10 Best Places to Stay in Tokyo for First Time Visitors – The Ultimate Guide
In this article, we list down the 10 best places to stay in Tokyo, along with the best hotels in each area. The most popular area is Shinjuku, the bustling business and entertainment hub of Tokyo. This area is home to plenty of famous tourist attractions, accommodations, and popular dining outlets. We stayed here during our Tokyo trip and it was awesome! However, there are many other charming neighbourhoods in Tokyo too. Therefore, I have provided detailed descriptions of each district so that you can decide which is the best area for you to stay. This article was last updated on 06 April 2020.
Table of Contents
- Summary of 10 Best Places To Stay In Tokyo
- The Five Main Areas of Tokyo
- Map of Tokyo
- Western Tokyo
- Central Tokyo
- Northern Tokyo
- Southern Tokyo
- Outlying Areas
- Conclusion
Summary Of 10 Best Places To Stay In Tokyo
I have created a summary table above for your easy reference. Click to enlarge!
The Five Main Areas of Tokyo
Outlying Areas are not included in this map
Before elaborating on the 10 places to stay, you should first know that Tokyo can be divided into five main areas: Western Tokyo, Central Tokyo, Northern Tokyo, Southern Tokyo, and the Outlying Areas. You can see the above map to get an idea of the areas’ locations.
Western Tokyo is what many people envision when they think of Tokyo: bright neon signboards, bustling streets, busy roads, crowded train stations, commercial buildings, and large shopping malls. It is home to popular Tokyo districts like Shinjuku, Shibuya and Harajuku.
Central Tokyo is another modern area with many famous shopping malls, major financial institutions, and restaurants. Tokyo Station, the major transportation hub, is located here. Famous districts include Ginza and Akihabara.
Northern Tokyo is a charming historic district with rich culture and heritage. You will find traditional temples, major museums, and beautiful parks with gorgeous cherry blossoms here. It is home to Ueno Park and Asakusa.
Southern Tokyo is a large diverse area with vibrant nightlife, modern shopping malls, family-friendly activities and famous landmarks. Popular neighbourhoods and attractions include Roppongi, Odaiba, Ebisu, Tokyo Tower, and Toyosu Fish Market.
Outlying Areas refer to the further regions outside the above four areas. These regions offer peaceful suburbs, island retreats, mountain getaways, and gorgeous national parks. Some of the popular areas include Tokyo Disneyland, Mount Takao and Mount Mitake.
And with that, let’s go on to the details of the 10 best places to stay in Tokyo, categorised by the 5 main areas above.
Map of Tokyo
This is a map of the 10 best neighbourhoods to stay in Tokyo. Note that Tokyo Disneyland is outside the confines of this map.
– Western Tokyo –
1. Shinjuku (Best for First Time Tourists)
East Shinjuku
West Shinjuku
Shinjuku Gyoen Garden
Shinjuku is a vibrant and touristy district with plenty of shopping, dining, and entertainment options.
Shinjuku can divided into two areas: “East Shinjuku” (Higashi-Shinjuku) and “West Shinjuku” (Nishi-Shinjuku). The east side is a vibrant entertainment hub with bright neon lights, famous restaurants, bars, and a red light district (Kabuchiko). The west side provides a stark contrast with its modern commercial buildings and skyscrapers.
What to Do in Shinjuku
We stayed in Shinjuku during our holiday and it is one of our favourite areas in Tokyo!
It was nice to visit Shinjuku Gyoen Garden, a tranquil public park with lush greenery and gorgeous landscaping.
There are also various major department stores like Isetan and Takashimaya, where we got try lots of free food samples at the basement.
We went to the free observation deck atop Tokyo Metropolitan Building, where it’s possible to see Mount Fuji on good days. Unfortunately the weather was rather hazy on the day we went.
Nightlife wise, there are plenty of popular areas like Kabuchiko, Golden Gai, Omoide Yokocho and Shinjuku Nichome.
The nearby Harajuku district is a must-visit for all tourists! This vibrant neighbourhood is famous for its fashion scene, colourful street art, trendy cafes, and popular restaurants. We spent an entire day exploring the area.
Why Stay in Shinjuku
This is an awesome place to stay for families and first timers because there are many tourist attractions, dining options, shopping outlets, and hotels here.
It is also a convenient location that serves as a great base for sightseeing other areas of downtown Tokyo, or for day trips to further outlying areas from Shinjuku Bus Station.
