Where are the best places and hotels to stay in Tokyo? You will find a great diversity of neighbourhoods and areas in Tokyo – and it can be challenging to decide where it is best to stay, especially for a first-time visit to the world’s largest metropolis. Popular places to stay include Shinjuku, Shibuya, Harajuku, Ueno, Akihabara, Asakusa, Roppongi, Ginza, Tokyo Station and Odaiba / Tokyo Bay.

Before deciding where to stay in Tokyo, you should consider your need for public transport, planned sightseeing and attractions, and your budget!

Do you want to stay at one of the most lively places in Tokyo, or do you prefer a tranquil area with a local atmosphere? Do you prefer one of the many western-style hotels in Tokyo or a traditional Japanese-style hotel? The best areas and places to stay will depend on the type of accommodation / hotels you are looking for, your budget if it is your first time in Tokyo, and if you prefer a central hotel close to train stations to visit places around Tokyo.

Best places and hotels to stay Tokyo | Photo: Peter Hempel / Pixabay

To help you decide – especially if it is your first visit – which part of Tokyo appeals most to you, below you will find a description of some of the most popular areas and best places (as well as hotels) to stay in Tokyo – each with their own individual local character and unique atmosphere.

In general, the western side of Tokyo, Shibuya, Harajuku, and Shinjuku, are dynamic and vibrant, modern districts full of stores, restaurants & nightlife, whereas the eastern districts, including Ueno and Asakusa, represent some of the more traditional parts of the Japanese capital. Hotels in Ueno and Asakusa also tend to be more budget-friendly than in many other parts of the city, and if you are in Tokyo on a budget, the more reasonably priced hotels in these areas are an obvious reason to stay here.

Cool places to stay in Tokyo – Shibuya | Photo: Jason Goh / Pixabay

Where to stay in Tokyo the first time you are in Japan? You could stay in Shibuya if you want to be right in the middle of bustling Tokyo in a young-vibe district with plenty of nightlife, restaurants and shops around the corner. From Shibuya Station, it is also super easy to reach nearly any part of the city by public transport. Therefore, Shibuya might be your first choice if you plan on visiting places all over the city and still want to stay in a sprawling shopping district! Shibuya often ranks high for a first-time visitor / visit to Tokyo.

Shibuya is an immense shopping and entertainment district in western Tokyo, famed for the world’s busiest pedestrian crossing Shibuya Crossing and the iconic Hachiko dog statue just outside Shibuya Station.

From Shibuya, it is easy to reach many of Tokyo’s sights and attractions, as Shibuya is a significant transportation hub served by the loop line, the Yamanote Line, as well as by a wealth of other trains and lines handling all the commuter traffic between central Tokyo and the suburbs further out. Jump on the train and, in less than 30 minutes, you can reach almost any part of central Tokyo.

As a vibrant shopping district, Shibuya is one of the best areas to stay in Tokyo if you love affordable shopping, especially if you like the atmosphere in a place bustling with young people, sometimes dressed in bizarre outfits. The streets here are also perfect for people-watching.

Moreover, the Shibuya district features a load of cafés, restaurants, and entertainment opportunities, besides great nightlife.

Just north of Shibuya, visit the famed Harajuku district, long known as a place for Japanese teenage and cosplay culture. Also, Harajuku is conveniently served by the Yamanote Line. One of the streets not to be missed is Takeshita Street, which has both young fashion and extraordinary cosplaying costumes.

Harajuku is also where you will find the vast Yoyogi Park. For decades, crowds of teenagers have gathered here on Sundays to entertain passers-by with cosplay, rock ‘n’ roll dance from the 1950s and other spectacular shows. You can see a bit of everything here – from ordinary locals walking their dogs and families on a weekend outing to people living and practising their skills in various music and dance genres.

In stark contrast to the modern city, you will not far from here be able to see one of the traditional constructions in the city, the impressive Meiji Shrine, the Shinto shrine dedicated to the former Emperor Meiji.

Shinjuku | Photo: Uniquedesign 52 / Pixabay

Located along the Yamanote Line as the busiest train station in Tokyo, Shinjuku Station offers excellent transportation options to go absolutely anywhere in Tokyo. Staying in Shinjuku will thus make it easy to get around the city for sightseeing. Therefore, Shinjuku is maybe one of the best choices for first-timers who want to visit many places across Tokyo to make the most of their stay.

If you want to stay in the heart of Tokyo’s great shopping, the commercial district of Shinjuku might really be one of the best places in the city – and there are plenty of hotels in this part of Tokyo. In Shinjuku, you have everything in the bustling metropolis at hand: large department stores, tempting shopping malls and arcades, electronics shops, sparkling neon lights, eye-catching skyscrapers, as well as a plethora of restaurant and bar options.

