Where to stay in Tokyo

Although it’s one of my favourite cities in the world, I’ll be the first to admit that visiting Tokyo can be a bit confusing – and that starts even before you arrive, when you’re looking to book your accommodation.

Tokyo is the largest city on the planet, with a staggering 37 million residents in the wider metropolitan area – so it’s no surprise that there are a lot of options of where to stay in Tokyo.

But I’ve stayed in this huge metropolis more than a dozen times and, once you get to know it, you’ll realise that there are a few key hubs where it usually makes sense to base yourself.

Each of these Tokyo neighbourhoods has pros and cons, and each will offer something unique. The best accommodation in Tokyo for you may be different than for somebody else, which is why I want to share the details of each of these top suggestions.

To get started, these are the best districts to stay in Tokyo that I’m going to cover:

• Tokyo Station: An epicentre for transport, shopping, and sightseeing, Tokyo Station is a really convenient option with a wide range of accommodation.
• Shinjuku: The always-vibrant Shinjuku puts you right in the centre of the action with modern neon buildings, a central location, and heaps to do.
• Shibuya: Similar to Shinjuku, there’s always something going on in Shibuya, with restaurants and nightlife, although it doesn’t have quite as many places to stay.
• Roppongi: Known as a bit of an expat hub, this is a very modern and upmarket neighbourhood with great luxury options but not much at the cheaper end.
• Asakusa: A slice of Old Tokyo, the gorgeous temples and street food give this neighbourhood a more traditional feel, but you’ll be a bit further away from many of the other main sights.
• Ueno: Although it’s a convenient transport hub (including a direct express train to Narita Airport), it’s tend to have quieter and cheaper accommodation than some of the other Tokyo hotspots.

To get a sense of where all these Tokyo neighbourhoods are located, have a look on this map I’ve put together.

Because it’s such a big city, whatever Tokyo accommodation you choose, you’ll probably find yourself needing to catching public transport most days.

But think about if you’ll spend most of your time in the city’s east (seeing traditional sights, perhaps), or in the west (where there’s more nightlife) and perhaps choose where to stay in Tokyo based on that.

Beyond the specific sights, one of the best things about visiting Tokyo is just exploring the different neighbourhoods, so also think about whether it might be more enjoyable for you to be surrounded by the noise and lights of Shinjuku, or the traditional streets of Asakusa, for example.

Ultimately, though, there are so many fantastic places to stay in Tokyo, from cool hipster hostels to gorgeous luxury hotels with sweeping city views, that you may also want to just choose your accommodation because of what the property offers.

So, with all that in mind, I want to share more details about each of the best Tokyo neighbourhoods to stay, and some specific accommodation tips.

Tokyo Station

I quite often find myself staying around Tokyo Station when I visit the city for one main reason – convenience.

The most obvious convenience is transportation, with an express train from Narita Airport, easy access from Haneda Airport, and of course the hub for all the bullet trains.

There’s something really nice about not having to lug your baggage through the city, especially if you’re only staying a couple of nights before jumping on the shinkansen to go to Kyoto, Osaka, or anywhere else across the country.

Because it’s such a transport hub, there’s a huge range of excellent accommodation around the station, offering any kind of style or price that you’re looking for. It makes a convenient central base to then do sightseeing to different parts of the city.

But even as a neighbourhood in itself, Tokyo Station has a blend of old and new architecture and local and international restaurants, presenting as somewhat of a melting pot without feeling inauthentic.

The tranquil Imperial Palace and shopping paradise of Ginza are within walking distance, so you’ll also find yourself exploring the area, not just jumping on public transport to other sights.

• hostel DEN: As well as a vibrant social atmosphere, all basic amenities are provided and it’s really close to the main train stations.
• Tokyo Guesthouse HIVE: A comfortable experience for short stays, the bunkbeds provide a little personal space in the clean and comfortable dorm rooms.

• DDD HOTEL: Although there’s not much space, you’ll get a tidy room with a clean modern minimalist design for a reasonable price.
• Hotel Kazusaya: The room is clean and comfortable room, it has really easy access to transport, and there’s a fresh breakfast prepared on the spot.

• lyf Ginza Tokyo: A stylish hotel with an unconventional and funky design full of colour, that is also relatively affordable.
• Manga Art Hotel, Bakurocho: An interesting concept with rooms designed for families and large groups, decorated with Japanese manga magazines.

• Hotel K5: In a beautifully renovated historical building, there’s a serene atmosphere and the rooms are really spacious by Tokyo standards.
• Royal Park Hotel: It’s a little older than some other options, but it’s still a lovely luxury hotel with about ten restaurants and direct access to the subway.

