Truly Tokyo

A Tokyo Travel Guide

Where to Stay in Tokyo 2026

Choosing where to stay in Tokyo is simple once you understand the layout. For most first-time visitors, I recommend staying somewhere on the Yamanote Line, the train loop that connects Tokyo’s major districts. Choose a convenient hub on this line, like the Tokyo Station Area or Shinjuku, and the city is surprisingly easy to navigate.

The exterior of the Palace Hotel Tokyo with elements of the curved metal and glass frontage reflected in the moat of the neighboring Imperial Palace.
Palace Hotel Tokyo © Chris Rowthorn.

Quick Answer: The Best Areas to Stay in Tokyo

After spending months living in Tokyo, writing guidebooks about the city for Lonely Planet, staying in hotels across the city, and helping consulting clients plan their trips (and listening to their feedback), these are the areas I recommend most highly as of June 2026.

Tokyo Station and Marunouchi

Best overall choice for most visitors. Superb transport connections, excellent hotels, great dining and direct access to the shinkansen.

Shinjuku

Best for nightlife, shopping, restaurants and energy. Extremely convenient but busier and more intense.

Shibuya

Best for families, younger travelers and those who want a fun but slightly less overwhelming atmosphere than Shinjuku.

Roppongi

Best for luxury hotels, nightlife and dining.

Ginza and Hibiya

Best for upscale shopping, refined atmosphere and quieter streets.

Shimbashi, Shiodome and Hamamatsucho

Still close to Tokyo Station but less expensive and with easy access to Haneda via the monorail.

Ebisu, Meguro and Daikanyama

Best for travelers who prefer a quieter, more local and stylish side of Tokyo.

Shinagawa

Best for business travelers and those planning frequent shinkansen trips. Cheaper than Tokyo Station and Shinjuku.

Scroll down for top hotel picks, full neighborhood breakdowns and photos, and a map showing exactly where all these districts are located.

My Top Tokyo Hotel Picks 2026

Best Overall Luxury Hotel

The stately exterior of Palace Hotel Tokyo, overlooking the Imperial Palace gardens, Tokyo, Japan.
Palace Hotel Tokyo on left © Chris Rowthorn.

Palace Hotel Tokyo (Tokyo Station Area)


Sublime hotel near the Imperial Palace and walking distance to Tokyo Station. Great concierges for restaurant bookings, etc. Read my review or view on Booking.com or Agoda.com.

Best Mid-Range Hotel

Guest room at the Hotel Ryumeikan Tokyo.
My room at the Hotel Ryumeikan Tokyo during spring 2026 stay © Chris Rowthorn.

Hotel Ryumeikan Tokyo (Tokyo Station Area)


I stay here every time I come to Tokyo. Excellent location directly opposite Tokyo Station and one of the best hotel values in the city. Read my review or view on Booking.com or Agoda.com.

Best Family Hotel

Mimaru Tokyo Shinjuku West family suite.
Mimaru Tokyo Shinjuku West family suite.

Mimaru Tokyo Shinjuku West (Shinjuku)


Large apartment-style rooms, excellent location and one of the few Tokyo hotels that really works well for families. Read my review or view on Booking.com or Agoda.com.

Best Boutique Hotel

Sleeping and living areas in a Hotel Ryumeikan Ochanomizu Honten guest suite.
Hotel Ryumeikan Ochanomizu Honten.

Hotel Ryumeikan Ochanomizu Honten (Central Tokyo)


This nine-room sanctuary is quiet, intimate, stylish and comfortable. And half the price of other boutique hotels in Tokyo. Read my review or view on Booking.com or Agoda.com.

Best Budget Hotel

The entrance to Remm Hibiya Hotel in the Hibiya district, Tokyo, Japan.
Remm Hibiya Hotel © Chris Rowthorn.

Remm Hibiya Hotel (Hibiya)


Compact but smart, comfortable and very well located near Ginza and Tokyo Station. I stayed here recently and loved it. Read my review or view on Booking.com or Agoda.com.

How to Choose the Right Area

Tokyo is a huge city. In fact, it’s better to think of Tokyo as a group of cities connected by a great transport system. Thus, it’s really important to choose a good area in which to stay.

There are three criteria I look at when ranking the best places to stay in Tokyo:

  1. It must be near the Yamanote Line, which is the most important form of transport in the city,
  2. It must have lots of good restaurants and shops within easy walking distance,
  3. The area must be attractive.

