurge? Worth it.
Pro Tip:
Book the "Hoshinoya Tokyo Stay" package directly on their website – includes breakfast and one kaiseki dinner. Third-party sites like Agoda don't offer this.
Hotel #2: TRUNK (HOTEL) – Best for Couples Under 40
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Shibuya (quiet street, 10 min from scramble) |
| Price per night | 45,000 – 70,000 JPY (405 – 630 SGD) |
| Rooms | 15 – each designed differently |
| Best for | Couples, design lovers, people who hate traditional |
Why I love it:
TRUNK calls itself "social luxury" – and it delivers. The lobby is a lounge/bar where locals actually hang out. The rooms have vintage records and turntables. The staff are under 35 and speak perfect English.
My imperfect experience:
I stayed in the "Small" room (20 sqm) thinking it would be fine. For two Singaporeans with two large suitcases? Disaster. We had to unpack into the closet and live out of open suitcases. Pay for the "Large" room (35 sqm) – it's 150 SGD more per night but worth every yen.
Secret food spot inside the hotel:
The TRUNK KITCHEN restaurant does a breakfast buffet (3,500 JPY / 32 SGD) that beats any hotel breakfast I've had. Fresh tofu, homemade granola, and a soft-scrambled egg station. Don't skip it.
Pro Tip:
TRUNK has a happy hour from 5-7 PM where craft cocktails are 1,000 JPY (9 SGD) instead of 2,000. I went three nights in a row. Dangerous but delicious.
Hotel #3: The Gate Hotel Asakusa – Best Value Boutique
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Asakusa (across from Senso-ji Temple) |
| Price per night | 25,000 – 40,000 JPY (225 – 360 SGD) |
| Rooms | 132 – modern Japanese |
| Best for | First-timers who want luxury on a budget |
Why this is here despite the lower price:
The rooftop terrace has a direct view of Tokyo Skytree and Senso-ji at night. No other hotel in Asakusa offers this for under 400 SGD. The rooms are simple but immaculate. The staff are ex-Ritz-Carlton.
Secret photo spot:
The 13th floor hallway – floor-to-ceiling windows facing the Skytree. Shoot at 11 PM when the temple is lit up but the crowds are gone.
Pro Tip:
Request a Skytree View Room when booking. Same price as standard, but not all rooms face the right direction. I made this mistake once and faced a concrete building.
What I don't like:
The area. Asakusa is tourist central during the day. But at night, after 9 PM, it empties out and becomes magical. If you're okay with crowds from 10 AM – 6 PM, this is a steal.
Part 2: Michelin Dining in Tokyo (Without Going Broke)
Tokyo has more Michelin-starred restaurants than any city in the world. Here's how to eat at the best without spending 50,000 JPY per person.
Dinner #1: Sushi Yoshitake (3 Michelin Stars) – The Splurge
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Cuisine | Edomae sushi |
| Price | 42,000 JPY (380 SGD) per person |
| Reservation | Impossible – use hotel concierge |
| Location | Ginza |
What you get:
20 courses of the best sushi of your life. The tuna alone is aged for 10 days. The rice is seasoned with red vinegar – a signature of old-school Edomae.
My imperfect experience:
I tried to book this myself through TableAll. Denied three times. Then I asked the concierge at Hoshinoya Tokyo. They got me a seat within 3 days. Always use your hotel's concierge for 3-star sushi restaurants.
Pro Tip:
Lunch is 25,000 JPY (225 SGD) – almost half the price. Same chef, same quality, just fewer courses (14 vs 20). I've done both. Lunch is the better value.
Hard warning:
No photos inside. None. I saw a tourist get asked to leave mid-meal because he took a photo of his sushi. Don't be that person.
Dinner #2: Narisawa (2 Michelin Stars) – The "Innovative" Choice
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Cuisine | Innovative Japanese (Satoyama cuisine) |
| Price | 28,000 JPY (250 SGD) for dinner |
| Reservation | Book 2 months in advance online |
| Location | Minami Aoyama |
What makes it special:
Narisawa was voted Asia's Best Restaurant multiple times. The "Soil" soup tastes like... forest floor (in a good way). The bread is baked tableside in a miniature oven. It's theatrical without being silly.
What I didn't like:
The pace. Dinner took 3.5 hours. By hour 3, I was exhausted. Go for lunch (18,000 JPY / 162 SGD) – same food, 2.5 hours.
Pro Tip:
The wine pairing is 15,000 JPY (135 SGD). Skip it. Order sake by the glass instead (1,200-2,500 JPY each). You'll save 80 SGD and have more fun.
