Where to stay in Tokyo: the best areas, with a walk through each
6 areas compared. Watch the streets before you book.
Tokyo is the world's largest city, but it works like a collection of towns linked by superb trains. Most visitors base themselves on or near the JR Yamanote loop line, which circles the centre and stops at almost every area on this page.
Each district has its own personality, from neon nightlife to temple lanes and quiet luxury. Below you'll find who each area suits, who should look elsewhere, what is on foot, and a walk through its streets, so you can choose the Tokyo you want to wake up in.
The best areas to stay in Tokyo at a glance
| Area | Best for | Vibe | Getting around |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shinjuku | First-timers, Nightlife, Transport links | Neon streets, skyscrapers and the world's busiest station | JR Yamanote line and many metro lines at Shinjuku Station |
| Shibuya | Young travellers, Shopping, Nightlife | The famous scramble crossing, fashion and youth culture | JR Yamanote line and metro; walk to Harajuku |
| Ginza & Tokyo Station | Luxury, Shopping, Bullet train | Elegant boulevards, flagship stores and calm evenings | Metro at Ginza; Shinkansen from Tokyo Station |
| Asakusa | Traditional Japan, Budget, Families | Temple lanes, old shops and views of the Skytree | Ginza and Asakusa metro lines; about 30 minutes to Shinjuku |
| Ueno | Budget, Museums, Airport access | A big park, museums and a lively street market | JR Yamanote line; Keisei Skyliner to Narita airport |
| Roppongi | Nightlife, Art, Expats | Art museums by day, international clubs by night | Hibiya and Oedo metro lines |
1.Shinjuku
- First-timers
- Nightlife
- Transport links
Walk through Shinjuku: video by HP Walking Tours on YouTube.
Tokyo's biggest transport hub and entertainment district, with towering hotels, department stores, tiny bars in Golden Gai and the lights of Kabukicho. It has the widest choice of hotels and direct trains to Mount Fuji and Hakone.
Stay here if
- It's your first visit and you want everything at your fingertips
- You like nightlife, izakayas and late-night food
- You plan day trips west to Hakone or the Fuji Five Lakes
Skip it if
- The size of Shinjuku Station and its crowds would stress you
- You want a calm, traditional atmosphere
Within a 10-minute walk
Shinjuku Gyoen garden · Omoide Yokocho · Golden Gai · Kabukicho · Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building · Isetan department store
2.Shibuya
- Young travellers
- Shopping
- Nightlife
Walk through Shibuya: video by VIRTUAL JAPAN on YouTube.
The trendy heart of Tokyo's youth and fashion scene, centred on the famous scramble crossing. New skyscrapers with rooftop views, shopping streets and bars fill the area, and Harajuku and Omotesando are a walk away.
Stay here if
- You love shopping, fashion and street life
- You want to walk to Harajuku, Meiji Shrine and Omotesando
- You like a lively, modern atmosphere
Skip it if
- You prefer traditional, quiet neighbourhoods
- You'd rather avoid huge weekend crowds
Within a 10-minute walk
Shibuya Crossing · Shibuya Sky · Hachiko statue · Center Gai · Meiji Shrine · Harajuku and Takeshita Street
3.Ginza & Tokyo Station
- Luxury
- Shopping
- Bullet train
Walk through Ginza & Tokyo Station: video by Wind Walk Travel Videos on YouTube.
Tokyo's upmarket shopping district, next to the business quarter around Tokyo Station and the Imperial Palace. It is polished, quiet at night and ideal if you plan to catch the bullet train to Kyoto or Osaka.
Stay here if
- You want a refined, calm base
- You plan Shinkansen trips from Tokyo Station
- You enjoy department store food halls and upscale shopping
Skip it if
- You want nightlife and young crowds
- You're on a budget
Within a 10-minute walk
Ginza Chuo-dori · Imperial Palace East Gardens · Tokyo Station · Kabuki-za theatre · Tsukiji Outer Market · Hibiya Park
4.Asakusa
- Traditional Japan
- Budget
- Families
Walk through Asakusa: video by Tokyo Fan on YouTube.
