Where to stay in Tokyo: our top recommended spots and why we pass on some

Choosing where to stay in Tokyo can be a bit of a headache, especially for first-timers. Let our guide narrow it down for you

Tokyo is massive. We’re talking 40-million-people-in-the-metro-area massive. So when you’re planning your trip, the big question isn’t just what hotel to book — it’s where in Tokyo you should base yourself. Choose right, and you’ll spend your days exploring temples, eating ramen, and shopping till you drop. Choose wrong, and you’ll spend half your trip stuck on the Yamanote Line wondering why you’re always 45 minutes away from everything.

The good news? With a little insider knowledge, you can pick a neighbourhood that fits your vibe — whether that’s neon-lit nightlife, family-friendly calm, or budget-friendly convenience.

So, your trip to Tokyo: where to stay, huh?

As frequent hotel guests in Tokyo, there's hardly a spot that we at Japansophy haven't laid our weary, jet-lagged heads. And some have left a better impression that others. While your choice of area for your accommodation very much comes down to personal preference, it can be hard for first-time visitors to this vast metropolis to know in advance what to expect. So, we've laid it all out for you in this guide, first with a few general pointers and then with the specific pros and cons of some of the more popular districts.

What to look for

(1) Proximity to a train station

First of all, the biggie: proximity to a train/subway station. We can't stress this enough. Once you've made the rough cut (according to budget, availability, etc.), you're going to want to find your short-list hotels on Google maps, zoom in and see where the nearest station is. What you're going to do next is hover your cursor over that station to see what train lines are actually accessible at that station. You want to make sure that the station is served by either the Yamanote or one of the Tokyo Metro / Toei Subway lines. Let's give you an example: you're booking a hotel in Asakusa and see that the hotel is just a few metres away from Asakusa Station. Yay! Then you hover over the station and see that it's the Asakusa Station for the Tsukuba Express. Not so much yay... because the Tsukuba Express is excellent for getting you out of Tokyo but won't get you further into the city centre than Akihabara and will require different tickets. The directions function on Google Maps will tell you how far you would have to walk from the station to your accommodation (or check out hotel reviews on Tripadvisor or similar for realistic estimates of distances, or info on whether steps/slopes are involved, etc.).

Now, while you might be tempted to scoff at reviewers moaning that the hotel is a whole 10 mins' walk from the station, remember that when you are returning to your accommodation in the evening having racked up 25,000 steps and dragging the tree trunks you used to call legs so much that you're practically horizontal, every metre of those "just 10 minutes" will feel like a marathon.

And while we're on the subject of train stations, you've probably heard by now that Japan is pretty stingy on the ol' elevator front. Most stations these days do have an elevator to take you to ground level but there may be just one and it may be at the exit that just happens to be furthest from your hotel. Our tip here is: again, go to Google Maps and zoom in tight on the station in question. If that station has one or more exits/entrances with an elevator, it is likely to be marked on the map with the words "エレベーター口" (erebētā-guchi; elevator exit/entrance). You can always double check by Googling the station name + "station map": Google Maps marks the entrance/exit numbers on the map and you can check these against the official station map.

A last word on stations: many, MANY people will advise you to always book a hotel that's near a station on the Yamanote line (the giant JR railways loop-line that is marked in green on maps of the Tokyo transport system). As frequent Tokyo-botherers, we at Japansophy totally disagree. We always prioritise accommodation near a station on the Tokyo Metro or Toei Subway lines and we'll tell you why: the Yamanote is fab, but it is, as we explained, a loop-line and it can take much longer to travel from A to B on it than it would criss-crossing the city on the underground. In many cases, you'll have to change to the underground anyway to get to your destination, costing you even more time and another ticket. In our last four trips to Tokyo at least, we have used the Yamanote once (and we could have walked that distance but one of our party was suffering from tree-trunk leg syndrome - see above).