Shinjuku Station is the world’s busiest train station with 3.5 million daily passengers. It is a hub for both Shinkansen trains, JR lines and various other lines. Since it has 36 platforms, five different rail operators, and 200 exits, you must focus on your destination and navigate accordingly! Of course, this implies that staying in Shinjuku gives you the perfect opportunity to travel to any place in Tokyo you may want to!

Shinjuku is divided into an eastern and a western district – so which is the best area in Shinjuku to stay? In west Shinjuku, you will find the Metropolitan Government Building, which features an observation deck on the 45th floor with panoramic views of Tokyo and beyond, as well as the large Shinjuku Central Park. In the eastern part, you can enjoy the lovely Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, as well as the old narrow-alley Golden Gai district with eateries and over 200 shanty-style minibars. Like many other first-time (or returning) visitors to Tokyo, you might want to visit Golden Gai, which can be a fantastic first-time experience!

Ueno | Photo: Travel In Culture

Choose one of the many hotels in Ueno if you want to be conveniently located to public transportation, such as the Yamanote Loop Line and the large Ueno Station, with trains departing for other regions and cities in Japan. In Ueno, you can also enjoy the lovely Ueno Park with its relaxed atmosphere and numerous cultural museum options.

Moreover, Ueno is also one of the best places to stay in Tokyo if you are on a tight budget or travelling as a large family, as the prices of hotels here (as well as in Asakusa) tend to be lower than in many other areas inside Tokyo. Therefore, you might want to stay in Ueno if you are in Tokyo on a budget! For the teenage family, Akihabara (just south of Ueno), the district devoted to anime and manga, can be one of the very best attractions in Tokyo – and therefore an ideal ‘basis’!

In addition to being a transport hub, Ueno is known for its more cultural side, with several important temples and shrines. Besides, Ueno is relatively close to several other unique Tokyo districts, such as Asakusa, Yanaka, Nezu and Sendagi, that have preserved some of the original charm. Just a stone’s throw from bustling Ueno main streets, you surprisingly find yourself in a quiet Tokyo street full of local atmosphere!

Preferred location in Ueno will also depend on your budget: the eastern side of the Yamanote Line is the more local side in this part of Tokyo, with a range of decent budget hotels. The western side will leave you closer to cultural attractions such as the museums in Ueno Park (visit, for instance, the Tokyo National Museum, the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum or the National Museum of Nature and Science).

Just south of Ueno, you will find Akihabara, the Tokyo district with an immense offer of electronics and gadgets, especially anime, manga, otaku and cosplaying culture, beyond peculiar maid cafés. Once known as the electric town in Tokyo with a concentration of electronic gadgets, it is today the neon-lit district in Tokyo brimming with otaku objects and all manner of anime-related products – a must-see even during a first-time visit if you have just the slightest anime passion (and in particular for the teenager family!).

Best places to stay in Tokyo – Asakusa | Photo: Jason Goh / Pixabay

Choose Asakusa if you want to stay in one of the areas with a truly traditional feel, with ancient Japanese temple culture – the Asakusa Kannon Temple is one of the best examples of a colourful Buddhist temple in Tokyo! Asakusa is also one of the places in Tokyo to discover Japanese handicrafts – and at the same time, it is very reasonably priced. This neighbourhood is, therefore, a good option if you are staying in Tokyo on a budget.

The big draw in Asakusa is the Buddhist Asakusa Kannon Temple – also known as Sensoji – which is the oldest temple in Tokyo. More than 30 million visitors come to visit the renowned temple every year. You enter through the famous Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate). The temple grounds have a spectacular pagoda and an extraordinary statue of Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy. Just off the temples, you will find the 200-metre long street, Nakamise, the perfect place to buy typical Japanese souvenirs and try some unique local snacks. During the year, various events are held here at Sensoji Temple, including the carnival in August.

Stroll along the Sumida River with views of the Tokyo Skytree just across the river in the Sumida neighbourhood. From the two observation decks (located at 350m and 450m) in the Tokyo Skytree, you have a panoramic view!

Finding the best area to stay in Tokyo… Roppongi | Photo: Pixabay

Would you like to stay in one of the best places in Tokyo for a unique nightlife scene – and are you curious about staying in one of the top areas in Tokyo for luxury shopping? If so, Roppongi may be your best choice, whether you visit for the first time or are an experienced Tokyo visitor! Note that Roppongi is not along the Yamanote Line (Loop Line) – you will need one of the Tokyo Metro lines to get there.