I’ll go through the best places to stay one-by-one below.

Recommended Mid Range Tokyo Hotels
Hotel RyumeikanHotel RyumeikanTokyo StationMore Info
Kyushu BlossomKyushu BlossomShinjukuMore Info
Marunouchi HotelMarunouchi HotelTokyo StationMore Info
Century Southern TowerCentury SouthernShinjukuMore Info

The Best Places To Stay In Tokyo

Here is my list of the best places to stay in Tokyo, listed in order of preference, along with my favorite hotels in each district.

View of the skyscrapers surrounding Marunouchi Square, as two people sit and relax, with the distinctive red-brick Tokyo Station building to the left.
Tokyo Station and Marunouchi area © Chris Rowthorn.

Tokyo Station/Marunouchi Area

The Tokyo Station and Marunouchi area is the best place to stay in Tokyo for most visitors. In fact, this is usually where I stay when I’m in the city.

You’ve got Tokyo’s main transport hub, including direct access to the Tokaido shinkansen line for Kyoto, Osaka and beyond. Within walking distance are the department stores and restaurants of Marunouchi, Ginza and Nihombashi, along with the Imperial Palace and its surrounding parks. Despite being at the heart of the city, Marunouchi also manages to feel spacious, polished and surprisingly calm.

If your priority is convenience, comfort and easy exploration, this is hard to beat.

Key Points

  • Positives: Tokyo’s best transport connections, excellent hotels, great shopping and dining, broad and pleasant streets.
  • Negatives: quieter and more business-oriented at night than Shinjuku or Shibuya.
  • Best for: irst-time visitors, business travelers, luxury travelers, shinkansen users, almost anyone planning to explore widely .
Daytime view of the Tokyo Station Yaesu Side, Chiyoda-Ku, Tokyo, Japan, with the station Granroof, designed by Helmut Jahn, visible to the right, and some parked vehichles in the foreground.
Tokyo Station Yaesu Side in early spring 2025 © Chris Rowthorn.
An evening view of the historic red-brick Tokyo Station illuminated with warm lights, standing in contrast to the towering modern glass skyscrapers behind it. In the foreground, a spacious paved plaza is filled with pedestrians, bordered by a patch of green lawn on the left under a twilight sky.
Tokyo Station Marunouchi side in the evening © Chris Rowthorn.

Best Hotel Picks For The Tokyo Station/Marunouchi Area

My top hotel picks in the Tokyo Station/Marunouchi area are:

A spacious luxury hotel room with high ceilings and classic European decor. Two twin beds with tall, tufted grey headboards take up the right side, dressed in white linens with deep purple runners and patterned bolster pillows. A gold chandelier with multiple lampshades hangs centrally. On the left, a dark wood dresser holds a flat-screen TV. A lime-green armchair sits near a tall window draped with sheer and heavy curtains at the far end of the room, standing on a carpet with a geometric maroon and beige pattern.
The Tokyo Station Hotel guest room © Chris Rowthorn.
  • Local Luxury: Tokyo Station Hotel - Located directly above Tokyo Station, this historic hotel combines old-world elegance with one of the most convenient locations in Japan. Despite sitting atop the busiest station in the country, the rooms are remarkably quiet. Service is impeccable, rooms are spacious by Tokyo standards, and rates are surprisingly reasonable for this level of luxury. Read my review or view on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
Luxurious suite room in the Shangri-La Hotel with large corner windows, sofa and armchair, subtle lighting, and views of the city.
Shangri-La Tokyo corner suite © Chris Rowthorn.
  • International Luxury: Shangri-La Tokyo - I love the Shangri-La Tokyo. It’s in a tower right above Tokyo Station with eye-popping views in every direction. The hotel has the feeling of a secret sanctuary in the sky and the rooms, restaurants and spa are sublime. Read my review or view on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
Luxurious guest room in the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Tokyo, with two large beds, wall-length wooden desk, and incredible views of the city skyline.
Mandarin Oriental Tokyo guest room © Chris Rowthorn.
A comfortable guest room at Hotel Ryumeikan Tokyo, near Tokyo Station, Japan.
My room at the Hotel Ryumeikan Tokyo © Chris Rowthorn.
  • Mid-Range: Hotel Ryumeikan Tokyo - This is where I usually stay in Tokyo. Located directly across from Tokyo Station, the Hotel Ryumeikan Tokyo offers one of the best combinations of convenience, comfort and value in the city. Rooms are compact but smartly designed and the location is hard to beat for transport and dining. Read my review or view on Booking.com or Agoda.com.