The old-town atmosphere of Tokyo, around the great Senso-ji temple and its shopping street. It is calmer and cheaper than the west side of the city, with traditional inns, small restaurants and boats on the Sumida River.
Stay here if
- You want a traditional, old-Tokyo feel
- You're looking for good value, including ryokan-style inns
- You'd like early-morning visits to Senso-ji before the crowds
Skip it if
- You want nightlife: the area goes quiet early
- Most of your plans are in Shibuya and Shinjuku
Within a 10-minute walk
Senso-ji temple · Nakamise-dori · Kaminarimon gate · Sumida Park · Tokyo Skytree (across the river) · Kappabashi kitchen street
5.Ueno
- Budget
- Museums
- Airport access
Walk through Ueno: video by Walking Expedition on YouTube.
A down-to-earth district around Ueno Park, home to several of Japan's best museums and a busy market street under the railway tracks. Hotels are good value, and the express train to Narita airport leaves from here.
Stay here if
- You want good value with excellent train links
- You're arriving or leaving through Narita airport
- You love museums and parks
Skip it if
- You want a stylish, modern neighbourhood
- You'd like to be close to Shibuya and Shinjuku nightlife
Within a 10-minute walk
Ueno Park · Tokyo National Museum · Ameyoko market · Shinobazu Pond · Ueno Zoo · Yanaka old town
6.Roppongi
- Nightlife
- Art
- Expats
Walk through Roppongi: video by JAPAN IN 4K on YouTube.
An international district known for its nightlife and its modern art triangle of museums. The Roppongi Hills and Midtown complexes add sleek hotels, restaurants and city views.
Stay here if
- You want late-night bars and clubs
- You love contemporary art
- You prefer an international, English-friendly atmosphere
Skip it if
- You're travelling with children
- You want a traditional Japanese setting
Within a 10-minute walk
Roppongi Hills and Mori Art Museum · Tokyo Midtown · National Art Center · Tokyo City View · Azabu-Juban · Tokyo Tower (a longer walk)
Stay near a station on the right line
In Tokyo, the walk to the nearest station matters more than the district name. A hotel within five minutes of a JR Yamanote line stop or a major metro station saves a lot of time over a long trip.
Shinjuku and Shibuya suit first-timers who want energy and easy connections, Ginza suits a calmer, upmarket stay and Shinkansen trips, and Asakusa or Ueno give the best value and an older Tokyo atmosphere.
Getting in from the airports
From Narita, the Keisei Skyliner reaches Ueno quickly and the Narita Express serves Tokyo Station, Shinjuku and Shibuya. Haneda is much closer to the centre, with trains and monorail links to the city in about half an hour.
Room size
Tokyo hotel rooms are compact, especially in business hotels. If you travel with large suitcases, check the room size in square metres before booking.
Where to stay in Tokyo: common questions
What is the best area to stay in Tokyo for first-timers?
Shinjuku or Shibuya. Both are major train hubs with lots of hotels, food and nightlife, and they make it easy to reach every part of the city.
Is Asakusa a good place to stay in Tokyo?
Yes, especially if you want a traditional feel and good value. It is quieter at night and a little farther from Shinjuku and Shibuya, but well connected by metro.
Where should families stay in Tokyo?
Ueno, next to the park, zoo and museums, or Asakusa, which is calm and traditional. Ginza is a good upmarket choice close to Tokyo Station.
Which area of Tokyo is best for nightlife?
Shinjuku, for izakayas, Golden Gai and Kabukicho, Shibuya for bars and clubs with a younger crowd, and Roppongi for international clubs.
Is Shinjuku or Shibuya better?
Shinjuku has more hotels and better links for day trips west. Shibuya is trendier and better for shopping and walking to Harajuku. Both are excellent first bases.
Areas change over time. Check recent reviews and the exact location of your hotel before you book. Hotel links may earn Walking Atlas a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Keep exploring Tokyo
The Tokyo city guide has more 4K walking videos, top sights, food markets and dishes to try.
Tokyo city guide →