Where to Stay in Tokyo – on Your First Trip

One of the first things you need to decide when planning your trip to Tokyo is where, in this enormous city, you want to stay. There are thousands of hotels to pick from and a lot of different neighborhoods in which you could base yourself – but, if you’re a first-time traveler here are the five most popular areas that you might want to consider.

Shinjuku, Shibuya, Asakusa, Ginza, and Tokyo Bay

So, now let’s help you decide which you should pick for your Tokyo trip.

In the post that follows, I’ll explain why I picked these as the best areas to stay in Tokyo – and compare each to the most important criteria you need to think about if you’re staying in Tokyo for the first time. These are…

• The general feel of the area. Is it safe, does it have the atmosphere you’re looking for?
• Are there lots of bars and restaurants nearby – trust be, there will be a day when you can’t face walking any further than about 100 meters away from your hotel!
• Which of the main sights in Tokyo can be reached from here with quick easy train connections and, any day trips with easy transport from this area.
• Ease of access from the airport. No one needs to trek miles with a suitcase
• I’ll also suggest some good hotels

Area 1: Shinjuku

This is the Tokyo you expect to see, a blaze of neon signs above a bustling mass of people. But it’s also full of shops, packed with bars and restaurants – and you won’t lack for choice when it comes to finding a hotel – for any budget.

It’s often described as a party area – but, that’s not necessarily the case as, like Tokyo, Shinjuku can be split into two parts – east and west. Both are lively and full of places to eat, but they have different vibes.

West Shinjuku is more businessy or family-friendly and includes very popular hotels like the Keio Plaza Hotel or the Park Hyatt Tokyo (of Lost in Translation fame).

East Shinjuku is more gritty and boisterous. It includes the area around Kabukicho, which is one of Tokyo’s red-light districts – just hearing that can put people off staying here, but, it’s not dangerous for tourists; It just might not be what you expect from Japan (our post on what to expect in Kabukicho explains that in more detail).

I love staying here because there’s always something happening – and the people-watching is fantastic

If you are a fan of late nights, you’ll definitely want to stay in Shinjuku as the bars stay open later than the train runs. And Tokyo taxis are not cheap!

Big Sights That Shinjuku is Handy For

Shibuya, Harajuku, Meiji Shrine. Day trips to Warner Bros Harry Potter Tour, Mount Fuji, Hakone.

It’s Not Quite as Convenient For

Asakusa/Senso ji, Tokyo Skytree, Tokyo Disney Resort.

Getting to Shinjuku From the Airport

From Narita

Very easy. You can take the Narita Express which takes about 85 minutes from the airport stations to Shinjuku Station. Or, you can take the Limousine Bus which drops off at seven hotels in Shinjuku – plus some general stops like the bus station.

See more about these options in our guide to getting to Shinjuku from Narita.

From Haneda

The easiest choice with luggage is the Limousine Bus, which stops at the bus station and seven different hotels in Shinjuku otherwise, you’ll need to change trains once between the airport and Shinjuku station.

Eating and Drinking in Shinjuku

You’re spoilt for choice – as well as hundreds of bars and restaurants in the side streets, three of Tokyo’s main entertainment areas – Kabukicho, Omiode Yokocho, and Golden Gai are in Shinjuku. You’ll find every kind of food here too.

Find our favorite restaurants and bars, and some more suggestions for sights to see in our guide to Shinjuku.

Recommended Hotels in Shinjuku

I don’t stay in the middle of Shinjuku as I’m normally staying with Mr Japlanease on this side of town and we need some space – so, when I stay in Shinjuku, I stay at the Citadines Shinjuku which is a bit out of the bustling center, but this means you get rooms with a lot of space for a lot less money (that’s about half of the room below).

The rooms here also have small kitchens and the sink is outside the bathroom which is handy for getting ready faster.

If I wasn’t watching the budget though, I’d stay at either the Keio Plaza Hotel if I had kids with me, or wanted to avoid the seedy side of Shinjuku.

However, in the real world, I don’t mind Kabukicho, so I’d personally pick to stay at Hotel Gracery, which is right in the middle of all the fun – and has a giant Godzilla on the roof!