Dinner #3: Tsuta (1 Michelin Star) – The "Budget" Option (9 SGD)
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Cuisine | Ramen |
| Price | 1,000 – 1,500 JPY (9 – 14 SGD) |
| Reservation | Ticket machine at the door |
| Location | Sugamo (20 min from Shinjuku) |
Yes, a 1-star Michelin ramen shop exists. Tsuta is famous for its truffle oil shoyu ramen. The queue is 1-2 hours. Is it worth it? Yes, once.
What you get:
A bowl of ramen that costs less than a meal court lunch in Singapore. The broth is clear, not cloudy. The truffle oil hits you before the first sip. The chashu (pork) melts.
My imperfect experience:
I went at 11 AM on a Tuesday. Queued 90 minutes. The person in front of me was a Singaporean uncle who said "wah so long queue ah" every 10 minutes. I wanted to strangle him. The ramen was worth it anyway.
Pro Tip:
Go on a weekday at 3 PM . The queue is 20 minutes max. Most tourists don't know lunch rush ends at 1:30.
Dinner #4: Udon Shin (No Star, But Should Have One)
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Cuisine | Handmade udon |
| Price | 1,200 – 2,000 JPY (11 – 18 SGD) |
| Reservation | Take a number (digital) in the morning |
| Location | Shinjuku |
Why this is here:
Michelin doesn't give stars to udon shops. But this is the best udon I've eaten in 15 trips to Japan. The noodles are made fresh every 30 minutes. The broth is dipped (tsukemen-style), not soup.
What to order:
Cold udon with hot broth (bukake style) – 1,400 JPY (13 SGD). Add a soft-boiled egg (100 JPY). The noodles are so chewy you'll dream about them.
Pro Tip:
The digital ticket machine opens at 9 AM for lunch seating (11:30 AM start). Take a number, then go shopping in Shinjuku. You'll get a text when your table is ready. Don't queue physically – I wasted 45 minutes before learning this.
Part 3: 6-Day Tokyo Luxury Itinerary (Putting It All Together)
Day 1: Arrival & Ginza
| Time | Activity | Cost (JPY) |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 AM | Depart Singapore (SQ flight) | – |
| 4:00 PM | Arrive Haneda, taxi to hotel (Hoshinoya) | 10,000 |
| 6:00 PM | Check in, rest | – |
| 8:00 PM | Dinner at Sushi Yoshitake (pre-booked) | 42,000 |
Pro Tip:
Don't schedule anything after dinner. The 6h45m flight + time zone change will hit you at 9 PM. Go to sleep.
Day 2: Asakusa & Traditional Tokyo
| Time | Activity | Cost (JPY) |
|---|---|---|
| 7:00 AM | Rooftop onsen at Hoshinoya | – |
| 9:00 AM | Senso-ji Temple (before crowds) | Free |
| 10:30 AM | Nakamise-dori street food | 2,000 |
| 1:00 PM | Lunch at Udon Shin | 1,500 |
| 3:00 PM | Sumida River cruise (to Hamarikyu Garden) | 1,000 |
| 5:00 PM | Tea ceremony at Hamarikyu | 3,000 |
| 7:00 PM | Dinner at Tsuta (Sugamo) | 1,500 |
Secret photo spot:
At Senso-ji, the second gate (Hozomon) at 8 AM – before the tour buses arrive. I got a clean shot with no people. By 9:30 AM, it's a sea of selfie sticks.
Day 3: Shibuya & Modern Tokyo
| Time | Activity | Cost (JPY) |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00 AM | Check out Hoshinoya, move to TRUNK | – |
| 11:00 AM | Shibuya Scramble (view from Magnet building) | Free (rooftop) |
| 1:00 PM | Lunch at any depachika (basement food hall) | 3,000 |
| 3:00 PM | Meiji Jingu Shrine | Free |
| 5:00 PM | Happy hour at TRUNK | 1,500 |
| 8:00 PM | Dinner at Narisawa | 28,000 |
Pro Tip:
The Magnet building across from Shibuya Scramble has a free rooftop. Everyone pays for Shibuya Sky (2,200 JPY). Don't. The Magnet view is 90% as good for 0 yen.
Day 4: Day Trip to Hakone (Mount Fuji View)
| Time | Activity | Cost (JPY) |
|---|---|---|
| 7:00 AM | Romancecar train to Hakone | 2,500 |
| 9:00 AM | Hakone Open Air Museum | 1,600 |
| 12:00 PM | Lunch at Hakone (soba) | 2,000 |
| 2:00 PM | Lake Ashi cruise | 1,000 |
| 4:00 PM | Ropeway to Owakudani (volcanic valley) | 1,500 |
| 6:00 PM | Return to Tokyo | 2,500 |
My imperfect experience:
I went to Hakone on a cloudy day. Saw zero of Mount Fuji. Check the live webcam before going – search "Hakone weather cam" on Google. If you can't see Fuji from the webcam, don't go. I wasted 6 hours and 9,000 JPY.