Shinjuku

For many people, Shinjuku is everything they picture Tokyo will be. With its dazzling lights, crowded streets, and world-class entertainment, there’s rarely a quiet moment in Shinjuku.

If the convenience of Tokyo Station is not a priority for you, then this district is probably the best place for first-timers to stay. It has an impossibly exciting atmosphere, is packed full of popular sights like the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observatory and the Golden Gai, and is also a convenient location.

To explore beyond the neighbourhood, you can use the infamous Shinjuku station, an immensely confusing train station that I always seem to get lost in.

There’s a wide selection of hotels in the area to suit all budgets, some right in the centre and some a little further out.

However, the non-stop action of Shinjuku may be too much if you’re travelling as a family or aren’t keen on hectic environments.

• UNPLAN Shinjuku: There’s a wonderful community and social vibe, with comfortable capsule beds in dorms and a free breakfast.
• Book And Bed Tokyo Shinjuku: Get your phones out for the Insta photos, because this library themed accommodation is really pretty and also very quiet.

• GLOU Higashi Shinjuku: A loft-style concept, it may be a little cramped but it is clean and comfortable and great value for Tokyo.
• Galois Hotel Shinokubo: Quiet and clean, it’s really convenient to get around on public transport and it even has a great onsen.

• Kimpton Shinjuku Tokyo: An upmarket five-star boutique hotel with a stylish design and a welcoming atmosphere.
• Hotel Kabuki: A fabulous modern hotel with a slick interior and VIP service.

• Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo Premier Grand: With panoramic city views, the hotel has spacious and modern rooms, plus the executive lounge is amazing.
• Hilton Tokyo Hotel: Another of the most popular Shinjuku luxury hotels, it has a lavish design, fantastic views, and an excellent buffet breakfast.

Shibuya

Same, same, but different. Shibuya is not far from Shinjuku and is a popular alternative for somewhere to stay in Tokyo.

Though the two share a lot of similarities – bustling, fast-paced, modern districts – Shibuya typically has better nightlife than Shinjuku and tends to cater to a slightly younger crowd.

It’s also where you’ll find some of the city’s most legendary attractions, including the Shibuya Crosswalk, Meiji Jingu shrine, and the quirky Harajuku area.

As one of the busiest parts of the city, it’s super simple to make your way to pretty much any corner of Tokyo from there, so it makes exploring other neighbourhoods a walk in the park.

Shibuya is a great place to stay for any visitor to Tokyo, but it’s especially enjoyable for young travellers hoping to check out the never-ending line-up of bars and clubs.

• The Millennials Shibuya: Right in the centre of Shibuya, there are comfortable capsule beds, but it’s not the neighbourhood’s cheapest option.
• Almond hostel & cafe: A cute little hostel with capsule-style beds that has a quiet atmosphere and a hip cafe downstairs.

• Sakura Fleur Aoyama: It has a charming vintage feel and the room is quite big for Tokyo, especially considering the good value.
• Shibuya Tobu Hotel: A lovely property with a pleasant interior, it’s quiet and clean and has easy access to the shopping district.

• The Millennials Shibuya: Even though it’s essentially a capsule-style hotel, it’s really cool with a social atmosphere and features like a happy hour.
• All Day Place Shibuya: Right in the centre of the action, the rooms aren’t big but it’s a really cool property with a hip cafe and bar on the ground floor.

• Shibuya Stream Hotel: In a great location attached to a mall, the facilities are so modern that there are even room-service robots!
• Hyatt House Tokyo Shibuya: Apartment-style rooms that have complete amenities make this a great option for longer stays.

Roppongi

Roppongi is among the most affluent neighbourhoods in Tokyo. It’s a little less chaotic than Shinjuku and Shibuya, but Roppongi is still very much a lively part of the city.

In comparison to many other districts, Roppongi has a much more international feel and is quite the hotspot for expats and for those visiting on business.

As a result, many of the city’s finest and most diverse eateries are located here, and the shopping, nightlife, and entertainment scenes are top-class, too.

Roppongi wouldn’t be my top recommendation for where to stay in Tokyo because you’re coming here to see Japanese things, not just hang around with other foreigners, right? But, having said that, it may be a bit easier for people worried about the culture shock.

It’s still home to sacred sites like Zojo-ji Temple and the dazzling National Art Center Tokyo, but you may find yourself travelling a lot each day to see the main sights in the city.

