Where to Stay in Tokyo: 7 BEST Areas to Stay in Tokyo for Every Vibe & Budget!

Wondering where to stay in Tokyo on your first visit? Or where to stay in Tokyo on a budget? You’ve come to the right place!

This article will break down the best neighbourhoods in which to stay in Tokyo for a range of different travellers. 

I’ll help you find the best budget, midrange, and luxury hotels in each neighbourhood, and will outline what type of traveller each neighbourhood is best suited for. 

Some of the most convenient places to stay in Tokyo are by train stations, so you can use the city’s great public transport links to get around.

Whatever your budget and preferences, this guide will help you find the best area to stay in Tokyo for you!

Things To Consider When Choosing Where To Stay in Tokyo

Tokyo is one of the biggest cities in the world. Luckily, it has fantastic public transport links that make it easy to get around. I’d recommend booking places that are within walking distance of a train station or metro stop. 

The best locations throughout the city are those that are close to the Yamanote line.

This circular line travels all around Tokyo and is the most convenient way to get between the coolest neighbourhoods and biggest attractions. 

The best area for you to stay in Tokyo will also depend on what sort of holiday experience you’re looking for. It’s not the same travelling as a family with young kids as it is going on a backpacking trip on a tight budget! 

I’ve picked out a range of different accommodation options, from the most budget-friendly to the best luxury hotels, for each of the most interesting neighbourhoods in Tokyo.

From capsule hotels to traditional ryokans – there’s something for everyone!

Best Places To Stay In Tokyo At A Glance

Before we dive right into my top Tokyo hotel suggestions and detailed neighbourhood guides, I wanted to give you a quick rundown of the type of traveller that each area is best suited for.

Shibuya: If it’s your first time in Tokyo, then Shibuya is the place for you. It’s super well connected to the rest of Tokyo, it’s a vibrant and interesting neighbourhood, and there’s plenty to do.

Shinjuku: This is the best place to stay in Tokyo for nightlife. In Shinjuku you will find those iconic streets lined with neon signs, plenty of bars, and quirky restaurants to explore inthe  evenings.

Shinjuku Station is also the starting point for many great day trips from Tokyo.

Ueno: This is the best area for families to stay in Tokyo. It’s a quieter and more laid-back area, while still having great connections to the rest of Tokyo, and also some great markets and shopping areas.

Ikebukuro: This isn’t a touristy neighbourhood, which makes it great for budget travellers, as it’s somewhat cheaper than the above areas. 

Minato: This is the fanciest area in Tokyo, where you will find all the best luxury hotels, high-end restaurants, and in general a more posh feeling vibe.

Ginza / Tokyo Station: If you’re looking to go on a day trip from Tokyo, then the area around Tokyo Station is the best for you.

As you might imagine, from here you can quickly travel to many great destinations, plus it’s also a big foodie hub, which makes it a great place to stay in Tokyo for foodies.

Asakusa: With its temples and markets, Asakusa is the best area to stay in Tokyo for people interested in culture and history.

Best Neighbourhoods To Stay In Tokyo

Shibuya – Where To Stay In Tokyo First Time

Shibuya is a lively neighbourhood that has loads of top attractions either within the neighbourhood or just outside it. It’s my top pick as the best area to stay in Tokyo for first-time travellers, as it’s got great transport links too. 

It’s the first area that jumps to my mind when I think about what area to stay in Tokyo and start looking for accommodation.  

The area is home to the famous Shibuya Scramble Crossing and Hachiko Statue. My top tip is to watch the chaos of the Scramble Crossing from above at the Starbucks on the corner.

Did you know up to 3,000 people can be crossing at once? It’s rumoured to be the busiest intersection in the world.  

Just outside of Shibuya you’ll find the Meiji Shrine which was built in the 1920s in honor of two of Japan’s most influential emperors. 

It also borders Harajuku, a neighbourhood famous for its cosplay fashion and extravagant sweet treats (you have to try the rainbow candy floss), and Shinjuku which is famous for its laid-back and old-style Omoide Yokocho street. 

Here are some great places to stay in Shibuya for every budget.

Budget: Hotel Sunroad is an adult-only budget-friendly hotel that is well-located near Scramble Crossing and has comfy rooms that come with a bathtub too! 

Click here to book your stay at the Hotel Sunroad in Shibuya!