(2) Direct airport connections

This could be especially relevant if you are only in Tokyo for a couple of days, on your way to another part of the country, for example, and want to save yourself the hassle of making your way across Tokyo with suitcases. You could consider staying near Shinjuku, Shibuya, Shinagawa or Tokyo stations (stops on the N'Ex line) if you are coming or leaving from Narita, and Shinagawa or even stations on the Toei Asakusa line (e.g. Shimbashi or Asakusa) if Haneda is your hub. For a quick connection to the Shinkansen, you could look at hotels near Tokyo station.

(3) Walking distance perks

Though it's colossal size means that you won't be able to avoid taking public transport altogether, Tokyo actually is a relatively walkable city. The attractions that will appear on the first- or second-time visitor's bucket list are pretty spread out across the city, but staying in a key hub means you can access several on foot. Booking a hotel in near Asakusa or Tawaramachi stations, for example, will put you within easy walking distance of Asakusa itself, Ueno and even Tokyo Sky Tree. Stay in the north side of Shibuya station and, aside from all that Shibuya offers, you'll be able to walk to Harajuku and Meiji Shrine and Omotesando in just 20 minutes or so. By being within walking distance of some of your favourite hotspots, you can take advantage of those early jet-lag induced mornings and visit tourist magnets like Sensoji temple without the crowds.

(4) Party animal or in-jammies-by-ten

Arriving in Asakusa at 11pm with a Japansophy tour group last year, our Japan newbies could hardly believe they were in the world's largest city. The streets were quiet, no one around, only the neon of the local konbinis signalling any sign of life. Not all of Tokyo falls into the city-that-never-sleeps category and, infamously, the trains stop running at around midnight. So, if you're looking to trip the light fantastic while in Tokyo, you'll want to stay somewhere where you can weave your way home in the wee hours without having to shell out for a taxi. Look at Shibuya, Shinjuku and Roppongi, for example. Otherwise, you'll be right at home in one of the quieter areas, such as Asakusa, Shinagawa or Meguro.

What to consider avoiding

(1) Business districts

This follows on from our advice above: certain areas of Tokyo are a literal snooze-fest after dark, so night-owls should avoid booking their accommodation in, for example, the Marunouchi, Shiodome or Akasaka areas. As a business hub and also a quieter residential area, Shinagawa might also be a location to cross off your list.

(2) Hard-party nightlife hubs

In the same vein, or the opposite vein in fact, areas such as the Kabukicho district in Shinjuku, parts of Shibuya and parts of Ikebukuro have a reputation of being a little sleazy and may not be where you want to be staying as a family, for example. The entertainment in these spots isn't always PG and can be in your face, though - compared to other cities around the world - are generally quite safe.

(3) Far-flung suburbs

You've found a real bargain of a hotel: spacious (by Tokyo standards), swish and almost half the price of something similar in Shinjuku or Ginza? You should ask yourself why... and the reason is usually that it's in the back of beyond. If you look at the map above, you don't really want to be staying further away from the city centre than the stars, especially if it's your first trip to Tokyo. Even if that dream AirBnB claims to be just "6 minutes from the station", it might take the best part of an hour to get into the city on crowded commuter trains and you better keep your eye on the time - you don't want to miss that last train home. If you've been to Tokyo before, you might enjoy staying out in the 'burbs for a change of scene and pace, though.

Best places to stay in Tokyo: pros and cons

Let's break down the pros and cons of Tokyo's most popular accommodation spots. This is a very subjective view, based on our own 30 years' of experience, so don't be coming at us, Shibuya fans! Nor is this an exhaustive list of places to consider for your Tokyo stay. If you've had a great time in an area we haven't mentioned, please definitely leave a comment.

(1) Ikebukuro

Pros: Accommodation is generally cheaper here than in other Tokyo hubs. The area around the station has seen some gentrification in the last years and some of Ikebukuro's rougher edges have been polished. You won't find any of the main tourist attractions here but shopping isn't bad at all and Sunshine City will keep you busy for a few hours on a wet day. Ikebukuro station is on the Yamanote and three subway lines, one of which - the Fukutoshin Line - will take you directly to Shinjuku and Shibuya.

