Tokyo Accommodations
Accommodation | Travel | Tokyo | Japan
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Booking your flight to Tokyo is the easy part, figuring out where to stay in Tokyo is the part that starts to make one’s head spin. Tokyo is a massive city and the neighborhoods in Tokyo are really like individual distinct smaller cities. Picking your Tokyo accommodation really comes down to which neighborhood you want to stay in while visiting Tokyo.
You should choose a neighborhood in Tokyo that fits your traveling style and needs. Asakusa is great for those who want to experience a more traditional side of Tokyo, while Roppongi is perfect for those who want to enjoy a thriving nightlife scene. Shimokitazawa is the spot if you want to stay in a hipster area of Tokyo while Daikanyama offers is a more upscale area.
While the Tokyo public transportation system is efficient and plenty, you should aim to book an accommodation near a major Tokyo subway line to make the most of your time in Tokyo. Would you rather walk 5 minutes or 15 minutes every time you needed to use the subway? Spoiler alert, you’ll be using the subway a lot in Tokyo.
When booking your Tokyo accommodation, ask yourself these questions:
“What is most important to me when I travel?”
“Which Tokyo neighborhood fits my style/needs?”
“Is there a major Tokyo subway line close to the accommodation I’m interested in?”
We’ll give you the run down on what some of the best neighborhoods in Tokyo have to offer so that you can make the decision of where to stay in Tokyo yourself. After two trips and staying in 7 different accommodations in Tokyo, we can confidently say that picking the right area to stay in Tokyo is vital to having a successful Tokyo trip.
Where to Stay in Tokyo by Neighborhood
AKIHABARA | ASAKUSA | DAIKANYAMA | GINZA | IKEBUKURO
ROPPONGI | SHIBUYA | SHIMOKITAZAWA | SHINJUKU | SUMIDA
Akihabara
Anime Culture | Electronics | Maid Cafes
Nicknamed “Electric Town”, Akihabara is perfect for those who are obsessed with the latest tech trends and want to buy cheap consumer electronics. Not into electronics? Akihabara also happens to be the hub for otaku culture. Chuo Dori, Akihabara’s main street is was lined with arcades, maid cafes, and stores dedicated to selling anime and character goods. More things to do, see, and eat in Akihabara.
Akihabara is located in central Tokyo and centered around Akihabara Station. Try to find an accommodation around the station if possible. We stayed at Akihabara Washington Hotel which happened to be right across the street from Akihabara Station and just a block away from Chuo Dori.
AKIHABARA WASHINGTON HOTEL
Address: 1-8-3 Kanda Sakuma, Chiyoda 101-0025, Tokyo
Check in: 2PM
Check out: 11AM
For more information visit the official website.
Check out our full review of Akihabara Washington Hotel
Asakusa
Old Fashioned | Traditional | Street Food
If you want to stay in a part of Tokyo that has stood the test of time, Asakusa is the place. This traditional Tokyo neighborhood is home to Sensoji Temple, Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple and Hanayashiki, Japan’s oldest amusement park. Plenty of things to do during the day and a bustling izakaya (Japanese pub) scene at night. More things to do, see, and eat in Asakusa.
With the highlight of Asakusa being Sensoji Temple, try to find an accommodation near the temple if possible so you can easily visit it during the day and at night. We stayed at WIRED Hotel in Asakusa which was a 5 minute walk from Sensoji and overall an amazing experience. WIRED Hotel offers a range of rooms at different price points, making it perfect for first time Tokyo visitors.
WIRED HOTEL
Address: 2-16-2 Asakusa, Taito 111-0032, Tokyo
Check in: 3PM
Check out: 11AM
For more information visit the official website.
Check out our full review of WIRED Hotel.
Daikanyama
High End Fashion | Tranquil | Trendy
One of Tokyo’s most trendiest neighborhoods is Daikanyama. The streets are lined with high end boutiques and aesthetically pleasing cafes. Daikanyama is great for those who want to experience a tranquil side of central Tokyo, though it is a bit pricey. Finding an accommodation near Daikan-yama Station is ideal.
Ginza
Entertainment | High End Fashion | Shopping
The best things in life can be found in Ginza, Tokyo’s upscale shopping neighborhood. Many of the most luxurious brands in the world have a flagship store or even building located in Ginza. If you want to be in the heart of Ginza, find an accommodation close to Ginza Station or find one close to Tokyo Station if you want easier access to all of Tokyo but remain walking distance from Ginza.
Ikebukuro
Entertainment | Shopping | Nightlife
Home to Sunshine City, a complex of buildings that is essentially a city within itself, Ikebukuro is perfect for those who want to experience the hustle and bustle of Tokyo. Plenty of shopping, an aquarium, and a fun nightlife scene. You’ll want to find an accommodation close to Ikebukuro Station, which happens to be Tokyo’s second busiest station (after Shinjuku).
