The city of Tokyo is made up of 23 wards, is home to over 14 million people, and has over 300km of subway tracks. So how do you figure out where in this huge metropolis to stay?
The answer of course depends on what you hope to see and do in Tokyo and your hotel budget and preferences. Below is an overview of some popular neighborhoods to stay in, as well as a few of my favorite Tokyo hotels.
What to take into consideration when choosing a neighborhood
- The subway is the quickest and most efficient way to get around Tokyo, so one of the biggest considerations should be how close you are to a subway station.
- Where are your must-see neighborhoods and sites? Are you doing any day trips? Take into account where you’ll be spending most of your time while in Tokyo, and if you are heading out of the city for any day trips. Try to minimize the amount of time you’ll spend commuting back and forth across the city.
- What do you want in your immediate area? Are you looking for nightlife on your doorstep, a more residential area, or something else?
- Budget! An inconvenient truth of travel is that you can’t always stay in your top hotel (or neighborhood). Almost everywhere in Tokyo will be perfectly safe, but prices vary greatly depending on the area.
Tokyo Neighborhoods
The following neighborhoods are all conveniently located along the Yamanote Loop Line and are close to a major train station that connects to the subway as well as to local and express trains heading out of Tokyo.
Tokyo Station
The area around Tokyo Station is of course very convenient for train connections! This area is also close to Ginza, which is known for its high end shopping and dining. This area is pretty expensive, and is home to mainly 5* accommodations.
Pros: Convenient for the train and subway, close to shops and restaurants in Ginza, close to the Imperial Palace, Tokyo Disney is easily accessed from here
Cons: Expensive, most of this area is the Central Business District, which isn’t super exciting for sightseeing
Ueno
The Ueno Station area is a great combination of budget-friendly and convenient. Away from the immediate station area, this area is quite residential, and you’re close to the restaurants and bars of Ueno Ameyokocho.
Pros: Walkable residential area, close to Ueno Park and the bars and izakayas of Ueno Ameyokocho, most affordable option in this list, close to Senso-ji and other popular sites, a day trip to Nikko is easier from this area
Cons: No 5* accommodations in this area
Shinjuku/Shibuya
Shinjuku and Shibuya are famous for their skyscrapers, night views, nightlife, and crowds. There are tons of amazing hotels here, and great (if busy) stations with connections all over the city and out to quieter suburbs.
Pros: Close to amazing dining, shopping, and nightlife, lots of hotel options from hostels to 5*, close to famous sites like Meiji Jingu, day trips to western suburbs like Kichijoji or out to Kawaguchiko (Mt Fuji) area easier from here
Cons: Big busy streets and stations, even tiny hotel rooms here can be quite pricey
Shinagawa
While Shinagawa might not immediately come to mind when you think of central Tokyo, it has great train and subway connections around the city. Shinagawa itself is more of a popular place for business travelers, but there are some lovely hotels in this area, and the Shinagawa Aquarium is the best in the city.
Pros: More affordable alternative to Shinjuku and Shibuya, lots of hotel options, more residential area, day trips to Yokohama and Kamakura are easier from here
Cons: This area caters more to domestic travelers than international travelers, not as many popular sites close by
My favorite Tokyo hotels
Picking a favorite is so hard a travel planner! I can give recommendations based on your preferences, but I don’t think there is a one size fits all recommendation for something so personal as a hotel stay. For me personally (as someone who prioritizes convenience, local neighborhoods, and is usually traveling solo with 2 small humans), these are some of my favorite accommodations in Tokyo:
5* Tokyo Station area
Hoshinoya Tokyo: I love the Hoshinoya for its central location, more traditional aesthetic and rooftop onsen (most Tokyo hotels are very modern), and absolutely unbeatable service.
4* Ueno area
Mimaru Tokyo Ueno East: I love the Mimaru for a longer stay with my kiddos. There is a fully staffed front desk, but the rooms have every convenience you’d find in an apartment, including a kitchenette and washer/dryer.
3* Ueno area
Nohga Hotel Ueno: I love the Nogha for its boutique design and feel, and their rental bikes.