Cons: Further away from the main tourist attractions than most other hubs. The western side of the station is home to Tokyo's second-largest red-light district; families may want to reconsider staying here but it's generally pretty tame.

Japansophy's best-places-to-stay-in-Tokyo-o-meter: 6/10

(2) Ueno

Pros: The vast Ueno park is beautiful, especially in spring, and can make this district feel much less built up and claustrophobic than the rest of the city. There's plenty to do around here, with some of Japan's best museums, a zoo and the Ameyoko market right on your doorstep. You're also within 30 mins' walking distance of both Akiharabara "Electric Town" and Akasaka. Ueno is the Tokyo terminus of the Keisei Skyline train to Narita airport, and is on both the Yamanote and two subway lines, including the very handy Ginza line, which makes getting to Asakusa, Ginza and Shibuya a breeze.

Cons: Accommodation can be surprisingly pricey here and bargains get snapped up fast. The area can feel a little down-at-heel and certainly lacks the glitz and glamour of other areas in Tokyo. There are a lot of homeless people living in and around the park and station, in particular. This doesn't make the area less safe than others; it just feels a little grittier. Also, Ueno is not the place to be if you're looking for nightlife and a wild evening party scene.

Japansophy's best-places-to-stay-in-Tokyo-o-meter: 7/10

(3) Asakusa

Pros: Asakusa is a lively place to stay with some of Tokyo's major attractions and excellent connections. Stay here and get an early start at Sensoji temple before the crowds arrive or have a wander around the temple grounds at night when the crowds have gone again without having to worry about catching a train home. This area has an authentic Tokyo downtown vibe. You won't find high-end designers here but there's culture and culture galore. Two major subway lines make exploring the rest of the city super convenient: the Asakusa line is even a direct connection to Haneda airport. Other attractions such as Ueno and Sky Tree are within walking distance, and there's even a pier for the waterbuses to Odaiba.

Cons: There are plenty of little izakayas and bars in this district, including the famous Hoppy Street, but otherwise Asakusa is pretty quiet at night. You'll have to go elsewhere to get your clubbing in. In contrast, Asakusa teems with visitors during the day and it can feel overcrowded and quite touristy. Not on the Yamanote line, if that's your buzz.

Japansophy's best-places-to-stay-in-Tokyo-o-meter: 10/10

(4) Tokyo Station

Pros: Staying near Tokyo station may be a bit of a wild card for many but there are plenty of advantages. You have the grounds of the Imperial Palace on one side, a ton of izakayas in neighbouring Yurakucho and the glamour of Ginza just a few 100 metres to the south. Not to mention the city-within-a-city that is Tokyo Station itself. It goes without saying that it is also quite the transportation hub: it's a main stop on the N'Ex from Narita and on the Yamanote, and of course a terminus for the Shinkansen. This makes it a very convenient place to stay if you're only in Tokyo for a day or two before moving on.

Cons: The Marunouchi district in which Tokyo Station sits is a business district and doesn't have that much to offer the casual tourist per se. Hotels can be a little on the expensive side and can book up very quickly (especially mid-class business hotels). Maybe surprisingly, Tokyo station is on only one of the underground lines, and not one of the more "interesting" ones either, so you'll be relying instead on Yurakucho, Kyobashi or Nihombashi instead.

