[2022] WHERE TO STAY IN TOKYO: 8 Best Areas Budget to Luxury Hotels
Tokyo has plenty of accommodation options that picking exactly where to stay can be overwhelming and time consuming, especially for first-timers. The real question is “where is the best place to stay in Tokyo?” But, even to that question, the answer can be completely subjective. Depending on your itinerary, personal preference, and interest, I have narrowed down 8 Best Neighborhoods with carefully hand picked hotels which has excellent & strategic locations to help you find the “best accommodation” in Tokyo.
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I. WHERE TO STAY IN TOKYO: THE BEST AREAS FOR “CONVENIENCE AND ACCESSIBILITY”
The basic rule of thumb when it comes to picking the right accommodation in Tokyo is “stay near public transportation” because while Tokyo might be massive it is very well connected by it’s extensive and reliable public transport. In particular, staying near a JR Yamanote Line (loop line) is the most practical choice since most of Tokyo’s top attractions are near or within this loop (such as Shinjuku, Shibuya, Harajuku, Akihabara, and Ueno).
The best areas to stay in Tokyo for convenience and accessibility are Shinjuku and Tokyo Station. These areas are ideal for first-timers, solo travelers, traveling as a family/group or with children, and traveling for under a week in Tokyo.
Shinjuku is a practical choice if your itinerary consists of traveling within Tokyo as well as day trips to Tokyo Disneyland, Mt. Fuji, and Hakone.
Tokyo Station is a practical choice if your itinerary consists of traveling within Tokyo and other regions in Japan (such as Osaka, Kyoto, etc.), for easier access to Shinkansen (bullet train). (JR PASS).
Shunjuku and Tokyo Station are close to each other so staying at any of them is fine, but if I have to choose one between the two, I will go for Shinjuku due it’s broader access to tourists needs.
Alternatively, Ginza and Shibuya are also great options for convenience and accessibility as these places are not too far away from Shinjuku and Tokyo Station.
TIP! Shinjuku, Tokyo Station, Ginza, and Shibuya are not really the cheapest areas for accommodation in Tokyo, but keep in mind that spending a bit more in accommodation around these areas will end up saving you so much time, energy, and money since some of the major attractions in Tokyo are just within walking distance or a few stations away from these areas.
II. WHERE TO STAY IN TOKYO: 8 Best Areas To Stay w/ Carefully Hand Picked Hotels
QUICK SUMMARY
The best areas to stay in Tokyo (based on your itinerary, personal preference, and interest) as follows;
Convenient direct access to both Haneda & Narita airports via train, bus, and taxis (including Narita Express train).
Modern & Futuristic vibe and the best area for Tokyo’s nightlife.
Plenty of accommodation (budget to luxury) hotel options to choose from.
Convenient access to plenty of (affordable to expensive) shops & restaurants.
Conveniently located within JR Yamanote Line, meaning most of Tokyo’s top attractions are near or can be easily accessible from Shinjuku.
Convenient access to Shinjuku’s top attractions: Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Robot Restaurant, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building FREE observatory deck for a panoramic view of Tokyo including a chance to see Mt. Fuji on a clear day, and more.
Convenient base if your itinerary consists of traveling within Tokyo as well as day trips from Tokyo to Tokyo Disneyland, Mt. Fuji, and Hakone.
Where To Stay In Shinjuku?
Best Budget Hostels/Capsule Hotels in Shinjuku with Excellent and Strategic Locations;
Convenient access to both Haneda & Narita airports via train, bus, and taxis (including Narita Express train).
Modern & Futuristic vibe and one of the best areas for Tokyo’s nightlife.
Convenient access to plenty of shops, cafes, and restaurants.
Conveniently located within JR Yamanote Line, meaning most of Tokyo’s top attractions are near or can be easily accessible from Shibuya & Harajuku.
Convenient access to Shibuya & Harajuku’s top attractions: Shibuya Crossing, Hachiko Statue, Meiji Shrine, Yoyogi Park, Takeshita Street, and Omotesando.
Easy access to Tokyo’s two important subway stations: Shinjuku Station for day trips/tours outside Tokyo & Tokyo Station for regional travels in Japan.
Where To Stay In Shibuya & Harajuku?
