Tokyo is a huge city and it can be a bit difficult to choose where to stay. Each neighbourhood offers a different experience and it all depends on the kind of atmosphere you’re looking for. In this post, I’ll tell you which are the best neighbourhoods and recommended hotels to stay in Tokyo.
On this post you will find:
Tokyo is a huge city, and even if you stay in a central area, you’ll still need to take public transportation to get to other areas. So if there’s one thing I recommend, it’s booking a hotel that is located near a subway station. In this post, I’ll include hotel recommendations for where to stay in Tokyo, covering different budgets so you can choose the one that best fits your needs. I’ll also tell you which are the main attractions in each neighborhood.
Where to stay in Tokyo: best neighborhoods and hotels
1. Shinjuku – the busiest and most vibrant neighborhood in Tokyo
No matter what time you go, there are always people around. If you stay in this area, you’ll be close to Shinjuku Station, which is the city’s main train station and connects to other cities near Tokyo.
Shinjuku is full of shops, restaurants, bars, and has good connections to the entire city. However, it’s not the ideal neighborhood if you’re looking for peace and quiet, as it’s one of the busiest and most touristic areas, and can even feel a bit chaotic.
MAIN ATTRACTIONS IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD:
Omoide Yokocho Alley – Kabukichō – Shinjuku 3D Cat – Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observation Deck – Godzilla
Recommended hotels in Shinjuku:
- $ – THE KNOT TOKYO Shinjuku: A 3-star hotel with small but functional and modern rooms. It’s located very close to Shinjuku Station, but in a relatively quiet area for Shinjuku, as it’s right in front of a park. See prices on Booking.
- $$ – Hotel Gracery Shinjuku: This hotel is a Shinjuku attraction in itself because it has the famous Godzilla head on its terrace, which roars every night. It’s a 4-star hotel located in Kabukichō, a very busy area, ideal if you want to be in the heart of Shinjuku. See prices on Booking.
- $$$ – Hyatt Regency Tokyo: If you’re looking for comfort and budget isn’t an issue, the Hyatt Regency Tokyo is an elegant 4-star hotel located right next to Shinjuku Central Park. It has spacious rooms, a spa, gym, pool, and restaurant, among other services.See prices on Booking.
2. Shibuya – close to shops and restaurants
If you’re looking for a touristy area full of activity, close to shops, bars, and restaurants, Shibuya is a great option. Just like Shinjuku, you’ll be well connected to the rest of the city, although it can be a bit chaotic, so I’d avoid it if you’re looking for a quiet atmosphere.
It’s the ideal area to stay if you want to be near all the fashion stores. I recommend booking your hotel in this area well in advance, as it’s one of the most popular places to stay in Tokyo.
MAIN ATTRACTIONS IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD:
Shibuya Crossing – Hachiko Statue – Shibuya Sky Observation Deck – Meiji Shrine – Takeshita Street – Harajuku
Recommended hotels in Shibuya:
- $$ – APA Hotel Shibuya Dogenzakaue: APA is a budget hotel chain found all over Tokyo. They offer small, basic rooms at a great price. So if you’re looking to save money while staying in the most popular area of Tokyo, this hotel is perfect. See prices on Booking.
- $$ – Shibuya Stream Hotel: A modern 4-star hotel located just steps from Shibuya Station. It offers spacious rooms with city views and has a gym and a restaurant. See prices on Booking.
- $$$ – TRUNK(HOTEL) YOYOGI PARK: A luxury boutique hotel with incredible design. It features a pool, jacuzzi, restaurant, and direct views of Yoyogi Park. Ideal if you want to be close to everything while staying at a top-tier hotel. See prices on Booking.
3. Asakusa – traditional and budget-friendly neighborhood
Asakusa is one of the most traditional neighborhoods in Tokyo. While it’s still a tourist area, it’s a bit quieter than the others. In this neighborhood, you’ll find more affordable hotels and also enjoy a more local experience, as it’s not one of the most frequented areas of the city.
MAIN ATTRACTIONS IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD:
Senso-ji Temple – Nakamise Street – Asakusa Tourist Information Center – Kappabashi Street
Recommended hotels in Asakusa:
- $ – Hotel Plus Hostel TOKYO ASAKUSA 2: A hostel that offers both private and shared rooms. If you’re looking to save money, it’s one of the best options in the area. See prices on Booking.
- $$ – APA Hotel Asakusa Tawaramachi Ekimae: A 3-star hotel with small but functional rooms. It offers breakfast and has a restaurant. See prices on Booking.
