Introduction To Tokyo
Tokyo is Japan’s very large capital city, home to over 14 million people, making it the largest city in Japan. The city of Tokyo covers a large area divided into 23 Special Wards, islands, and bordering neighbourhoods.
With so many different neighbourhoods and hotels to choose from, finding the right place to stay in Tokyo can be an overwhelming task.
In this guide we have rounded up the different neighbourhoods and areas to stay in Tokyo, with hotels and places to stay for every budget.
Top 10 Things To Do In Tokyo
Tokyo is a large city with lots of things to see and do. These are my top 10 things to see and do during your stay in Tokyo.
- Visit the Senso-ji temple
- Walk across and watch the famous Shibuya Crossing
- Walk amongst the cherry blossoms (spring)
- Take in 360-degree views of Tokyo from the Tokyo Skytree
- Take a visit to the Imperial Palace and Gardens
- Eat Sushi at the Toyosu Fish Market
- Take a stroll around Takeshita Street and see the colourful buildings and crazy themed food.
- Visit the district of Shinjuku and experience Omoide Yakocho aka Piss Alley, Golden Gai, and visit a karaoke bar.
- Spend a day in Tokyo Disney
- Sample some of Japan’s famous foods – Sushi, Ramen, Chicken Katsu, Sweets, and Udon.
Be sure to read our complete 7 day Japan itinerary to plan your own trip!
Overview Of Tokyo Neighbourhoods
The city of Tokyo covers a large area, with 23 Special Wards, split into over 1,000 neighbourhoods. Each area of Tokyo is a small city within itself, with large varieties of restaurants, stores, and attractions.
Japan’s public transportation is world-famous, with an overground, underground, and bus system, with a travel card you can access them all with one ticket.
The most popular and useful train line is the circular JR Yamanote line, as it is the line which connects all the top tourist attractions, staying anywhere close to this line will give you easy access to public transportation all around the city.
Depending on your preferred location and budget, you can find something in Tokyo to suit your requirements, from boutique hotels to luxury stays.
A little bit of research (or this guide!) will help you in finding quality accommodation for your perfect trip!
Main Transportation Hub In Tokyo: Tokyo Station/Marunouchi
Tokyo Station and the area surrounding it is considered the main transportation hub within the city.
Located on the JR Yamanote Line, this allows for easy access to Tokyo’s main sites.
Tokyo Station is also well connected to other train lines which lead to places such as Tokyo Disney, Tokyo’s airports, suburbs, and other cities in Japan such as Kyoto and Osaka.
Tokyo Station is a good place to stay for a short trip or layover within the city, or as a stopover before visiting another city in Japan.
Tokyo Station doesn’t look like other areas within the city, this neighbourhood has a very European feel as opposed to a Japanese feel.
Pros & Cons Of Staying In Tokyo Station/Marunouchi
PROS
- Close to the main transportation hub
- Walking distance to stores
- Walking distance to main attractions such as Imperial Palace
- Pleasant streets
- A large variety of restaurants
CONS
- On the more expensive side for accommodation
Luxury Hotels In Tokyo Station/Marunouchi
Mid-Range Hotels In Tokyo Station/Marunouchi
Budget Hotels In Tokyo Station/Marunouchi
There are also some great AirBnB options in this area!
Youthvibe and Nightlife Area In Tokyo: Shibuya
For many people, Shibuya is the top recommendation for places to stay in Tokyo, with its central location, easy access to public transportation, the active nightlife scene, and home to the famous Shibuya scramble.
Shibuya has a large station called Shibuya station, with easy access to the JR Yamanote line as well as many other lines to access other parts of the city.
Shibuya has a youthful vibe, with many young people living in the area, which allows for wallet-friendly drink prices, and budget restaurants.
Pros & Cons Of Staying In Shibuya
PROS
- A large number of shops
- Convenient transportation links
- Quieter than other neighbourhoods
- Popular for young couples and travellers
CONS
- One of the more expensive neighbourhoods
Luxury Hotels In Shibuya
- Cerulean Tower Tokyo Hotel
- JR Kyushu Hotel Blossom Shinjuku
- Trunk Hotel
- Odakyu Hotel Century Southern Tower
Mid-Range Hotels In Shibuya
- Hotel Unizo Tokyo Shibuya
- Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyo
- Sequence Miyashita Park
- Shibuya Stream Excel Hotel Tokyo
Budget Hotels In Shibuya
Make sure to also check AirBnB for some more unique places to stay in Shibuya!