Budget Hotels in Shibuya and Harajuku with Excellent and Strategic Locations;
Convenient access to Tokyo’s major airports via train, bus, and taxis including Haneda Airport via Keikyū Airport Line Rapid-Limited Express train & Narita Airport via Keisei Line Limited Express train.
Convenient access to world’s largest shopping source for anime, manga, and video games making it one of the most relevant places of interest to every Otakus (Geeks).
Conveniently located within JR Yamanote Line, meaning most of Tokyo’s top attractions are near or can be easily accessible from Akihabara.
Convenient access to plenty of anime themed cafes and restaurants including Gundam & Made cafes.
Convenient access to Akihabara’s top attractions: Anime & manga shops with action figures, Gundam & Made Cafes, Jimbocho (vintage bookstores), Tokyo Dome Stadium, Kanda Myojin Shrine, Yasukuni-jinja Shrine, Koishikawa Korakuen Garden, and Kitanomaru Park (with several museums inside).
Easy access to Tokyo’s two important subway stations: Shinjuku Station for day trips/tours outside Tokyo & Tokyo Station for regional travels in Japan.
Where To Stay In Akihabara?
Budget Hotels in Akihabara with Excellent and Strategic Locations;
Convenient access to Tokyo’s major airports via train, bus, and taxis including Haneda Airport via Keikyu Line Limited Express train & Narita Airport via Keisei Line Access Express train.
Most historic neighborhoods in Tokyo and a perfect place to experience a glimpse of traditional Tokyo.
Plenty of affordable & interesting accommodation hotel options to choose from including Ryokans (traditional Japanese inns).
Convenient access to plenty of affordable shops and Izakayas (Japanese restaurants & bars).
Convenient access to Tokyo’s (most historic) attractions: Kaminarimon Gate, Sensō-ji Shrine, Nakamise Shopping St., Asakusa Shin-Nakamise Market, Denboin Garden, Sumida Park Waterfront, and Tokyo Skytree.
Where To Stay In Asakusa?
Best Budget Hostels/Capsule Hotels in Asakusa with Excellent & Strategic Locations;
Convenient access to Tokyo’s major airports via train, bus, and taxis including Haneda Airport via Keikyū Airport Line Rapid-Limited Express train & Narita Airport via Skyliner Toll Limited Express/Keisei Line Limited Express train.
Convenient access to Ueno’s art galleries, museums, zoo, and parks.
Plenty of affordable accommodation hotel options to choose from. (Far cheaper & much quieter neighborhood than Shinjuku & Shibuya.)
Conveniently located within JR Yamanote Line, meaning most of Tokyo’s top attractions are near or can be easily accessible from Ueno.
Plenty of affordable Japanese restaurants as well as street food shops.
Convenient access to Ueno’s attractions: Tokyo National Museum, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, National Museum of Western Art, National Science Museum, and Ueno Park (popular for its Cherry Blossom Festival).
Convenient base if your itinerary consists of traveling within Tokyo as well as day trips outside Tokyo, (especially to Nagano & Nikko).
Where To Stay In Ueno?
Budget Hotels in Ueno with Excellent and Strategic Locations;
Convenient access to both Haneda & Narita airports via train, bus, and taxis.
Plenty of accommodation hotel options for those traveling as a family or large group of people with children. Hotel rooms around these areas are far more spacious than hotels in central Tokyo.
Convenient direct access to Tokyo Disneyresorts (Disneyland & Disneysea) via a shuttle service.
Plenty of shops and restaurants that can cater to large groups of people.
Convenient access to Odaiba’s attractions: Gundam Statue, Odaiba Statue of Liberty, teamLab Borderless & Planets, Rainbow Bridge, and Oedo-Onsen Monogatari.
Convenient access to Tokyo’s major airports; Narita Airport via Narita Express & Haneda Airport via Airport Limousine (every 10 mins) or Keisei Bus (every 3hrs).
Plenty of accommodation hotel options for those traveling as a Family or large group of people with children. (Hotel rooms in Tokyo Disney Resort’s Official Hotels are far more spacious than hotels in central Tokyo.)
Convenient direct access to Tokyo Disney resort (Disneyland & Disneysea) via a shuttle service.
Convenient access to Disneyland & Disneysea via shuttle service.
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Mello Fabrique
Mello is a Filipino-Arabian who was born and raised in the tropical islands of the Philippines. An ordinary traveler with extraordinary stories to tell!