Ultimate Guide to Tokyo Neighborhoods: Best Places to Stay

One of the most culturally captivating cities globally, Tokyo serves as Japan’s capital and sits at the heart of the Greater Tokyo Area, the most densely populated metropolitan region worldwide. Visiting Tokyo can be akin to stepping into the future – envision unparalleled architecture, a neon-lit skyline, innovative and trendsetting fashion, cutting-edge technology, and vibrant pop culture permeating throughout the city.

Sought after by tourists and travelers, Tokyo features a diverse landscape and offers glimpses into traditional Japan. Thus, it accommodates a wide range of interests, contributing to its selection as the host of the 2020 Summer Olympics.

Let us now delve into some of the most notable neighborhoods that can assist you in determining your lodging options while visiting Tokyo.

Shinjuku

For many individuals, Shinjuku is deemed the premier neighborhood in Tokyo for tourists. The vivid neon lights and technologically advanced skyscrapers frequently showcased in films and television largely represent this lively locality. During daylight hours, Shinjuku bursts with activity as shoppers flock to the numerous malls, whereas the evenings reveal an enthralling array of entertainment options and nightlife. Central to this district is the Shinjuku Train Station, among the busiest stations worldwide. Cabukicho, situated east of the train station, hosts Tokyo’s most vibrant parties. A visit to the observation deck atop the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building grants a stunning view of the city, and on clear days, you might catch a glimpse of Mt. Fuji on the horizon. Shinjuku is also home to some of Tokyo’s most unique “Love Hotels.”

Good for: All types of travelers, particularly the younger demographic.
Other Highlights: Golden Gai district, Shinjuku Gyoen National Park, Inokashira-koen Park, and Hanazono Shrine.

Hotel Recommendations:

• Tokyu Stay Shinjuku – Located merely minutes from JS Shinjuku Station, this charming hotel provides comfortable accommodations equipped with a flat-screen TV, air purifier, and ensuite bathroom with complimentary toiletries. Guests enjoy free Wi-Fi and 24-hour front desk services. Ideal for solo travelers and couples.
• Hotel Gracery Shinjuku – Situated a 15-minute walk from Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, this delightful hotel offers well-furnished guestrooms, free Wi-Fi, an onsite restaurant, 24-hour reception, with ironing and laundry services available at an additional charge. Suitable for all types of travelers.
• Hyatt Regency Tokyo – Adjacent to Shinjuku Central Park, this 4-star establishment presents luxurious accommodations complete with world-class amenities, including an indoor pool, spa and wellness center, seven dining options, and more. The Tochomae Subway Station connects to the property while the Shinjuku Train Station is a free shuttle ride away. Perfect for various luxury travelers.

Ginza

Ginza ranks as the second-best location for lodging in Tokyo, following the dynamic district of Shinjuku. This remarkable area is Tokyo’s upscale neighborhood where shopping is widely regarded as a national pastime. During weekends, traffic is restricted, transforming Ginza into a pedestrian haven. This locale radiates a quintessentially Japanese ambiance, making it ideal for families and luxury travelers alike. The Imperial Palace, serving as the residence of Japan’s emperor, is a notable site – while entry into the Palace is prohibited, a tour of the surrounding grounds proves equally rewarding. In proximity to luxury hotels and fashion boutiques lies the Tsukiji Fish Market, the largest and most renowned seafood market in the world.

Good for: All varieties of travelers.
Other Highlights: Kabukiza Theater, Chuo Street, Sukiyabashi Park, POLA Museum Annex, and Shiseido Gallery.

Hotel Recommendations:

• Millennium Mitsui Garden Hotel Tokyo – Located just a short distance from the luxury and excitement of Ginza, this upscale hotel features a collection of well-equipped rooms, an onsite restaurant, currency exchange, complimentary buffet breakfast, and 24-hour front desk service. Excellent for luxury travelers.
• Tokyu Stay Ginza – This hotel offers spacious, air-conditioned accommodations featuring a flat-screen TV, electric kettle, microwave, ensuite bathroom with complimentary toiletries, and kitchenette in select rooms. Guests enjoy a complimentary buffet breakfast each morning that includes delectable Western and Japanese dishes. Ideal for solo travelers and couples.
• HOTEL UNIZO Tokyo Ginza-itchome – Located just a five-minute walk from three subway stations, this inviting hotel presents well-equipped accommodations, an onsite bar, a 24-hour front desk, and a dedicated ladies-only floor featuring a special lounge. A complimentary buffet breakfast is available daily. Suitable for solo travelers, couples, and small families.