If you’re a traveler who wants the conveniences of home, check out the excellent Ascott Marunouchi Tokyo, which offers great serviced apartments. And if you’re on a budget or traveling with the family, check out the karaska hotel colors Tokyo Yaesu, which offers connecting rooms and reasonable rates just steps from Tokyo Station.

For a list of my favorite hotels in this area, see my Tokyo Station/Marunouchi Places To Stay section.

View of tall contemporary buildings in West Shinjuku, Tokyo, from an elevated walkway, on a bright, sunny days, including the distintive Mode Gakuen Cocoon Tower.
Towers of West Shinjuku © Chris Rowthorn.

Shinjuku

If you want energy, nightlife, shopping and nonstop dining, Shinjuku is hard to beat. It’s one of Tokyo’s biggest transport hubs, it sits on the all-important Yamanote Line, and it contains thousands of restaurants, bars, department stores and cafes.

The west side of Shinjuku is calmer, more spacious and more polished, while the east side is brighter, louder and more nightlife-oriented. Personally, I strongly prefer West Shinjuku, especially for families and first-time visitors.

If you love cities that feel alive at all hours, Shinjuku may well be your favorite part of Tokyo.

Key Points

  • Positives: superb transport connections, amazing shopping and dining, huge hotel selection.
  • Negatives: east side can be a bit overwhelming for kids.
  • Best for: young travelers, food lovers, shoppers, nightlife seekers, first-time visitors.

Here are a couple of pics to give an idea of the street level vibe of Shinjuku. First, here’s West Shinjuku, which is the calmer side:

View from Shinjuku Station in Tokyo, Japan, of one of West Shinjuku’s main streets with traffic and lined with large buildings, looking towards the Park Hyatt tower.
West Shinuku, looking toward the Park Hyatt tower © Chris Rowthorn.
View of the West Shinjuku train tracks towards the NTT Docomo Yoyogi Building on the left and the Hotel Century Southern Tower on the right.
Train tracks of Shinjuku Station (West Shinjuku) with Hotel Century Southern Tower visible on right © Chris Rowthorn.

Here’s East Shinjuku, which is the busier nightlife side:

Daytime image of Godzilla Road with Godzilla himself peeping up over the side of the Hotel Gracery in East Shinjuku, Tokyo.
East Shinjuku with Gracery Hotel in middle © Chris Rowthorn.
Daytime Yasukuni Street scene in the Kabukicho area of East Shinjuku, Tokyo, with many shops and restaurants.
East Shinuku street scene © Chris Rowthorn.

Best Hotel Picks For Shinjuku

My top hotel picks in Shinjuku are:

Corner guest room in the Kimpton Shinjuku hotel, Tokyo, Japan, with contemporary interior design with double bed, L-shaped leather sofa, and corner seating area.
Kimpton Shinjuku.
Hollywood twin at the JR Kyushu Hotel Blossom Shinjuku.
Hollywood twin at the JR Kyushu Hotel Blossom Shinjuku.
  • Mid-Range: JR Kyushu Hotel Blossom Shinjuku - Located just a few minutes’ walk from Shinjuku Station on the quieter west side of the district, the JR Kyushu Hotel Blossom Shinjuku is one of the best mid-range hotel values in Tokyo. The rooms feel fresh, clean and thoughtfully designed, with subtle Japanese touches throughout, and the location is hard to beat for transport, shopping and dining. Read my review or view Booking.com or Agoda.com.
Twin guest room in the Sotetsu Fresa Inn Higashi Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan, with padded headboards and strip lighting above the pillows, brown carpet with sprial geometric patterns.
Sotetsu Fresa Inn Higashi Shinjuku.
Family room in the Mimaru Tokyo Shinjuku West hotel, Tokyo, Japan, with two sets of twin beds, long dining table with sofa seating, and contemporary update on traditional minimal Japanese style.
Mimaru Tokyo Shinjuku West.
  • Family: Mimaru Shinjuku West - This is one of the best family hotels in Tokyo. Located in calmer West Shinjuku, the Mimaru offers large apartment-style rooms with simple cooking facilities and enough space for families to spread out — something that’s surprisingly rare in Tokyo. Read my review or view on Booking.com or Agoda.com.

