Tokyo Hotel Tips: The Best Places to Stay in Tokyo

The Best Neighborhoods to Stay in Tokyo on a Map

We strongly recommend booking a hotel in the center of Tokyo. Trust us, the last thing you want during your city trip to Tokyo is to get stuck in rush-hour traffic.

All five neighborhoods we recommend for staying in Tokyo are centrally located along the Yamanote Line. This is the most important train line in Tokyo for you. It loops around the city center and stops at many major attractions in Tokyo. Asakusa is a bit off to the side, but you’re still just a short ride from one of the line’s stops.

Honestly, it doesn’t matter which neighborhood you pick — just choose the one that suits you best. You’ll be taking the train either way. The easiest way to get around is with a Suica Card, which also comes in handy for traveling by train throughout Japan.

The best areas to stay in Tokyo at a glance:

• Shibuya: young, hip, and super central — Our hotel pick: lyf Shibuya Tokyo
• Shinjuku: shopping and entertainment district — Our hotel pick: Hotel Cen
• Ueno: more affordable, with temples, museums, and a large park — Our hotel pick: Landabout Tokyo
• Asakusa: authentic, traditional & relaxed atmosphere — Our hotel pick: Onyado Nono Asakusa
• Tokyo Station Area: upscale and supremely well-connected — Our hotel pick: Hotel Intergate Tokyo Kyobashi

Hip Hotspot: Staying in Shibuya

Shibuya is the best place to stay in Tokyo if you want to be right in the heart of the city’s young, energetic scene.

Shibuya is one of Tokyo’s most popular neighborhoods — packed with pop culture and shopping streets at every turn. Restaurants, attractions, and shops of every kind line the streets. It’s simply impossible to get bored here.

Shibuya is also home to the famous Shibuya Crossing, surrounded by neon signs and boutiques, with streets that are perpetually packed.

Because of its popularity, hotels in Shibuya are not exactly cheap. It’s hard to find anything under $100 per night. That said, nearly all of the hotels have genuinely great reviews.

Pros of staying in Shibuya

• Very central location
• Lots of highlights right at your doorstep (e.g. the famous Shibuya Crossing)
• Plenty of restaurants, bars, and shopping options

Cons of staying in Shibuya

• Hardly any budget accommodation
• Very loud and hectic
• Shibuya can feel overwhelming for longer stays

Our Hotel Picks in Shibuya

The lyf Shibuya Tokyo has small, modern rooms that still fit everything you need. The location is super central yet surprisingly quiet.

For Shopaholics: Staying in Shinjuku

Shinjuku is the best Tokyo neighborhood to stay in if you want to dive headfirst into the city — shopping, nightlife, and excellent transit connections all in one place.

Shinjuku is the Tokyo you know from TV: neon-lit streets, glittering, futuristic buildings, and above all, endless shopping opportunities.

Shinjuku is home to one of Tokyo’s most important train stations: Shinjuku Station. From here, you can easily reach the entire city — and it’s a great base for day trips from Tokyo, such as to Mount Fuji, Lake Kawaguchi, or Hakone.

You should also explore the area around Golden Gai. It’s a maze of narrow alleyways packed with bars and restaurants.

Shinjuku offers a huge variety of accommodations, which is why it’s also very popular with tourists.

Pros of staying in Shinjuku

• Enormous selection of hotels at every price point
• Lots of restaurants, bars, and nightlife districts
• Many great viewpoints
• Perfect base for day trips
• Shinjuku Station is one of Japan’s most important train hubs

Cons of staying in Shinjuku

• Very hectic
• Still not particularly cheap
• Little traditional charm

Our Hotel Picks in Shinjuku

We really recommend the Hotel Cen. The location is great — you’re in a quiet area but still close to a metro station with plenty of 7-Elevens nearby. The rooms are very small but clean, and you can just slide your suitcase under the bed.

Alternatively, the Onsen Ryokan Yuen Shinjuku is also a fantastic choice. It’s a traditional ryokan with an amazing view of the Tokyo skyline.

Parks and Temples: Staying in Ueno

Ueno is the ideal Tokyo neighborhood for culture lovers who want to spend less than they would in other parts of the city.

Ueno is located in eastern Tokyo, and staying here comes with some real perks: accommodation prices are much lower than in the trendy western neighborhoods, and you’re away from the big-city hustle.

Ueno is home to the vast Ueno Park, which is especially worthwhile if your Japan travel dates fall in spring and you get to experience the cherry blossoms in Japan. You’ll also find the Tokyo National Museum, the National Science Museum, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum here — plus over a hundred temples scattered throughout the neighborhood. Perfect for strolling and relaxing!