Midrange: Tokyu Stay Shibuya has modern, spacious rooms with minimalistic Scandinavian-style decor. They offer family rooms too, and each of the rooms has a kitchenette and dining table area.

Just 10 minutes walk away from Shibuya Station, it’s one of my top picks. I reckon that overall it’s the best place to stay in Tokyo for first-time visitors.  

Click here to see prices & availability for your stay at the Tokyu Stay Shibuya!

Luxury: Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel offers luxurious rooms with panoramic city views. Just A 5-minute walk away from Shibuya Station, it couldn’t be better positioned for exploring the city. There’s a fitness center and restaurant in the hotel too!

Click here to book your stay at the Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel!

Shinjuku – Best Area In Tokyo For Nightlife And Day Trips

One of the best areas to stay in Tokyo for anyone looking to make the most of the city’s vibrant nightlife is Shinjuku. It’s a haven for shopping and clubs. 

Omoide Yokocho is arguably Shinjuku’s most popular street. It has the unfortunate nickname of piss alley, but it’s honestly an awesome place to go for street food and late-night beers. 

Whilst the rest of the city has been glamourised and modernised, this narrow little street has held onto its old-age charm.

It’s not a luxurious stop, but it feels tucked away from Tokyo’s skyscrapers and neon lights. The grubby food stalls are a great spot for some late-night grub.

The wildest clubs are also in Shinjuku, in the Golden Gai area. From karaoke bars to laid-back bars, there’s an array of late-night entertainment. 

Another reason Shinjuku is a popular area to stay in is that it’s well connected to Tokyo’s other neighbourhoods, as well as to other cities in Japan.

From Shinjuku you can get lots of trains to destinations outside of Tokyo, like Mt Fuji and Kamakura. If you have a wider Japan itinerary beyond Tokyo, it’s a good idea to stay here and explore beyond Tokyo on day trips.

If you’re planning on using the trains a lot to explore beyond the city’s confines, it’s worth looking into the Japan Rail Pass.

Here are some great places to stay in Shinjuku for every budget.

Budget: you won’t find a more budget-friendly option than Unplan Shinjuku Hostel. The private capsule-style dorms give you extra privacy in their shared rooms. There’s a communal kitchen and lounge room, as well as a bar.

They run an airport shuttle service, and a continental breakfast is included! It’s a super affordable option in a neighbourhood that isn’t known for being a cheap area to stay in Tokyo.

Click here to book your stay at the Unplan Shinjuku Hostel!

Midrange: WPU Hotel has simple, but comfy and clean, twin and double rooms. They have a restaurant downstairs and a nice lounge area. Another awesome thing this hotel has is a shared kitchen. 

Check out prices & availability at the WPU Hotel here!

Luxury: Odakyu Hotel Century has classic hotel rooms with spectacular views. Book into one of their Southern Tower rooms for panoramic views of Tokyo.

Their restaurant serves an amazing breakfast and has lunch and dinner services too. It’s close to the attractions in Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Harajuku. 

Click here to book your stay at the Odakyu Hotel Century!

Ueno – Where To Stay In Tokyo With Family

Wondering where to stay in Tokyo with your kids? Personally, I think Ueno is the best area for families to stay in Tokyo.

It’s conveniently located along the Yamanote line which means you can reach the city’s other neighbourhoods and top attractions easily.

Apart from being accessible, Ueno is also home to a lot of the most family-friendly attractions in Tokyo.

Check out the Ueno park, a tranquil green park dotted with quaint temples and museums. The kids will love the Ueno Zoo which is home to some adorable pandas!

Don’t leave the park without wandering to the Shinobazu No Ike Bentendo island temple which is built on a small island in the middle of a large pond. In spring the cherry blossom makes the park extra beautiful. 

Right next to Ueno Park, there’s the Ameya-Yokocho market that was once a candy market, but now has every kind of food stall and a maze of quirky shops. 

Just a short walk outside of Ueno there’s the famous Akihabara neighbourhood, known as Electric Town. It’s the city’s manga headquarters and there’s a cartoony vibe to the neighbourhood that the kids will love.

Check out the Mandarake Complex if you want to do some manga-themed shopping and learn more about Japan’s anime subculture at the Tokyo Anime Center. 

I have no doubts that Ueno is at the top of the where to stay in Tokyo with a family list. 

Here are some of the best places to stay in Ueno and surroundings for every budget.

Budget: Ueno Woo Hotel offers super affordable rooms within walking distance of Ueno Station and Ueno Park.