You may also want to check out the Hundred Stay Tokyo Shinjuku, which offers great family rooms at amazingly reasonable rates.

For my list of Shinjuku’s best hotels in all price ranges, see my Shinjuku Places To Stay section.

Recommended Luxury Hotels In Tokyo
Mandarin OrientalMandarin OrientalTokyo StationMore Info
The PeninsulaThe PeninsulaTokyo StationMore Info
Ritz-CarltonRitz-CarltonRoppongiMore Info
Conrad TokyoConrad TokyoShiodomeMore Info
Aerial view looking down on the famous Shibuya Crossing and illuminated buildings at twilight in Tokyo, Japan.
Shibuya in the evening © f11photo/Shutterstock.com.

Shibuya

Shibuya is another excellent base in Tokyo and one that many travelers end up loving most. Like Shinjuku, it’s a major transport hub on the Yamanote Line packed with restaurants, shops and attractions. But compared with Shinjuku, it feels slightly younger, more stylish and a little less overwhelming. My kids love this area and I’m more comfortable staying here with them than I would be in Shinjuku.

Key Points

  • Positives: fun atmosphere, excellent shopping and dining, convenient transport connections.
  • Negatives: station area is almost always crowded.
  • Best for: families, young people, shoppers.

Here are some photos I took in the spring of 2025 that give a feeling for the streets of Shibuya:

The Finger Ave crossroads in a bright early morning view of Shibuya in early spring, as a handful of people pass the Parco and Moncler stores.
Shibuya street view © Chris Rowthorn.
Pedestrians pass the shops and cafes of Shibuya Tokyo on an early spring morning, close to the famous Shibuya Scramble crossing.
Shibuya streets early morning 2025 © Chris Rowthorn.

Best Hotel Picks For Shibuya

My picks for the best hotels in Shibuya are:

Large double suite in the Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel in Tokyo, Japan, with huge bed, various cushioned seating areas, and wide windoes offering city views.
Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel.
Twin guest room in the Hotel Indigo Tokyo Shibuya, Japan, with joined twin beds with two sofa chairs at the foot and bleached wooden floors, as well as city views.
Hotel Indigo Tokyo Shibuya.
  • Mid-Range: Hotel Indigo Tokyo Shibuya - With a central Shibuya location, attentive staff, great boutique style and comfortable rooms, the Indigo is one of the best hotels in Shibuya and a great choice for those in the market for a stylish upper mid-range hotel in Tokyo. Read my review or view on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
Pink neon and atmospheric lighting as people relax in the lounge of The Millennials capsule hotel in Tokyo.
The Millennials Shibuya.
  • Budget: The Millennials Shibuya - The Millennials Shibuya is best described as a “boutique capsule hotel.” It’s great for those who want to be right in the heart of the action in Shibuya and for those who really want to meet other travelers. Read my review or view on Booking.com or Agoda.com.

For a list of my favorite hotels in Shibuya, see my Shibuya Places To Stay section.

Recommended Budget Tokyo Hotels
Compact double room with desk and television in the Dormy Inn Akihabara hotel, Tokyo, JapanDormy InnAkihabaraMore Info
A guest room in the Remm Hibuya hotel, Tokyo, Japan, with orange interiors, bed, shower room, and massage chairRemm HibuyaGinzaMore Info
Twin beds in a Touganeya Hotel double room, Tokyo, JapanTouganeya HotelUenoMore Info
Double bed with overhead single bunk in a Super Hotel Asakusa triple room, Tokyo, JapanSuper HotelAsakusaMore Info
Quiet early morning view of a street in the Roppongi Hills area of Tokyo with a branch of Tsutaya Books visible to the left.
Roppongi Hills area in February 2025 © Chris Rowthorn.

Roppongi

Roppongi is one of Tokyo’s most cosmopolitan and sophisticated districts. It’s famous for luxury hotels, nightlife, fine dining and an international atmosphere.

The only reason I don’t rank it higher is that it’s not directly on the Yamanote Line. If transport convenience matters less to you than dining, nightlife and stylish surroundings, Roppongi could easily become your favorite part of Tokyo.

Key Points

  • Positives: sexy, glamorous, dining and nightlife.
  • Negatives: not on the Yamanote Loop Line.
  • Best for: young people, fine diners, clubbers.