Japansophy's best-places-to-stay-in-Tokyo-o-meter: 6/10

(5) Ginza

Pros: Renowned as one of Tokyo's classier districts, Ginza is home to designer boutiques aplenty but also has a great (high-end) bar and restaurant scene. You're in walking distance here of the Tsukiji Outer Fish Market, so you can enjoy an extra hour in bed, while others have to get up at the crack of dawn to make the first trains. Ginza Station itself is on three subways lines, offering direct access to Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno and Asakusa, for example, while Higashi-Ginza Station and Ginza-Itchome throw another two lines into the mix, including a direct connection to Sky Tree. Shimbashi, Yurakucho and even Tokyo Station are within easy walking distance, giving access to the Yamanote and the Yurikamome line to Odaiba. You'd be hard pressed to be better connected in Tokyo.

Cons: Since this is an upscale area, hotels can be a little bit spendy and book out quickly. The younger crowd might find Ginza a little stiff and lacking in good nightlife options.

Japansophy's best-places-to-stay-in-Tokyo-o-meter: 10/10

(6) Odaiba

Pros: Because Odaiba is newly developed (relatively, in comparison to most other areas of the city), the area feels clean, open and very well-maintained. The majority of the hotels also feel pretty shiny and new, and accommodation prices are generally well below those in the rest of Tokyo. Odaiba buzzes with all sorts of facilities and attractions: from museums and exhibitions, to vast shopping centres with food halls, seemingly endless restaurants, bowling and indoor entertainment, its own little beach. Families will love this area, since the kids will be kept happy whatever the weather. Plus, the views of the city are superb, by day or night, and Odaiba can be a welcome, peaceful escape from central Tokyo.

Cons: Odaiba should be seen as a retreat from the hectic of the city centre: you're literally on an island in the middle of Tokyo Bay. But you'll be stranded and dependent on a wallet-bashing taxi ride if you dawdle and miss that last train home. In practical, public-transport terms, Odaiba is really only linked to the mainland by the Yurikamome driverless monorail (the Rinkai line also has stops on Odaiba but the other end of this line is way down south at Tennozu, and there's a waterbus to Asakusa but this only runs a few times a day). While the Yurikamome is a fun way to travel, tickets are relatively expensive and it's not especially time-efficient. Any savings you make on a hotel here may get eaten up in transport costs back and forth from the city.

Japansophy's best-places-to-stay-in-Tokyo-o-meter: 4/10

(7) Shinagawa

Pros: As a business district, Shinagawa doesn't have any tourist attractions of its own to offer per se but has a healthy supply of mid-class hotels, making it one of the cheaper places to stay in Tokyo, not to mention several of the Prince hotels for a more luxurious stay. Shinagawa Station is on the Yamanote line and is also a major stop on the Tokaido Shinkansen and Narita Express (N'Ex) train, making it an attractive option for those who are only in Tokyo for a few days before heading south to Kyoto or Osaka.

Cons: Shinagawa is very much a base rather than part of your Tokyo experience. As a major transport hub, it has its fair share of shops and facilities but, in general, you'll be leaving it every day to go somewhere else. The lack of subway options at Shinagawa Station means that you're depending on the Yamanote line and will be investing more time in travelling around. You will probably spend a bit more on trains, too, since switching at some point to the underground system is virtually unavoidable.

Japansophy's best-places-to-stay-in-Tokyo-o-meter: 5/10

(8) Shibuya

Pros: The pop-culture capital of Tokyo can be very polarising: if you're young, hip and don't mind a bit of noise, Shibuya is probably where you are going to base yourself. You can shop here 'til your suitcase pops, including at one of the biggest Donkis in Japan, without having to drag your haul with you on the train. Eat, drink and be merry 24 hours a day - Shibuya has no off-switch. There are attractions galore here and for many, Shibuya IS Tokyo. Yoyogi Park, Meiji Jingu and Harajuku are just a comfortable stroll away and Shibuya Station is on both the Yamanote and three underground lines.