If you’re a huge Godzilla fan, the hotel also has Godzilla-themed rooms – these used to be impossible to book, but, they’re now a bit easier, and we explain how in our Godzilla guide.

Area 2: Asakusa

If you’re already shuddering at the idea of Shinjuku, then this might be more your scene. Asakusa is the older area of Tokyo – it’s home to one of Tokyo’s most important shrines, Senso-ji – and plenty of smaller ones dotted around its winding roads.

It’s still got a tourist-friendly vibe, but, you can also wander down backstreets and find bars like Kamiya that are unchanged from when they first opened and full of locals. Staying in Asakusa will ease you into Tokyo while Shinjuku throws you in at the deep end.

When I stay here, I love being able to visit Senso-ji at a few different times of day. Sunset and evenings see it all lit up while getting there early allows you to beat the crowds – something that also comes in handy at Tokyo Skytree.

Asakusa can sometimes feel full of tourists, but take a few steps away from the main sights and wander the backstreets, and you’ll find a more local atmosphere. I spent a happy afternoon soaking in the Akebonoyu sento (a public bath, kind of like an onsen) here and was the only tourist there.

It’s Very Convenient For

Senso-ji, Tokyo Skytree, Akihabara, Ueno. Odaiba (by boat). Daytripping to Nikko.

It’s Not Quite So Convenient For

Shibuya, Shinjuku, Tokyo Disney parks

Getting to Asakusa From the Airport

From Narita

One easy way to get to Asakusa from Narita is the Limousine Bus which stops at the Asakusa View Hotel. You don’t need to be staying at this hotel to use the bus. The journey takes about 1 hour 45 minutes, and then walk or get a taxi to your actual hotel from there.

Or, you can get on the Keisei Skyliner to Ueno station and then take the metro, a bus, or a short taxi ride to your hotel.

From Haneda

This is one reason why this is one of the best neighborhoods to stay in Tokyo. It’s so easy to get to and from Haneda. You can either get on the Keikyu Line at the airport and stay on it until Asakusa Station. It takes about 40 minutes.

Or, the Limousine Bus from Haneda also stops in Asakusa – again at the Asakusa View Hotel. This takes longer than the train – about 1 hour 20 minutes, but, is easier with luggage.

Eating and Drinking in Asakusa

Plenty of choice – and lots of English menus. There’s even a whole street of friendly izakaya called Hoppy Street for you to visit – or, try one of the local standing bars which are a good place to meet locals.

We have a bigger list of bars and restaurants to visit in our longer Asakusa area guide.

Recommended Hotels in Asakusa

I picked Hotel MONday as the best mix of cheap pricing and a spacious room and I was not disappointed. The only slight downside of it is that it’s not that near a station, but, we quickly mastered the buses.

I have also stayed in the Hen na Hotel Asakusa Tawaramachi, which was a bit better for transport. This is also one of the robot hotels in Tokyo, which are a lot of fun.

Another great choice to consider would be the Gate Hotel Kaminarimon, as it’s right in the middle of everything. Or for a family, I’d book the very conveniently located, Mimaru Tokyo Asakusa Station.

Area 3: Shibuya

Located in west Tokyo, Shibuya is famous for its busy crossing, more fun shops than you can shake a stick at, and the super trendy Shibuya Sky observation deck, Shibuya doesn’t have as many hotels as Shinjuku or Asakusa, and, from experience, prices here can skew a little higher than the other two areas. It’s a fantastic place if you’re traveling with teens, as it’s one of the homes of teen culture in Tokyo.

Shibuya is connected to a lot of train lines, which makes whizzing around the city from here easy – but the station is not quite as intimidating as Shinjuku. You have shops, bars, restaurants – and sights like the Shibuya Crossing on your doorstep – and it’s a short walk to the fun area of Harajuku. The vintage shops of Shimokitazawa are also within easy reach. If you’re a shopper, stay in Shibuya.

It’s buzzy like Shinjuku, but not as crass. Just don’t accidentally book one of the establishments on Love Hotel Hill!

Areas It’s Convenient For

Shinjuku, Harajuku, Shimokitazawa, Shopping.

Not Quite So Convenient For

Asakusa, Odaiba, Tokyo Disney parks. Daytrips.

