Posted: 3/24/2023 | March 24, 2023

Tokyo is the biggest metropolis on this planet, house to a whopping 37 million individuals within the metro space. Town. Unbelievable, wonderful, and bewildering. However huge.

When it comes to neighborhoods, there are 14 city hubs unfold out throughout the megalopolis. There are additionally 23 wards — 5 of which make up the central a part of city — and, inside these wards, lots of of neighborhoods.

However, as a customer to town, there are just a few areas which are ideally suited to remain in. You don’t must undergo all of the facilities and wards. In my opinion, there are solely about eight areas price staying in.

Right here is my breakdown of these eight finest neighborhoods in Tokyo for guests (in addition to steered lodging in every) so you’ll be able to work out which space is best for you.

However, first, listed below are some frequent questions I get requested about staying in Tokyo that I need to reply:

What’s one of the best neighborhood for sightseeing?
Shinjuku is a busy, centrally positioned neighborhood that has sufficient points of interest to awe any customer — particularly a first-time customer.

What’s one of the best neighborhood for vacationers on a price range?
Shibuya is a energetic, action-packed a part of city that additionally occurs to have some good hostels, low cost eats, and reasonably priced nightlife choices.

What’s one of the best neighborhood in Tokyo for museums?
Situated in and round the primary park in Ueno are a few of the metropolis’s finest museums. If you wish to spend a day or three going museum-hopping, that is the place to do it.

What’s one of the best neighborhood for nightlife?
When the solar goes down, Roppongi comes alive. It’s already a buzzing neighborhood, however at evening the bars and golf equipment open up and fun-seeking locals gravitate right here.

What’s one of the best neighborhood for buying?
Upscale Ginza is likely one of the world’s most well-known buying districts. Everybody from legendary, household-name worldwide designers to native up-and-coming ones have shops right here.

What’s one of the best neighborhood for foodies?
Maybe probably the most bustling district within the busiest metropolis on the planet, Shinjuku can be a fantastic place for hungry food-loving vacationers, as it’s house to swaths of bar-and-restaurant-flanked lanes.

What’s one of the best neighborhood for historical past?
Asakusa is a central neighborhood that additionally occurs to be some of the conventional. In case you’re on the lookout for previous Edo — the erstwhile identify of this metropolis — you may discover it in Asakusa.

What’s one of the best neighborhood for hipsters?
Shimokitazawa, referred to as “Shimokita” to locals, has been remodeled lately right into a go-to spot for hipster cafés and cinemas.

What’s one of the best neighborhood total?
Marunouchi is smack within the middle of all of it. It’s not essentially loaded with all of the points of interest — in spite of everything, that is Tokyo, in order that they’re unfold out — but it surely’s geographically ideally suited and has a bit little bit of one thing for everybody.

So, with these questions answered, right here’s a breakdown of every neighborhood, with steered lodging, so you already know exactly the place to remain in Tokyo:

 

The place to Keep for Sightseeing: Shinjuku

Shinjuku is fascinating. It’s like Tokyo in microcosm. Glowing skyscrapers, temples, placid parks, hip and conventional eating places, chaotic road crossings, and the busiest practice station on the planet — it’s all right here. There are practically a dozen and a half Michelin-starred eating places within the neighborhood, in addition to scores of narrow-laned swaths lined by diminutive bars and street-food eateries, specifically Golden Gai and Omoide Yokocho. Shinjuku can be house to a LGBTQ+ district.

Greatest Locations to Keep in Shinjuku

• BUDGET: Unplan Kagurazaka – The dorms right here all have self-contained bunks full with a snug mattress, gentle, energy outlet, and safety field. The hostel additionally has a typical room, shared kitchen, and lively bar/restaurant.
• MID-RANGE: Hotel Century Southern Tower – Request as excessive a room as doable at Lodge Century, positioned just some minutes’ stroll from Shinjuku Station, and also you’ll be rewarded with a implausible view of the Shinjuku skyline. The spacious visitor rooms have a desk and a sofa. The hearty breakfast buffet is included.
• LUXURY: Hilton Tokyo – A ten-minute stroll from Shinjuku Station, the Hilton Tokyo is a swank and glossy lodge bathed in smooth, off-white hues. The visitor rooms are loaded with all of the facilities you’d count on from a luxurious lodge, together with posh bathtub merchandise and ultra-fast Wi-Fi. In case you can nab an upper-floor room, the views are spectacular.