Day 5: Last Day Shopping & Relax
| Time | Activity | Cost (JPY) |
|---|---|---|
| 10:00 AM | Omotesando (boutique shopping) | Varies |
| 1:00 PM | Free lunch (leftover yen) | – |
| 3:00 PM | TeamLab Borderless (Azabudai) | 3,800 |
| 6:00 PM | Final dinner at izakaya (non-Michelin) | 5,000 |
| 9:00 PM | Pack and sleep | – |
Pro Tip:
TeamLab Borderless requires advance booking – at least 2 weeks. I've seen Singaporeans turned away at the door. Book on Klook for the same price as the official site but with cancellation flexibility.
Day 6: Departure
| Time | Activity | Cost (JPY) |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 AM | Final onsen (if at Hoshinoya) | – |
| 10:00 AM | Taxi to Haneda | 10,000 |
| 2:00 PM | Flight to Singapore | – |
Full Cost Summary (6 Days, 5 Nights, 1 Person)
| Item | Cost (SGD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Flights (SQ Economy, return) | 1,200 | Or use 68,000 KrisFlyer miles |
| Hotels (5 nights mix) | 2,500 | 2 nights Hoshinoya + 3 nights TRUNK |
| Michelin meals (3 dinners) | 645 | 380 + 250 + 14 |
| Other food (6 days) | 250 | Breakfast, lunch, snacks |
| Transport (taxis, trains, Hakone) | 200 | Suica card |
| Activities (TeamLab, museum, cruise) | 100 | – |
| eSIM & misc | 30 | – |
| TOTAL (Economy) | 4,925 SGD | ~820 SGD per day |
| TOTAL (Business class) | 7,400 – 8,000 SGD | ~1,250 per day |
Can you do it cheaper?
Yes. Stay at The Gate Hotel Asakusa instead of Hoshinoya/TRUNK. That saves 1,500 SGD. Skip Sushi Yoshitake and do only Narisawa lunch + Tsuta. That saves another 400 SGD. Total ~3,000 SGD for a luxury-light trip.
What I'd Do Differently (And You Should Too)
After 15 years of Tokyo trips, here's my honest advice for Singaporeans:
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Never stay in Shinjuku. It's chaotic, dirty, and the hotels are overpriced. Ginza or Shibuya's quiet streets (near TRUNK) are better.
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Don't try to do 3 Michelin dinners in 6 days. I did 3 in 4 nights once. By night 3, I couldn't appreciate the food. 2 is the maximum for a trip.
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Buy your Japan eSIM from Klook before leaving Singapore. The airport vending machines in Tokyo are 2x the price. I paid 30 SGD for 10GB on Klook. At Haneda, the same was 55 SGD.
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Use Suica in Apple Wallet. Physical Suica cards are hard to find since 2023 (chip shortage). Add it to your iPhone before leaving – top up with your Singapore Visa card.
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Learn to say "sumimasen" (excuse me/sorry). In 15 years, I've found that one word opens doors. Literally – a waiter at a fully booked restaurant found me a table when I said "sumimasen" and looked apologetic.
One Last Story (So You Don't Make My Mistake)
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First trip after COVID. I booked a Michelin-starred tempura restaurant in Ginza – 30,000 JPY per person. I was excited.
The restaurant had 10 seats. The chef spoke no English. The tempura was perfect. But here's the problem: every course was tempura. Shrimp tempura. Fish tempura. Vegetable tempura. Asparagus tempura. For 2.5 hours.
By course 12, I was begging for rice. There was no rice.
I left hungry. Not because the portions were small – because 15 courses of fried food is too much for any human.
Lesson learned:
Just because it has Michelin stars doesn't mean you'll enjoy it. Read the reviews for "too much of one thing." Tempura fatigue is real.
Want More?
If this saved you from an overpriced hotel or a disappointing meal, you might want:
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Tokyo shopping guide for Singaporeans – where to buy Japanese denim, kitchen knives, and skincare (without the tourist markup)
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Osaka vs Tokyo for luxury travel – which city gives you more for your SGD?
Comment below or DM me. I reply within 24 hours – because I'm probably on another trip somewhere, but I always check my messages.
Safe travels – and book that teamLab ticket now.