Roppongi is, without a doubt, one of the best areas to live in Tokyo if you want to indulge in world-class nightlife! There are plenty of places to go for a fun night out! With a wide selection of nightclubs, bars, and restaurants, you certainly won’t get bored here – and it’s easy to find something new for every night!

The neighbourhood includes the renowned Roppongi Hills, an impressive mega-complex constructed as an experimental development project in the city. Its centrepiece is the 54-storey Mori Tower where people can spend all their day. Containing stores, restaurants, theatres, museums, office space and apartments, it has everything you need! The vision was that it would eliminate the need for going elsewhere! Atop the complex, you can enjoy the Tokyo City View, offering an outstanding view.

In Roppongi, you can visit some excellent museums, for example, the National Art Centre Tokyo or the Mori Art Museum – to mention a few of the great museums in the area. You can also climb the Tokyo Tower for other amazing views of Tokyo from one of the two observation decks there.

Ginza | Photo: Jordy Meow / Pixabay

Are you into exclusive shopping, and would you like to be close to luxury department stores in central Tokyo? If so, fashionable Ginza may be the ideal location for you. Trendy stores and showrooms lie side by side here, marking the perfect setting for some extravagant days in Tokyo. Due to the price level of top-class restaurants and shops, Ginza is probably not the first choice for visitors to Tokyo on a budget – or for first-time visitors to Japan in general! Nevertheless, stay in Ginza if you have a desire to explore shopping beyond mainstream Tokyo – and be ready to pay for it (although there are some budget places here as well)!

One of the advantages of Ginza is that it is not quite as crowded to stay in as other popular areas in Tokyo, such as Shibuya or Shinjuku.

In Roppongi, you can visit some excellent museums, for example, the National Art Centre Tokyo or the Mori Art Museum – to mention a few of the great museums in the area. You can also climb the Tokyo Tower for other amazing views of Tokyo from one of the two observation decks there.

Ginza is generally the chic area in Tokyo where you will come for luxurious shopping and upmarket fashion boutiques. This unique shopping and entertainment district is also one of the best places in Tokyo to find famous Japanese brands such as electronics in the Sony showroom or music instruments in the Yamaha store, where you can easily stay for a couple of hours exploring the latest products.

Another iconic spot in Ginza is Ginza Crossing (Ginza 4-chome), which is a spectacular intersection flanked by elegant buildings that include the Wako Department Store with its Seiko watch as a landmark.

Not surprisingly, Ginza boasts more Michelin restaurants than any other part of Tokyo, making it one of the best areas to stay in if you want to be surrounded by fine-dining restaurants.

By staying in Ginza, you will be close to the Chiyoda Imperial Palace, the old Tsukiji fish market with its market stalls offering fresh seafood, as well as busy Tokyo Station. If you are considering hopping on the Shinkansen trains to other parts of Japan, Tokyo Station is conveniently close to Ginza (within walking distance). Moreover, Tokyo Station is also a food mecca for the eager and food-obsessed traveller – try, for example, Tokyo Station’s Ramen Street!

Odaiba | Photo: Kara_333 / Pixabay

If you want to visit one of the best theme parks in the city (maybe if you are visiting Tokyo as a family) or want to stay in a modern and futuristic part of the city, then, as your best choice, you can consider one of the hotels in Odaiba / the Tokyo Bay areas – this is a unique part of the city where you will feel the atmosphere of a relatively resort-like district. In particular, if you have Tokyo Disney or Legoland Discovery Center Tokyo in mind, you can consider one of the hotels here as one of the best places (perhaps the perfect place) to stay during your visit. Odaiba / the Tokyo Bay areas are ideal if you want to indulge in both child-friendly and some of the best action-based activities unique to Japan during your stay.

Odaiba is known for the spectacular Rainbow Bridge and the impressive replica of the Statue of Liberty. There is a wide range of attractions and leisurely things to do in this part of Tokyo: chill in Odaiba Seaside Park, Odaiba Beach, or have a hot spring experience at Oedo Onsen Monogatari, explore the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, Tokyo Trick Art Museum, Tokyo Leisureland, the iconic Unicorn Gundam Statue, the Fuji TV Building … and so much more.

In particular, Tokyo Disneyland is a significant attraction on Tokyo Bay – it is no problem spending an entire day – or more – here! Opposite Tokyo Disneyland, you will find Tokyo Sea Life Park featuring world-class aquariums.

Are you travelling from Tokyo to Kyoto? Check here what you can cover in 3 days: Tokyo to Kyoto by Train – 3-day Itinerary

Read next: Hotel with a Japanese Onsen in Tokyo? and Tokyo Cherry Blossom Season

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