Asakusa

As one of the few neighborhoods in Tokyo that retains a sense of old-world charm and has not undergone significant modernization, Asakusa features an impressive array of streets replete with budget shopping avenues. In comparison to the districts of Shibuya and Ginza, Asakusa offers a splendid alternative for cost-effective shopping and affordable accommodations. Tokyo Sky Tree, the tallest tower globally, exemplifies modernization in the area and includes an observation deck that provides breathtaking panoramic views of the city. A visit to the National Sumo Stadium Kokugikan allows you to witness famous Japanese sumo wrestlers in action. However, the primary attraction remains the prestigious Senso-ji Temple.

Good for: All manner of travelers.
Other Highlights: Asakusa-jinja Shrine, Edo-Tokyo Museum, Sumida Park, and Museum of Contemporary Art.

Hotel Recommendations:

• Richmond Hotel Asakusa – Located a short distance from the historic Sensoji Temple, this charming hotel boasts beautifully decorated rooms equipped with an LCD TV, free video-on-demand channels, and ensuite bathroom with POLA amenities. Additional facilities include an onsite restaurant, coin-operated laundry, and 24-hour front desk service. Ideal for solo travelers, couples, and small families.
• Hotel Hokke Club Asakusa – This contemporary hotel is a 15-minute walk from Kaminari-mon Gate and Senso-ji Temple, offering well-appointed rooms, free Wi-Fi, vending machines, a 24-hour front desk, free luggage storage, and an onsite restaurant. Suitable for solo travelers and couples.
• The Gate Hotel Asakusa Kaminarimon by Hulic – The lavish accommodations at this hotel feature elegant dark-wood furnishings and an array of superior amenities, including concierge service, a 24-hour front desk, in-room massages, an open-air terrace, an onsite bar, and restaurant. Perfect for a broad range of travelers.

Roppongi

Perhaps the most Western-influenced area of Tokyo, Roppongi is renowned for being one of the most vibrant entertainment districts where locals and tourists alike immerse themselves in Japanese culture, cuisine, shopping, and nightlife. Spend your day taking in the stunning views from the observation deck on the 52^nd floor of the Roppongi Hills Mori Tower. For a more artistic experience, visit the largest contemporary art museum in Tokyo, the Mori Art Museum. To experience the stunningly illuminated streets of Tokyo, take a stroll around Roppongi Hills Mall and Sakurazaka Park during the evening hours.

Good for: All kinds of modern travelers.
Other Highlights: Zojo-ji Temple, National Art Center Tokyo, Tokyo Tower, Suntory Museum of Art, and Atago-jinja Shrine.

Hotel Recommendations:

• Remm Roppongi – Located just 400 meters from Roppongi Hills and Mori Art Museum, Remm Roppongi features comfortable accommodations equipped with a flat-screen TV, kettle, and ensuite bathroom with complimentary toiletries. An onsite bar and restaurant is available for guests, and complimentary breakfast is served daily. Ideal for solo travelers and couples.
• Sotetsu Fresa Inn Tokyo Roppongi – Situated a short 10-minute walk from the Mori Art Museum, this delightful property presents well-appointed rooms equipped with free Wi-Fi, ensuite bathroom with complimentary toiletries, and a flat-screen TV with pay-per-view channels. Daily breakfast is available at a nominal rate. Suitable for all types of travelers.
• Candeo Hotels Tokyo Roppongi – A brief walk from Mori Art Museum and Roppongi Hills, this luxurious hotel offers well-equipped rooms, a spa and wellness center, a 24-hour front desk, luggage storage, a sauna, and a sumptuous buffet breakfast (for a nominal fee). Suitable for couples and small families.

Akihabara/Iidabashi

Commonly referred to as Akiba, Akihabara is particularly dedicated to enthusiasts of electronics and pop culture. Unquestionably a hub for manga and anime lovers globally, Akiba is an excellent place to explore the many shops and establishments devoted to various gadgets, collectibles, and unusual items. During the Edo period, many elite officials resided in grand villas in this area, while today, Akiba houses numerous budget accommodation choices. The charming Kitanomaru Park, bordered by a moat, resides north of the magnificent Imperial Palace and is particularly stunning during the Cherry Blossom season.

Good for: All types of travelers, especially those budget-conscious or seeking electronic goods.
Other Highlights: Maid cafes, Akihabara Radio Center, Jimbocho neighborhood, Yasukuni-jinja Shrine, National Showa Memorial Museum, Koishikawa Korakuen Garden, Kanda Myojin Shrine, and Nicholai-do.

Hotel Recommendations:

• Remm Akihabara – Located just a few minutes from the renowned Electric Town, Remm Akihabara provides direct access to JR Akihabara Train Station. The hotel features comfortable guestrooms offering exceptional views of the city and superb facilities. Guests can also enjoy the onsite body care service and café. Ideal for solo travelers and couples.
• HOTEL MYSTAYS Ochanomizu Conference Center – This hotel offers free Wi-Fi, an onsite bar and restaurant, rejuvenating massage services, coin-operated laundry facilities, and well-furnished rooms, making it a great choice for accommodation. Suitable for couples and small families.
• Akihabara Washington Hotel – This elegant hotel presents comfortable accommodations featuring a flat-screen TV, a work desk, a refrigerator, and an ensuite bathroom. Additional amenities include an onsite restaurant, currency exchange, laundry services, and valet parking. Great for all categories of travelers.

