WHERE TO STAY IN TOKYO
Deciding where to stay in Tokyo can seem like a daunting task if you have not been before. After all Tokyo is one of the biggest and busiest cities in the world!
In order to help you decide where to stay in Tokyo, we have compiled a Tokyo guide with some of the best hotels in each price bracket in popular locations. We have also included Ryokan style hotels in Tokyo.
If you click on the pictures it will take you to Agoda's website where you can check the price and availability. We link to Agoda since they often have the best prices.*
Ryokan | The Heart of Tokyo | West Tokyo | North Tokyo | South Tokyo | Odaiba
RYOKAN STYLE HOTELS
If you are here for Japan tours, then experiencing a traditional Japanese Inn at a Ryokan would be the perfect way to have an authentic Japan experience.
Characteristics: Ryokans do offer western style rooms, but its traditional rooms usually feature a tatami matted floor, a comfortable futon, a communal bathhouse (personal shower in room as well), and a yukata (think Japanese style dressing-gown) to wear in the Ryokan!
Pros: Beautiful rooms and traditional food. The best way to have an authentic Japanese experience during your time in Tokyo
Cons: Not many cons about a Ryokan but if you really prefer a bed then it would be better to get a regular hotel. But, many Ryokans will also have western style rooms with beds in them.
Ryokans in Tokyo
Our recommendation: Ryokan Kamogawa Asakusa
THE HEART OF TOKYO
We are calling ‘The Heart of Tokyo’ the Central district around the Imperial Palace and the Tokyo Station. It is right in the centre of the enormous city of Tokyo. The Heart of Tokyo has the highest concentration of hotels in our Tokyo Guide. It is also an ideal place to stay for any Tokyo tours.
Characteristics: The heart of Tokyo is a tourist hotspot. Everything near by will cater to your tourist needs during your stay in Tokyo. It will be close to good restaurants, shopping districts, shrines, temples and hotels.
About Tokyo: The central Tokyo district has many things to see. You will be very close to popular tourist sites like Tokyo Station, The Imperial Palace and the Edo Castle. Tokyo Station itself has its own shopping mall, endless restaurants, Kitchen Street, Ramen Street and Character Street. Great for Tokyo tours!
About Ginza: Ginza is known as a high end shopping district packed with restaurants, bars and entertainment.
About Nihonbashi: Also known for shopping, restaurants and entertainment, Nihonbashi is a district rich in history. It houses stores that are hundreds of years old and has famous department stores like Mitsukoshi (First dept. store in Japan), Takashimaya and Coredo.
Transport: The heart of Tokyo has fantastic access to transport. Tokyo Station has over 10 lines that connect to normal railroads, metro lines and bullet trains covering the entire country. Ginza Station is on three different subway lines.
Pros: Being in the centre of Tokyo allows handy access to any part of Tokyo, especially with many train stations nearby. You will be in the centre of it all.
Cons: This is a busy business and high end shopping district. If you are looking for something with a more authentic neighbourhood vibe this area is not for you.
Hotels in The Heart of Tokyo
Our recommendation: The Tokyo Station Hotel
WEST TOKYO
West Tokyo includes famous areas like Shibuya and Shinjuku. They are well known hotspots for night life and restaurants, but don’t worry there is also a lot to do during the day. Popular landmarks in West Tokyo include Meiji Shrine, Shibuya Crossing, and Shinjuku Golden Gai.
Characteristics: Lively at night, crowded, full of neon lights and with a young vibe.
About Shinjuku: Shinjuku was notorious for Yakuza activity in the 1960s. But now, it is a popular tourist spot with many shops open until late at night for drinking and eating! The neon lights illuminate the city and is a ‘must-see’. Shinjuku also houses the Park Hyatt hotel which was featured in the movie Lost in Translation starring Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson!
About Shibuya: Famous for its ‘Scramble’ pedestrian crossing and as a shopping hub, Shibuya has everything you want in one area. It has places to shop, good places to eat and interesting views to see. Not far away in Harajuku you can also see the Meiji Shrine, one of Japans iconic shrines.
Transportation: Both Shibuya and Shinjuku are key transportation hubs, each with over 10 train / subway lines. Main railroad and underground metro lines are within minutes of each other.
