5 Best areas to stay in Tokyo for first-time visitors

Whether you are first-timers or repeat travelers to Tokyo, when visiting the city, you will need to book accommodations before your trip. But, which area is the best to stay in? Should I stay in Shinjuku or Shibuya or Ginza? Which hotels? These questions can be overwhelming, especially for newcomers.

I had a challenging time finding a place to stay in Tokyo too, so don’t worry, as in this article, I will help you to find the best neighborhoods for your vacation, and analyze some pros and cons of each district.

Tokyo is one of the most popular tourist destinations in all of Japan. It is a must see city for those who enjoy exploring the modern side of the country.

My Overview of best areas to stay in Tokyo for tourists

Shinjuku and Shibuya are often known as the best areas to stay in Tokyo for first-timers, especially if you’re happy with being in the center of all the action. These areas provide a prime location, easy access to major train stations, great shopping, a vibrant nightlife scene, and proximity to major attractions.

Shinjuku is my favorite and most convenient area in Tokyo. For many tourists, this area can be hectic, crowded, loud, and overwhelming, but you can choose to stay on the west side of Shinjuku Station, which offers a more family-friendly atmosphere, skyscrapers, and green parks.

The east of Station is a nightlife area where you can find three different styles of nightlife in Kabukicho red light district, Omoide Yokocho and Golden Gai. Staying in Kabukicho part of Shinjuku would be a smart choice for a nightlife person. You can go partying late and minimize late night transit.

We stayed at 4-star Hotel Gracery Shinjuku for 4 nights It was a great hotel in the heart of the nightlife district of Tokyo, just steps away from all the shops, bars, and pubs. The room is small but clean, with all amenities and a coin laudry room. I really liked their bed and pillows, we slep very well. It was also a short walk or taxi ride from Shinjuku Station (1000 yen).

We stayed for 4 nights at Hotel Gracery Shinjuku in Tokyo

Shibuya is popular for shopping and nightlife, especially for those who prefer a young atmosphere. It seems a bit less seedy then Shinjuku and Kabukicho and is a walking distance/easy train to popular places like Harajuku, Omotesando, Roppongi, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, Akihabara, Ginza, and Asakusa.

Ginza is also a nice, quiet, central area for first-timers, especially if you have the budget for it. You can still find a good deal if you book early though. This area is close to Tokyo Station and has lots of high end stores. Ginza is great for families and also geographically close to Tokyo Disneyland.

You can consider staying in Ueno/Asakusa, which offers affordable ryokans and hotels. Ueno is a bit far from things, but it is on the Yamanote line, so it is convenient to explore Tokyo by trains, especially the east side of the city, including Sensoji Temple, Akihabara, and Skytree area.

Asakusa is not right on the Yamanote line but it is close to multiple subway lines such as Ginza Line and Asakusa Line. This area offers a more traditional atmosphere and is easily accessible from the airport by train and limousine bus. You can find great hostels, 3 or 4 star hotels at an affordable rate.

It is recommended to search for hotels anywhere within a 5-10 mins walking distance of the Yamanote line. This line is the train loop that circles all major attractions in Tokyo. It is also convenient if you can find hotels that also have direct access to the express train going to/from the airport.

I believe a well connected train station and a good price hotel should be your priority. Pust pick something close to a station and don’t think too much. You are going to travel on trains a lot anyway.

First, you can look at hotels in the most popular areas like Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Ginza. Remember that these areas can be expensive due to their popularity. You can easily find good hotels if you have a generous budget or book far in advance.

I recommend booking your hotel well in advance (3 to 6 months) to have the best deals. Standard rooms in Tokyo are small, so don’t expect too much about the size. You can consider staying in traditional Japanese inns called ryokans with an onsite onsen for an authentic experience.

If you are a family traveling with kids, I recommend staying in central neighborhoods such as Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Ginza. I don’t recommend staying in the Kabukicho part of Shinjuku as it’s a busy nightlife area and not suited for children.

In terms of safety, Tokyo is generally a safe place to visit. The Kabukicho redlight district can be uncomfortable for some visitors, but overall a safe area to stay. Just ignore the touts and use normal common sense, you should be fine.