Cons: The colour, the noise and the crowds are unending and can be too much after a while. Shibuya has gained a reputation as party-central, especially amongst western tourists and young foreign residents, with the police cracking down on public drinking and anti-social behaviour. Certain areas can feel a bit sketchy at night and, while generally safe enough, you're likely to get propositioned and invited into establishments of dubious reputation as you walk around. Because so many overseas visitors (think they) want to be in the heart of all that neon-blinking, jingle-blaring action, accommodation here comes at with a hefty price tag, compared to other areas. Cheaper digs that are sold as being in Shibuya are often quite far away from the main train station. The station is one of the most westerly on the underground system, so check the exact location of your hotel or AirBnB before you book or you might end up realising too late that "5 mins from the station" means five minutes from a station on a local out-of-town commuter train line.

Japansophy's best-places-to-stay-in-Tokyo-o-meter: 3/10

(9) Shinjuku

Pros: Shinjuku is another "must-stay" location for a lot of first-time travellers, with all the high-rise, neon and glamour of the big city. The main station is famously the busiest station in the world. It's on the Yamanote and three subway lines. It's also the starting point for numerous bus tours, so will save you time and hassle if you're planning a few day trips from Tokyo. While a bit sparse on tourist attractions during the day, Shinjuku comes into its own at night with Omoideyokocho, Golden Gai, Kabukicho and more.

Cons: The nightlife around Golden Gai, Omoideyokocho and the red-light district of Kabukicho might not be something that you want to enjoy night after night and Shinjuku doesn't have a lot to offer (to the average tourist) during the day. The aforementioned areas are not especially kid-friendly, so families might want to look elsewhere. Due to the relatively high density of high-end hotels in Shinjuku, accommodation is at the pricier end of the scale on average, but you might still be able to nab a bargain, especially if you look around Nishi-Shinjuku or Shinjuku-Nishiguchi Stations. The biggest disadvantage of staying in Shinjuku is Shinjuku Station itself, since you'll be travelling through it at least twice a day alongside 3.59 million other passengers and it is notoriously difficult to navigate.

Japansophy's best-places-to-stay-in-Tokyo-o-meter: 3/10

Where is the best place to stay in Tokyo? FAQs

Where to stay in Tokyo for the first time?

If it’s your first Tokyo adventure, stay central and well-connected. Ginza and Asakusa put you right in the middle of the action with easy train access, with Asakusa offering a more traditional vibe close to temples and Tokyo Skytree and Ginza providing the bright lights and glamour . Tokyo Station / Marunouchi is also a solid choice for first-timers who want straightforward transport to everywhere.

Where to stay in Tokyo with kids?

For families, convenience and calm matter more than nightlife. Areas like Ueno (with its zoo and museums), Asakusa (lots of open space and traditional charm), or even Tokyo Bay / Odaiba (big hotels, kid-friendly attractions) can be great picks. Bonus: these areas have plenty of family-sized hotel rooms, which are harder to find in Shinjuku or Shibuya.

Where to stay in Tokyo with family?

If you’re traveling with extended family, consider the Tokyo Station area for easy shinkansen access, or Ikebukuro, which balances shopping, food, and transport without being as hectic as Shinjuku. Large hotels here often have more spacious rooms and family facilities.

Where to stay in Tokyo cheap?

For budget travelers, Asakusa and Ueno are excellent bases — lots of hostels, business hotels, and capsule hotels at wallet-friendly prices. Ikebukuro and Akihabara also offer affordable stays with quick access to central Tokyo. Look out for chains like APA Hotel or Toyoko Inn if you want clean, no-frills rooms.

Where to stay in Tokyo for Disneyland?

The Keiyo line will take you from Tokyo Station to Maihara (Disneyland) Station is around 30 minutes, so staying near Tokyo station is ideal if you want to spend several days in the city. If you are planning to visit Tokyo Disney and Disney Sea for several days in a row, it would be worth checking out some of the nearby hotels (Hilton Tokyo Bay, for example), which, contrary to what you might expect, are often cheaper than hotels of the same class in Tokyo city centre.

We all have a favourite place to stay in Tokyo that we keep going back to. What's yours? Tell us in the comments what makes it your Japanese home from home.