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

Before deciding where to stay in Tokyo, you will have to take factors such as your need for public transport, planned sightseeing and attractions, as well as your budget and interests into account.

Which area you pick to stay in will to a large extent depend on these parameters and your preferences. Do you want to stay at one of the most lively and bustling places in Tokyo or do you prefer a tranquil area with a local ambience? Do you want one of the Western hotels in Tokyo or a Japanese-style hotel? Best places and areas to stay in will depend on which kind of accommodation / hotels you are looking for, what your budget is, if it is your first time in Tokyo, and if you want to stay in one of the central Tokyo hotels close to the most opportune train lines to visit places dispersed over the city.

Best place to stay Tokyo | Photo: Jason Goh / Pixabay

To help you decide – especially if it is your first visit – which part of Tokyo appeals most to you, you will below 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 special 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 local sides and more culturally interesting parts of the Japanese capital. This may be where you would prefer to stay if you want to experience the less sophisticated parts of the city with a touch of local character. Ueno and Asakusa are also considered to be among the Tokyo best places to stay for another reason: Hotels here 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 is an obvious reason to stay here.

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

Where to stay in Tokyo first time you are in Japan? You should 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, so Shibuya is really one of the best areas to look for Western Tokyo hotels – and maybe it should even be your first choice if you plan to visit attractions and 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 since Shibuya is a major 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. You will simply jump on the train – and in less than 30 minutes you can reach nearly any part of central Tokyo.

As a vibrant shopping district Shibuya is one of the top areas to stay in if you love affordable shopping, especially if you like the atmosphere in a place bustling with young people, whether in school uniforms or dressed in maybe bizarre outfits. The streets here are also perfect for people-watching, as well as getting an impression of the trends among the younger generation.

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

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

Harajuku is also where you will find the vast Yoyogi Park, a beloved place with the young Japanese. For decades crowds of teenagers have gathered here on Sundays to entertain the passers-by with cosplay, rock ‘n’ roll dance from the 1950s and other spectacular behaviour. Actually, you may really see a bit of everything here – from ordinary local residents walking their dogs and families on a weekend outing to people vividly practicing their capabilities within various music and dancing genres.

In stark contrast to this side of modern Japan, you will not far from here arrive at one of the truly traditional constructions in the city, the impressive Meiji Shrine, the Shinto shrine dedicated to the former Emperor Meiji.

Photo: Uniquedesign 52 / Pixabay

Located along the Yamanote Line as the busiest train station in Tokyo, Shinjuku Station provides excellent transport options to go to absolutely any place in Tokyo. Staying in Shinjuku will therefore make it easy to get around to all desired places in the city for sightseeing purposes. For this reason Shinjuku is an obvious – and maybe one of the best choices for first-timers who need to travel to countless places across Tokyo to make the most of their stay. So where is the best place to stay in Shinjuku?

If you want to stay in the heart of Tokyo’s great shopping facilities, the commercial district Shinjuku is probably one of the best places you can choose – and there are plenty of hotels in this part of Tokyo. In Shinjuku you have everything in the bustling city at hand: huge department stores, tempting shopping malls and arcades, electronics shops, scintillating 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. With its 36 platforms, 5 different rail operators and 200 exits, you will just have to keep focus on your destination and navigate accordingly! Of course, this means that staying in Shinjuku gives you the perfect opportunities to travel to whatever spot in Tokyo you may like!

Shinjuku is divided into an Eastern and a Western district – so which is the best area in Shinjuku to stay? In the Western part you will find the Metropolitan Government Building featuring the 45th-floor observation deck providing panoramic views over Tokyo and beyond, as well as the vast 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 brimming with eateries and over 200 shanty-style mini bars. Like many other first-time or returning visitors to Tokyo, you may also like to visit the Robot Restaurant which can be an amazing first-time experience!

Photo: Travel In Culture

Consider picking one of the numerous hotels in Ueno if you want to be conveniently located for public transport such as the Yamanote Line and the large Ueno Station with trains departing for other regions and cities in Japan. Stay in Ueno if you want to enjoy and use the lovely Ueno Park with its relaxed atmosphere and numerous cultural museum options as your favorable basis in Tokyo.

Besides, Ueno is actually also one of the best places to stay in Tokyo if you are on a tight budget or travelling as a large family, since prices in hotels here (as well as in Asakusa) tend to be lower than in many other areas inside Tokyo. Therefore, 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, may be one of the absolutely top attractions in Tokyo – and therefore maybe an ideal part of the city to stay near!?!

In addition to being a transport hub, Ueno is also known for its more cultural side featuring a great number of temples and shrines. What is more, Ueno is relatively close to several unique Tokyo districts such as Asakusa, Yanaka, Nezu and Sendagi, that still have preserved some of the original charm. Just a stone’s throw from bustling Ueno main streets, you will maybe surprisingly find yourself in a tranquil Tokyo street full of local character!