 

The place to Keep for Funds Vacationers: Shibuya

When most non-Japanese individuals consider Japan, significantly Tokyo, they consider Shibuya — whether or not they understand it or not: the brilliant flashing lights, the glass skyscrapers, the sidewalks full of individuals, the mesmerizingly busy intersections with pedestrians marching in each path.

It doesn’t seem at first that Shibuya could be an excellent candidate for the budget-minded traveler, however there are some very nice, reasonably priced hostels right here, and the thoroughfares are sprinkled with above-average road meals. Plus, the eye-candy spectacle of all of it means you can simply plant your self someplace and spend hours beguiled by the extravaganza that’s Shibuya — all with out spending a dime.

Greatest Locations to Keep in Shibuya

• BUDGET: Almond Hostel & Cafe – This enjoyable and relaxed hostel has combined and female-only dorm rooms. The sleeping quarters consist of personal cubby-hole-like areas for max privateness. Every pod has a lightweight, {an electrical} outlet, hooks for hangers, and a shelf.
• MID-RANGE: Shibuya Creston Hotel – Whereas a bit bland, this lodge is clear, snug, reasonably priced, and in a fantastic location. Rooms have coffee- and tea-making machines and complimentary bottled water.
• LUXURY: Cerulean Tower – Set in a high-rise constructing within the middle of Shibuya, Cerulean Tower begins on the nineteenth flooring, so that you’re assured a fantastic view out of your room, which might be giant and include Japanese inexperienced tea units, a chaise lounge, mini-bar, and luxe bathtub merchandise. The lodge additionally has eight completely different eating places and bars.

 

The place to Keep for Museums: Ueno

The Tokyo Nationwide Museum, the Ueno Royal Museum, the Tokyo Metropolitan Artwork Museum, the Nationwide Museum of Nature and Science, the Nationwide Museum of Western Artwork, and the Shitamachi Museum are however a number of of the museums which are sprinkled round Ueno — largely Ueno-koen, the Central Park–like swath of greenery that’s the centerpoint of the neighborhood.

Staying in Ueno means you’ll be mere steps from the most important and finest museums. But it surely’s not all museums right here. Along with the good park, Ueno is a superb eating vacation spot too.

Greatest Locations to Keep in Ueno

• BUDGET: Grids Hotel and Hostel – Situated proper throughout from Ueno Station, Grids is smack within the middle of the motion. The wood-paneled dorm rooms are clear and fashionable, and every mattress has a lightweight and energy outlet. The bogs within the shared loos are of the super-high-tech Japanese selection.
• MID-RANGE: Centurion Hotel & Spa – Only a few minutes’ stroll from a number of subway stations and a practice station, Centurion is an oasis. The spacious rooms have tea kettles and occasional makers, the loos characteristic luxurious bathtub merchandise, the in-house eatery focuses on steak, and the spa makes use of pure spring water.
• LUXURY: Mimaru Tokyo Ueno Okachimachi – The rooms at this property are extra-large; some have 4 futon beds, and others have kitchens and eating tables. Bathrobes and slippers in every room make the keep that rather more snug. And the placement is difficult to beat.

 

The place to Keep for Nightlife: Roppongi

Dwelling to the long-lasting Tokyo Tower, the Mori Artwork Museum, the Roppongi Hills, and Tokyo Midtown buying/leisure complexes, Roppongi has a bit one thing for everybody. However for those who’re into nightlife, it’s significantly nice. When the solar units, the golf equipment and bars shine — every little thing from wine, craft beer, and liquor bars to golf equipment the place you’ll be able to dance till the solar rises.

