Where to Stay in Tokyo

Best Neighborhoods to Stay In

Shinjuku — Best Overall for First-Timers

What it’s like: Tokyo’s entertainment and transport hub. Multiple train lines (easiest connections to everywhere), department stores, dozens of food floors, Kabukicho entertainment district, Golden Gai bars.

Best for: First-time visitors, night owls, anyone prioritizing convenience.

Transport: 5 lines including JR, Tokyo Metro. Direct connections to Narita and Haneda airports.

Downsides: Can feel overwhelming. Kabukicho area is loud at night.

Price range: Budget to luxury — wide selection.

Recommended areas within Shinjuku:

• West Shinjuku (quieter, business hotels, close to Metropolitan Government Building)
• East Shinjuku near Kabukicho (more entertainment, noisier)

—

Asakusa — Best for Culture and Atmosphere

What it’s like: Old Tokyo. Senso-ji Temple, rickshaws, traditional crafts, low-rise buildings, the most atmospheric neighborhood in the city. Near Tokyo Skytree.

Best for: Culture enthusiasts, photographers, travelers who want traditional Japan atmosphere.

Transport: Asakusa Line and Ginza Line (metro), Tobu Line. Good access to central Tokyo.

Downsides: Slightly further from some western neighborhoods (Shibuya, Harajuku). Transport connections not as extensive as Shinjuku.

Price range: Good mid-range and budget options. Less luxury than other areas.

—

Shibuya — Best for Young Travelers and Shopping

What it’s like: The Shibuya Crossing neighborhood. Young, fashion-forward, commercial. Great food in Ebisu and Daikanyama nearby.

Best for: Shopping enthusiasts, those who want Harajuku and Omotesando walking distance.

Transport: Multiple lines including Yamanote Line.

Downsides: Less atmospheric than Asakusa. More expensive than Shinjuku for equivalent hotels.

—

Ginza / Tokyo Station — Best for Business and Luxury

What it’s like: Tokyo’s most upscale shopping district. Excellent Shinkansen access from Tokyo Station.

Best for: Business travelers, luxury hotel seekers, those departing on Shinkansen.

Transport: Multiple metro lines, JR lines from Tokyo Station. Narita Express from Tokyo Station.

Downsides: Less personality than other areas for leisure travelers.

Price range: Mid-range to ultra-luxury.

—

Ueno — Best Budget Option Near Sights

What it’s like: Museum district (Tokyo National Museum, Ueno Zoo), Ameya-Yokocho market, near Asakusa.

Best for: Budget travelers, museum enthusiasts, families.

Transport: Yamanote Line, multiple metro lines. Narita Express.

Price range: Good budget and mid-range options.

—

Akihabara — Best for Electronics and Anime Fans

What it’s like: Electronics, anime, gaming culture. Surrounded by good restaurants and convenient transport.

Best for: Tech enthusiasts, anime fans, budget mid-range.

Transport: JR Yamanote Line, Hibiya Line. Central location.

—

Roppongi — Best for Nightlife and Art

What it’s like: International nightlife, art museums (Mori Art Museum, 21_21 Design Sight), expensive restaurants.

Best for: Art lovers, nightlife seekers, expats.

Downsides: Expensive, can feel touristy at night.

—

What Type of Accommodation to Book

Capsule Hotels

Best for solo travelers who want the uniquely Japanese experience and don’t need much space.

Top options:

• Nine Hours Narita Airport (¥3,000–4,000)
• Book and Bed Tokyo — sleep inside a bookshelf (Shinjuku, Ikebukuro)
• First Cabin — slightly larger pod, more privacy (¥4,000–5,500)

Budget Business Hotels

Clean, small rooms with private bathroom.

Reliable chains:

• Toyoko Inn (from ¥7,000, breakfast sometimes included)
• APA Hotel (from ¥7,500, good locations)
• Dormy Inn (from ¥9,000, often includes communal onsen/sauna)

Mid-Range Hotels

• Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyu
• Gracery Shinjuku (Godzilla head on the roof)
• Richmond Hotel Premier Asakusa
• Mercure Tokyo Ginza

Ryokan in Tokyo

Traditional Japanese inn experience. Less common in Tokyo than Kyoto but available.

• Ryokan Sawanoya (Ueno area, ¥12,000–16,000/night)
• Andon Ryokan (Asakusa area)

Luxury Hotels

• Park Hyatt Tokyo (Shinjuku, Lost in Translation hotel)
• Aman Tokyo
• The Peninsula Tokyo
• Mandarin Oriental Tokyo

—

Booking Tips

Book well in advance for cherry blossom season (March–April) and autumn foliage (October–November). Popular business hotels in good locations sell out 3–6 months ahead.

Check cancellation policy: Free cancellation rates are usually slightly more expensive but give flexibility for flight changes.

Location over price: A slightly more expensive hotel in the right neighborhood beats a cheaper hotel requiring a 30-minute commute to everything.

—

Related Guides

• Tokyo travel guide
• Tokyo itinerary 3 days
• Japan on a budget
• Best time to visit Japan