Deciding where to stay 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 outstanding museums located inside 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 known for its immense offer of electronics and all kinds of gadgets – and not least famous for its anime, manga, otaku and cosplaying culture, as well as 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 other 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 Tokyo | Photo: Jason Goh / Pixabay

When deciding where to stay in Tokyo, you may choose Asakusa if you want to stay in one of the areas with a truly traditional vibe, featuring old Japanese temple culture – the Asakusa Kannon Temple is actually one of the best examples in Tokyo of a colourful Buddhist temple! Asakusa is also one of the places in Tokyo to discover Japanese handicraft – and at the same time it is very reasonably priced, so this neighbourhood is also a good option in case you stay 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 will enter through the famed Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate). The temple area features a spectacular pagoda and an extraordinary statue of Kannon, the Goddess of Mercy. Right outside the temples you will find the 200-metre long street, Nakamise, which is the perfect place to buy typical Japanese souvenirs and try some unique local snacks. Throughout the year various events are held here at the Sensoji Temple – one of these is the carnival in August.

Stroll along the Sumida River with a view of Tokyo Skytree just on the other side in the Sumida neighbourhood. From one of the two observations decks (located at 350 m and 450 m) in Tokyo Skytree you will have absolutely panoramic views!

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

Would you like to stay in one of the best places in Tokyo for an amazing nightlight scene – and are you curious to stay in one of the top areas in Tokyo for luxury shopping? In that case Roppongi may be your best choice whether you visit for the first time or are an experienced Tokyo visitor! The main issue about Roppongi is that it is not located along the Yamanote Line (the loop line), so you will have to figure out how to use the other public transport options in the city to get around. Anyway, if you plan on mainly staying in Roppongi for a few days, this will not be a problem.

Roppongi is without doubt one of the best areas to stay in Tokyo if you want to indulge in a world-class nightlife – and there are plenty of hotels here! There are loads of places to go to for a fun evening and night out! With a wide variety of nightclubs, bars and restaurants you will certainly not be bored here – and it is easy to find something new for every night!

The neighbourhood counts the renowned Roppongi Hills – an impressive mega-complex, which was constructed as an experimental development project in the city. Its centerpiece is the 54-story Mori Tower where people can spend all their day. Containing stores, restaurants, theatres, museums, office spaces and apartments, it has everything you will need! The vision was that it would eliminate the need for going elsewhere! Atop the complex you will be able to enjoy the Tokyo City View which provides excellent views.

In Roppongi you can visit some outstanding museums, for instance the National Art Centre Tokyo or the Mori Art Museum – just to pick a couple of the great museums in the area. You can also choose to climb Tokyo Tower for other amazing views of Tokyo from one of the two observations decks there.

Photo: Jordy Meow / Pixabay

Would you like to stay close to the Yamanote Line (and other public transport lines) and still enjoy upscale shopping and luxurious department stores in central Tokyo? In that case fashionable Ginza may be the ideal location for you. Trendy stores and showrooms lie side by side here and mark the perfect surroundings for some extravagant days in Tokyo. Due to the price level in top-class restaurants and shops, Ginza is probably not the first choice for visitors on a budget in Tokyo – and it may not be the location you will pick to stay the first time you are in Japan! But … stay in Ginza if you do have a profound wish to explore shopping beyond mainstream in 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 some of the other Tokyo areas such as Shibuya or Shinjuku.

Ginza is in general the chic and stylish area in Tokyo where you will come for luxurious shopping and upmarket fashion boutiques. This popular shopping & entertainment district is also one of the best places in Tokyo to find Japanese famous 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 counting the Wako Department Store with its Seiko watch as a landmark and more eye-catching structures.

Not surprisingly Ginza features more Michelin-starred restaurants than any other part of Tokyo and it is therefore one of the best areas to stay in if you want to be surrounded by fine-dining restaurants.

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. In case you consider jumping on the Shinkansen trains to other parts of Japan, Tokyo Station is really conveniently close to Ginza (within walking distance). Moreover, Tokyo Station is also a food mecca for the eager and food-obsessed traveller – try for instance Tokyo Station’s Ramen Street!

Where to stay Tokyo | Photo: Steffen Zimmermann / Pixabay

If you want to visit one of the best theme parks in the city (maybe if you visit as a family) or want to stay in a modern and futuristic part of the city, then you may as your first choice consider one of the hotels in Odaiba / the Tokyo Bay areas – this is a completely unique part of the city where you will feel the vibe of a relatively resort-like district. In particular, if you have Tokyo Disney, Legoland Discovery Center Tokyo, or maybe teamLab Borderless in mind, you may pick one of the hotels here as the perfect – and probably one of the best places to stay during your visit. You can also choose to stay in Odaiba / the Tokyo Bay areas if you are not particularly interested in ancient Japanese culture, which you will rather find in other places in the city, but instead want to indulge in a lot of child-friendly and some of the best action-based activities unique to Japan.

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, try Odaiba Ferris Wheel, explore the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, Tokyo Trick Art Museum, Tokyo Leisure Land, teamLab Borderless without boundaries, the iconic Unicorn Gundam Statue, the Fuji TV Building … and so much more.

In particular Tokyo Disneyland is a big draw at Tokyo Bay – it is easy to spend an entire day – or more here! Just 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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