Where to stay in Tokyo? The best areas and places to stay

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And for an extensive guide on where to stay in Tokyo, including my top hotel picks, read my detailed article.

Where to Stay in Tokyo: My Selection of the Best Accommodations

Wondering where to stay in Tokyo? Looking for the best areas and districts?

You’re at the right place!

As I know Tokyo very well, I have created this guide of:

  • Tokyo’s best areas for your stay (with details about the best places to visit and nearby attractions)
  • For each area and district, the best hotels depending on your budget

Let’s find your dream hotel now!

My Favorite Hotels in Tokyo

Here is a quick summary of my favorite hotels in Tokyo, in case you don’t have the time to read my detailed article.

You just have to click on the hotel name in orange to access the details and rates:

In Shinjuku District

Shinjuku district is a very central part of the Japanese capital.

It’s particularly lively at all times of day and night, with numerous shops and plenty of restaurants.

If you’re looking to stay in Tokyo city center, this is the perfect area, since you can easily move around by public transport and access the most popular tourist sites.

I recommend this district for staying in Tokyo:

  • Because it’s an excellent starting point for sightseeing, thanks to the subway and the Yamanote Line that serves the whole city
  • If you’re looking for a lively area
  • If you want to party
  • For shopping
  • To catch the train to Mount Fuji from Shinjuku Station.

The district is the perfect place to discover:

  • Tokyo National Imperial Garden (Shinjuku Gyoen), a beautiful park, ideal for a break from the hustle and bustle
  • Some of Tokyo’s most impressive skyscrapers
  • The city’s most famous department stores and major electronics brands
  • The view from the 45th floor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
  • The Godzilla statue atop Hotel Gracery Shinjuku
  • The alleyways of Golden Gai, where you’ll find more than 200 bars
  • Kabukicho, Tokyo’s hottest spot with nightclubs, love hotels, and hostess bars.

Where to Stay in Shinjuku District of Tokyo?

  • Hotel Gracery Shinjuku: Located a 5-minute walk from Shinjuku Station, this is the famous hotel with the Godzilla head. Double room with sitting area from $150, breakfast at $13. Strong points: the view from the upper floors, good bedding, excellent location. Definitely my top pick for value for money in Shinjuku!
  • Shinjuku Prince Hotel: Located 100 meters from the station. Warm and comfortable double room from $190, breakfast at $21. Strong points: close to restaurants and shops, good soundproofing, comfortable beds.
  • HOTEL GROOVE SHINJUKU: Close to the Samurai Museum and a large shopping center. Modern double rooms with huge floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city from $235. Strong points: the exceptional view, varied breakfast, superb location in Shinjuku.
  • Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo: Situated among the towering skyscrapers of Shinjuku, this luxury hotel offers very spacious double rooms for Tokyo from $300, breakfast included. Strong points: the extremely helpful staff, the club lounge with its view of Mount Fuji, great location. An excellent choice for a romantic stay in the center of Tokyo!
  • Kimpton Shinjuku Tokyo, an IHG Hotel: This 5-star hotel is just 20 minutes from the Imperial Garden. Stay in elegantly decorated rooms from $470, breakfast at $38. Strong points: well-equipped, quality services, excellent breakfast, happy hour every day with a free drink. My favorite hotel for a luxury stay in Shinjuku (Tokyo)!
Kimptom Shinjuku Tokyo Quartier de Shinjuku
Kimpton Shinjuku Tokyo, Shinjuku District

In Shibuya District

Just like Shinjuku, Shibuya is a great place to stay in Tokyo if you’re looking for a lively and bustling neighborhood. 

In fact, these two districts are adjacent and quite similar, as Shibuya also boasts shopping centers, boutiques, and numerous restaurants.

Shibuya is the perfect place to stay in Tokyo:

  • To easily travel around the city using the Yamanote Line from Shibuya Station
  • If you’re looking for a festive and vibrant area
  • For shopping
  • If you want to try one of Japan’s must-do activities: karaoke! You’ll find a wide selection of karaoke bars in Shibuya.

Shibuya district is perfect for discovering:

  • The famous Shibuya crossing, known for its five pedestrian crossings and featured in many movies and series!
  • Hachiko statue, representing the famous dog who waited for his owner in front of the station every day for nine years
  • Shibuya Sky Observatory, you will get a superb view over Shibuya crossing and the city from the 46th floor
  • The MEGA Don Quijote Shibuya, a large store where you can find everything, including souvenirs to bring back from your trip to Japan!
  • Center Gai pedestrian street and its shops
  • Dogenzaka, also known as “Love Hotel Hill,” where you’ll find several hotels offering rooms specially decorated for romantic moments.

