Where to stay in tokyo?
Tokyo is a sprawling metropolis with diverse neighborhoods, each offering unique experiences and conveniences. Choosing the right area to stay in can significantly enhance your visit, providing easy access to transportation, dining, shopping, and attractions. From bustling hubs like Shinjuku and Shibuya, known for their vibrant nightlife and shopping, to more serene areas like Ebisu and Meguro, favored by locals for their trendy cafes and boutique shops, Tokyo has something for everyone. This guide will help you find the best places to stay in Tokyo based on your preferences and budget, ensuring a memorable and comfortable stay in one of the world's most dynamic cities.
The Takeaway: Where to Stay in Tokyo
Key Points
Tokyo's Vastness: Tokyo is an enormous city, so choosing a convenient place to stay is crucial for a pleasant trip.
Top Recommended Areas:
Shinjuku: Bustling with activity and nightlife.
Tokyo Station Area: Central and well-connected.
Ginza/Hibiya: Known for upscale shopping and dining.
Shibuya: Famous for its vibrant youth culture and the iconic Shibuya Crossing.
Roppongi: Offers a mix of nightlife and international businesses.
Other Good Options:
Nihombashi: Rich in history and close to many attractions.
Shinagawa: Convenient access to transportation.
Hamamatsucho: Close to the waterfront and peaceful.
Shiodome: Modern with great views and amenities.
Tips for Convenience
Proximity to Transportation: Aim to stay near a Yamanote Line (Tokyo loop line) station for easy access to major parts of the city. If this isn’t possible, ensure you're close to a subway station.
City Highlights
West Side: Known for its modern and stylish atmosphere, offering a taste of contemporary Tokyo.
Shitamachi Area (Asakusa, Ueno, etc.): This part of Tokyo reflects the older, more traditional side of the city. It’s less glamorous but offers budget-friendly options.
For the best hotel recommendations across different budget ranges, check out our Tokyo Hotels page. For more detailed information on where to stay in Tokyo, read on.
The Details: Choosing Where to Stay in Tokyo
Understanding Tokyo
Tokyo is a sprawling metropolis best understood as a collection of interconnected cities. Its exceptional transport system allows easy movement, but staying in a well-located area enhances your experience by offering convenience right outside your door.
My Criteria for Selecting a Hotel
Having stayed in numerous apartments and hotels across Tokyo, I prioritize three main criteria when choosing accommodations:
Proximity to the Yamanote Line: This loop line is the backbone of Tokyo’s transport system, connecting many key areas.
Access to Good Restaurants and Shops: Staying in a neighborhood with a variety of dining and shopping options within walking distance ensures convenience and enjoyment.
Attractiveness of the Area: The overall ambiance and appeal of the neighborhood are important for a pleasant stay.
Top Areas to Stay
Based on these criteria, the best parts of Tokyo to stay in are:
Tokyo Station Area: Centrally located, with excellent transport connections and numerous attractions.
Shinjuku: A bustling urban hub known for its vibrant nightlife, shopping, and entertainment.
Shibuya: Famous for its youthful energy, iconic crossing, and trendy shops and restaurants.
Roppongi: Although not on the Yamanote Line, Roppongi offers a lively atmosphere with a variety of dining options and attractions nearby. Lively with plenty of dining and nightlife options.
Staying in one of these areas ensures you have great restaurants, sights, and shopping at your doorstep, making your Tokyo experience more enjoyable and convenient.
Top Districts to Stay In
1. Shinjuku
Why Stay Here: Shinjuku is the ideal place to stay in Tokyo, especially the west side of the station. It's one of the city's major transport hubs, located on the essential Yamanote Line. The area is teeming with large department stores, electronics shops, and thousands of restaurants. Shinjuku is also home to Tokyo's best bookshop, Kinokuniya, and has numerous nearby attractions. However, if you prefer quieter surroundings, consider Ebisu, Meguro, or Daikanyama.
Top Hotel Picks in Shinjuku:
Luxury: Park Hyatt Tokyo
Mid-Range: Hotel Century Southern Tower
Budget: Sotetsu Fresa Inn Higashi Shinjuku (formerly Hotel Sunroute Higashi Shinjuku)
2. Tokyo Station/Marunouchi Area
Why Stay Here: The Tokyo Station/Marunouchi area is not only the city's main transport hub but also an excellent place to stay. It's home to the terminal station of the Tokaido Shinkansen line, providing easy access to Kyoto and beyond. The area is within walking distance of major department stores in Ginza and Nihombashi and is filled with restaurants. The nearby Imperial Palace and its adjoining parks add to the appeal. The streets, especially in Marunouchi, are broad and pleasant, making this area very attractive.
Top Hotel Picks in Tokyo Station/Marunouchi:
Luxury: Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo
Mid-Range: Hotel Ryumeikan Tokyo
Budget: Smile Hotel Nihonbashi Mitsukoshimae
Boutique: Four Seasons Hotel at Marunouchi
3. Shibuya
Why Stay Here: Shibuya is another major shopping and transport hub on the west side of the Yamanote Line. It offers convenient transport connections, numerous shops and restaurants, and plenty of attractions. Shibuya is slightly less busy than Shinjuku and has a more youthful vibe, making it a favorite among younger travelers.
Top Hotel Picks in Shibuya:
Luxury: Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel
Mid-Range: Hotel Wing International Premium Shibuya (formerly Hotel Unizo Tokyo Shibuya)
Budget: Hotel Fukudaya
4. Roppongi
Why Stay Here: Roppongi is another great place to stay in Tokyo. It’s known for its vibrant dining and nightlife scenes, making it a top choice for those who enjoy a lively and cosmopolitan atmosphere. While it’s not on the Yamanote Line, Roppongi is still well-connected and offers a plethora of attractions. It’s the sexiest and most cosmopolitan part of the city, where the big money (both Japanese and foreign) eats and drinks.
