Planning a trip to Tokyo and wondering where to stay during your visit? This guide will go over several of Tokyo’s neighborhoods to help uncover the best areas to stay based on your own preferences. Each neighborhood has its own allure and distinct vibe and will make your Tokyo visit an unforgettable experience.
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Intro
Tokyo attracts travelers with its diverse neighborhoods, where each offers its own culture, cuisine, and atmosphere. Deciding where to stay can shape your Tokyo experience. You can either be immersed in the serenity of historic districts, the buzz of urban centers, or the fusion of traditional and modern. Tokyo accommodates every traveler’s preference so you’re sure to find a home base in this bustling city.
Where to Stay in Tokyo: Popular Wards & Districts
Tokyo comprises of 23 wards where each ward contains their own districts. If you’re visiting Tokyo for the first time, then you’re likely going to visit some or all of the below 6 central Tokyo wards and their districts, each with its own unique charm and character. Let’s explore each district’s offerings to help you find the perfect base for your Tokyo adventure!
Tokyo Highlights Map
Before I get into it, above is a map of all the mentioned Highlights in this Tokyo post so you can better visualize where they are located relative to each other. The points are color-coordinated as:
- Shinjuku District Highlights → RED
- Shibuya & Harajuku Highlights→ ORANGE
- Akihabara District Highlights → YELLOW
- Roppongi District Highlights → GREEN
- Ginza District Highlights → BLUE
- Asakusa & Ueno Highlights → PURPLE
HOW TO USE THE ABOVE TOKYO HIGHLIGHTS MAP:
| Action | Description / Step-by-Step Instructions |
|---|---|
| Click a Colored Star Point of Interest | Shows additional information and details of the selected Point of Interest |
| Click the STAR ☆ right of the “Tokyo Highlights“ | Adds the Map to your personal Google Maps account for viewing* |
| Click the Four-cornered Square at the Top Right | Opens the map in a Larger Map view in your personal Google Maps account |
| *To view the Map in your Google Maps Account (computer) | In your Google Maps, Click the “hamburger” Menu at top left → Click “Saved” → Click “Maps” → Locate “Tokyo Highlights” → Click it to open the Map |
| *To view the Map in your Google Maps Account (phone) | In your Google Maps app, Click “Saved” on the bottom bar → Scroll to the bottom → Click “Maps” → Locate “Tokyo Highlights” → Click it to open the Map |
1) Shinjuku City: Shinjuku district
A popular business district with towering skyscrapers including the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building that has a free observation deck. This ward also has a large food and bar scene with Omoide Yokocho (Piss Alley), Kabukichō (red light district), and Golden Gai within walking distance of each other.
- Why Stay: Vibrant nightlife, shopping, and diverse dining options
- Highlights: Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Omoide Yokocho, Kabukichō, Golden Gai, Namco Tokyo
- Best For: Night owls, shopaholics, and those seeking an energetic atmosphere
Shinjuku’s Kabukichō • photos by Jeanie A
2) Shibuya City: Shibuya & Harajuku districts
Shibuya is considered the Times Square of Tokyo, with its famous Shibuya Crossing surrounded by a ton of shopping and dining options. The famous Harajuku district is also in Shibuya, full of trendy shopping stores and a youth culture atmosphere.
- Why Stay: Fashion, youth culture, iconic landmarks
- Highlights: Shibuya Crossing, Shibuya Sky, Hachiko Statue, Meiji Shrine, Takeshita-dori street
- Best For: First-time visitors, fashion enthusiasts, and those wanting a central location
3) Chiyoda: Akihabara district
Chiyoda has the famous pop-culture district of Akihabara. Akihabara district contains tons of arcades, electronic and video game stores, and all things anime and manga. Additionally, Chiyoda is the political heart of Japan as it has the Imperial Palace, home to Japan’s imperial family.
- Why Stay: Tech hub, anime culture, electronics shopping
- Highlights: Akihabara Electric Town, various maid cafes, various anime Stores, various electronic stores, Imperial Palace, Hie Shrine (Chiyoda district)
- Best For: Tech enthusiasts, anime/manga fans, and gamers
4) Minato: Roppongi district
Minato is considered to have amazing nightlife in the Roppongi district with endless nightclubs. It also has Roppongi Hills which includes a ton of shops, restaurants and entertainment.
- Why Stay: Nightlife, international dining, art museums
- Highlights: Roppongi Hills, Tokyo Tower, Mori Art Museum, Tokyo Midtown, teamLab Borderless
- Best For: Nightlife seekers, expats, and art aficionados
5) Chuo: Ginza district
The Chuo ward contains the famous Ginza shopping district. Ginza is home to a ton of high-end luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Chanel just to name a few. You’ll also find the largest Uniqlo store in the world here. Not only that, but the Ginza District also has the famous Tsukiji Outer Market where alleyways are full with endless food stalls!
- Why Stay: Luxury shopping, upscale dining, art galleries
- Highlights: various high-end shopping malls/centers, Uniqlo, Tsukiji Outer Market, Kabuki-za Theater
- Best For: Luxury travelers, food connoisseurs, art lovers
Tsukiji Market food finds • photos by Jeanie A
6) Taito: Asakusa & Ueno districts
Taito is a historical area and has the Asakusa district, home of the famous Senso-ji temple. There is also the famous Ueno Park, known to be a great cherry blossom viewing area.
- Why Stay: Historic charm, traditional ambiance
- Highlights: Senso-ji Temple, Nakamise Shopping Street, Tokyo Skytree, Sumida Park, Ueno Park
- Best For: Exploring traditional culture, experiencing old Tokyo
Asakusa’s Sensoji Temple • photos by Jeanie A
Explore Tokyo Listings & Book
Hopefully you have an idea of where you want to stay! Do a search on your preferred district, and explore hotels and short-term rental listings for your dates in the below widget. All abovementioned Highlights are marked on the map as well. Book when you’re ready!
My Preferences & Selection
Every Tokyo district has its own unique experiences and highlights so it can be hard to choose where to stay. For me, I prioritize centrality, convenience, and close proximity to dining and entertainment options. Because of this, I chose to stay in Shinjuku right next to the Shinjuku Station, at the Shinjuku Prince Hotel. This location made using public transportation within Tokyo so easy and convenient as most trains went through this popular train station. It was also a good central location with plenty of eating, entertainment, and shopping options.
Eating options includes Omoide Yokocho, where you can “hop” from izakaya to izakaya (Japanese bar) tasting yakitori (skewer) and beer/sake. You can also find the famous Ichiran Ramen as well as my favorite katsu restaurant, Gyukatsu Motomura, near Shinjuku Station. For entertainment, Kabukichō has a ton of things to see and do, such as the Godzilla head, 24-hr Don Quixote store, Dog cafe, karaoke, and the new Namco Tokyo arcade bar. Namco Tokyo is located within Tokyu Kabukichō Tower on the third floor.
Shinjuku’s location within Tokyo as a transport hub, as well as all the above-mentioned options within walking distance, made it a perfect home base for me that ticked all my preference boxes. Hopefully you can find a location that can do the same for you!
Final Words
Tokyo’s neighborhoods offer an array of experiences that cater to different tastes and preferences. Where you stay can influence your immersion into Tokyo’s culture and lifestyle. When choosing an area, consider the vibe, attractions, and convenience each area offers to make the most of your stay in this dynamic city. Bon Voyage!
Have you been to Tokyo? Where did you stay?
What was your experience like – Let me know in the comments below!
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