Here is my selection of the best hotels in Shibuya district

  • Shibuya Tokyu REI Hotel: Located in the heart of the district, just 100 meters from the station. Double rooms starting from $140. Strong points: the perfect location, friendly staff, and a very hearty breakfast. An excellent choice for a stay in Tokyo city center!
  • all day place shibuya: Located 300 meters from the subway. Functional double rooms starting from $200, and breakfast for $13. Strong points: perfect location close to the metro, and kindness of the staff.
  • sequence MIYASHITA PARK – Shibuya: Situated a 5-minute walk from the center of Shibuya. Modern double rooms with large windows starting from $240. Strong points: room views, superb location, friendly staff.
  • Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel, A Pan Pacific Partner Hotel: Located in the center, this 5-star hotel offers spacious and elegant rooms from $360. Strong points: indoor swimming pool, great location, comfort, and exceptional views of Tokyo. This is my recommendation for a high-end stay in Tokyo.
  • TRUNK(HOTEL) YOYOGI PARK: Adjacent to a park, this luxury hotel provides Nordic-style warm rooms with a balcony starting from $500, and breakfast for $23. Strong points: heated outdoor swimming pool and rooftop jacuzzi, the excellent restaurant, outstanding service. Simply the best luxury hotel in Shibuya!
Trunk Hotel Yoyogi Park Shibuya District Tokyo
Trunk Hotel Yoyogi Park Shibuya District Tokyo

In Ginza District

Ginza is Tokyo’s most luxurious district.

It’s often compared to the Champs-Elysées in Paris!

Here, you will find all the luxury shops (Dior, Cartier, etc.), art galleries, and gourmet restaurants.

It is also incredibly well located as it’s the geographical heart of the city and home to Tokyo Station, where trains from the airport arrive.

Plus, it’s very convenient for exploring the surrounding area or for heading to Kyoto with the Shinkansen, for example.

You will love this district in Tokyo:

  • If you have a certain budget to spend on luxury items
  • If you love chic neighborhoods
  • To stay in the heart of Tokyo.

In Ginza district, you shouldn’t miss:

  • Tokyo Imperial Palace, located nearby
  • The dozens of luxury boutiques on Chuo Dori Street
  • The most prestigious department stores: Ginza Six, Mitsukoshi, Matsuya, Hankyu…
  • The largest Uniqlo store in the world (12 floors, no less!)
  • Kabuki-za Theatre to see a traditional Japanese play.

The Best Hotels to Stay in Ginza District (Tokyo)

  • Daiwa Roynet Hotel Ginza Premier: Located a 5-minute walk from luxury shops. Modern and comfortable double rooms starting from $150, breakfast at $15. Strong points: the friendly staff, the location, and the good breakfast. It’s my top pick for its excellent value for money!
  • Hotel GrandBach Tokyo Ginza: Situated in the heart of Ginza. Double room with a desk and a sofa corner starting from $240, breakfast at $20. Strong points: good bedding, the central location, the comfort.
  • MUJI HOTEL GINZA: Located a 5-minute walk from Tokyo Station and the Imperial Palace. Double rooms decorated in Muji’s minimalist yet cozy style start at $260, breakfast at $21. Strong points: the design, the modernity, and the very friendly staff.
  • THE BLOSSOM HIBIYA: Located next to Hibiya Park and the Imperial Palace gardens. Double rooms with large windows offering views of the skyscrapers starting from $265, breakfast at $20. Strong points: very central, great views, room amenities.
  • Imperial Hotel Tokyo: This prestigious 5-star hotel has been open for more than a century. It offers spacious rooms with stunning views starting from $400, breakfast at $33. Strong points: the indoor pool, attentive staff, location. A magnificent hotel for a romantic stay in Tokyo!
  • The Peninsula Tokyo: This highly luxurious hotel overlooks the gardens of the Tokyo Imperial Palace. Guests stay in exquisitely decorated rooms with marble bathrooms and a dressing area, starting from $950, breakfast at $42. Strong points: the indoor pool, the 9 restaurants, the excellent breakfast. My favorite hotel for a luxury stay in Ginza!
The Blossom Hibaya Quartier de Ginza
The Blossom Hibaya in Ginza District

In Asakusa District

Asakusa is located to the northeast of Tokyo.

Unlike Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Ginza, this is a much more traditional district.

It’s very lively during the day, but as evening approaches, the bustle fades, and you’ll enjoy a much quieter area than other Tokyo districts.

Consequently, you’ll need to spend a bit more time on the subway to visit the city’s tourist sites.

I recommend staying in Asakusa district:

  • For a glimpse of Tokyo’s historical side
  • If you want to stay in a ryokan during your trip to Tokyo, a traditional Japanese inn where you’ll sleep on a tatami mat.
  • If you’re interested in local handicrafts.