The rooms aren’t super spacious but they’re great value for money. Comfy and clean, what more could you want from such an affordable hotel?

Click here to book your stay at the Ueno Woo Hotel!

Midrange: Landabout Tokyo is the perfect midrange option for those travelling with kids. This stylish hotel has rooms with different layouts that are perfect for every size of family.

It’s close to Ueno Station and some local temples. Another thing you’ll love about it is that it has a laundry room that guests can use, so if your suitcase is starting to get filled up with dirty clothes, you can put a wash on! 

Click here to book your stay at the Landabout Tokyo!

Luxury: families looking for a luxury escape should book to stay at the lavish &Here Tokyo Ueno. There’s a wellness area with an onsen where you can wind down after a long day of sightseeing.

Click here to book your stay at the &Here Tokyo Ueno!

Minato – Where to Stay in Tokyo for Luxury

Minato is the city’s fanciest area. It’s the home of upper-end shopping and glistening skyscrapers.

Some of the neighbourhoods most famous landmarks include the Tokyo Tower which looks a lot like a red and white striped version of the Eiffel Tower, and the Roppongi Hills shopping mall. 

It’s also where the TeamLab Borderless Museum is, one of the most Instagrammable spots in the city. Top tip, get there early in the morning so you can enjoy the visual displays without the crowds. 

While it’s not the type of area I would normally choose, I stayed in Minato on my last Tokyo trip and actually loved it.

It’s such a nice area to walk around, both in the day and at night, and it’s so well connected to everywhere in Tokyo, it’s super easy to explore and travel around.

Here are some great places to stay in Minato, as well as the hotels I personally stayed at.

Budget: Hotel Mystays is perfect if you want to enjoy Minato’s fancy neighbourhood without breaking the bank. You’ll struggle to find a more budget friendly option in this area of the city.

Click here to book your stay at the Hotel Mystays!

Midrange: for a great midrange option just 5 minutes’ walk away from the Tokyo monorail line, book a stay at the Super Hotel Tokyo Hamamatsucho. Some of the rooms even have views of the Tokyo Tower. 

Click here to book your stay at the Super Hotel Tokyo Hamamatsucho!

Luxury: During my last Japan trip I stayed at two luxury hotels in Minato.

The first is Park Hotel Tokyo, which has lush rooms with views of the Tokyo Tower, Zenko-ji Temple, and even Mount Fuji on a clear day! It’s an art hotel, with beautiful artworks by Japanese artists all over the hotel.

Click here to book your stay at Park Hotel Tokyo!

The second is Shiba Park Hotel Tokyo which balances functionality and elegance. It has a cute lobby styled like a library, where you can relax over a coffee in the mornings.

Click here to book your stay at Shiba Park Hotel Tokyo!

Tokyo Station / Ginza – Best Area To Stay In Tokyo For Foodies & Day Trips

Tokyo Station is the best area to stay in Tokyo for tourists looking to go on lots of day trips.

It’s got all the best connections to destinations like the Nakasendo, Hiroshima and Miyajima, Himeji, and Osaka, but also to some of Japan’s other great cities like Kyoto and Nara. 

But even if you’re not planning on leaving the city, being by a train station is always handy. 

Ginza is my top pick as the best area to stay for foodies. It’s home to the Tsukiji Fish Market and there are loads of great restaurants in the area.

Here are some of the best places to stay around Tokyo Station for every budget.

Budget: you won’t find anywhere else as cheap as the Hotel LiveMax within walking distance of Tokyo Station. The rooms are modest but clean and they come with a bath. Not bad for a budget-friendly hotel.

Click here to book your stay at the Hotel LiveMax Higashi Ginza!

Midrange: the quaint and European-chateau style rooms at Hotel Monterey Lasoeur in Ginza are the perfect midrange option. The rooms feel a little outdated but in a charming way. 

Click here to book your stay at the Hotel Monterey Lasoeur in Ginza!

Luxury: The Royal Park Hotel has an organic and colourful decor that is elegantly put together to create a soothing atmosphere.

Click here to book your stay at The Royal Park Hotel!

Asakusa – Best Area To Stay In Tokyo For Culture

Asakusa is one of the most charming areas to stay in Tokyo. Even if you don’t stay in Asakusa you should still visit, as it’s home to temples that feature on everyone’s Japan bucket list.