- $$$ – The Gate Hotel Asakusa Kaminarimon: A 4-star hotel with spacious rooms, a bar, restaurant, and stunning views of the famous Tokyo Skytree. See prices on Booking.
✅ Looking for a good and cheap hotel?
Comfort Hotel Tokyo Higashi-Kanda: during my first days in Tokyo, I stayed at this hotel located in the Higashi-Kanda neighborhood, very close to Akihabara and Asakusa. It’s a basic hotel so don’t expect nothing fancy, but it’s perfect if you want something comfortable without spending too much. The neighborhood is very quiet but well connected to the rest of the city. See prices on Booking.
4. Akihabara – the otaku neighborhood
Akihabara is known as Tokyo’s otaku district, full of anime and manga stores, video games, electronics, and all kinds of quirky and interesting shops. Whether you’re into what Akihabara offers or not, it’s a good neighborhood to stay in Tokyo because you’ll find a wide variety of hotels — from budget and capsule hotels to luxury ones. It’s also very close to other areas of the city like Asakusa and Ueno Park.
Recommended hotels in Akihabara:
- $ – Under Railway Hotel Akihabara: A hotel with a very unique location, literally under the train tracks. As long as you don’t mind the noise, it can be a great budget option, and the rooms look very nice. Ver precios en Booking.
- $$ – THE TOURIST HOTEL & Cafe AKIHABARA: A modern and minimalist 3-star hotel. Good location and common areas. Ver precios en Booking.
- $$$ – NOHGA HOTEL AKIHABARA TOKYO: A 4-star hotel with spacious rooms, a bar, restaurant, and buffet breakfast. Ver precios en Booking.
5. Ginza – Shopping and good connection to the shinkansen
Ginza is one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in Tokyo. It’s home to all the luxury brand stores and high-end restaurants. Hotels in this area tend to be more expensive, but it’s a great place to stay because it’s very close to Tokyo Station, which is the terminal for most Shinkansen (bullet train) lines. It’s also well connected to the rest of the city and just steps from shops and restaurants. Definitely one of the best areas to stay in Tokyo.
MAIN ATTRACTIONS IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD:
Chuo-dori Avenue – Tsukiji Outer Market (not exactly in Ginza, but very close)
Recommended hotels in Ginza:
- $$ – Sotetsu Fresa Inn Ginza Sanchome: A basic and functional 3-star hotel located in one of the best areas of the city. See prices on Booking.
- $$ – YOTEL Tokyo Ginza: YOTEL is always a good option. I’ve stayed at this chain in U.S. cities and I love it. They’re modern hotels with a futuristic vibe and rooms that have everything you need to feel comfortable. See prices on Booking.
- $$$ – The Tokyo EDITION:If you want to stay with all the exclusivity and luxury that defines the Ginza neighborhood, this is one of the best hotels in Tokyo. A 5-star boutique hotel with a gym, four restaurants, and impeccable service. See prices on Booking.
6. Tokyo Tower (Minato) – quiet and elegant
The Minato area is an excellent option if you’re looking for a quieter neighborhood that’s still well connected, especially the area near Tokyo Tower. The Shiba and Shibakoen areas offer hotels with direct views of the tower, surrounded by parks and historic temples.
MAIN ATTRACTIONS IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD:
Teamlab Borderless – Tokyo Tower – Azabudai Hills
Recommended hotels in Minato:
- $ – Hotel Mystays Hamamatsucho: A very budget-friendly hotel with simple rooms. See prices on Booking
- $$ – Shiba Park Hotel: I stayed at this amazing hotel during the last days of my trip, just steps from Tokyo Tower and Shiba Park. A stylish and comfortable “library-hotel” with rooms that are huge compared to other Tokyo hotels!. See prices on Booking.
- $$$ – The Prince Park Tower Tokyo: Located next to Shiba Park and just steps from Tokyo Tower, this 5-star hotel offers incredible direct views of the tower. See prices on Booking.
Accommodation map of Tokyo
On this map, you’ll see the best areas to stay in Tokyo and the hotels mentioned in the post:
Need more tips for visiting Asia? Check out these posts:
- Things to do in Tokyo in 5 days
- Tips for visiting Japan for the first time
- Things to do in Osaka in 3 days
- What to wear in Japan in summer
- How much does a trip to Japan cost? Budget breakdown
- What to do in 3 days in Bangkok
- Tips for planning a trip to Thailand
- Info & Tips to plan a trip to Singapore
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