There’s a superb collection of hotels here, but they often sit at a higher price point, so it’s definitely to be avoided if you’re more of a backpacker.

• remm Roppongi: Another option with small but clean rooms, where you’ll get good value for money and stunning views.
• APA Hotel & Resort Roppongi-Eki-Higashi: With modern amenities and cozy rooms, you also get very convenient access to the train stations.

• Mimaru Tokyo Akasaka: This hotel offers apartment-style rooms of different sizes that are convenient for larger groups or longer stays.

• The Ritz-Carlton: Set in Tokyo’s tallest building, the hotel offers breathtaking views of the Shinjuku area, the Imperial Palace, or even Mount Fuji.
• Candeo Hotels Tokyo Roppongi: Along with the beautiful interior and gorgeous rooms, there’s even an onsen on the top floor with views of Tokyo tower.

Asakusa

If you have your heart set on discovering traditional Tokyo, then the old-school Asakusa district will check all of your boxes.

As exhilarating as the dynamic and ultra-modern neighbourhoods are, there’s a lot to be said for Tokyo’s more low-key, historical side.

Asakusa is exactly that, as the streets are brimming with low-rise buildings, quaint restaurants, and must-see spots like Senso-ji Temple. You can even catch sumo-wrestling tournaments in January, May, or September.

Asakusa is slightly further from the centre than many other neighbourhoods on this list, but it’s still relatively easy to reach other parts of the city thanks to the metro.

Also, if you’re looking for good budget accommodation in Tokyo, you’ll find some good options in Asakusa, while there are fewer luxury options than other tourist hotspots.

• Plat Hostel Keikyu Asakusa Station: A more normal hostel concept, it’s friendly and tidy with comfortable beds.
• Hostel Wasabi Asakusa: It’s quite a small property and can feel a bit cramped, but it’s good value and would work for short stays.

• Tosei Hotel Cocone Asakusa Kuramae: Along with friendly English-speaking staff, you’ll find a clean and quiet hotel that’s very close to the subway.
• New City Hotel: The rooms are quite spacious for the price, with a clean and quiet interior and a wonderful view of the Skytree.

• Hotel Tavinos Asakusa: With a cute cartoon theme giving it a fun and funky vibe, there are also good views of the Skytree and Asakusa Temple.
• Sake Bar Hotel Asakusa: A wonderful way to get close to Japanese culture, there are free tastings of different sake, and a fresh breakfast included with the stay.

• Asakusa View Hotel Annex Rokku: Comfortable beds and large rooms, some decorated with beautiful Japanese screen art.
• The Gate Hotel Asakusa Kaminarimon: The modern design fits comfortably into the historic neighbourhood, offering large rooms, amazing views, and a convenient location.

Ueno

Not far from Asakusa is another neighbourhood that’s sure to impress budget-conscious travellers, the laidback Ueno.

If you enjoy a slower pace of life or are visiting with your little ones, you’ll also find Ueno to be a lovely base for your Tokyo adventure. With Ueno Park on your doorstep and charming areas like Yanaka to explore, you’ll have the chance to unravel a whole other facet of the Japanese capital.

Although it’s not in the closest of locations for sightseeing, Ueno is a big transport hub with direct links to Tokyo Station, Shinjuku, and Shibuya. It is also served by many of the Shinkansen lines (such as to the snowfields) and has an express train to Narita Airport.

Things tend to close quite early in Ueno, but there are plenty of fantastic places to eat and it’s just a short walk to the anime-lovers paradise of Akihabara for a night on the town.

• &and Hostel Asakusa Kappabashi: The small private rooms are really comfortable and are some of the cheapest you’ll find in this part of Tokyo.
• &and Hostel Kuramae West: With cheap private rooms and good dorm beds, this is a really friendly and clean hostel with a modern design.

• Designers Hotel Siesta: A lovely budget hotel that is comfortable and relatively spacious, offering everything you need in a good location.
• Hotel Wing International Select Ueno Okachimachi: Close to the park and the zoo, the rooms are spacious with large beds and helpful staff.

• Mitsui Garden Hotel Ueno: The cute panda theme gives a fun feeling to the hotel, which is otherwise just a very comfortable and elegant property.
• Hotel BaliBali: A cool beach vibe to the decor helps lighten up the rooms that are actually quite small and windowless, but very affordable.

• Minn Ueno: Great amenities, bright and spacious rooms and bathrooms, and offering good access to public transport and restaurants.
• Stayme The Hotel Ueno: A cozy option for longer stays, it’s well equipped, practical, and very clean.