Where to Stay in Tokyo?

Tokyo is a fascinating city that seamlessly blends ancient history with the 21st century, making you feel like you’re time-traveling as you move from one neighborhood to the next. Every area is different and has its own distinct culture and history. This, combined with how incredibly massive the city actually is, makes it super important that you pick an area that works for you. To make things easier for you, we have created this guide for the best areas to stay, along with some of the best hotels in Tokyo.

Best Areas to Stay in Tokyo for First-Timers

The vibrant lights, ancient history, bustling culture, and far-reaching, yet oh-so-confusing public transport system of Tokyo make it a fantastic, yet overwhelming, place for first-time visitors. If you have never traveled to Tokyo before, one of the best places to stay is Shibuya.

Why Stay in Shibuya

This is one of the busiest areas of Tokyo with tons of cute little shops and trendy eateries, and it's fairly well connected to many different parts of the city, which is a huge plus in such an enormous and widespread city. You can easily walk to Yoyogi Park and Meji Shrine from here as well as the famous Shibuya Crossing, one of the world’s busiest intersections.

Top Hotels in Shibuya

Lyf Shibuya Tokyo

Located just across from Parco, one of Tokyo’s hippest shopping malls, this newly renovated hotel is the perfect place to stay if you are seeking some retail therapy while in Tokyo. There’s also an exciting array of restaurants around, so you’ll never have to worry about going hungry. The hotel also offers many of the amenities that you would expect from a mid-range hotel, including a gym and laundry room.

Hotel Graphy Shibuya

Boasting spacious rooms, a rarity for Shibuya, Hotel Graphy Shibuya is just a 10-minute walk from Shibuya Station. This is one of the most social hotels in the area, thanks to the free beer that they serve in the afternoon and the pool table on the roof. It’s good to know that some of the rooms have shared bathrooms, so you may want to double-check before you book.

The OneFive Tokyo Shibuya

Strategically located between Family Mart (the go-to place for snacks in Japan) and many coffee shops, The OneFive offers a central spot to lay your head for the night and a ton of options to get a jump start on the day! The rooms tend to be very small, so keep that in mind if you have a lot of luggage.

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Best Areas to Stay in Tokyo for Foodies

From convenience store sushi that is surprisingly good to Michelin-starred restaurants, Tokyo is like heaven for foodies, and where you stay has a direct impact on how many different things you get to try! If you’re planning on consuming your mouth-watering food each day, Shinjuku is a great place to base yourself!

Why Stay in Shinjuku

From its glittering lights to its soaring skyscrapers, this is the Tokyo that you see in movies. But the real fun lies on street level, where you’ll find narrow lanes crammed with restaurants, bars, and shops. For decades, Shinjuku has had the reputation of being one of Tokyo’s trendiest areas, and that doesn’t seem likely to change any time soon!

Top Hotels in Shinjuku

La’Gent Hotel Shinjuku Kabukicho

Although a bit on the pricey side, La’Gent Hotel puts you right by the action of Shinjuku without being right in the center of it. This can be seen as a blessing or a curse, depending on whether or not you want to escape the hustle and bustle of Tokyo at the end of the day. The hotel is about a 15-minute walk from Shinjuku Station and has a wide array of restaurants and bars within walking distance.

Shinjuku Washington Hotel

Shinkuku Washington Hotel may have tiny rooms, but the hotel more than makes up for it with its convenient location near Shinjuku Station and Tochomae Station. The airport bus goes directly to this hotel, making it very convenient for anyone flying into the city. They have some of the lowest prices in the neighborhood, so this is a good bet for anyone traveling on a budget.

Anshin Oyado Shinkuku Ekimaeten

Capsule hotels can be found all over the world, but they originated in Japan. They are great for solo travelers, often offering the same type of amenities that you would find in mid-range hotels but at a much lower price. Here, you’ll find complimentary breakfast, free drinks, a sauna, and a restaurant. The capsules themselves may begin to feel a little small if you’re planning a long stay, but this is perfect for anyone staying a few days.

Best Areas to Stay in Tokyo for Families

Anyone who has traveled with a family knows that it can be a delicate balance keeping everyone happy. It’s important to stay in an area that’s central so that you can limit the amount of time it takes to travel from place to place, and that also has plenty of kid-friendly attractions. Luckily, Tokyo has no shortage of things to do for kiddos, and many of these are situated in an area called Ueno.

Why Stay in Ueno

Home to Ueno Park, a zoo, many museums, and a sprawling market, Ueno is great for people traveling with kids. The hotel rooms here tend to be bigger than they are in Shibuya, and there are a lot of apartment-style hotels that offer kitchens and on-site laundry. Ueno is located on the Yamanote metro line, which loops around the city, making it easy to get around from here, and you can easily walk to the nearby tourist area of Asakusa, and the Tokyo Skytree and Tokyo Dome are around a 5-minute taxi ride away. Below are some of the top hotels in Tokyo for families.

