book a hotel with a family of 4?!
 

It seems very difficult to get a hotel to not count your children over 12 as adults, which they then want you to book a second room for. I keep getting booted out of reservations when I book for 4 people, because most rooms seem to be for only 2 people. Am I missing something obvious here? I know in the US you can just sneak extra people into your room with out it really affecting the price.

Any help appreciated!

Try looking into a Japanese style room. In most western style hotels in Japan, the beds are really very very small and there is often barely enough room for double occupancy - let alone 4 people requiring sleeping space.
Japanese style hotels/inns, on the other hand, are usually a lot more flexible. The rooms are larger open spaces, and you can add further occupants by increasing the number of futons.

If you`re having this problem with expensive, top of the line hotels, then I am going to be as stumped as you - but in general when families travel in Japan they use Japanese style rooms. I mean, I`ve traveled with my husband, son, and his parents, grandmother, and sister - A total of 7 people (6 adults) and never encountered a problem finding a single room for us.

most hotels i've encountered so far have single or double room only so whenever we travel with more than 3 companions we usually get a japanese style room. be warned though that instead of bed they use futon and the room is mostly in tatami mat but it is a great experience and it has a bigger space than getting a room with a bed..

Love the Tatami and Futon.. Ahhh...Japan:rheart:

Thank you for the info! Any suggestions for places to stay in the Shibuya area of Tokyo? We're going in August which I keep reading is hot hot hot, so AC would be needed to keep whining down to a minimum. I am thinking we should have booked much earlier!

Japanese inns (ryokan) usually charge per person and will charge a 12 year as an adult. Rooms are generally 8 to 10 tatami mats so getting 4 people into 1 room will be tight.
There are not too many ryokans in Tokyo. You can see a short list at
Japanese Guest Houses - Tokyo Ryokan

Shibuya hotel
 

Hi,
I recommend following hotels available for 4 persons.

Tokyu Hotels - Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyu

Hotel (Room Charges)

Thank you for all the suggestions & help! My biggest problem is the date is approaching quickly and things are booked up.

i know
 

with the accor chain (ibis, novotel etc) they only charge per room not per person. in other countries we always get 2 double beds that does 4 of us (the 2 kids share a bed) not sure about japan but its worth trying....