Where to stay in Tokyo for first-time visitors

1. Shinjuku

Shinjuku is one of the most popular places to stay in Tokyo for tourists, especially for first-timers. This area is known for its huge skyscrapers, neon lights, busting streets and busy train stations. It is home to Shinjuku Station, Metropolitan Government Building, Gyoen Garden, and the Kabukicho red light district.

Staying here offers easy access to public transportation hubs, famous shrines, central park, shops, and nightlife. It offers easy bus/train access to Mt. Fuji and Hakone for a day trip, as well as easily accessible from Narita airport by Express train and Haneda airport by limousine bus.

If you want a quieter section of Shinjuku, I suggest staying in the west area of the Shinjuku Station. This area is home to the Metropolitan Government Building where you can visit the Observatory deck for free, the big Shinjuku Chuo Park, and lots of department stores like Isetan, Odakyu and Takashimaya.

For party goers, you can book hotels in the eastern part of Shinjuku in the Kabukicho nightlife district. This area has lots of good value for money hotels, but I won’t recommend it for families with children.

Kabukicho is one of the busiest areas in Tokyo so it may not be to everyone’s taste. It is packed with huge flashing neon signs, tall buildings, crowds, noise, and bright light. Many people feel uncomfortable in this part but in general it is a safe place to stay. Just use common sense as you do in any nightlife area.

Other popular nightlife areas in Shinjuku are the Omoide Yokocho (Piss Alley) and Golden Gai where you can find many neon-lit bars, izakayas, and restaurants along tiny pedestrianized alleyways.

This area is home to the huge Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, a lovely escape from the hustle and bustle, where you can relax and enjoy the cherry blossoms in spring, and fall foliage in autumn.

Here are some My recommended hotels in Shinjuku:

Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku, a great 4-star mid-range hotel conveniently located only a few mins walk from Shinjuku Station and the bus terminal. It has soundproofed rooms, vending machines and laundry facilities. The Narita and Haneda airport limousine bus goes directly to the hotel, making it convenient for people with heavy luggage.

Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo Premier Grand, a 5-star family-friendly hotel, offers nice sized rooms in a great location in west Shinjuku in a quiet neighborhood, very close to Shinjuku Station. The hotel has an express bus to the airport, but you can also take the train if you have early morning flights.

The Knot Tokyo Shinjuku, a popular 3-star hotel, located on a lovely park, a bit out of the way, but still a 15 mins walk to the station and fairly easy to get around. It has a great bakery and cafe downstairs, and a coin laundry. They have large rooms for Japan standards according to some guests. You can catch the Narita Airport bus from Hilton Shinjuku, which is a 10 mins walk away.

Hotel Gracery Shinjuku, great base for travelers who want to stay in the heart of Kabukicho nightlife district. It is conveniently located only 5 to 15 mins from JR Shinjuku Station, Gyoen National Garden and the Golden Gai. You can easily walk to the airport Limousine Bus stop at Kabukicho Tower. It has a buffet breakfast on the ground floor restaurant and laundry services which is convenient for many guests.

APA Hotel Higashi Shinjuku Kabukicho Tower, popular 3-star hotel in Kabukicho, close to the metro stations and airport limousine bus stop. Many nice restaurants, bars, and activities within walking distance and open 24hrs. It features a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage space.

2. Shibuya

Shibuya, located only a short train ride from Shinjuku, is a popular base for many tourists who are visiting Tokyo for the first time. This area is home to the busy Shibuya Station, Scramble Crossing, Hachiko Statue, Meiji Jingu, and Yoyogi Park. It has vibrant shopping, nightlife, and a youthful atmosphere.

But is Shibuya better than Shinjuku? In general, there isn’t much difference between staying in Shibuya or Shinjuku in terms of location. They are both centrally located and only a 5 minute train ride apart. You can walk between two stations for 40 minutes.

They both have incredible shopping, nightlife scenes, lots of skyscrapers, and are very well connected to major train stations. Both are good but Shibuya tends to have a younger vibe, like early 20s.