Roppongi
Contemporary | Entertainment | Nightlife
Shabby meets chic is a great way of describing Roppongi. From the run down bars to the eclectic nightclubs, Roppongi is the perfect place to stay if you want to enjoy a bustling nightlife scene. Roppongi Hills is home to Mori Tower which houses the Mori Art Museum and offers one of the best views of Tokyo. An accommodation close to Roppongi Station is ideal.
Shibuya
Busy | Entertainment | Shopping
If you want to be close to some of Tokyo’s greatest shopping complexes and stores, stay in Shibuya. At night grab a seat at the Starbucks next to the world’s busiest pedestrian intersection and watch as the world passes by. With plenty of things to do, see, and eat, staying in Shibuya is a great choice. Find an accommodation that’ll put you close to Shibuya Station. More things to do, see, and eat in Shibuya.
Shimokitazawa
Quiet | Hipster | Vintage Fashion
The most hip neighborhood to stay in Tokyo is Shimokitazawa. This area is filled with thrift stores and adorable eateries. Shimokitazawa has a certain charm to it, if you want to feel like a local while in Tokyo, we suggest staying in Shimokitazawa by Shimo-kitazawa Station.
Shinjuku
Entertainment | Red Light District | Skyscrapers
The most popular neighborhood to stay in Tokyo is Shinjuku. It’s home to Shinjuku Station, the world’s busiest train station and Kabukicho, Tokyo’s red light district. Lined with skyscrapers and filled with plenty of things to do, see, and eat, Shinjuku is perfect for those who want to stay busy while in Tokyo.
Shinjuku is huge, try to find an accommodation within a 10 minute walk of Shinjuku Station. The area immediately by the station is a bit too busy, so we stayed at Premier Hotel CABIN in Shinjuku which was located just at the border of Kabukicho, making it close to everything without being too noisy.
PREMIER HOTEL CABIN SHINJUKU
Address: 2-40-3 Kabukicho, Shinjuku 160-0021, Tokyo
Check in: 3PM
Check out: 11AM
For more information visit the official website.
Sumida
Old Meets New | Peaceful | Touristy
Home to Tokyo Skytree, the tallest building in Japan and second tallest in the world, Sumida is a great Tokyo neighborhood with a mix of old and new. Don’t be fooled by all the large business complexes built around Tokyo Skytree’s Oshiage Station, traditional bathhouses and small independent shops can be found all over.
The main attraction in Sumida is Tokyo Skytree, which has Oshiage Station located underneath, so finding a place nearby would be ideal. We stayed at ONE@Tokyo Hotel while in Sumida which was a 5 minute walk from Oshiage Station and also offered a stunning view of Tokyo Skytree.
ONE@TOKYO HOTEL
Address: 1-19-3 Oshiage, Sumida 131-0045, Tokyo
Check in: 3PM
Check out: 11AM
For more information visit the official website.
Check out our full view of ONE@Tokyo Hotel.
Which neighborhood would you stay in Tokyo?
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I like the look of Daikanyama for a place to stay. It’s peaceful and upmarket yet seems still traditional. My second choice is Asakusa. I’d love to visit Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple.
I have not been to Tokyo, and I think my head just spun reviewing all of the neighborhoods! The Asakusa looks like the best match for me. Traditional, old fashioned, street food with a cool pub scene sounds perfect.
I love this breakdown! It’s making me think I’d have to stay in several neighborhoods to get the full experience. I’d love to stay in Shimokitazawa, but I might not be "hip" enough. I’m guessing Asakusa may be more my speed. Tokyo has been on my bucket list for years. This makes me want to go ever more!
The way you’ve described each area is fantastic! My son wants to visit Tokyo so this will be really helpful when we start to plan. Excellent post!
I have not been to Tokyo and would love to go there. Your list of all neighborhoods are perfect guide to make decision about where to stay. Akhibara sounds good for me as my boys love electronic stuff. Asakus is my 2nd favorite due to as it is so traditional.
I would love to go to Tokyo so much it is one of those bucket list items. I love the way that you have described each of the areas that are extremely hopefully especially for someone like me who has never been there before. Even though I am not a fan of red light district, I love all the bright lights and colour of the Shinjuku area.
I haven’t made it to Tokyo yet, but I look forward to including it in the future. It sounds like a fantastic city.
Thanks for a great list and some of the pointers when choosing a location to stay in Tokyo. I was there as a kid but have been wanting to return for the longest of times, so will definitely use this whenever I plan to go there. Staying close to public transport is always recommended and Akhibara for me is a pretty cool area because Japan is always years ahead when it comes to technology and it would be cool to explore that aspect of Tokyo.
I want to go to Tokyo before the 2020 Olympics. In big cities like Tokyo, finding the right accomodation can be daunting. I would love to stay in Asakusa as it has a very rich and interesting history.
That’s a very extensive list and a detailed post. Asakusa looks totally like my kinda place with all its history and heritage. Oldest Buddist temple? I wouldn’t miss it.. Rappongi & Sumida also sound interesting with its modern art & traditional bath houses.
very helpful! thank you!
This is a really neat article, I always love learning new things and I certainly learned a lot. Thanks for sharing!