Here are a few pics in snapped in February 2025 that convey the general vibe of Roppongi:

Entrance and forecourt of the Grand Hyatt hotel in Roppongi, Tokyo, with a distinctive angular metal canopy jutting out over the driveway above the doors.
Grand Hyatt entrance in Roppongi © Chris Rowthorn.
Daytime street view of the Roppongi area of Tokyo with the distinctive Roppongi Hills flyover to the left and a branch of Wendy’s First Kitchen to the right.
Roppongi street scene © Chris Rowthorn.

Best Hotel Picks For Roppongi

My top hotel picks around Roppongi are:

The magnificent lobby of The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo, perched high in the Midtown Tower, Tokyo, Japan.
The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo lobby © Chris Rowthorn.
The exterior entrance of The Okura Tokyo, featuring a prominent grey stone sign surrounded by lush greenery and willow trees. A wide paved area and a low water feature sit in the foreground, with tall, modern office buildings rising in the background.
The Okura Tokyo © Chris Rowthorn.
  • Local Luxury: The Okura Tokyo - Okay, the Okura is not quite in Roppongi (it’s in Toranomon Hills) but it’s close and it’s eminently deserving of a mention here. I just revisited this classic Tokyo hotel and it’s as beautiful as ever. The lobby is a masterpiece of modernist style and the entire hotel just feels elegant. And don’t miss the fine garden on the hotel grounds. Read my review or view on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
Compact twin guest room in the Hotel Villa Fontaine Grand Tokyo-Roppongi, Japan, with two beds, separated by a three-man sofa, opposite a wall-mounted TV, and pleated curtain drawn against the window.
Hotel Villa Fontaine Grand Tokyo-Roppongi.
Loft room in The Lively Tokyo Azabujuban hotel with four large bunks and stylish living area.
The Lively Tokyo Azabujuban.
  • Boutique: The Lively Tokyo Azabujuban - A short walk south of Roppongi – one of Tokyo’s most happening nightlife districts – the Lively is a beautiful island of style in a quiet area. With great service and an intimate feeling, the Lively feels like it should cost significantly more. Read my review or view on Booking.com or Agoda.com.

For a list of my favorite hotels in Roppongi, see my Roppongi Places To Stay section.

An atmospheric image of a busy Ginza street in the evening, as the street, shops and vehicles light up against a red sky.
Ginza in the evening © Chris Rowthorn.

Ginza/Hibiya

Ginza and Hibiya offer a calmer, more refined side of Tokyo. Located just south of Tokyo Station, these districts are known for upscale shopping, excellent restaurants and broad, attractive streets.

If you like the convenience of central Tokyo but want something quieter and more polished than Shinjuku or Shibuya, this is an excellent choice.

Key Points

  • Positives: elegant atmosphere, excellent shopping and dining, close to Tokyo Station.
  • Negatives: can feel more like a shopping district than a neighborhood.
  • Best for: luxury travelers, older travelers, shoppers, couples.

Here are some photos that give you an idea of what Ginza and Hibiya’s streets look like.

A daytime view of Ginza’s Matsuya-dori Street, looking towards the Solaria Hotel, with a Starbucks to the left and the Oji concert hall to the right.
Ginza streets by day © Chris Rowthorn.
A daytime view of the Peninsula Hotel building and neighboring Hibiya Park in the Ginza and Hibiya district of Tokyo, Japan.
Peninsula Hotel overlooking Hibiya Park © Chris Rowthorn.

Best Hotel Picks For Ginza And Hibiya

My top hotel picks around Ginza and Hibiya are:

The opulent lobby of The Peninsula Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
The Peninsula Tokyo lobby © Chris Rowthorn.
Guest room in the Gate Hotel Tokyo, Japan, with bed facing free-standing TV unit, L-shaped sofa and armchair, as well as wall-sized corner windows.
The Gate Hotel Tokyo.
  • Mid-Range: The Gate Hotel Tokyo – The Gate Hotel Tokyo is a smart hotel with a super-convenient location within easy walking distance of Tokyo Station, Yurakucho and Ginza. Rooms are spacious, the restaurants are smart and the service is excellent. Read my review or view on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
A smartly designed guest room at Remm Hibiya Hotel, Tokyo, Japan.
Remm Hibiya Hotel guest room © Chris Rowthorn.
  • Budget: Remm Hibiya Hotel - Located near lovely Hibiya Park on the north side of Ginza, the Remm Hibiya offers compact but comfortable rooms at surprisingly reasonable prices. I stayed here recently to confirm my earlier impressions and I’m happy to say that it’s as good as ever. Read my review or view on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
A cosy guestroom in The Tokyo EDITION hotel with modern, natural-shaded furnishings, wooden bed and window panelling, and a warm thrown draped across the comfortable bed.
The Tokyo EDITION, Ginza guestroom.
  • Boutique: The Tokyo EDITION, Ginza – A compact boutique hotel in the heart of Ginza, this EDITION is a boutique beauty. With a concierge team that can handle any requests to make your stay special, for those who can afford it, the EDITION is a great choice. Some of my favorite shops are just steps away and Tokyo Station is an easy walk. View on Booking.com or Agoda.com.

For a list of my favorite hotels in Ginza, see my Ginza Places To Stay section.

Hamarikyu Gardens, Tokyo, Sumida River, Chuo district, Japan, with oriental japanese garden during Hanami, and the Hama Rikyu contrasting with the skyscrapers of the adjacent Shiodome district.
Shiodome district seen from Hama-Rikyu Gardens © Benny Marty/Shutterstock.com.

Shimbashi, Shiodome and Hamamatsucho

These neighboring districts sit just south of Tokyo Station and offer an excellent balance of convenience and value. Hotel rates are often noticeably cheaper here than around Tokyo Station itself, while still providing very easy access to central Tokyo.

I occasionally stay in this area myself, especially around Hamamatsucho and Shimbashi. It feels close to everything and Hamamatsucho is particularly convenient for Haneda Airport via the Tokyo Monorail.

Key Points

  • Positives: convenient transport, relatively affordable hotels, excellent Haneda access.
  • Negatives: less atmosphere and fewer attractions than other districts.
  • Best for: business travelers, solo travelers, practical travelers.

Best Hotel Picks Around Shiodome

My top hotel picks around Shiodome are:

Living area of a Conrad Tokyo hotel suite with sofa and armchair around a wall-mounted TV, separate sleeping area beyond, and dining area beside the window overlooking the nighttime bay.
Conrad Tokyo.
  • Luxury: Conrad Tokyo - With dramatic views over Tokyo Bay and impeccable service, the Conrad Tokyo is one of Tokyo’s top international luxury hotels. Rooms are spacious and the overall atmosphere feels polished and calm. Read my review or view on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
A sunlit corner hotel room featuring two twin beds with patterned runners and a gold abstract feature wall behind them. Large wrap-around windows offer a city view and cast long shadows across the green carpet, while a bench and wall-mounted TV occupy the right side of the room.
Deluxe corner twin at the Hotel 1899 Tokyo © Chris Rowthorn.
  • Budget/Mid-Range: Hotel 1899 Tokyo - This tea-themed boutique hotel is one of my favorite discoveries in Tokyo. I stayed in a deluxe corner twin here and loved it. Rooms are clean and stylish, breakfast is excellent and rates are surprisingly affordable. Read my review or view Booking.com or Agoda.com.
Large guest room in the Hotel Villa Fontaine Shiodome-Tokyo with large mattress on a built-in wooden platform, over patterned rug, and with desk area, twin easy chairs and coffee table, and platform beside windows overlooking city greenery.
Hotel Villa Fontaine Shiodome-Tokyo.

For a list of my favorite hotels in this area, see my Shiodome Places To Stay section.

Recommended Tokyo Ryokan
Asakusa ToukaisouAsakusa ToukaisouBudgetMore Info
Asakusa ShigetsuAsakusa ShigetsuMid RangeMore Info
Kamogawa AsakusaKamogawa AsakusaLuxuryMore Info
Ryokan KatsutaroRyokan KatsutaroMid RangeMore Info
Aerial view of the Ebisu area of Tokyo, with skyscrapers and train lines, and other buildings.
Aerial view of Ebisu © TAGSTOCK1/Shutterstock.com.

Ebisu, Meguro and Daikanyama

These neighboring districts offer a quieter, more local and more stylish side of Tokyo. They are among the city’s most desirable residential neighborhoods and are filled with cafes, restaurants, boutiques and attractive streets.

If you think you might find Tokyo overwhelming, you will probably love these areas.

