The Ultimate Group Travel Guide to Tokyo: Transport, Dining, and Accommodation

Traveling with 5+ people? Here is how to navigate Tokyo’s logistics without splitting up or stressing out.

Graduation trips, multi-generational family reunions, or a “bucket list” adventure with your best friends. Traveling to Tokyo with a large group is an incredible way to create shared memories. The energy of Shibuya Crossing or the serenity of Meiji Shrine is even better when shared.

But let’s be honest: Planning a trip for a crowd in Tokyo is logistical hard mode. Tokyo is dense. The streets are narrow, the restaurants are tiny (often counter-only), and hotels are notoriously designed for solo travelers or couples. “How do we fit 6 people and luggage into a taxi?” (Spoiler: You don’t.) “Can we find a restaurant that seats 8 without a reservation?” “Will we have to split into 4 separate hotel rooms?”

If you go unprepared, you risk spending your holiday stressed, separated, and hungry. But don’t worry. As a Tokyo travel expert, I’m here to share the Golden Rules for Large Group Sightseeing and the secret to keeping your squad together at night.

The Quick Verdict: How to Win at Group Travel

Source：Minn Official Website

For the trip organizers out there, here is the bottom line. To succeed in Tokyo with a group:

  1. Master the Trains: Forget rental cars or buses; the subway is your lifeline.
  2. Stay Together: Don’t split into tiny separate rooms. Book a spacious Apartment Hotel like Minn where everyone can stay in one suite.

【Official】Minn Reservations | Experience a “Stay as You Live” Style

(Features: Suites for up to 8 guests, large living rooms, and kitchens for private parties.)

1. Transport: Skip the Van, embrace the IC Card

In other countries, you might rent a large van or charter a bus. Do not do this in Tokyo. The traffic is chronic, parking is nonexistent, and navigating narrow streets is a nightmare.

The Strategy:

  • Get Everyone an IC Card: As soon as you arrive, get a Suica or Pasmo (or the digital version on your iPhone) for every single person. Queuing to buy paper tickets for 8 people at every station is a massive waste of time.
  • The “Split Taxi” Hack: A standard Japanese taxi fits 4 passengers max. “Jumbo Taxis” are rare. Instead of waiting for one, use apps like Uber, GO, or S.RIDE. Order two standard taxis simultaneously. It’s faster and keeps the group moving.
  • Agree on a Car Number: When taking the train, agree beforehand: “We will all meet in Car No. 4.” Even if you get separated on the platform during rush hour, you can find each other on the train.

2. Dining: Avoid the “Lunch Refugee” Crisis

Finding a table for 2 is easy. Finding a table for 8 during lunch peak (12:00–13:00) is impossible without a plan.

The Strategy:

  • The 2-Week Rule: If you want to eat at a specific popular restaurant, book it via the web at least 2 weeks in advance. Look for restaurants in large commercial complexes (like Tokyo Solamachi or Ginza Six) or hotel buffets, which accommodate groups better than street-side Izakayas.
  • Eat Off-Peak: Aim for lunch at 11:00 AM sharp or after 1:30 PM.
  • The “Depachika” Feast: This is the pro move. Visit the basement food hall (Depachika) of a department store in Ginza or Nihonbashi. Buy high-end sushi, Wagyu beef bentos, and salads. Take it back to your hotel for a private dining party. (More on hotels that allow this below!)

3. Sightseeing: Go Where the Space Is

Narrow alleys like Harajuku’s Takeshita Street are fun but chaotic for groups. Prioritize spacious locations where you won’t lose anyone.

Best Spots for Groups:

  • Tokyo Skytree Town (Solamachi): Aquarium, shopping, and observation deck all in one. Easy to split up and meet back later.
  • Odaiba Area: Wide promenades, indoor theme parks (Joypolis), and the Miraikan science museum. Great for groups.
  • Senso-ji (Asakusa): It’s crowded, but open. Set a strict meeting point (e.g., “In front of the Kaminarimon Gate at 2 PM”) before entering the shopping street.

4. The Hotel Problem: “The Split”

Source：Minn Official Website

Now, the biggest headache: Where to stay.

  • Standard Hotels: Force you to book multiple “Twin Rooms.” You end up saying goodnight in the lobby and retreating to separate, tiny boxes (often 15 sqm).
  • Connecting Rooms: Extremely rare and expensive in Tokyo.

The Solution? Apartment Hotels. You need a place with the communal space of an Airbnb but the reliability and concierge support of a hotel.

Why “Minn” is the Ultimate Group Base Camp

For large groups in Tokyo, Minn is the game-changer. With locations in Ueno, Asakusa, Nihonbashi, and Kasai, they are designed specifically for “Stay Together” travel.

1. Everyone in One Room (Up to 8 People!) Minn specializes in massive suites. Whether you are a group of 5, 6, or 8, you can often stay in one single unit.

  • The Experience: It’s like a luxury sleepover. You have a spacious living room where everyone can hang out, share photos, and plan the next day. No more lonely nights in separate rooms.

2. The Kitchen = The Ultimate Private Izakaya Remember the “Depachika Feast” idea? Minn makes it possible.

  • The Setup: Rooms come with fully equipped kitchens and dining tables.
  • The Vibe: Host your own private party. Buy local craft beer and snacks. You don’t need a reservation, it’s cheaper than a restaurant, and you can be as loud as you want!

3. Strategic Locations Minn hotels are located near major transport hubs, making it easy to move a large group.

  • Minn Ueno/Asakusa: Direct access from Narita Airport (Skyliner). Perfect for culture lovers.
  • Minn Nihonbashi: Close to Tokyo Station (Shinkansen hub). Great for shoppers.
  • Minn Kasai: The best base for Tokyo Disney Resort groups. Direct buses to the parks.

4. Unbeatable Value per Person Luxury suites sound expensive, but do the math. Minn charges by the room. When you split the cost of a large suite by 6 or 8 people, the price per person is often lower than a budget business hotel. You get luxury space for a bargain price.

Real Traveler Reviews

Here is what groups are saying about switching to Minn:

  • “We were a group of 6 friends visiting from the US. Usually, we have to split up, but at Minn, we had a huge suite. Staying up late chatting in the living room was the highlight of the trip.” (Group Trip)
  • “Perfect for our Disney trip. The kitchen meant we could make breakfast before the park, and the laundry machine saved us from packing too much.” (Family Trip)

What Exactly is an “Apartment Hotel”?

Think of it as the best of both worlds:

  • Like a Home: Kitchens, laundry machines, living rooms, and multiple beds.
  • Like a Hotel: Professional cleaning, fresh towels, front desk support, and luggage storage. It removes the anxiety of “vacation rentals” (like key handovers or cleanliness issues) while giving you the space you crave.

Verdict: Travel Together, Stay Together

Source：Minn Official Website

Don’t let logistics ruin your group trip. By using trains, booking meals ahead (or eating in), and securing a spacious Minn suite, you turn a stressful logistical puzzle into a seamless, unforgettable vacation.

Large group suites (4-8 people) are rare in Tokyo and sell out months in advance. Don’t wait until you are forced to book separate rooms.

【Official】Book Minn Here for the Best Rates

(Select from Ueno, Asakusa, Nihonbashi, or Kasai.)