Where to stay · Tokyo · Japan
Where to stay in Tokyo
7 neighbourhoods compared, with the trade-offs hotel listings don't tell you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Akonnchiroll, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
For a first visit, stay in Shinjuku. Skyscrapers, neon alleys and one of the world's busiest railway stations. Best alternatives — families: Ginza and Marunouchi; budget: Asakusa.
Key facts
- First visit
- Shinjuku
- Families
- Ginza and Marunouchi
- Budget
- Asakusa
- Nightlife
- Shinjuku
Best area for each kind of trip
| Trip type | Area | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First-timers | Shinjuku | Skyscrapers, neon alleys and one of the world's busiest railway stations |
| Families | Ginza and Marunouchi | Department stores, polished boulevards and Tokyo Station |
| Couples | Ebisu and Naka-Meguro | Stylish residential streets, izakaya alleys and a cherry-blossom canal |
| Budget | Asakusa | Senso-ji temple, old-Tokyo streets and views of the Skytree |
| Luxury | Ginza and Marunouchi | Department stores, polished boulevards and Tokyo Station |
| Nightlife | Shinjuku | Skyscrapers, neon alleys and one of the world's busiest railway stations |
| Food lovers | Shibuya | The famous crossing, youth fashion and rooftop views |
| Solo travellers | Shinjuku | Skyscrapers, neon alleys and one of the world's busiest railway stations |
| Shopping | Shinjuku | Skyscrapers, neon alleys and one of the world's busiest railway stations |
| Quiet stays | Ebisu and Naka-Meguro | Stylish residential streets, izakaya alleys and a cherry-blossom canal |
Tokyo neighbourhoods in detail
$$$ · Best for first-timers, nightlife, shopping and solo travellers
Shinjuku
Shinjuku combines the skyscraper district on the west side, with the free observatories of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, and the east side's department stores, the Kabukicho entertainment district, Golden Gai's tiny bars and lantern-lit Omoide Yokocho. Shinjuku Gyoen garden is a 10-minute walk away, and the station has direct trains and buses to the airports, Hakone and Mount Fuji.
- Good
- Unbeatable transport links; Hotels at every price; Food and nightlife at all hours
- Watch out
- The station is a maze; Kabukicho has aggressive touts at night
- Nearby
- Shinjuku Gyoen, Golden Gai, Omoide Yokocho, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
$$$$ · Best for first-timers, nightlife, shopping and food lovers
Shibuya
Shibuya Crossing, the Hachiko statue and towers such as Shibuya Scramble Square make this the city's busiest youth and fashion district. Harajuku, Omotesando and Meiji Jingu shrine are a 15-minute walk north, and Ebisu and Daikanyama lie to the south. Hotels are modern but compact.
- Good
- Lively at all hours; Walk to Harajuku and Omotesando; Direct trains to Shinjuku and Yokohama
- Watch out
- Very crowded, especially at weekends; Hotels are pricey for their size
- Nearby
- Shibuya Crossing, Shibuya Sky, Harajuku, Meiji Jingu
$$$$ · Best for luxury, families, shopping and first-timers
Ginza and Marunouchi
Ginza's main street, Chuo-dori, is lined with department stores such as Mitsukoshi and Matsuya and luxury flagships, and becomes a pedestrian zone on weekend afternoons. Next door, Marunouchi surrounds Tokyo Station, the shinkansen terminus, with the Imperial Palace East Gardens a short walk west and Tsukiji Outer Market to the south.
- Good
- Shinkansen and airport links at Tokyo Station; Calm, spacious streets; Excellent dining and food halls
- Watch out
- Among the most expensive hotels; Quiet late at night
- Nearby
- Tokyo Station, Imperial Palace East Gardens, Tsukiji Outer Market, Kabuki-za
$$ · Best for budget, culture, families and solo travellers
Asakusa
Asakusa keeps the feel of shitamachi, Tokyo's old merchant quarter, around Senso-ji temple and its Nakamise shopping street. Rickshaw pullers, traditional sweet shops and small izakaya line the side streets, the Sumida River is a short walk away and the Skytree rises across the water. Hotels and hostels are good value.