In terms of nightlife, I feel like Shinjuku has more gay scenes, and Shibuya more straight. Many travelers think Shibuya is less seedy than Shinjuku. But If you are all about nightlife, I absolutely recommend staying in the Kabukicho of Shinjuku.

Shibuya’s location is also only 15 mins walking distance/ short train ride from other popular areas such as Harajuku, Omotesando, and Ebisu. It is easily accessible from the airports of both Narita by Narita Express and Haneda by limousine bus.

This area has many boutiques, shops and department sites that cater for young people. You can find most things such as terms of clothing, footwear and accessories at places like Koen Dori and Center Gai.

Take note that, similar to Shinjuku, Shibuya is crowded and busy. If you are looking for a quieter area to stay, I suggest you can look into other neighborhoods like Ginza. Otherwise, it is a great base for those who want to be in the midst of the action.

Here are some of my suggestions for the best places to stay in Shibuya:

Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel, A Pan Pacific Partner Hotel, this is a great 5-star hotel located only a 5 mins walk from Shibuya Station, and a short train ride to Harajuku and the Meiji Jingu Shrine. The hotel has adjacent rooms which is great for families of 4. The airport limousine buses stop right at the hotel makes it incredibly convenient for those who have lots of luggage and young children.

all day place shibuya, a 4-star hotel in central Tokyo, next to Miyashita Park, a great base for couples and families. It is only a 10 mins walk from Shibuya station. It has standard Japan sized rooms, a nice cafe and restaurant on the ground floor. There are also laundry facilities and vending machines. Easy to get from/to airports via train, especially Haneda.

The Millennials Shibuya, this is a great adult only accommodation, great base for solo travelers. It has a shared kitchen, a shared lounge, laundry services, and Baggage storage. It is only a few mins walk to Shibuya station, and there is so much around to explore.

3. Ginza

Ginza is a great base to stay in Tokyo, especially for those who want a less crowded atmosphere compared to Shinjuku and Shibuya, while still having great access to amazing shopping and dining options. Accommodations here are on the high-end side, but if you book early, you can find a good deal.

Ginza Station is conveniently located only a very short train ride from Tokyo Station, so you can have easy access to Narita and Haneda airports. A taxi ride from Tokyo Station to Ginza is around 15 USD.

Ginza is mainly known for its high-end shops like Mitsukoshi Ginza, Midtown Hibiya, and Tokyu Plaza Ginza, but you can also find affordable options here like Don Quijote, H&M and Uniqlo. I think this is a shopping district and is best suited for shoppers who can go back and forth to the hotel to deposit bags.

You’ll be close to several cultural attractions like Kabuki-za Theater, Seiko House Ginza and Seiko Museum, Hibiya Park, Imperial Palace.

The area also has a great nightlife scene with many restaurants and bars, and close Shimbashi and Yurakucho, where you can find many popular izakaya to enjoy the night out.

Ginza is also a great area for families with children. You’ll be a short distance from family-friendly attractions and areas like Tokyo Disneyland and Odaiba. Its central location makes it easy to get to all other parts of Tokyo. Everything touristy like Shibuya, Asakusa, and Ueno are only 30 mins away.

Here are some of my recommended hotels in Ginza:

The Gate Hotel Tokyo by Hulic, this is a beautiful 5-star hotel located in Ginza, close to Marunouchi and Ginza lines, only 10 mins walk from Tokyo Station. It has decent sized rooms and is only a short walking distance to luxury stores and department stores. Lots of food and shopping options around.

Muji Hotel Ginza, a lovely 4-star hotel in Ginza district of Tokyo, conveniently located within walking distance to Ginza Station and Yurakucho Station which is one station away from Tokyo Station, which is great if you arrive with the Shinkansen. It has a nice buffet breakfast, and it’s easy to get to the airport on Narita Express. There is no coin laundry though.

Tokyu Stay Ginza, 3-star accommodation situated in the heart of Ginza, a few mins walk from Ginza Train Station and 15 mins walk from JR Tokyo Station and Tsukiji Market. There are several convenience stores nearby. It has a washing machine, so you can do your laundry.