Getting to Shibuya From the Airports

From Narita

Very easy – your best choice is the Narita Express train which takes you straight into Shibuya Station in about 80 minutes. The Limousine Bus makes three stops in Shibuya, but the train is faster (especially in rush hour) and just as easy as you don’t need to change.

From Haneda

The Airport Limousine Bus takes around an hour to reach Shibuya and stops at three stops – Shibuya Station, The Cerulean Tower Tokyo Hotel, and Mark City.

If you catch the train, you’ll need to change at Shinagawa Station onto the Yamanote Line. It’s easy but might not be fun in rush hour with luggage.

Eating and Drinking in Shibuya

Plenty of choices – the back streets around Dogenzaka team with conveyor belt sushi restaurants and small izakaya. Shibuya and Harajuku are also the best places to try Tokyo’s most fun food trends, from giant candy floss to fun cafes like the Peppa Parlor, with its dancing robots.

You’ll find some specific bar and restaurant suggestions in our bigger guide to Shibuya.

Recommended Hotels in Shibuya

I stayed at the JR East Mets Hotel which is right by the Yamanote Line entrance at Shibuya Station, which is very handy if you’re coming or going from the Shinkansen at Shinagawa – even with luggage. Again, the rooms are a bit larger than average.

Other good hotels in this area include the Shibuya Excel which is a nice businessy western-style hotel.

Or, for something a bit more fun, take a look at The Millennials, one of a new breed of capsule hotel with larger, sleeping pod-style rooms.

Area 4: Ginza

This area is best known as an upmarket shopping area, but, it’s not all designer handbags and five-star hotels. You can find hotels for all budgets here, and, its location close to Tokyo station makes it very handy for day trips. And while it might not look like a hive of evening activities, if you know where to look you can enjoy some very local drinking and dining (see our top tips in our Ginza guide).

It’s fantastically located for transport – all of the other areas on this list are within less than a 20-minute ride from Ginza. If you’re coming in, or leaving by Shinkansen to Kyoto or Osaka, it’s also the easiest location, on this list, to get to and it has a lot of different stations serving different metro lines within a short walk of each other.

In terms of nearby sights, you’re close to Tsukiji Outer Market and the Imperial Palace. If you want to shop, you’re going to love every second of it. And it’s surprisingly easy to reach Tokyo Disney Resort from here.

Convenient For

Tsukiji Market, Odaiba, Asakusa, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Tokyo Disney, Shopping. Catching the Shinkansen to Kyoto/Osaka.

Not Quite As Convenient For

Nowhere – it’s fantastically located.

Getting to Ginza From the Airport

From Narita

Tokyo Station is the first stop on the Narita Express. From there take the metro, or a short taxi ride to your hotel. Right now, the Airport Limousine Bus doesn’t stop in Ginza.

From Haneda

It’s a direct journey on the Keikyu Airport/Toei Asakusa Line to Higashi Ginza where you might be able to walk to your hotel, or, change to one of the other lines to a closer station. The Limousine Bus from Haneda is not serving Ginza at the time I write this. The closest stop on the Limousine Bus is Tokyo Station.

Eating and Drinking in Ginza

It might not seem as obvious as in Shinjuku, but there’s a lot of fun to be had in and around Ginza in the evening. Our favorite stop is the Lion Ginza 7 which is done out like a Bavarian Beer Hall. You’d think you were in Oktoberfest if you weren’t surrounded by Japanese office workers.

A must-do around here is to dine in one of the yakitori restaurants under the railway tracks at Yurakocho or do as the local salarymen do and izakaya hop in Shimbashi. And the absolute gem here is Ginza 300, where all drinks cost just 300 yen!

Good Places to Stay in Ginza

Despite my ringing endorsement above, this is one area I haven’t yet stayed in Tokyo because, before my last trip, I hadn’t really explored those little backstreets, and that’s what I love about Tokyo. However, it’s on the list for a future trip.

I’m likely to stay at the Sotesu Fresa Inn Ginza Sanchome, as I’m a big fan of that chain.

Other good options would be the Hotel Grand Bach Tokyo Ginza which appears in my list of hotels in Tokyo with large rooms and is right by Higashi Ginza station.