Shibuya

This area serves as the social hub for fashion-forward youth, characterized by colorful hair, the latest gadgets, and experimental fashion trends. Hachiko Plaza, dedicated to the beloved dog Hachiko, is a common meeting point here. Directly across from Shibuya Train Station, Shibuya Crossing is not only a main attraction of the area but also the busiest pedestrian crossing globally. Center-gai, the main walking street, forms the heart of Shibuya, where a plethora of shops, cafes, restaurants, and bars are located. Harajuku, a subsection of Shibuya, stands as the epicenter of Tokyo’s gothic and emo-inspired culture, making it ideal for excellent second-hand shopping. Omote-sando, dubbed Tokyo’s Champs-Élysées, is lined with designer boutiques and Western brands.

Good for: All categories of travelers, especially shoppers.
Other Highlights: Nonbei Yokocho, Meiji Shrine and Meiji Jingū Inner Garden, Yoyogi Park, and Hatonomori Hachiman Shrine.

Hotel Recommendations:

• Shibuya Granbell Hotel – This award-winning hotel in the notable Shibuya neighborhood features well-equipped guestrooms with custom lamps, an LCD TV, ensuite bathroom, and a sofa (in select rooms). Guests benefit from an onsite Japanese-style bar and complimentary breakfast. Suitable for solo travelers and couples.
• Shibuya Tobu Hotel – Just a short walk from JR Shibuya Station, Shibuya Tobu Hotel offers comfortable rooms equipped with modern amenities, an onsite bar and restaurant, free Wi-Fi, private parking, 24-hour reception, and optional breakfast. Great for solo travelers and couples.
• Shibuya Hotel En – Situated amidst an array of shopping avenues and dining options, this hotel boasts well-appointed rooms, free Wi-Fi, massage services, a 24-hour front desk, an open kitchen, and live DJ entertainment (Thursday to Saturday). Shibuya Station is just a short walk away, making it ideal for various travelers.

Tokyo Station

If you prefer accommodations near the city center and plan to explore the country, lodging near Tokyo Station is optimal. The station serves as a significant transportation nexus and features a complex housing various shopping and dining establishments. It is one of the best locations for souvenir shopping, hosting stores offering products from across Japan. Marunouchi, a business district adjacent to Tokyo Station, is filled with offices and businesses, providing a sophisticated atmosphere. Numerous fashion boutiques, luxury stores, and fine dining options can be found in the neighborhood.

Good for: All varieties of travelers.
Other Highlights: Kitchen Street, Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum, Character Street, Imperial Palace East Gardens, and Tokyo Station Gallery.

Hotel Recommendations:

• Hotel Ryumeikan Tokyo – Located just a brief walk from Tokyo Station, this remarkable hotel boasts luxurious accommodations with soundproofing, extra-long beds, a flat-screen TV, a humidifier, and optional computer rental for in-room use. A restaurant offering stunning city views enhances the property’s appeal. Suitable for solo travelers and couples.
• Marunouchi Hotel – Conveniently located near Tokyo Station’s Marunouchi North Exit and just a quick ride to the Tsukiji Fish Market, Marunouchi Hotel offers well-furnished rooms complete with a refrigerator, flat-screen TV, ensuite bathroom with complimentary toiletries and a bathtub, and room service. It features numerous dining options on-site. Ideal for various travelers.
• Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyobashi – Situated within a five-minute walk from JR Tokyo Station and a 15-minute walk to the lively Ginza district, this hotel features modernly decorated rooms equipped with superb amenities. Onsite, guests enjoy 24-hour front desk services and free Wi-Fi. Ideal for couples and small families.

Ueno

Renowned for its art galleries, picturesque parks, museums, and a zoo, Ueno represents one of Tokyo’s historic downtowns where traditional Japanese heritage coexists with modern innovations. For those seeking to experience authentic Japanese hospitality and culture, Ueno provides numerous ancient temples, shopping avenues dedicated to traditional artifacts, eateries that have stood the test of time, and old-world inns known as ryokans. Ueno-Koen Park is a historical landmark attracting visitors since the Edo period. Within its boundaries, distinguished museums such as the Tokyo National Museum, National Museum of Nature and Science, and National Museum of Western Art await.

Good for: All categories of travelers, notably those with an interest in history.
Other Highlights: Shinobazu Pond (Ueno-Koen Park), Kanei-ji Temple, Ueno Zoo, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Kyu Iwasaki-teien, and SCAI the Bathhouse.