Key Points

  • Positives: stylish atmosphere, excellent cafes and restaurants, attractive streets.
  • Negatives: hotels and dining can be expensive.
  • Best for: couples, solo travelers, repeat visitors, travelers seeking a quieter Tokyo experience.

Best Hotel Picks For Ebisu, Daikanyama And Meguro

My picks for the best hotels in Ebisu, Daikanyama and Meguro are:

Double guest suite in The Westin Tokyo hotel, with sofa and armchair around a coffee table, dining area beside window view of Tokyo greenery, and adjoining room with double bed.
The Westin Tokyo.
Twin guest room in the Sheraton Miyako Hotel Tokyo, with two wide beds and dining area beside balcony window.
Sheraton Miyako Hotel Tokyo.
  • Mid-Range: Sheraton Miyako Hotel Tokyo - A comfortable international-style hotel with good facilities and reasonable rates. I discovered this hotel when a friend got married here. The location is not perfect but still convenient enough for most visitors. Read my review or view on Booking.com or Agoda.com.

For a list of my favorite hotels in this area, see my Ebisu, Meguro and Daikanyama Places To Stay section.

Large office buildings in front of Shinagawa Station in Tokyo on a sunny day.
Shinagawa Station area © OFFICE TK/Shutterstock.com.

Shinagawa

Shinagawa is a major transport hub at the southern end of the Yamanote Line and one of the most convenient places to stay for travelers planning frequent shinkansen trips. Hotels here are cheaper than other major districts.

It’s not Tokyo’s most atmospheric district, but it is extremely practical. Shinagawa also offers direct and easy access to Haneda Airport.

Key Points

  • Positives: superb transport connections, direct Haneda access, convenient for shinkansen travel.
  • Negatives: less atmosphere and fewer attractions than other districts.
  • Best for: business travelers, frequent flyers, practical travelers.

Best Hotel Picks For Shinagawa

My picks for the best hotels in Shinagawa are:

Twin corner guest room in the Shinagawa Prince Hotel, Tokyo, Japan, with two wide beds, and sofa against the wide red window length sofa and view overlooking the city.
Shinagawa Prince Hotel.
OMO5 Tokyo Gotanada guest room.
OMO5 Tokyo Gotanada guest room.
  • Mid-Range: OMO5 Tokyo Gotanda by Hoshino Resorts - Excellent value with impressive city views. Located in Gotanda on the Yamanote Line, the OMO5 offers clean, comfortable rooms at competitive rates and easy access to Shinagawa and Haneda Airport. Read my review or view on Booking.com or Agoda.com.

    For a list of my favorite hotels in this area, see my Shimbashi, Shiodome, Hamamatsucho and Shinagawa Places To Stay section.

    Tokyo Places to Stay Map

    Click the menu icon on the top left of the map to see the name and ranking of each Tokyo district. On this map, the colors indicate the following:

    • Yellow: most desirable
    • Red: desirable
    • Purple: acceptable
    • Light gray: less desirable
    • Dark gray: only in a pinch

    Types Of Accommodation In Tokyo

    Tokyo has an incredible range of places to stay. The city has some of the best hotels in the world (with prices to match) and yet there are tons of perfectly acceptable business hotels that cost far less than their equivalents in other developed countries. And, yes, there are ryokan (traditional Japanese inns) in Tokyo, but not that many of them (Kyoto is the place for ryokan).

    Hotels

    Tokyo has a fantastic selection of hotels in all price ranges.

    • The city’s luxury hotels are on par with the best hotels anywhere. For more information, check out the Best Tokyo Luxury Hotels page.
    • The best value can often be found in mid-range and so-called “business hotels,” which are small but efficient hotels that often offer great rates. For more information, check out the Best Tokyo Mid-Range And Business Hotels page.
    • There is also a range of boutique hotels in Tokyo.
    • Tokyo is a great city to visit with kids. But, where should you stay? See my Best Tokyo Hotels For Families page.
    • If you’re looking for a romantic hideaway in Tokyo, you’ll be spoiled for choice. See my list of The Most Romantic Hotels In Tokyo, all personally inspected.
    • Finally, you might be surprised at just how cheap some of the city’s budget hotel rooms are. And, the quality is surprisingly high. For more information, check out the Best Tokyo Budget Hotels page.

    Also see our overview on the Tokyo Hotels page.