Greatest Locations to Keep in Roppongi

• BUDGET: Hotel Villa Fontaine Tokyo-Roppongi – There should not a ton of price range choices in Roppongi, however Villa Fontaine makes up for it by providing superior service and clear, snug rooms with fridges, humidifying air cleaners, AC, electrical kettles, and TVs (and bidets).
• MID-RANGE: Mitsui Garden Hotel Roppongi – Set in a glossy high-rise tower, Mitsui Backyard is a great spot through which to put your head. Rooms are available in various sizes — there’s one with a “tremendous king” mattress that would match a big household — and all are geared up with instant-coffee machines, inexperienced tea, fridges, electrical razors, pajamas, and a bidet within the rest room.
• LUXURY: Ritz-Carlton Tokyo – Housed within the high eight flooring of one of many metropolis’s tallest skyscrapers, the Ritz-Carlton is likely one of the most luxurious spots in Tokyo. There are seven eating places and a complete flooring devoted to wellness and understanding. Rooms have floor-to-ceiling home windows, some with beautiful views of Mount Fuji. Even the essential rooms are enormous and laden with all the luxury facilities you’d count on from a lodge of this caliber.

 

The place to Keep for Procuring: Ginza

In case you’re seeking to max out your bank card in Tokyo — and it’s definitely not a problem to try this — polished and posh Ginza is the place, Its streets are flanked by upscale retailers for all of the household-name designers, in addition to some Japanese ones that may be unfamiliar to you. Regardless of the case, you’ll be able to spend days right here leaping from boutique to boutique, immersed in all the newest kinds and tendencies.

And if all that buying builds up an urge for food, Ginza boasts an incredible assortment of eating places. Not surprisingly, it’s straightforward to interrupt the financial institution right here at counters serving a few of the finest sushi you’ll eat in your life. However for those who look a bit, there are ample reasonably priced ramen and soba locations, izakayas, and yakitori eating places scattered across the district.

Greatest Locations to Keep in Ginza

• BUDGET: Imano Tokyo Ginza Hostel – Imano has snug dorm-style rooms, through which every mattress is in a pod-like setting. So count on to get some further privateness right here — so long as you don’t thoughts sleeping in a pod. Every has its personal lights, retailers, cabinets, and a cushty mattress. There may be additionally a bigger room for touring households and some non-public rooms, in addition to a communal kitchen and a cushty widespread lounge.
• MID-RANGE: The Celestine Ginza – The 104-room Celestine is positioned up in a tower on a road flanked by retailers, eating places, and bars so it’s proper in the midst of the motion. The rooms are pretty giant and have desks, minibars, and spacious loos. Some have floor-to-ceiling home windows; others have snug sofas.
• LUXURY: Hyatt Centric Ginza – The 164 rooms at this property are understated however stuffed with snug luxurious facilities. BeeKind bathtub merchandise, Bluetooth audio system, Nespresso espresso machines, and, in fact, beautiful views of Ginza and past make this one of many poshest spots on the town. There’s additionally a celebrated restaurant and a 24-hour fitness center within the lodge.

 

The place to Keep for Historical past Lovers: Asakusa

Asakusa-jinja, considered one of Tokyo’s biggest Shinto shrines (from the seventeenth century), the imposing neo-Baroque imperial palace, and a handful of different beautiful shrines contribute to the historic make-up of tranquil Asakusa. In case you got here to Tokyo to delve into the historical past of this fascinating metropolis, Asakusa is the place to plant your self for some time.

However there’s extra to this neighborhood than simply historic websites. Hoppy Road is a fringed with indoor and outside pubs; Nakamise Road is similar however for buying. There’s additionally the historic Hanayashiki amusement park, and, in neighboring Ryugoku, you’ll be able to witness sumo wrestlers working towards.

Greatest Locations to Keep in Asakusa

• BUDGET: Plat Keikyu – Conveniently positioned throughout from Akasaka Station, Plat is bathed in a number of wooden, giving it a really homey really feel. The hostel has non-public and semi-private rooms, in addition to 12-person dorm rooms (and likewise a 12-person female-only dorm) with semiprivate pods which have lights and retailers.
• MID-RANGE: Asakusa View Hotel – This distinctive property tries to take you proper into the center of historic Tokyo. Anticipate finding geishas strolling by as if the nineteenth century by no means ended, in addition to a theater for performing conventional Japanese performs. The rooms are snug and easy, bedecked in darkish woods and boasting bathtubs, TVs, and kettles for sipping inexperienced tea.
• LUXURY: Asakusa Excel Hotel – A pleasant, luxurious base for a keep in Asakusa, this lodge has an enormous fitness center, a laundry room, an upscale Japanese restaurant, and even a cigar bar. The 487 rooms are all a bit on the smaller facet, however they make up for it with a few of the most snug beds round.