Hotel Recommendations:

• Ueno Touganeya Hotel – This excellent hotel offers well-appointed rooms, a Japanese restaurant, free Wi-Fi, coin-operated laundry facilities, massage services, luggage storage, and 24-hour reception. The renowned Ueno Park is within walking distance, as is the nearest subway station. Ideal for solo travelers and couples.
• Mitsui Garden Hotel Ueno – Located just a couple of minutes from Ueno Station, this elegant hotel features contemporary rooms adorned with wooden furnishings, an LCD TV, a refrigerator, a tea/coffee maker, and an ensuite bathroom. Guests can indulge in delicious Italian cuisine at the onsite restaurant. Great for all types of travelers.
• APA Hotel Keisei Ueno Ekimae – This hotel, located directly in front of Keisei Ueno Station Ikenohata Exit, offers well-appointed air-conditioned rooms, a 24-hour front desk, currency exchange services, and free Wi-Fi. Nearby, Ueno Park and the Ameyoko Shopping district are easily accessible. Ideal for various travelers.

Odaiba/Tokyo Bay Area

Differing greatly from the rest of Tokyo, Odaiba and the Tokyo Bay Area were reconstructed in the 1990s, exemplifying urban planning excellence. Odaiba, a sizable artificial island in Tokyo Bay, is linked to the remainder of the city via the Rainbow Bridge. Since its renovation, Odaiba has developed into a significant residential, commercial, and tourist destination, featuring accessible waterfront areas that many others have lost to industrial development. Notable attractions on the island, apart from the stunning waterfront, include Tokyo Bay, Fuji TV Building, and Palette Town.

Good for: All types of travelers, particularly those who appreciate resort-style holidays.
Other Highlights: Tokyo Disney Resort, DiverCity Tokyo Plaza, Oedo Onsen Monogatari, and National Museum of Emerging Science & Innovation.

Hotel Recommendations:

• Hilton Tokyo Odaiba – An epitome of luxury, Hilton Tokyo Odaiba excels in hospitality, providing splendid accommodations, world-class in-room amenities, breathtaking views of Tokyo’s skyline and Rainbow Bridge, a fully-equipped onsite bar, an excellent selection of dining options, meeting facilities, a fitness center, and more. Ideal for all types of luxury travelers.
• Hotel Trusty Tokyo Bayside – Located just a few minutes from the beach, the hotel features well-appointed accommodations, an onsite restaurant with an international menu, laundry services, massage services, private parking, and a delightful breakfast (at a nominal cost). Suitable for all types of travelers.
• Grand Nikko Tokyo Daiba – The first property in the Grand Nikko chain of hotels in Japan, this luxurious establishment offers spacious rooms with chic European decor and modern amenities. The hotel also offers multiple dining options, complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the property, and a shuttle service to Tokyo Disney Resort. Ideal for various travelers, including larger groups of up to six guests.

Nihonbashi

Named after the bridge that connects either side of the Nihonbashi River, Nihonbashi serves as both a business district and a shopping locality rich in history. The area is well-connected to more tourist-centric neighborhoods of Tokyo, including Ginza, Tokyo Station, and Ueno. The bridge, after which the district was named, symbolizes the “center of Japan” for the national highway network. Another significant site in the locality is the Mitsui Memorial Museum, which is dedicated to the artistic collection of the Mitsui Family.

Good for: All types of travelers.
Other Highlights: Mitsukoshi Nihonbashi, Currency Museum, Nihonbashi Cruise, kayaking opportunities, Ningyocho, Tokyo Stock Exchange, Kites Museum, and Edo Nihonbashi Art Aquarium.

Hotel Recommendations:

• Sotetsu Fresa Inn Tokyo-Kyobashi – Located a few minutes’ walk from the lively streets of Ginza, this hotel features well-equipped rooms furnished with Sealy beds, an LCD TV, refrigerator, electric kettle, and ensuite bathroom complete with a bathtub. A daily breakfast buffet with Japanese and Western options is available for a nominal fee. Ideal for solo travelers, couples, and small families.
• Hotel Sardonyx Tokyo – This modern hotel showcases stylish accommodations equipped with a flat-screen TV, tea and coffee maker, refrigerator, electric kettle, plush Serta beds, free Wi-Fi, and ensuite bathroom. Hatchobori Subway Station is just a few minutes’ walk away while JR Tokyo Train Station is approximately a 15-minute walk. Suitable for couples and families.
• Hotel Abest Ginza Kyobashi – A pleasant stroll from Marunouchi Building and Kachidoki Bridge, this hotel offers comfortable accommodations equipped with air conditioning, flat-screen TV, refrigerator, and ensuite bathroom. An American breakfast is available daily for a nominal cost. Ideal for solo travelers and couples.