Pros: Day and night are very different in West Tokyo. Staying in the area will give you the benefit of seeing both sides. There are many popular tourist sights in West Tokyo and is it very close to the Heart of Tokyo. With bustling night life you will not be short of things to do day or night.
Cons: Shibuya and Shinjuku are super crowded day and night. They are packed full of skyscrapers, neon lights and people. Some people will love this. Others… not so much! You are guaranteed to run into drunk salary men on a night out in the city. Personally we think this is a ‘pro’ for entertainment value but some may not share our enthusiasm. If you are staying very close to hotspots like the Shibuya Scramble Crossing and Shinjuku’s Kabukicho, it will be frantic until midnight.
Hotels in West Tokyo
Our recommendation: Park Hyatt Tokyo
NORTH TOKYO
North Tokyo is famous for Asakusa, Tokyo Skytree and Ueno. Whilst there is not a high concentration of big hotels in the area there is a lot of sightseeing to do. Ueno has a large number of museums and Asakusa is famous for Sensoji Temple and delicious food.
Tokyo Guide: North Tokyo
Characteristics: A traditional area with a slower pace. Significantly less noisy and frantic than the West and the Heart of Tokyo.
About Ueno: Lots of museums! If you are into history and culture definitely check Ueno out. It also has a famous alley market for delicious foods and fun shopping.
About Asakusa: Home to the world famous Sensoji Temple. Leading up to the temple there are rows of shops and restaurants selling crafts, souvenirs and traditional snacks. It’s also very close to Tokyo Skytree.
Transportation: While it doesn’t house big stations with many lines running through them like West Tokyo and the Heart of Tokyo, it still has major stations like Ueno that sits on the most popular Yamanote line.
Pros: You can easily spend a couple days here if you are into history and culture. It has a lot of traditional foods, old temples and museums. You can also head up the Tokyo Skytree for a fantastic view of Tokyo.
Cons: Staying here will be a bit inconvenient if you have a lot of sightseeing plans in Western, Central and Southern Tokyo. If you are staying in Asakusa you will need to make several line changes. Ueno is a major station and is better connected.
Hotels in North Tokyo
Our recommendation: Wired Hotel Asakusa
SOUTH TOKYO
South Tokyo includes the Meguro and Shinagawa areas. They are Southwest from the Heart of Tokyo. Convenient access to Yokohama makes it ideal for seeing both major cities. Shinagawa is also a major bullet train station providing easy access to other cities in Japan. Ideal place if you have other Japan tours booked in different cities.
Tokyo Guide: South Tokyo
Characteristics: Whilst Shinagawa is a busy business district Meguro, Ebisu, Nakameguro are smaller neighbourhoods with a local feel.
Transportation: Shinagawa and Meguro have every major line running into Tokyo and out towards Yokohama so transportation is a breeze. Shinagawa is also connected to the newly built bay area of Odaiba.
Pros: The South of Tokyo has some fantastic local neighbourhoods to explore. Whilst it lacks the big museums and world famous Shrines and Temples there are endless opportunities for fun. If you are only in town for a couple of days and are planning to visit Yokohama as well as Tokyo it is ideally located; just a 30 minutes train ride to the middle of each.
Cons: If you are planning on spending most of your time in The Heart of Tokyo it is a 30 minutes train ride in. That said, wherever you stay in Tokyo you will be travelling to other other areas!
Hotels in South Tokyo
Our recommendation: Tokyo Marriott Hotel
ODAIBA
Odaiba is a high tech entertainment hub built on an artificial island in Tokyo bay. It is a newer area with a lot of attractions. Team Lab, Joy Polis Park, Takoyaki Museum, Fuji Television, Miraikan Museum and more.
Characteristics: Less crowded, high tech and modern entertainment area.
Transporation: Odaiba does not have major lines running through it. The futuristic Yurikamome line runs to Shinagawa and Tokyo but it does not have a major JR line. Expect to spend about 40 minutes getting to and from Odaiba.
Pros: A super fun place for entertainment! An ideal choice for families who want to do activities together.
Cons: Odaiba does not have convenient access to the main parts of Tokyo. It is quite isolated. If you are planning to spend a day or two at Odaiba then an overnight would be a great idea. However we do not recommend spending all of your time staying at a hotel on Odaiba.
Hotels in Odaiba