Or, the Muji Hotel, which is as stylish as you think it might be!

Area 5: Tokyo Bay

If you’d asked me before my last trip if I’d have suggested anyone stay in Tokyo Bay I’d have said no – but, on that trip, I had all the regrets about not doing so – so on my next trip, I’m staying around here for four nights. Why? I’m going to spend a few days at Disney! And this is the number one reason why you’d want to stay here too.

Tokyo Bay is not like being in Tokyo proper, but its proximity to the Disney Parks makes it great for families doing a few days at Disney who want easy access to their room for a rest – or to stay in hotels with a little more Disney Magic.

Other benefits include the beachside locale, which makes it feel a bit like a holiday, and, you’re more likely to find a hotel with a pool around here in Summer. There are also plenty of open spaces around for good for kids who need to let off some steam.

If you’re in Tokyo for more than Disney though, it does lack that real Japanese atmosphere you find elsewhere, and getting to and from most of the main sights is a chore (the fun area of Odaiba is one exception, and there’s a lot to do in Odaiba to keep you busy), so I’d split your stay with a few days here, and the rest of the time somewhere more central to Tokyo’s other sights.

Convenient For

The Disney parks. Odaiba.

It’s Not That Convenient For

Most other areas.

Getting to Tokyo Bay from the Airports

From Narita

Great if your flight arrives during the day. The Limousine Bus is the easiest option, as it takes just an hour and it stops at 11 different hotels around the Tokyo Bay area, but it only runs from 8-6 so, if you’re coming on a very early or late flight, you’ll need to use the train or a taxi.

To investigate these options in more detail, take a look at our guide to getting to Disney from Narita.

From Haneda

Again, during the day it’s great as the Limousine Bus runs from Haneda to the Tokyo Disney Resort area from 7.45am to 8.30 and the journey can be as short as 40 minutes. Outside of those hours though, you’ll need to get a train, taxi, or private car. See more about these options in our guide to getting to TDR from Haneda.

https://www.booking.com/hotel/jp/muji-ginza.en.html?aid=2149381&no_rooms=1&group_adults=2

Eating and Drinking Around Tokyo Bay

You won’t find any cozy izakayas or yakitori shops wafting smoke down tiny alleys here. If you’re not going to be in the parks in the evening, then you’re limited to the restaurants in the hotels, or, in Iskapari, the Disney equivalent of Downtown Disney.

Find a few good places to stop in those in our guide to staying in Tokyo Bay.

Recommended Hotels in Tokyo Bay

You can’t go wrong with any of the main Disney Hotels and what’s known as the monorail hotels, which include properties like the Hilton Tokyo Bay which is right next to Disney’s Toy Story Hotel or the Grand Nikko Tokyo Bay. They are all high quality and very good at helping prolong the Disney magic, but, they are not budget!

If you want to pay a little less, look at the MyStays Maihama which is walking distance to DisneySea, and about 25 minutes walk to Disneyland. I stayed here on my recent trip and it’s a great budget alternative.

Where’s My Favourite Place to Stay

I’ve visited Tokyo five times now and stayed in a few different areas and hotels so I do have a few favorites.

When I’m traveling solo, I prefer small restaurants and, as I’m usually going to Disney for at least one day, I want to stay east. If I have an early flight out of Haneda, I also want to stay close enough to get the first train. So right now, my favorite area is actually not on the list above – it’s around Daimon and Hamamatsucho stations.

This area is very easy to get to from Haneda Airport and handy for Tokyo station. It’s cosmopolitan enough to be easy to find food, but local enough for me not to feel like a complete tourist!

I’d suggest looking around here if you’re a more independent tourist, or if it’s your second or third trip to Tokyo. While it’s in east Tokyo, there’s a direct line to the Shinjuku area – I even managed to get directly to the Warner Brothers Harry Potter Studio Tour easily from here.

If I’m with Mr Japlanease, it’s Shinjuku we gravitate toward as we want bars and restaurants on our doorstep. We even have our favorite pubs there now!

So, that’s my guide as to the best areas to stay in Tokyo when you’re visiting for the first time. But if you do have any more questions, head over to our Facebook Group where I, or one of the other members, can help you out.

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