Where to Stay in Shinjuku
B&B – David’s airbnb is a pleasant studio apartment with WiFi, TV, kitchen and free bathroom amenities. It is a 2 minute walk from Higashi-Shinjuku Station. Make sure you claim this $45 Airbnb discount coupon before booking.
Budget – Central Hotel Tokyo is a new hotel that offers modern comfy rooms at affordable rates. However, note that the hotel does not provide free WiFi so make sure you have a pocket WiFi or SIM card. The best part about this hotel is its location, as it is just a few minutes’ walk from Shinjuku Station.
Mid Range – Tokyu Stay Shinjuku is a wonderful value-for-money hotel that has excellent reviews on TripAdvisor. It is part of the well-known “Tokyu Stay” hotel chain. The rooms are clean, modern, and comfortable, though they are quite small. The hotel is located in the heart of Shinjuku with many surrounding attractions. It is right beside Shinjuku-Sanchome Station, and is just an 8 minute walk from Shinjuku Station.
Luxury – Park Hyatt Tokyo is a luxurious New York style hotel that offers spacious rooms, wonderful service, and incredible views. The hotel is famous for its New York Bar located high up on level 52 of the building. It is quite a long 15 minute walk from Shinjuku Station, but there is complimentary shuttle service for guests.
2. Shibuya (Best for Young Adults)
Shibuya Crossing
Center Gai at night
Shibuya is a trendy neighbourhood popular with Japanese youths and younger adults. There are plenty of retail shops (both luxury and mass-market), popular restaurants, and bars here.
What to Do in Shibuya
It was fun to walk along the bustling streets of Shibuya and revel in the youthful vibe here.
We walked across the world’s busiest street intersection, Shibuya Crossing, which was really cool!
And I took a photo with the famous Hachiko Statue, which was built to honour the famous loyal dog.
Center-Gai is a vibrant thoroughfare popular with Japanese youths. We saw plenty of retail shops, trendy shops and eateries here.
Why Stay in Shibuya
If you are a young adult who prefers to stay somewhere with a more youthful vibe, this is a great place to stay. It is just three stops away from Shinjuku Station, and one stop from Harajuku Station.
Where to Stay in Shibuya
Budget – Shibuya Granbell Hotel is a great value-for-money hotel with comfy rooms, free WiFi, and buffet breakfast. There is also a restaurant/bar in the lobby. Best of all, it is just a 3 minute walk to Shibuya Station.
Mid Range – Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyu is a wonderful mid-range hotel that offers modern and spacious rooms at affordable rates. It is located right above Shibuya train station.
Luxury – Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel is a luxury hotel where guests can enjoy spacious rooms with amazing views of Tokyo tower and even Mount Fuji (during clear weather)! The hotel has plenty of amenities and offers excellent service. It is just a 5 minute walk from Shibuya Station.
– Central Tokyo –
3. Ginza (Best for Shopping)
Ginza is the shopping mecca of Tokyo. Think of it as Singapore’s Orchard Road, or New York’s Fifth Avenue. The streets are lined with retail shops, luxury boutiques, and large department stores.
What to Do in Ginza
The wife spent about two hours shopping in this area. Walking down the main shopping street of Chuo Dori, we saw many major retail stores emblazoned with their huge logos on both sides of the street.
Some of the more popular shopping malls are Ginza Six (luxury shopping), Uniqlo Flagship Store (12 storeys high!), Barneys New York Ginza (global brands), Ginza Matsuya (large department store) and Don Quijote (bargain store).
The famous Tsukiji Outer Market is nearby too. We loved the bustling vibe at this outdoor market! We indulged in plenty of awesome street food here.
Why Stay in Ginza
If you want to stay in a convenient location with plenty of shopping options, this is the perfect place. Ginza Station is just one stop from Tokyo Station.
Where to Stay in Ginza
Budget – Hotel Gracery Ginza is a decent hotel with basic rooms and amenities. It is just a 5 minute walk from Ginza Station.
Mid Range – Millennium Mitsui Garden Hotel Tokyo is a good value-for-money hotel. The rooms are new and modern, though they are quite small. The hotel is just steps from Higashi-Ginza Station, and a 3-minute walk from Ginza Station.
Luxury – Courtyard Tokyo Ginza Hotel is a semi-luxury hotel located in the heart of Ginza. There are plenty of shops and restaurants in the hotel’s vicinity. It offers modern and spacious (by Tokyo’s standards) rooms, breakfast buffet, and a small gym. The hotel is a 6 minute walk from Ginza Station.
