Where should you stay in Tokyo? In this section, I’ll give you my picks for the best, most convenient and most interesting neighborhoods in Tokyo as of February 2025.
The Takeaway
As of February 2025, the following are the best, most convenient areas to stay in Tokyo, listed in order of preference:
- Shinjuku
- Tokyo Station and Marunouchi Area
- Shibuya
- Roppongi
- Ginza and Hibiya
- Shiodome
- Ebisu, Meguro and Daikanyama
- Shinagawa
The Details
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.
I’ve stayed in apartments and hotels all over Tokyo. For me, there are three criteria I look at when choosing a hotel:
- It must be near the Yamanote Line, which is the most important form of transport in the city,
- It must have lots of good restaurants and shops within easy walking distance,
- The area must be attractive.
Without a doubt, the best parts of the city are those near Tokyo Station and in the two big urban hubs on the west side: Shinjuku and Shibuya. Between Tokyo Station and these two hubs you’ll find Roppongi, which despite not being on the Yamanote Line is a great place to stay because of all the restaurants and attractions nearby. Another great area is the Ginza/Hibiya area which is within walking distance of Tokyo Station and crammed with good shops and restaurants.
At the end of this page, you’ll find a map that shows exactly where all these places are located.
The Best Places To Stay In Tokyo
Here is my list of the best places to stay in Tokyo, listed in order of preference. I include my favorite hotels in each district on this page. For complete lists of Tokyo’s best hotels, all personally inspected, divided by price category, visit my Tokyo Hotels page.
Shinjuku
Shinjuku is the best place to stay in Tokyo, especially the places located on the calmer west side of the station. This is one of the city’s biggest transport hubs and it’s on the all-important Yamanote Line. There are several huge department stores, huge electronics shops, literally thousands of restaurants, and Tokyo’s best bookshop: Kinokuniya. Plus, there are plenty of sights nearby. The only caveat is that if you don’t like crowds, you might consider somewhere quieter like Ebisu, Meguro or Daikanyama.
Key Points
- Positives: great transport connections, amazing shopping and dining
- Negatives: east side can be a bit overwhelming for kids
- Best for: young people, foodies, shoppers and bar-hoppers
Our top hotel picks in Shinjuku are
Kimpton Shinjuku
- Luxury: Kimpton Shinjuku
Hotel Century Southern Tower
- Mid-Range: Hotel Century Southern Tower
Sotetsu Fresa Inn Higashi Shinjuku
Mimaru Tokyo Shinjuku West
- Family: Mimaru Shinjuku West
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.
Tokyo Station/Marunouchi Area
The Tokyo Station/Marunouchi area is not only the city’s main transport hub, it’s a great place to stay. In fact, I am tempted to rate this as the best place to stay in the city. It’s a very close second. Here, you’ve got the most important train station, including the terminal station of the Tokaido shinkansen line (for easy access to Kyoto etc). And, within easy walking distance you’ve got all the city’s main department stores in Ginza, Nihombashi etc. And, the area is literally awash with restaurants. Nearby, you’ve got the Imperial Palace and adjoining parks. And, best of all, the streets around here (especially in Marunouchi) are broad and pleasant.
Key Points
- Positives: transport hub of Tokyo, great shops, restaurants and hotels
- Negatives: can feel a little dead in the evening
- Best for: almost anyone, especially those looking to do a lot of exploring
Our top hotel picks in the Tokyo Station/Marunouchi area are
Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo
- Luxury: Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo
Hotel Ryumeikan Tokyo
- Mid-Range: Hotel Ryumeikan Tokyo
Smile Hotel Nihombashi Mitsukoshimae
Four Seasons Hotel at Marunouchi
- Boutique: Four Seasons Hotel at Marunouchi
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.
Shibuya
Shibuya is another huge shopping and transport hub on the west side of the Yamanote Line. It’s pretty similar to Shinjuku and the reasons I rate this highly are the same as for Shinjuku: convenient transport connections (including the Yamanote Line), plenty of shops and restaurants, and lots of attractions. It’s just slightly less busy than Shinjuku and a bit more youth oriented, in case that matters.
Key Points
- Positives: fun, trendy, great shopping and dining
- Negatives: station area is almost always crowded
- Best for: families, young people, shoppers
Our picks for the best hotels in Shibuya are
Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel
- Luxury: Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel
Hotel Indigo Tokyo Shibuya
- Mid-Range: Hotel Indigo Tokyo Shibuya
The Millennials Shibuya
- Budget: The Millennials Shibuya
Also be sure to check out the Hyatt House Shibuya, which opened in 2024. It offers apartment-style accommodations and is great for those traveling with the family.
For a list of my favorite hotels in Shibuya, see my Shibuya Places To Stay section.
Roppongi
Roppongi is another great place to stay. In fact, I am sure there are plenty of Tokyoites and regular visitors who would rank this at #1. The only thing that stops me from doing so is the fact that Roppongi is not on the Yamanote Line. I do a lot of moving around when I’m in Tokyo, so being on the loop line is important. If you don’t plan to do so much bouncing around, then Roppongi might well be your first choice. If you rate great dining, exciting nightlife and plenty of attractions highly, then you should strongly consider staying in Roppongi. This is the sexiest and most cosmopolitan part of the city. It’s where the big money (both Japanese and foreign) eats and drinks.