- Good
- Traditional atmosphere; Good-value hotels and hostels; Direct trains towards Narita and Haneda on the Asakusa line
- Watch out
- Quiet at night; Further from Shinjuku and Shibuya
- Nearby
- Senso-ji, Nakamise-dori, Tokyo Skytree, Sumida River
$$ · Best for budget, culture and families
Ueno
Ueno Park holds the Tokyo National Museum, the National Museum of Western Art, the National Museum of Nature and Science and Ueno Zoo, and fills with cherry-blossom picnics in spring. Beside the station, the Ameyoko market street sells snacks, dried fish and discount goods, and the Keisei Skyliner runs direct to Narita.
- Good
- Direct Skyliner to Narita; Museums on the doorstep; Lower hotel prices
- Watch out
- Less polished than central districts; Fewer evening options than Shinjuku or Shibuya
- Nearby
- Ueno Park, Tokyo National Museum, Ameyoko, Yanaka
$$$$ · Best for nightlife, luxury and culture
Roppongi and Azabudai
Roppongi Hills and Tokyo Midtown hold the Mori Art Museum, the Tokyo City View observation deck and 21_21 Design Sight, with the National Art Center nearby, and the newer Azabudai Hills development houses teamLab Borderless. By night, the streets around Roppongi crossing form the city's most international club district, and Tokyo Tower is a 15-minute walk away.
- Good
- Excellent art museums; Late-night bars and clubs; International restaurants
- Watch out
- Touts around the main crossing at night; Hilly and spread out
- Nearby
- Mori Art Museum, Tokyo Tower, National Art Center, teamLab Borderless
$$$ · Best for food lovers, couples and quiet stays
Ebisu and Naka-Meguro
One stop from Shibuya, Ebisu is known for its restaurants, standing bars and the Ebisu Yokocho food alley, with Yebisu Garden Place nearby. Naka-Meguro, a short walk west, follows the Meguro River, whose banks are lined with cherry trees, boutiques and cafés. Both are calmer than Shibuya but well connected.
- Good
- Excellent restaurants and bars; Calmer, local feel; One stop from Shibuya
- Watch out
- Fewer hotels; Few major sights
- Nearby
- Ebisu Yokocho, Meguro River, Daikanyama, Shibuya
Areas compared
| Area | Price | Nearby |
|---|---|---|
| Shinjuku | $$$ | Shinjuku Gyoen, Golden Gai, Omoide Yokocho, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building |
| Shibuya | $$$$ | Shibuya Crossing, Shibuya Sky, Harajuku, Meiji Jingu |
| Ginza and Marunouchi | $$$$ | Tokyo Station, Imperial Palace East Gardens, Tsukiji Outer Market, Kabuki-za |
| Asakusa | $$ | Senso-ji, Nakamise-dori, Tokyo Skytree, Sumida River |
| Ueno | $$ | Ueno Park, Tokyo National Museum, Ameyoko, Yanaka |
| Roppongi and Azabudai | $$$$ | Mori Art Museum, Tokyo Tower, National Art Center, teamLab Borderless |
| Ebisu and Naka-Meguro | $$$ | Ebisu Yokocho, Meguro River, Daikanyama, Shibuya |
Getting to your hotel
From Haneda, the Keikyu line reaches Shinagawa in about 15 minutes and the Tokyo Monorail reaches Hamamatsucho in about 15–20 minutes. From Narita, the Keisei Skyliner reaches Ueno in about 45 minutes and the Narita Express reaches Tokyo Station in about an hour. Limousine buses serve major hotels from both airports.
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best area to stay in Tokyo for first-time visitors?
Shinjuku. Shinjuku combines the skyscraper district on the west side, with the free observatories of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, and the east side's department stores, the Kabukicho entertainment district, Golden Gai's tiny bars and lantern-lit Omoide Yokocho.
+Where should families stay in Tokyo?
Ginza and Marunouchi: Shinkansen and airport links at Tokyo Station.
+Which area of Tokyo is best for a budget stay?
Asakusa ($$): Senso-ji temple, old-Tokyo streets and views of the Skytree.