Tokyo or Chiba, Japan Hotel Recommendations needed please

Economical probably won't happen anywhere near Tokyo and Japan isn't in Europe, but: Tokyo: Okura Hotel abt $400 per night - - it's across the road from the American embassy and about a twenty minute down-hill walk to the imperial palace area. Chiba: Otani Makuhari (maybe there's a 'New' in front of the name) abt $200 per night. Both are rather modern and atypical of what you might expect for Japan, but the Okura's been around for close to fifty years that I know of.

look on Tripadvisor tough to find economical
I love the Cerulean in Tokyo but it's definitely not economical

As Toni suggested, look on the tripadvisor.com forums and hotel reviews. You will get more feedback there as they have forums on more countries then the Rick Steves site, which is mostly europe( but of course a few posters here have been to japan and can help,but you will find a forum just on Japan on tripadvisor.com)

There are lots of affordable hotels in Tokyo. I had a good stay at this budget hotel: http://www.hotelsunrouteplazashinjuku.jp/en/ It's a modern contemporary hotel, room was very clean. Located next to the Shinjuku train station. It gets high ratings on Trip Advisor. Rates are around $150USD per night. "Economy" rooms are very small, upgrade to the "standard" rooms for a little bit more money.

Teen daughter and I spent 3 nights in Jan 2011 in Annex Katsutaro. It was excellent; very close to the subway and in a nice neighborhood with lots of little shops for breakfast or dinner. They also do a breakfast onsite for a bit extra; we paid 10500 per night, under $150, and were very pleased. You are sleeping on a futon on the floor but it was extremely comfortable! It was recommended in Frommers and on TripAdvisor, and current reviews of it are also good. Have a great trip!

Tokyo - Arc Towers Koenji (2 stops from Shinjuku) - excellent night life area - about $100 for a nice room - no tourists -very local - see NY Times articule on Koenji

There is a chain of hotels in Tokyo called the " _______ Prince", where the blank is an area (for example, the Shinjuku Prince). (http://www.princehotels.com/) They are actually pretty nice and run about $150 a night, although I managed to get a deal a couple years ago where it was $110 a night or so.. Your miles may vary..
I'd check tripadvisor for recent reviews. :)

I've been to Tokyo twice and I stay at Shinagawa Prince Hotel. It's right next to main station Shinagawa for easy access to the subway, Shinkansen and Keisei Skyliner (which will get you to and from Narita Int'l) I prefer to stay here because Shinagawa station is much easier to navigate and less people traffic than Shinjuku station.