4. Ueno/Asakusa

Ueno and Asakusa are located a bit further away from major attractions in Western Tokyo like Shinjuku and Shibuya, but they offer more affordable accommodations, shopping, restaurants and izakaya, as well as being well-connected to public transportation.

These areas are great locations to explore eastern Tokyo attractions such as Sensoji Temple, Nakamise Dori Shopping Street, Tokyo Skytree, Ueno Park, and Sumida River & Park.

Asakusa has a good range of budget to moderate priced hotels, ryokans, and hostels. It is a more traditional part of Tokyo, where you will have easy access to major attractions like

Asakusa is not located right on the important Yamanote Line, but it has several train stations that are linked to areas. You can access from Narita Airport via Keisei Access Express train and reach Haneda Airport via Keikyu Limited Express train. This area is also served by The Airport Limousine Bus.

Ueno, located right next to Asakusa, is home to Ueno Station, a stop on Yamanote Line, offering trains to Tokyo Station and JR lines. This area is home to many cultural attractions like Tokyo National Museum, Metropolitan Art Museum, Ueno Toshogu Shrine, and Hanazono Inari Shrine.

Here are some of the best hotels in Ueno/Asakusa:

Hotel Gracery Asakusa, 4-star hotel located near the river in the Asakusa district of Tokyo, only 5 mins walk from Sensoji Temple, markets, eateries, and train stations. Several guests comment that rooms here are bigger than the average Tokyo hotel. Easy access to direct trains to Narita airport and Haneda airport (Keikyu Line train). It has laundry facilities and a vending machine for water.

Koko Hotel Residence Asakusa Tawaramachi, 4-star family-friendly good value for money accommodations, featuring rooms that can accommodate up to 6 people. Great base for those traveling with kids, or a group of friends. It is close to the Tawaramachi subway station on Ginza Line with direct access to Asakusa, Ginza, Ueno, and Shibuya. They have good sized rooms for Tokyo standards.

Henn na Hotel Tokyo Asakusa Tawaramachi, great 3-star hotel, in the Taito Ward district, a few mins walk from Kuramae Jinja Shrine, and Honpo-ji Temple. It’s near the train station and has a lot of restaurants nearby. Family Mart just downstairs and the Rooftop terrace has great views of the city.

5. Odaiba & Tokyo Bay

Odaiba and Tokyo Bay can be great areas for families who want to stay close to family-friendly attractions like Tokyo Disneyland, theme parks and science museums. Odaiba is a man-made island where you can find the iconic Rainbow Bridge, Fuji TV Building and a lot of shopping and entertainment options.

Here are my suggestion of best places to stay in Tokyo Bay:

Grand Nikko Tokyo Bay Maihama, this is a 5-star children-friendly hotel, an official hotel of Tokyo Disney Resort, located 20 mins from Tokyo Station. The hotel is easily accessible from Narita International Airport and Haneda Airport via Limousine buses that stop right at the hotel. You’ll also be close to Bayside Station for monorail to Tokyo DisneySea and Tokyo Disneyland.

Tokyo Bay Shiomi Prince Hotel, a great value for money 4-star hotel located in Tokyo Bay, a great base for families to visit Disneyland, TeamLabs, and Emerging Science museum.it is a bit out of the way for other Tokyo attractions, but is well-served by public transportation. It has a large and modern onsen.

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There you have it, so many areas that you can book your accommodation during your first, or even second trips to Tokyo. The city has excellent public transportation, so as long as you’re near a metro station you’ll be fine, no matter what neighborhood you decide to stay in.

I personally recommend you book hotels in Shinjuku, Shibuya, or Ginza for the first visit due to its proximity to major tourist attractions and activities. If you are traveling on a budget and don’t mind a bit of traveling to the main areas, you can consider staying in Ueno and Asakusa.

I hope you enjoyed reading my post on where to stay in Tokyo and find it helpful. If you have any more questions or tips about a place/neighborhood to stay in Tokyo, then comment down below. I’d love to hear what you have to think.