 

The place to Keep for Hipsters: Shimokitazawa

As soon as the one-stop neighborhood to go thrift-store buying in Japan, Shimokitazawa has modified loads within the final 5 years. Shimokita, as locals name it, has been remodeled right into a district for individuals who love indie movie, indie bookshops, hipster cafés, and cutting-edge eating places.

Better of all, lots of the hip thrift shops are nonetheless right here. So you’ll be able to keep in Shimokita and buy groceries throughout the day after which hit up the good eating places and bars which have opened up comparatively not too long ago.

Greatest Locations to Keep in Shimokitazawa

• BUDGET: The Wardrobe Hotel – This hostel has non-public rooms and a big dormitory for these on a severe price range. As is the case in lots of hostels in Japan, the sleeping state of affairs within the dorms is pod-like: every visitor will get their very own particular person pod with a lightweight and outlet — and subsequently, much more privateness than your common hostel dorm room.
• MID-RANGE: The Mustard Hotel – Opened in late 2021, the 60-room Mustard is a minimalist boutique lodge within the middle of Shimokita. Naturally, the visitor rooms have document gamers with a choice of vinyl. The on-site café serves up third-wave espresso to locals and guests alike.
• LUXURY: Yuen Bettai Daita – Situated simply to the west of Shimokitazawa, this can be a ryokan-style property (which means a conventional inn). There’s even an onsen (sizzling spring) within the lodge. The visitor rooms are minimalist within the Japanese method, however oh-so-comfortable on the identical time. The on-site conventional Japanese restaurant/teahouse is price staying in for.

 

The place to Keep for Comfort: Marunouchi

In case you can’t work out a neighborhood to remain in since you’re too little (or an excessive amount of) of a foodie, historical past buff, shopper, nightlifer, and so forth., then simply shrug and put your self in Marunouchi. Geographically, it’s within the middle of all of it.

The neighborhood is host to traditional conventional websites in addition to tall glass skyscrapers. So it’s previous and new, conventional and up to date. Dwelling to Tokyo Station, the Nationwide Museum of Fashionable Artwork, the Tokyo Worldwide Discussion board, and scores of buying facilities, galleries, and eating places, Marunouchi is only a quick practice journey to the remainder of Tokyo.

Greatest Locations to Keep in Marunouchi

• BUDGET: Hotel Metropolitan – Marunouchi doesn’t have a number of reasonably priced lodging choices. Lodge Metropolitan might not have hostel costs, however for a bit greater than a mean hostel, you’ll be able to keep in whole consolation right here. Situated in a tower throughout from Tokyo Station, the rooms listed below are on the smaller facet however have bathtubs, bathtub merchandise, flat-screen TVs, and free bottled water and inexperienced tea (plus electrical kettles).
• MID-RANGE: Marunouchi Hotel – It’s onerous to get extra Marunouchi than this lodge. The property has a number of good eating places, together with French, Japanese, and teppanyaki ones. The massive normal double rooms have huge beds, plus sufficient facilities to make any traveler really feel relaxed and comfy.
• LUXURY: Four Seasons Hotel at Marunouchi – You may count on to be pampered at his posh, centrally positioned, five-star lodge. The rooms are enormous, and plenty of have nice views of Tokyo Station and past. There are solely 57 rooms at this boutique 4 Seasons outpost, so count on to get all the eye you need right here. The in-house eatery fuses French and Japanese cuisines to nice fanfare.

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Tokyo is very large. There are few different locations the place I really want to emphasise that the placement you select to base your self is of utmost significance. This fashion, you gained’t spend a lot time traversing town on the subway.

However don’t be too involved about it, both. Tokyo is nice for simply wandering too, taking within the organized chaos that’s the world’s largest — and busiest — metropolis.