    You can check current Tokyo hotel availability at Booking.com or Agoda.com.

    Ryokan

    Because Tokyo was bombed flat during WWII, there aren’t many traditional accommodations left in the city. However, you can still find some ryokan (traditional Japanese inns) in the city.

    These are our picks for the best ryokan in Tokyo:

    • Tokyo Station Area: Hoshinoya Tokyo - Hoshinoya Tokyo is the finest ryokan in Tokyo. Full stop. If you’re looking for Japanese-style luxury accommodation in a very convenient location, it’s a fantastic choice. Read my review or view on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
    • Asakusa Budget: Ryokan Asakusa Mikawaya Honten - The Ryokan Mikawaya is a mid-range ryokan located a stone’s throw from Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa. It’s got spacious Japanese-style rooms which can easily accommodate families. Read my review or view on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
    • Asakusa Mid-Range: Ryokan Asakusa Shigetsu - With a superb location just around the corner from Senso-ji Temple, the Asakusa Shigetsu is the best ryokan in Asakusa. It’s a great place to sample the ryokan experience in Tokyo. Read my review or view on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
    • Asakusa Luxury: Ryokan Kamogawa Asakusa - With a superb location in Asakusa, the moderately-priced Ryokan Kamogawa Asakusa is our favorite ryokan in Tokyo. The rooms are perfect for families who want to stay together. Read my review or view on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
    • Ueno: Ryokan Katsutaro - A short walk from Ueno-koen Park, the Ryokan Katsutaro is a friendly little ryokan that offers traditional rooms at reasonable rates. Rooms here can accommodate up to four people, making it a good choice for families. Read my review or view on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
    • Yanaka: Annex Katsutaro Ryokan - Located in Yanaka, one of Tokyo’s most traditional neighborhoods, this fine budget ryokan is the perfect place to sample the ryokan experience in Tokyo. It’s a modern building but the rooms are ryokan style. Read my review or view on Booking.com or Agoda.com.

    For more information, check out the Tokyo Ryokan page.

    If you’re not going to visit Kyoto and you really want to try a night in a ryokan, then by all means, stay a night or two in a ryokan in Tokyo. But, if you are going to visit Kyoto, you might want to have your ryokan experience in Kyoto. For details, visit our Kyoto Ryokan page.

    Guesthouses

    In addition to hotels and ryokan, there are quite a few guesthouses in Tokyo that cater to budget travelers and backpackers. You’ll find most of them in the old parts of town like Asakusa. We recommend K’s House Tokyo Oasis.

    Capsule Hotels

    You’ve probably heard of capsule hotels, those ultra-cheap and efficient accommodations designed for salarymen who’ve gotten drunk and missed the last train home. They usually consist of narrow coffin-like capsules and a common bathing area. Most are only for men, but there are a few that also accept women (and have women’s only floors). For our picks, check out the Best Capsule Hotels In Tokyo page.

    Peak Season: March-April and November

    A FRIENDLY WARNING: Tokyo accommodation gets booked out months in advance for busy seasons like the late March to mid-April Tokyo cherry blossom season and the November fall foliage season. Book well in advance for these times.

    You can check current Tokyo hotel availability during March, April and November on Booking.com or Agoda.com.

    Visiting Kyoto?

    If you’re visiting Kyoto as well as Tokyo, be sure to check out my Where To Stay In Kyoto page on Inside Kyoto’s companion website, InsideKyoto.com.

    Visiting Osaka?

    Similarly, if you’re visiting Osaka, see my Where To Stay In Osaka page on InsideOsaka.com.

    Where Are These Places Located?

    See these places on the Truly Tokyo Google map:
    • Open the Tokyo map
    • You will see the list of places on the left hand side. (Click the 3-line icon in the top left corner if not). Scroll down or use the map search (the magnifying glass icon) to find the place you want.
    • Click the name of the place in the list. Its location pin will be highlighted on the map.
    • Map pins are color coded - BLUE: Hotels / Ryokan / Guesthouses | VIOLET: Ryokan | PINK: Places to Eat | GREEN: Shops | YELLOW: Things to See and Do
    • If you're using the map on your phone, open the map and then search for the name of the place. The map will then zoom in on its location.

    Tokyo Vacation Checklist


    Tokyo District Map

    Click a Tokyo District for detailed info on attractions, places to eat and accommodation

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