It feels different from other areas of the city as if it was left behind when the rest of the neighbourhoods were built up and decorated in bright neon billboards. 

I like Asakusa because it has loads of cozy cafes where you can spend the morning reading, and its poky streets are home to lots of artisanal stores selling handcrafted gifts.

It’s also where the Senso-ji Temple, Tokyo’s oldest temple, is found. The Senso-ji temple was completed in 645 and is attached to a five-storey high pagoda.

After you wander through the complex you’ll come to a 200-metre-long shopping street called Nakamise that leads you to the outer gate of the temple.

Incredibly, the stalls on this little shopping alley have been there for centuries. 

If it’s the culture you’re looking for, Asakusa is the best neighbourhood to stay in. You’ll also find the 634-meter-tall Tokyo Skytree on the other side of the Sumida River from the Senso-ji Temple.

It’s very modern compared to the rest of Asakusa but worth visiting as there are two awesome viewing decks near the top!

Here are some great places to stay in Asakusa for every budget.

Budget: for money-conscious travellers, I recommend the Tamayura Hotel Asakusa. It’s in a great location and the rooms are a decent size considering the price.

It’s a two-minute walk to Asakusa Station, 10 minutes away from the Senso-ji Temple, and 20 minutes away from the Tokyo Skytree. Did I mention breakfast is included?

Click here to book your stay at Tamayura Hotel Asakusa!

Midrange: a great midrange option is the Henn na Hotel Tokyo. They have themed family rooms (the Panda Suites) that are fantastic if you’re travelling with kids as well as comfortable and elegant double rooms. 

Click here to book your stay at Henn an Hotel Tokyo!

Luxury: The luxurious Hotel Gracery has simple rooms with a classical feel to them. Whilst the decor isn’t much to write home about, the rooms come with spectacular views of the Skytree Tower!

The hotel is within a 15-minute walk from the Senso-ji Temple, it’s one of the best-located hotels in Tokyo.

Click here to book your stay at Hotel Gracery in Asakusa!

Ikebukuro – Where To Stay In Tokyo On A Budget

Whilst Ikebukuro isn’t an area that is usually recommended, I stayed here on my first trip to Tokyo and I liked it.

It feels more local and it’s quieter than Tokyo’s more central areas, as well as considerably cheaper. If you’re looking for a place to stay in Tokyo on a budget, this is it. 

The great thing is it’s still on the Yamanote line, so you can whizz around the city and get to all the main attractions in no time. I thought it was a cool area for shopping too, with lots of great manga stores.

Budget: another of the Hotel Mystays, but this time in Ikebukuro, this hotel is simple and super affordable.

The rooms are pretty small, but they do what they need to and they’re perfect if you want to save on your accommodation. 

Click here to book your stay at the Hotel Mystays in Ikebukuro!

Midrange: the first time I came to Tokyo I stayed at Sunshine City Prince Hotel. It’s conveniently located by both the Ikebukuro Station and the subway.

Rooms on the upper floors have great panoramic views, and it’s easy to reach from the airport. 

Click here to book your stay at the Sunshine City Prince Hotel in Ikebukuro!

Luxury: possibly the most peculiar accommodation option in this guide, this traditional style Japanese house is open for holiday lets! It’s got 7 bedrooms and would offer you a unique glimpse into what it’s like living like a local in Japan.

It’s got a nice outdoor area too where you can sit and enjoy the sun. If you’re travelling as a big group it’s super affordable too as you can fit up to 20 people in the house!

Click here to book your stay at this traditional-style Japanese house in Ikebukuro!

Final Thoughts On The Best Neighbourhoods To Stay In Tokyo

Figuring out what area to stay in, in Tokyo can feel like a minefield because the city is so big, and there are so many cool areas.

Whether you’re on a family holiday or looking to go wild and make the most of this vibrant city’s neon-infused nightlife, I’ve got the perfect hotel for you. 

Enjoy Japan’s more old-style culture in Asakusa, or sing karaoke till the early morning in Shinjuku. Save some money with a budget-friendly stay in Ikebukuro, or book a family-friendly hotel in Ueno. 

Once you’re done exploring Tokyo, head over to other beautiful Japanese destinations, like Mount Fuji, Shiraito Falls and Osaka (discover where to stay in Osaka!)

My favourite area to stay in Tokyo is Shibuya, what’s yours? Have you already been to Tokyo before? Are you planning to go? Let me know in the comments below.

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