Pros of staying in Ueno

• Significantly cheaper than Shibuya and Shinjuku
• Many museums, temples, and the large Ueno Park

Cons of staying in Ueno

• Less hip and modern
• Less nightlife than the other neighborhoods

Our Hotel Picks in Ueno

The Landabout Tokyo offers seriously great value for money. The rooms are cozy and modern, and you’ll feel at home right away. Good news for families too: there are family rooms with up to three beds for children.

Old Tokyo: Staying in Asakusa

Asakusa is the best area to stay in Tokyo if you want to experience the city’s traditional, authentic side.

Asakusa is located southeast of Ueno and is the part of Tokyo that has been largely untouched by the sweeping modernization of the western districts. The neighborhood has barely changed in decades. The atmosphere is more laid-back and traditional — not as anonymous as the trendy urban neighborhoods.

This is also where you’ll find traditional Japanese ryokans — small inns with futon beds, a traditional onsen (hot spring bath), and exclusively Japanese food. A must-try on a trip to Japan!

Asakusa sits a bit off to the side in the east, not directly on the Yamanote Line. But it’s just a few minutes away by Ginza Line. Hotels here are also generally cheaper than in the rest of the city.

Pros of staying in Asakusa

• Many temples and shrines
• Often cheaper hotels than in the modern neighborhoods

Cons of staying in Asakusa

• Not directly on the Yamanote Line
• Less central

Our Hotel Picks in Asakusa

The Onyado Nono Asakusa is a ryokan in a hotel-style format. You take your shoes off at the door and can unwind in the onsen. The rooms are bright and airy, and you don’t have to sleep on a futon.

Gateway to Japan: Staying in the Tokyo Station Area

The Tokyo Station Area is perfect if you want an ideal base for exploring all of Japan while still staying centrally in Tokyo.

The area around Tokyo Station is very likely the first thing you’ll see on your Japan itinerary. Tokyo Station is the main hub for public transportation in Japan — from here, you can easily reach every corner of Japan by public transit.

You can also get around the entire city easily from the station. You can even walk to the Imperial Palace and its beautiful gardens.

The atmosphere around the station has a distinctly European feel. There are tons of restaurants and shops, starting right inside the station itself. The area is generally very polished and well-kept — business people hustle past you everywhere you look. That’s also why hotels here tend to be pricier, but also very good!

Pros of staying in the Tokyo Station Area

• Excellent transit connections
• Lots of restaurants and shopping options right inside the station
• Upscale, well-maintained neighborhood
• Historic building with a European flair

Cons of staying in the Tokyo Station Area

• Hotels tend to be on the expensive side
• Less lively than hip or traditional neighborhoods
• Not a typical Tokyo atmosphere

Our Hotel Picks in the Tokyo Station Area

The rooms at Hotel Intergate Tokyo Kyobashi are bright and the breakfast is delicious. You have two subway stops right at your doorstep, and it’s only a 15-minute walk to Tokyo Station.

Our Tips for Hotels in Tokyo

Here are a few pointers for your hotel search in Tokyo. If you still need general advice for your Japan trip, check out our travel tips for Japan.

Pay Attention to Room Size and Price

Hotel rooms in Tokyo are generally very small — but they have everything you need. Most rooms in the city center are between 9–14 square meters. If you want more space, you’ll usually have to pay more for it.

And yes, hotels in Tokyo are expensive. The same goes for hotels in Kyoto or accommodation in Osaka. Lodging is simply a major line item in your Japan travel budget.

That said, “you get what you pay for” really holds true in Tokyo. For a good hotel, depending on the neighborhood, you should be prepared to spend at least $150–200 per night. The really nice places often start at $250.

Don't Use the Hotel Toiletries

That might sound odd at first, but hear us out. In many Asian countries, cosmetic products very often contain skin-whitening agents.

If you want to avoid unintentionally bleaching your skin, it’s better to skip the toiletries provided by the hotel.

This of course doesn’t apply to international chains, which primarily cater to a Western clientele.

Make Sure You Get a Non-Smoking Room

This only applies if you don’t want to sleep in a smoking room, of course.

Japan is still a smoking-friendly country, though that is slowly changing. Many hotels are now entirely non-smoking. We still recommend taking a quick look when you book — just search for non-smoking accommodations on the hotel’s booking page, or select a room category designated as non-smoking.

Frequently Asked Questions About Finding Hotels in Tokyo