Top Hotel Picks in Roppongi:
Luxury: The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo
Mid-Range: Hotel Villa Fontaine Roppongi
Budget: Hotel Asia Center of Japan
Boutique: Roppongi Hotel S
5. Shiodome
Why Stay Here: A short distance south of Tokyo Station, Shiodome is a tight collection of high-rise office and hotel towers. It's a short walk from here to Shimbashi Station, which is only two stops from Tokyo Station on the Yamanote Line, making it quite convenient. The area also boasts some excellent dining options.
Top Hotel Picks in Shiodome:
Luxury: Conrad Tokyo
Mid-Range: Royal Park Hotel The Shiodome
Budget: Hotel Villa Fontaine Shiodome
For more options, see our Shiodome Places to Stay section.
6. Ebisu, Meguro, and Daikanyama
Why Stay Here: Ebisu and Meguro are two small urban hubs on the southwest side of the Yamanote Line. Daikanyama is a small hub just west of Ebisu. These three areas are considered the most desirable places to live by Tokyo's fashionable and wealthy elite. Staying here allows you to enjoy what locals love: great cafes, hip restaurants and bars, boutique shopping, and pleasant strolling on attractive streets.
Top Hotel Picks in Ebisu, Meguro, and Daikanyama:
Luxury: The Westin Tokyo
Mid-Range: Sheraton Miyako Hotel Tokyo
Budget: Hotel Mid in Meguro Ekimae
7. Shinagawa
Why Stay Here: Shinagawa is a major transport hub at the southern end of the Yamanote Line. While not the most exciting district, its location on both the Yamanote Line and the Tokaido Shinkansen line makes it highly convenient, especially if you plan to use the shinkansen frequently. The area features several excellent hotels that benefit from these transport connections.
Top Hotel Picks in Shinagawa:
Luxury: Conrad Tokyo (in nearby Shiodome)
Mid-Range: Shinagawa Prince Hotel
Budget: Hotel 1899 Tokyo (in nearby Shimbashi)
For more options, see our Shimbashi, Shiodome, Hamamatsucho, and Shinagawa Places to Stay section.
Recommended Hotels
Here are some top recommendations for hotels in different budget categories:
Mid-Range Tokyo Hotels
Hotel Ryumeikan Tokyo (Tokyo Station)
Kyushu Blossom (Shinjuku)
Marunouchi Hotel (Tokyo Station)
Century Southern Tower (Shinjuku)
Royal Park Hotel The Shiodome (Shiodome)
Sheraton Miyako Hotel Tokyo (Ebisu)
Shinagawa Prince Hotel (Shinagawa)
Luxury Hotels in Tokyo
Mandarin Oriental (Tokyo Station)
The Peninsula (Tokyo Station)
Ritz-Carlton (Roppongi)
Conrad Tokyo (Shiodome)
The Westin Tokyo (Ebisu)
Types Of Accommodation In Tokyo
Tokyo offers a wide variety of accommodation options, catering to all budgets and preferences. Here’s a comprehensive overview:
Hotels
Tokyo has an incredible selection of hotels across all price ranges.
Luxury Hotels: Tokyo’s luxury hotels are world-class, offering exceptional service and amenities. For more information, check out the Best Tokyo Luxury Hotels page.
Mid-Range and Business Hotels: These hotels offer great value, providing efficient services at reasonable rates. For more information, check out the Best Tokyo Mid-Range and Business Hotels page.
Boutique Hotels: Tokyo has a range of boutique hotels that offer unique and personalized experiences.
Family-Friendly Hotels: Tokyo is a great city to visit with kids. For the best family-friendly hotels, see the Best Tokyo Hotels For Families page.
Romantic Hotels: If you’re looking for a romantic hideaway, Tokyo offers plenty of choices. See the list of The Most Romantic Hotels in Tokyo, all personally inspected.
Budget Hotels: Tokyo’s budget hotels are surprisingly high quality. For more information, check out the Best Tokyo Budget Hotels page.
For an overview, visit the Tokyo Hotels page. You can check current availability at Booking.com and Agoda.com.
Ryokan
Traditional Japanese inns (ryokan) are not as common in Tokyo as in Kyoto, but there are still some excellent options.
Tokyo Station Area: Hoshinoya Tokyo
Asakusa Budget: Ryokan Asakusa Mikawaya Honten
Asakusa Mid-Range: Ryokan Asakusa Shigetsu
Asakusa Luxury: Ryokan Kamogawa Asakusa
Ueno: Ryokan Katsutaro
Yanaka: Annex Katsutaro Ryokan
For more information, check out the Tokyo Ryokan page. If you’re visiting Kyoto, consider having your ryokan experience there. For details, visit our Kyoto Ryokan page.
Guesthouses
Guesthouses cater to budget travelers and backpackers, primarily located in the old parts of town like Asakusa. Recommended options include:
K's House Tokyo Oasis
Capsule Hotels
Capsule hotels are ultra-cheap and efficient accommodations, typically designed for salarymen who’ve missed the last train home. These consist of narrow, coffin-like capsules and a common bathing area. While most are for men, some accept women and have women-only floors. You can find listings in our Ueno, Tsukiji, Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Shimbashi sections.
Peak Season: March ~ April and November
A Friendly Warning: Tokyo accommodation gets booked out months in advance for busy seasons like the cherry blossom season (late March to mid-April) and the fall foliage season (November). Book well in advance for these times.
You can check current Tokyo hotel availability during peak seasons on Booking.com and Agoda.com.
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