Cosmopolitan Area Of Tokyo: Roppongi
Not located on the JR Yamanote Line but Roppongi is a great place to stay if you enjoy nightlife and great dining, with a huge variety of options for both activities.
If it’s not important to you being on the central train line Roppongi is a great place to base yourself, there is still access to public transportation but it just involves changing trains.
Roppongi is considered the ex-pat area of the city with a large variety of dining options having menus and information in English. This area has some of the cities best dining options and cheaper options for accommodation than other areas of the city.
Be aware and proceed with caution around the high nightlife areas after dark, as there can be people harassing tourists in these nightlife areas.
Pros & Cons Of Staying In Roppongi
PROS
- Great dining and nightlife options
- Filled with attractions
- Cheaper accommodation options
- The “ex-pat” area of the city
CONS
- Avoid walking around near nightlife in after dark
- Be careful of people harassing tourists near the clubs
Luxury Hotels In Roppongi
Mid-Range Hotels In Roppongi
Budget Hotels In Roppongi
AirBnB also has some very cool options in the Roppongi area!
Best Area For Tourists In Tokyo: Shinjuku
Another favourite with tourists is Shinjuku.
This neighbourhood is filled with everything you typically think of when you picture Tokyo. Neon lights, busy streets, shiny modern buildings, beautiful parks, vendor-machine restaurants, and traditional Japanese architecture, all merged together to create a big of everything!
Shinjuku is a great place to base your stay with easy access to a large number of train stations and lines, to go anywhere in the city or beyond, it is easily accessible from the airport via bus or train and in the majority of the neighbourhood. It is also easy to walk to restaurants and stores from your hotel.
Golden Gai is a thriving nightlife area with lots of nightlife options, but avoid staying in Kabukicho as it is the red light district of Tokyo.
Pros & Cons Of Staying In Shinjuku
PROS
- Thousands of restaurants
- Close to the sites
- Located close to the station Shinjuku Station
- A large variety of shopping malls and electronic stores
CONS
- Busy neighbourhood
- Commercial district
- Home to the red light district Kabukicho
Luxury Hotels In Shinjuku
Mid-Range Hotels In Shinjuku
Budget Hotels In Shinjuku
Take a look at AirBnBs in Shinjuku as well!
Premier Shopping Area of Tokyo: Ginza
Ginza is known for being the high-end shopping capital of Tokyo. The neighbourhood is filled with luxury hotels, designer outlets, Michelin-starred restaurants, and is convenient for sightseeing.
But this area is much more than this, the area has a traditional Japanese vibe but without the crowds of other neighbourhoods. It also isn’t just about high-end luxury, the neighbourhood has its fair share of budget stores and local traditional restaurants.
Think old school hidden bars, restaurants down side streets, and family-run establishments, Ginza has a little of everything.
It is located pretty central within the city and has access to several train lines including JR Yamanote, it’s a great place to stay to experience the city.
Pros & Cons Of Staying In Ginza
PROS
- Contains premier stores, mid-range stores, and affordable stores
- Affordable resturants throughout the neighbourhood
- Convenient for sightseeing
- Great for regional or international travel with close proximity to the airport and train stations
- Authentic Japanese atmosphere
CONS
- More expensive to stay than other areas
- Busy touristy area
Luxury Hotels In Ginza
- Millennium Mitsui Garden Tokyo Hotel Ginza
- Imperial Hotel Tokyo
- AC Hotel Tokyo Ginza
- The Peninsula Tokyo
Mid-Range Hotels In Ginza
Budget Hotels In Ginza
Also take a look at some of the AirBnBs in Ginza.
Best Hotels In Tokyo Wrap-Up
We hope this guide will help you plan your stay at some of the best hotels in Tokyo next time you visit! It is a beautiful city with lots of character, green spaces, history, and experiences.
We hope that this article has inspired you to visit Tokyo and stay at some of these great hotels. If you have any questions about the destination or have your own travel tips to share please leave these in the comments below.
Want to share your own travel tips by guest writing for We Are Travel Girls? Go to our Contribute page for guidelines and to submit your article.
Read more about Tokyo, Japan:
- The Perfect 7 Day Japan Itinerary
- Top 10 Things To Do In Tokyo
- How To Plan A Trip To Tokyo Disney In 5 Easy Steps
- Why You Should Consider Japan For A Solo Female Trip
- 8 Things To Do In Japan Totally Worth The Hype
- 8 Off The Beaten Path Things To Do In Tokyo, Japan
We Are Travel Girls Founder Becky van Dijk of BeckyvanDijk.com
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