Best things to do and see in Asakusa district:

  • Senso-Ji Temple, one of the oldest Buddhist temples. It’s one of the 5 best places to visit in Tokyo!
  • Tokyo Skytree, offering a panoramic view over the city
  • Kappabashi Dogugai Street, where you can shop for all kinds of kitchen utensils, including the famous Japanese knives
  • Dine in an izakaya, a traditional Japanese tavern.

The Best Accommodations in Asakusa District

  • The Kanzashi Tokyo Asakusa: Located a 2-minute walk from the temple. Double rooms start from $90, breakfast for $12. The strong points: friendly staff, rooftop with a view of the Skytree, peaceful atmosphere.
  • Asakusa Tobu Hotel: Situated in the heart of the district. Modern and comfortable double rooms from $120, breakfast for $17. The strong points: excellent location, surrounded by restaurants, and a great breakfast. It’s the perfect place to stay in Asakusa for a reasonable price!
  • Ryokan Asakusa Shigetsu: This ryokan, a 5-minute walk from the metro, offers Japanese-style rooms starting at $140. The strong points: the Onsen, the authentic feel, and a fantastic welcome. A great choice if you’re looking for a traditional hotel to stay in Tokyo.
  • Prostyle Ryokan Tokyo Asakusa: Another ryokan in Asakusa, but a bit more luxurious than the previous one. Some rooms feature a private onsen. Prices start at $180, with breakfast included (dinner option is also available). The strong points: exceptionally helpful staff, great facilities, and a comfortable bed. One of my favorite hotels for a romantic stay in Tokyo!

In Odaiba District

Odaiba is an artificial island located in Tokyo Bay, to the east of the city center.

It’s quite a remote area, and I recommend staying here only if you don’t mind traveling a bit every day to reach the main attractions and districts.

However, Odaiba offers stunning views of the bay!

It is also the closest district to Disneyland Tokyo.

Best things to do in Odaiba:

  • Check out the replica of the Statue of Liberty
  • Snap a photo with the giant Gundam robot
  • Try the Joypolis arcade by Sega
  • Explore the shopping centers of Aqua City, DiverCity
  • Discover indoor amusement parks like Legoland
  • Take the water bus that will drop you off at Asakusa.

What are the best hotels in Odaiba, Tokyo?

  • Sotetsu Grand Fresa Tokyo Bay Ariake: Double room from just $60, breakfast for $13. The strong points: peaceful atmosphere, breakfast buffet, and the view.
  • Grand Nikko Tokyo Daiba: This 5-star hotel is right on the bay’s edge. It offers spacious and comfortable rooms with beautiful views starting at $200, breakfast for $27. The strong points: large indoor pool, bar views, utter peace, and great comfort.
Grand Nikko Tokyo Daiba Odaiba Tokyo
Grand Nikko Tokyo Daiba Odaiba Tokyo

Near Tokyo’s Airports

Tokyo has 2 airports:

  • Haneda Airport, 20 minutes by monorail from Tokyo Station
  • Narita Airport, approximately 50 minutes by train to Tokyo Station.

If your flight departs very early in the morning or if you arrive late at night in Tokyo, you can choose to stay in a hotel near the airport.

Hotels for an overnight stay at Haneda Airport:

Where to stay near Narita Airport: 

Villa Fontaine Grand Haneda Airport Tokyo Airport
Villa Fontaine Grand Haneda Airport Tokyo Airport

Where to Stay in Tokyo on a Budget

If you’re on a tight budget, here’s a selection of hotels where you can stay in Tokyo for cheap:

  • Apa Hotel Asakusa Tawaramachi Ekimae: Located in Asakusa. Double room from $70, breakfast at $5. Strong points: next to the subway, cleanliness, the Onsen. A great choice for budget accommodation in Tokyo.
  • Henn na Hotel Tokyo Ginza: Located in Ginza. Double room from $90, breakfast included. Strong points: great location, cleanliness, reception robots. Another great place for affordable accommodation in central Tokyo.
  • APA Hotel Higashi Shinjuku Kabukicho Tower: Located in Shinjuku. Double room from $95, breakfast at $13. Strong points: in the heart of a lively district, easy access to the subway and train station, friendly staff.
  • Sotetsu Fresa Inn Ginza-Nanachome: Located in Ginza. Double room from $110, breakfast included. Strong points: location, tranquility, varied breakfast.

In Japan, you’ll also find a very typical and rather unique type of hotel: the capsule hotels. Your room will be a single, compact capsule cabin that you’ll need to slip into for the night.

Not recommended for claustrophobes, but the advantage is that this type of hotel is one of the cheapest in Tokyo. And even if you don’t want to stay there for your entire trip, it’s worth trying out for at least one night!