4. Tokyo Station (Best for Transport)
Tokyo Station is a major transportation hub that connects to many other Tokyo regions such as Tokyo Disneyland, the airports, Tokyo Suburbs, the various Mitsui premium outlets, and other Japanese cities like Yokohama, Osaka, etc.
The station is divided into two sides: the Marunouchi and Yaesu sides. The Marunouchi side is built in the Neo-Renaissance architectural style and is over a century old. The Yaesu side has a more modern facade. This is because the original building structure was damaged in a fire in 1949, and was subsequently rebuilt. Each side serves different train lines.
What to Do in Tokyo Station
Tokyo Station is home to plenty of famous Japanese snack stores such as New York Perfect Cheese, Tokyo Banana, Press Press Butter Sand, Calbee, and many more! We also saw one-stop shops that sell a variety of different Japanese snacks in one place. This is truly a wonderland for sweet treats, and we spent almost two hours shopping and queuing for the snacks.
There are not many things to do in the vicinity of the station, with the only attraction of note being the adjacent Imperial Palace.
Why Stay in Tokyo Station
This is a good place to stay if you are planning to stopover in Tokyo for a short while before heading on to other Japanese cities, or if you are planning to do many day trips to the further regions of Tokyo.
Where to Stay in Tokyo Station
Mid Range – Courtyard by Marriott Tokyo Station is a great value-for-money hotel with modern decent-sized rooms. It offers strong WiFi, great service, and a sumptuous breakfast buffet. There is also a small gym. The hotel is a 4 minute walk to Tokyo station via an underground pathway.
Semi Luxury – The Tokyo Station Hotel is a gorgeous semi-luxury hotel that has many raving reviews online. This beautiful hotel offers spacious Victorian-style rooms, wonderful service, gym, and a spa. This is a good place to pamper yourself without breaking the bank. The hotel is located right at Tokyo Station itself, on the Marunouchi side.
Luxury – Shangri-La Hotel Tokyo is a fantastic luxury hotel to splurge on if you have deep pockets. This is one of the top hotels in the country with gorgeous classy rooms, perfect service, and world-class amenities. It is just steps away from Tokyo Station.
5. Akihabara (Best for Otakus)
Akihabara, also known as Japan’s “electric town”, is a district known for its electronic gadgets, anime, video games, and maid cafes. It is home to the famed “Otaku” culture, which roughly translates as “Geek” culture.
What to Do in Akihabara
This is THE place for otakus in Tokyo. Sega Akihabara has six whole floors of arcade games, Mandarake is a mecca for anime goods, Gee Store AKihabara sells cosplay costumes, and the Yodobashi Camera store has 9 full floors of electronics.
And of course, there are the famous “maid cafes”, where young girls dressed as maids will serve you food and even play games with you for a small fee.
Why Stay in Akihabara
To be honest, there isn’t much to do in Akihabara other than the okaku activities mentioned above. If you are into such stuff, this place will be good for you. The area has several affordable accommodations too.
Where to Stay in Akihabara
Budget – Hotel Mystays Ochanomizu is an awesome value-for-money hotel that offers clean decent-sized rooms and showers with good water pressure. It is a 8 minute walk from Akihabara Station.
Mid Range – Remm Akihabara is a well-known chain hotel. It offers small comfy rooms and spacious bathrooms with rain showers. The rooms even have massage chairs. It is just steps away from Akihabara Station.
– Northern Tokyo –
6. Ueno (Best for Museums)
Ueno Park
Hanazono Inari Shrine
Ameyoko Shopping Street
Ueno is a popular sightseeing area in Tokyo with a variety of attractions such as museums, a gorgeous park, shrines, etc.
What to Do in Ueno
Most people visit Ueno to check out the beautiful Ueno Park, an awesome public park with many major national museums, temples, shrines, and a zoo. We enjoyed strolling through the picturesque park and took many pretty photos here.
It was also really fun to explore Ameyoko Shopping Street, a vibrant street market with a huge variety of cosmetics products, pharmaceutical drugs, local fresh fruits, restaurants, and delicious street food! Initially we thought this was just a boring tourist trap, but we were pleasantly surprised by its great vibe and bustling atmosphere.
Why Stay in Ueno
Ueno is a good place to stay if you are the artsy type who enjoys visiting museums, or if you are looking for affordable accommodations. However, do note that it is rather far from other popular areas of Tokyo.
