Tokyo Travel Guide
Where to Stay in Tokyo
Tokyo is a city of neighborhoods, and your base decides your trip. A district-by-district guide to the best areas for first-timers, couples, families and nightlife, with the hotels that make each work.
In Tokyo, location matters more than in most cities, simply because the city is so vast. The good news is that the transport network is superb, so almost anywhere near a major station works. The best choice depends on what kind of Tokyo you want on your doorstep — neon nightlife, old-world temples, high-end shopping or calm green space — and on how much you want to spend. Here is how the main districts compare.
Shinjuku: the all-rounder. Shinjuku has the world's busiest station, which means connections to everywhere: the Yamanote Line, multiple subway lines, express trains to Hakone and Mount Fuji, and the Narita Express. It also has everything around it — department stores, the nightlife of Kabukicho, Golden Gai and Omoide Yokocho, the green escape of Shinjuku Gyoen and the free observation decks of the government buildings. It is busy and can be overwhelming, but for a first visit it is hard to beat. Hotel Gracery Shinjuku, with its Godzilla head, offers excellent value in the middle of Kabukicho, while the newly renovated Park Hyatt Tokyo floats above it all in West Shinjuku for those who want the city's most famous luxury hotel.
Shibuya and Harajuku: youthful and creative. Shibuya is the Tokyo of the Scramble crossing and SHIBUYA SKY, full of fashion, music, bars and restaurants, with Harajuku, Omotesando and Meiji Jingu a short walk north. It is younger and trendier than Shinjuku, and its side streets — Ura-Harajuku, Jingumae, Daikanyama and Ebisu to the south — are full of independent cafes and boutiques. TRUNK(HOTEL) CAT STREET, on the lane linking Shibuya and Harajuku, captures the area's creative energy in a small, design-led hotel whose lobby bar is a neighborhood hub.
Ginza, Marunouchi and Tokyo Station: central and polished. Ginza is Tokyo's grand shopping district, with flagship stores, department-store food halls and elegant restaurants, and it is quiet and safe in the evenings. Next door, Marunouchi and Otemachi surround Tokyo Station, the hub for the Shinkansen bullet trains, and the Imperial Palace. This area is ideal for travelers taking day trips or continuing to Kyoto, and for those who want calm luxury. Aman Tokyo and HOSHINOYA Tokyo sit side by side in Otemachi, one a serene stone-and-washi sanctuary, the other a tower ryokan with a rooftop onsen. For better value, Mitsui Garden Hotel Ginza Premier puts every room above the 17th floor at Ginza's southern end, walking distance from Tsukiji.
Asakusa and Ueno: old Tokyo. The east side is the traditional heart of the city, with Senso-ji, old craft shops and restaurants, Ueno Park's museums and the Tokyo Skytree across the river. Hotels here are generally cheaper, and the atmosphere is more relaxed, with temples to visit at dawn and after dark. The trade-off is distance from Shibuya and Shinjuku, thirty to forty minutes away. OMO3 Asakusa, a minute from Senso-ji, has a lounge looking over the temple to the Skytree, rooms for families of four and free morning walks with local guides. The Asakusa subway line also runs directly to both airports.
Roppongi and Azabudai: art and nightlife. Roppongi is known for its art museums — the Mori Art Museum, the National Art Center, Suntory Museum of Art — and an international nightlife scene. The new Azabudai Hills district nearby houses teamLab Borderless, and Tokyo Tower is a short walk away. It is a good base for art lovers and night owls, with many international luxury hotels.
Odaiba and the bay: for families. The artificial islands of Odaiba and Toyosu are home to teamLab Planets, shopping malls and waterfront parks, with easy access to Tokyo DisneySea. It is pleasant but isolated from the rest of the city, so it suits families on short trips focused on these attractions more than first-timers wanting to explore.
How to choose. First-timers who want energy and convenience should pick Shinjuku or Shibuya. Couples seeking luxury and calm should look to Otemachi or Ginza. Families on a budget do well in Asakusa or near Tokyo Station, where family rooms are easier to find. Night owls want Shinjuku, Shibuya or Roppongi. Travelers continuing to Kyoto or doing day trips benefit from being near Tokyo Station or Shinagawa for the Shinkansen.
Practical tips. Tokyo hotel rooms are small by international standards, especially in the mid-range — check square meters, not just star ratings, and book larger categories for long stays or big luggage. Many hotels offer luggage-forwarding services, which let you send suitcases ahead to your next hotel for a modest fee, a lifesaver on the Shinkansen. Prices rise sharply in cherry-blossom season, Golden Week and autumn, so book early. Remember the small accommodation tax, which from April 2027 switches to a percentage on stays above a set price. Finally, check how far your hotel is from the station on foot — a five-minute difference matters when you are doing it four times a day.
Ryokan, capsule hotels and apartments. Tokyo offers more than standard hotels. A night in a ryokan, the traditional Japanese inn with tatami rooms, futons and often a hot bath, is a memorable experience; in Tokyo, HOSHINOYA Tokyo brings the ryokan to a skyscraper, while smaller, simpler inns can be found in Asakusa and Yanaka. Capsule hotels, with their pod-like beds, are a fun and cheap one-night novelty, and many modern ones are stylish and clean, though most separate guests by gender and have limited storage. Serviced apartments and licensed vacation rentals suit families and long stays, offering kitchens and washing machines; choose licensed properties, as rules are strict, and note that from April 2027 they will also be subject to Tokyo's accommodation tax. For most first-timers, though, a well-located hotel near a major station remains the simplest and best choice.