Here is my selection of the best capsule hotels in Tokyo:

  • Anshin Oyado Tokyo Shinjuku Ekimaeten: Located a 2-minute walk from Shinjuku Station. Capsule starting at $40, breakfast included. Strong points: free toiletries, onsen, free meals and drinks. Note that this hotel only offers capsules for men.
  • First Cabin Ichigaya: Centrally located in Tokyo. Capsules for both men and women starting at $40. Strong points: onsen, the location, cleanliness.
  • Akihabara Bay Hotel: Located in Akihabara. Capsules for women only starting at $40. Strong points: comfort, cleanliness, capsule comfort.
Sleeping in a Capsule Hotel in Tokyo
Sleeping in a Capsule Hotel in Tokyo

Where to stay in Tokyo with family

Before I share my selection of the best family-friendly hotels in Tokyo, there’s something you should know: In Japan, it’s common for babies and children to sleep with their parents even when they’re older (9/10 years old or more).

Make sure to check that your reservation includes a room with three beds or a sofa bed, because by default, it’s assumed that your child will sleep with you.

Also, be aware that most rooms in Japan are quite small, so it’s usually not possible to add an extra bed or a crib.

  • Henn na Hotel Tokyo Ginza: Located in Ginza. A room with two single beds and a sofa bed starts at $110, breakfast included. I highly recommend this hotel for a family stay in Tokyo without breaking the bank!
  • OTHER SPACE Asakusa: Located in Asakusa. Family room starting at $110.
  • Asakusa Kokono Club Hotel: Situated in the Asakusa district. Room with two double beds from $200, breakfast included.
  • Asakusa View Hotel: Also located in Asakusa. Triple room with three single beds starting at $210, breakfast for $22. One of the best places to stay in Tokyo with family!

What is the Best Hotel in Tokyo?

If you’re looking for the best hotel in Tokyo, you should for sure go to the Imperial Hotel Tokyo.

And if you’re seeking something a bit more affordable yet still excellent, you should book a night or more at the Kimpton Shinjuku Tokyo, an IHG Hotel or at the Prostyle Ryokan Tokyo Asakusa, for a Japanese-style accommodation.

Where to Stay in Tokyo: A Summary Table of the Best Hotels

To give you a better overview of the best hotels in Tokyo, whether in the city center or elsewhere, I’ve prepared a table summarizing all the ones I talk about in this article. You can sort them by price or by district!

Hotel DistrictPrice (from)
Hotel Gracery ShinjukuShinjuku150$
Shinjuku Prince HotelShinjuku190$
Hotel Groove ShinjukuShinjuku235$
Keio Plaza Hotel TokyoShinjuku300$
Kimpton Shinjuku TokyoShinjuku470$
Shibuya Tokyu REIShibuya140$
all day place shibuyaShibuya200$
sequence Miyashita ParkShibuya240$
Cerulean Tower Tokyu HotelShibuya360$
Trunk Yoyogi ParkShibuya500$
Daiwa Roynet Hotel GinzaGinza150$
Hotel GranBach TokyoGinza240$
Muji Hotel GinzaGinza260$
The Blossom HibiyaGinza265$
Imperial Hotel TokyoGinza400$
The Peninsula TokyoGinza950$
The Kanzashi TokyoAsakusa90$
Asakusa Tobu HotelAsakusa120$
Ryoken Asakusa ShigetsuAsakusa140$
Prostyle Ryokan TokyoAsakusa180$
Sotetsu Grand Fresa TokyoOdaiba60$
Grand Nikko Tokyo DaibaOdaiba200$
Hotel JAL City HanedaHaneda airport100$
Villa Fontaine Grand Haneda AirportHaneda airport135$
The Royal Park HanedaHaneda airport150$
International Garden HotelNarita airport45$
Narita Tobu Hotel AirportNarita airport55$
Hotel Nikko NaritaNarita airport75$
Apa Hotel AsakusaCheap Hotel70$
Henn na Hotel Tokyo GinzaCheap Hotel90$
Apa Hotel Higashi ShinjukuCheap Hotel95$
Sotetsu Fresa Inn GinzaCheap Hotel110$
Anshin Oyado TokyoCapsule Hotel40$
First Cabin IchigayaCapsule Hotel40$
Akihabara Bay HotelCapsule Hotel40$
Henn na Hotel Tokyo GinzaHotel for families110$
Other Space AsakusaHotel for families110$
Asakusa Kokono Club HotelHotel for families200$
Asakusa View HotelHotel for families210$
Book your trip now and save money!

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Best area to stay in Tokyo
Best area to stay in Tokyo
Anonymous

Creator of the Voyage Tips blog, travel and photography lover. I give you all my best tips to plan your next trip.

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