Where to Stay in Ueno
Budget – Hotel Marutani is a basic hotel that provides two types of rooms: the normal type or traditional Japanese style rooms. Make sure you get a non-smoking room. The hotel is a 7 minute walk from Ueno Station.
Mid Range – Hotel Sardonyx Ueno is a great value-for-money hotel that offers comfy rooms at great rates. There is a simple free breakfast, and the staff are very polite. The hotel is just next to Ameyoko market. It is steps away from Okachimachi train station, and a 8 minute walk from Ueno station.
7. Asakusa (Best for Budget Accommodations)
Sensoji Temple
Nakamise Dori Shopping Street
Asakusa is a beautiful historic district that exudes an old world charm. There are various traditional temples and shrines here. We enjoyed walking around the quaint neighbourhood, which had an atmosphere reminiscent of decades past.
What to Do in Asakusa (Best for Culture)
Asakusa is home to the iconic Skytower, the tallest structure in Japan, and the second tallest in the world behind the Burj Khalifa.
Sensoji Temple, the oldest temple in Tokyo, is located here. We visited the temple at night when it was brightly lit, and it was simply beautiful.
We also had fun browsing the historic Nakamise Dori shopping street, where rows of venders have been selling souvenirs to tourists for centuries.
Last but not least, Sumida Park is a popular spot for cherry blossom viewing.
Why Stay in Asakusa
Asakusa is good if you want to stay in a laid-back area with very affordable accommodations, though it is rather far from other areas of Tokyo.
Where to Stay in Asakusa
Budget – Wired Hotel Asakusa is an awesome budget boutique hotel that offers artistic rooms with comfy beds. The bathrooms have free toiletries and the showers have great water pressure. There is daily breakfast too. The hotel is just a few minutes’ walk from Asakusa station.
Budget – Red Planet Asakusa Tokyo is another great value-for-money hotel that has very clean and modern rooms with daily housekeeping services. It is just a 2 minute walk from Asakusa station.
– Southern Tokyo –
8. Roppongi (Best for Expats Nightlife)
Keyakizaka Illumination near Roppongi Hills
Roppongi is a well-known entertainment and nightlife district that is very popular with expats. There are many bars and night clubs in this area, as well as several large shopping malls.
What to Do in Roppongi
Foreigners will be happy to know that there are plenty of expat-friendly bars and clubs here.
Other than nightlife, Roppongi is home to two huge modern shopping complexes: Roppongi Hills and Tokyo Midtown.
We visited during Christmas and got to see the famous “Keyakizaka Illumination”. The best place to see the illumination is from a designated viewing spot on a bridge along Keyakizaka-dori Street. The illumination consists of 1.2 million glittering LED lights hanging on trees, with the beautifully lit Tokyo Tower in the backdrop. It was gorgeous!
Why Stay in Roppongi
If you are a foreigner looking for a vibrant nightlife scene, then Roppongi is a great area to stay.
Where to Stay in Roppongi
Budget – Hotel Arca Torre Roppongi is a no-frills hotel with clean cozy rooms and comfy beds. It is in a great location just steps away from Roppongi Station.
Mid Range – Remm Roppongi is a popular chain hotel that offers compact modern rooms with massage chairs and spacious bathrooms. The hotel is almost right beside Roppongi Station.
Luxury – Grand Hyatt Tokyo is a five-star hotel with classic luxurious rooms. It offers world-class amenities and services like spa, fitness centre, concierge service, club lounge, and more. It is conveniently located at the Roppongi Hills mall, just a 5 minute walk from Roppongi Station.
9. Odaiba (Best for Families)
Rainbow Bridge
Statue of Liberty Replica
Further to the south is Odaiba, a family-friendly shopping and entertainment hub with several tourist attractions, big hotels and many large shopping complexes.
This district is built completely on reclaimed land and has a modern vibe different from the rest of Tokyo.
What to Do in Odaiba
Odaiba’s main attraction is the Statue of Liberty replica, located on the scenic promenade. A popular photo op is one of the statue with the beautiful Rainbow Bridge in the background.
There are plenty of family-friendly shopping complexes here, such as VenusFort, Aqua City, DiverCity Tokyo Plaza and DECKS Tokyo Beach (home to an indoor theme park and Trick Art Museum).
At night, the Rainbow Bridge lights up with its “rainbow” colours to become a beautiful sight that can be seen from many miles away.