Top Hotels in Ueno

HOTEL EMIT Ueno

Situated just 10 minutes away from Ueno Station, HOTEL EMIT offers budget-friendly rooms that are perfect for people traveling with older kids or extended family members. There are vending machines, a cafe, and a restaurant on-site to feed hungry kids, and they’ll let you store luggage in case you have a late flight or arrive in Tokyo before check-in time.

Centurion Hotel Ueno

Featuring refrigerators, flat-screen TVs, and laundry service, Centurion Hotel has all the amenities you would expect from a higher-end hotel but at a fraction of the price. Some of their rooms also come with sofa beds that can accommodate a 3rd adult or child.

HOTEL MYSTAYS Ueno Iriyaguchi

HOTEL MYSTAYS provides small kitchens, coin laundry, and a central location close to multiple metro stations. If that alone doesn’t win you over, the property is also right by Family Mart, where you can stock up on snacks before heading into bed. It may have been converted from an old apartment building, which could explain the larger-than-average rooms and home-like amenities.

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Best Areas to Stay in Tokyo for Luxury & Business Travel

Why Stay in Ginza

Tokyo is famous for its restaurants and shopping. If you’re hoping for a truly luxurious vacation, Ginza may be just the place for you! This upscale neighborhood is full of fine dining, designer shops, upmarket boutiques, and luxury hotels. This is THE place to go when you want to indulge in a mouthwatering meal or dive into a heavenly hotel bed.

Top Hotels in Ginza

The Tokyo Edition, Ginza

Known for being one of the most luxurious hotels in Tokyo, The Tokyo Edition offers tastefully decorated and extremely spacious hotel rooms. From the moment you step into the building, you are treated like royalty. All of this luxury comes with a pretty hefty price tag, but this is ideal for anyone celebrating a special occasion.

Mitsui Garden Hotel Ginza Tsukiji

With its minimalistic, yet impeccably designed, rooms and sprawling public areas, the Mitsui Garden Hotel is great for business travelers. You have plenty of space to spread out after a long day at work, or you can check out the onsite gym, onsen, restaurants, or bar. This is also a good spot for families, thanks to the triple rooms that you can book.

Hotel Sunroute Ginza

If you’re hoping to stay in a swanky neighborhood but don’t quite have the budget to do it, don’t worry. Hotel Sunroute Ginza offers accommodation that won’t break the bank, right in the heart of Ginza! There is a business center, a restaurant, and a massage room in the hotel, making it easy to relax in the evening. Plus, it’s located within walking distance of both the Ginza and Tokyo Train Stations.

Credit: Unsplash/Benjamin Wong

Best Hotels in Tokyo for Budget Stay

For decades, Tokyo was famous for being one of the most expensive cities in the world. Although the exchange rate has caused prices to drop for international travelers, the costs of food, accommodation, and activities can certainly add up! However, there are a ton of cheap hotels in Tokyo ranging from hostels to capsule hotels. There are more than 60 capsule hotels dotted around the city. Many of these are located in Asakusa, one of Tokyo’s busiest areas.

Why Stay in Asakusa

There are more than 60 capsule hotels dotted around the city. Many of these are located in Asakusa.. This is one of the older neighborhoods in Tokyo, and while you’re there, you’ll get a taste of everyday life in the city.

Resol Poshtel Tokyo Asakusa

With a name like “poshtel”, you know you’re in for a treat! The decor is fantastic with images of Mt. Fuji adorning the walls and lots of shared spaces where you can meet other travelers. The rooms in this property are certainly small but they are also really well designed with plenty of space to put luggage under the bed. The shared bathrooms are spotlessly clean, and the staff can help you find whatever you’re looking for in the city.

Staywork Asakusa

Located by Asakusa Station and Sensoji Temple, Staywork Asakusa offers hostel-style dorm rooms, a shared kitchen, and lounge areas. Most of the dorm beds have privacy curtains to help you get a better night's sleep, or there are private rooms available. The only downside is that there is no elevator in the building, which can make it tough if you have a lot of baggage with you.

Juyoh Hotel

If it’s your first time visiting Japan and you want to stay somewhere really unique, look no further than Juyoh Hotel. This is a traditional-style hotel complete with tatami mats on the floor and futons for beds. There is even a small onsen that you can book for a private bath. This property is located about a 20-minute walk from the heart of Asakusa but it’s well worth the effort!

Where NOT to Stay in Tokyo

Overall, Tokyo is an extremely safe city, so there aren’t necessarily Tokyo areas to avoid. Due to the complexity of the transit system, a good rule of thumb is to stay somewhere that is well connected by metro. While this requires a bit more research than booking a hotel in many other cities, it will save you a huge amount of time in the long run.