Key Points
- Positives: sexy, glamorous, dining and nightlife
- Negatives: not on the Yamanote Loop Line
- Best for: young people, fine diners, clubbers
Our top hotel picks around Roppongi are
The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo
- Luxury: The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo
Hotel Villa Fontaine Grand Tokyo-Roppongi
- Mid-Range: Hotel Villa Fontaine Grand Tokyo-Roppongi
Hotel Asia Center of Japan
- Budget: Hotel Asia Center of Japan
The Lively Tokyo Azabujuban
- Boutique: The Lively Tokyo Azabujuban
For a list of my favorite hotels in Roppongi, see my Roppongi Places To Stay section.
Ginza/Hibiya
Ginza and Hibiya are two districts a short walk south of the Tokyo Station Area. Hibiya is famous for its expansive park while Ginza is known as an upscale shopping and dining area. Both are great choices for those who want to avoid the really busy hubs like Shinjuku and Shibuya. And for easy access to transport, you’ll find it hard to beat these two attractive districts.
Key Points
- Positives: close to Tokyo Station, great shopping and dining
- Negatives: can feel more like a shopping district than a neighborhood
- Best for: older travelers, well-heeled travelers
Our top hotel picks around Ginza and Hibiya are
The Peninsula Tokyo
- Luxury: The Peninsula Tokyo
The Gate Hotel Tokyo
- Mid-Range: The Gate Hotel Tokyo
Remm Hibiya Hotel
- Budget: Remm Hibiya Hotel
The Blossom Hibiya
- Serviced Apartment: The Blossom Hibiya
For a list of my favorite hotels in Ginza, see my Ginza Places To Stay section.
Shiodome
A short distance south of Tokyo Station, Shiodome is a tight collection of high-rise office and hotel towers. It’s a short walk from here to Shimbashi Station, which is only two stops from Tokyo Station on the Yamanote Line. So, it’s not too inconvenient. And there are some good places to eat around here.
Key Points
- Positives: convenient to Tokyo Station and Haneda Airport
- Negatives: relatively few shops and restaurants
- Best for: business travelers, solo travelers
Our top hotel picks around Shiodome are
Conrad Tokyo
- Luxury: Conrad Tokyo
Royal Park Hotel the Shiodome
- Mid-Range: Royal Park Hotel The Shiodome
Hotel Villa Fontaine Shiodome-Tokyo
For a list of my favorite hotels in this area, see my Shiodome Places To Stay section.
Ebisu, Meguro and Daikanyama
Ebisu and Meguro are two small urban hubs on the southwest side of the Yamanote Line. Daikanyama is a small hub just west of Ebisu. These three areas are considered the most desirable places to live by Tokyo’s fashionable and wealthy elite. There are a few hotels in these areas that allow you to enjoy the things that locals love: great cafes, hip restaurants and bars, boutique shopping, and pleasant strolling on attractive streets.
Key Points
- Positives: fashionable, hip, low-key
- Negatives: expensive for shopping and dining
- Best for: solo travelers, couples, hipsters
Our picks for the best hotels in Ebisu, Daikanyama and Meguro are
The Westin Tokyo
- Luxury: The Westin Tokyo
Sheraton Miyako Hotel Tokyo
- Mid-Range: Sheraton Miyako Hotel Tokyo
Hotel Mid in Meguro Ekimae
- Budget: Hotel Mid in Meguro Ekimae
For a list of my favorite hotels in this area, see my Ebisu, Meguro and Daikanyama Places To Stay section.
Shinagawa
Shinagawa is a major transport hub at the southern end of the Yamanote Line. It’s not the most exciting district, but it’s right on the loop line and the Tokaido Shinkansen line, so it’s quite convenient to stay here (especially if you plan to hop on and off the shinkansen). There are several excellent hotels here that take advantage of the area’s excellent transport connections.
Key Points
- Positives: transport hub, direct train to Haneda Airport
- Negatives: not many things to see or do
- Best for: business travelers, frequent flyers
Our picks for the best hotels in Shinagawa are
Conrad Tokyo
- Luxury: Conrad Tokyo in nearby Shiodome
Shinagawa Prince Hotel
- Mid-Range: Shinagawa Prince Hotel
Hotel 1899 Tokyo
- Boutique: Hotel 1899 Tokyo in nearby Shimbashi
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 and 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
- Asakusa Budget: Ryokan Asakusa Mikawaya Honten
- Asakusa Mid-Range: Ryokan Asakusa Shigetsu
- Asakusa Luxury: Ryokan Kamogawa Asakusa
- Ueno: Ryokan Katsutaro
- Yanaka: Annex Katsutaro Ryokan
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
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 and 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
- For all the essentials in a brief overview, see my First Time In Tokyo guide
- Check Tokyo accommodation availability and pricing on Booking.com and Agoda.com - often you can book with no upfront payment and free cancellation
- Need tips on where to stay? See my one page guide Where To Stay In Tokyo
- You can buy shinkansen (bullet train) tickets online from Klook - popular routes include Tokyo to Kyoto, Tokyo to Osaka and Tokyo to Hiroshima
- You can buy an eSim to activate in Japan or buy a Japan SIM card online for collection on arrival at Tokyo Narita or Haneda airports. Or rent an unlimited data pocket wifi router
- See my comprehensive Packing List For Japan
- Compare airline flight prices and timings for the best Japan flight deals. Check my guides to arriving at Narita Airport and at Haneda Airport.
- If you're visiting more than one city, you might save money with a Japan Rail Pass – see if it's worth it for you
- World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world
- Do you want help planning your trip? Chris Rowthorn and his team of Japan experts at Japan Travel Consulting can help