Odaiba Oedo Onsen Monogatari is one of our favourite places in Tokyo! This fantastic onsen offers hot springs, foot baths, festival games, arcade games, delicious food, spa treatments, napping rooms and more!
Toyosu Fish Market is located near to Odaiba as well. This is a seafood and vegetables wholesale market; the world-famous tuna auctions are held here!
Why Stay in Odaiba
Odaiba is a great place to stay if you want to ensure that there are plenty of activities for your young children. It is also conveniently located to visit Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea because several hotels here provide free shuttle service to the theme parks.
Where to Stay in Odaiba
Budget – Hotel Sunroute Ariake is a decent hotel with clean cozy rooms that come with electric foot massagers. The staff can speak English. It is within walking distance of several train stations.
Mid Range – Grand Nikko Tokyo Daiba is a great value-for-money hotel that offers comfortable spacious rooms at affordable rates. There are many amenities such as a club lounge, spa, gym, and pool. It is located near all the popular shopping complexes, and is just a 3 minute walk from Daiba Station. The hotel provides complimentary shuttle service to the Disney theme parks.
Luxury – Hilton Tokyo Odaiba is a beautiful semi-luxury hotel with great views of the Tokyo skyline and Rainbow Bridge. The rooms are well-appointed and spacious. Other than the usual amenities, the hotel even has an aromatherapy sauna and outdoor jacuzzi. Service is excellent as well. It is just steps away from Daiba Station.The hotel also provides free shuttle service to the Disney theme parks.
– Outlying Areas –
10. Tokyo Disneyland
Tokyo Disneyland is probably the happiest place in Japan! This was the first Disney theme park to be built outside USA, and is the third most visited theme park in the world. It is next to the equally popular DisneySea, the only Disney park in the world with a nautical theme.
What to Do in Tokyo Disneyland
Tokyo Disneyland’s most popular attractions and rides are Dreamlights, Happiness is Here Parade, Monster’s Inc. Ride & Go Seek, and Pooh’s Hunny Hunt.
We visited Tokyo DisneySea and it was our happiest day in Tokyo! Our favourite ride was definitely Toy Story Mania, a 4D attraction where we got to blast adorable moving targets while being transported around in automated carriages. Other popular attractions and rides are the Fantasmic Show, Big Band Beat, Tower of Terror, and Journey to The Centre of The Earth.
Why Stay in Tokyo Disneyland
If you are travelling with kids and your main goal is to check out Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea, it makes sense to stay at a hotel inside or near the theme park.
Where to Stay in Tokyo Disneyland
Budget – Pearl Hotel Kasai is a budget hotel that provides small, clean, and affordable rooms. It is a 10 minute car ride to Tokyo Disneyland.
Mid Range – Hilton Tokyo Bay is a great value-for-money 4 star hotel that offers colourful rooms, good service, a great gym, spa, indoor pool, and outdoor pool. The hotel also provides free shuttle service to the nearby Bayside station and Disneyland. And according to the Disney website, hotel guests get guaranteed park admission even on peak days. This is the perfect hotel to stay if you want to visit the Disney theme parks without breaking the bank!
Luxury – Tokyo Disneyland Hotel is a wonderful official Disney hotel. The luxurious rooms are designed in a gorgeous Victorian-Disney style. Hotel guests are even allowed to enter the park 15 minutes before the opening time so as to get a head start on the popular attractions. This is a REALLY useful perk because based on personal experience, the crowds are crazy! However, be prepared to pay a premium for the rooms. The hotel is just steps away from Tokyo Disneyland. Click here to book.
Luxury – Tokyo DisneySea Hotel MiraCosta is considered by many to be one of the best Disney hotels in the world. One of the reasons is because this luxury hotel is located INSIDE DisneySea, which is super cool! Therefore, there is a special entrance to the park which only hotel guests can use. Guests are allowed to enter the park 15 minutes before opening time too. However, take note that the rooms are very expensive and notoriously difficult to book; you can check out this detailed guide on how to book the Tokyo DisneySea Hotel MiraCosta room. Nonetheless, if you get to stay here it will be a special once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Conclusion
Thanks for reading my article on the 10 best places to stay in Tokyo! Most tourists choose to stay at the popular areas of Shinjuku or Shibuya. However, I hope this article will help you find a hotel in an area that best suits your interests and circumstances.
This article is part of our super awesome Ultimate Tokyo Travel Guide For First Timers. Everything you need to know about Tokyo is just a click away!
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