Where to Stay in Tokyo

Updated: October 24, 2026 • By Santorini Dave

My Favorite Hotels in Tokyo

• 5-Star: Four Seasons Marunouchi
• 4-Star: Shibuya Stream Hotel
• 3-Star: Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku
• For Families: MIMARU Tokyo Ueno East
• For Couples: TRUNK (HOTEL) CAT STREET
• Best Pool: Grand Hyatt Tokyo
• Tokyo Station: Tokyo Station Hotel
• Disney Resort: Hilton Tokyo Bay

The Best Areas to Stay in Tokyo

Shibuya is my favorite area to stay in Tokyo for first-time visitors. It has excellent restaurants, shopping, nightlife, and train connections. Shinjuku is another great choice, especially for nightlife and a wider selection of hotels. I prefer Shibuya’s atmosphere and find it a little easier to navigate.

My wife and I Shinjuku, Tokyo.

For luxury hotels, I love Marunouchi, around Tokyo Station, and nearby Ginza. Marunouchi is particularly convenient for train travel, while Ginza is better for upscale shopping, restaurants, and bars. Asakusa and Ueno are my favorite areas for cheaper accommodation. Asakusa has a more traditional atmosphere; Ueno is better for families, museums, and trains to Narita Airport.

Tokyo is enormous, but you don’t need to stay near every attraction. Choose a neighborhood you’ll enjoy returning to each evening, and book a hotel within a five- to ten-minute walk of a useful train or subway station. That matters more than being in the geographical center of the city.

Best Areas in Tokyo for…

• Best for First-Time Visitors: Shibuya or Shinjuku
  I slightly prefer Shibuya. It’s busy, but the restaurants, shopping, nightlife, and hotels are concentrated in a relatively manageable area. Shinjuku is bigger, more intense, and has a wider hotel selection. In Shinjuku, I recommend staying south or west of the station unless you specifically want Kabukicho nightlife. Shinjuku Station is enormous, and a hotel described as “near the station” can still be an inconvenient walk from the exit you’ll use most often. My favorite hotels in Shibuya are Shibuya Stream Hotel (4-star, my top pick) and Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyu (4-star, directly connected to the station). In Shinjuku, I love the Park Hyatt Tokyo (5-star luxury) but often choose the Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku for its more convenient location and better value.
• Best for Luxury Hotels: Marunouchi and Ginza
  Marunouchi has some of Tokyo’s finest hotels, excellent restaurants, and direct access to Tokyo Station. It’s especially convenient for bullet trains and day trips. Ginza is better if you want to walk out of your hotel into a neighborhood filled with shops, restaurants, and bars. My favorites are the recently renovated Four Seasons at Marunouchi, the historic Tokyo Station Hotel, and The Peninsula Tokyo.
• Best for Budget Hotels: Asakusa and Ueno
  Both have a good selection of inexpensive hotels, hostels, and traditional Japanese inns. Asakusa is prettier and more atmospheric; Ueno has better rail connections, particularly for Narita Airport. Shinjuku also has plenty of reasonably priced business hotels, though rooms are often small. Shibuya is generally less appealing for travelers on a tight budget. Good choices include Asakusa Tobu Hotel and Hotel Mystays Premier Akasaka, though the latter is in Akasaka rather than Ueno.
• Best for Families: Ueno or Asakusa
  Ueno is my first choice for families sightseeing around Tokyo. It has Ueno Park, museums, the zoo, and apartment-style hotels with more space than a typical Tokyo hotel room. Asakusa is another good option, especially for families who want a quieter neighborhood in the evening. I particularly like Mimaru Tokyo Ueno East and Mimaru Tokyo Ueno Inaricho. For a trip focused on Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea, stay at the Disney resort instead of commuting from central Tokyo.

• Best for Shopping: Shibuya, Harajuku, and Ginza
  Shibuya is best for contemporary fashion and large shopping complexes. Harajuku has youth fashion, independent shops, and the upscale boutiques of nearby Omotesando. Ginza is the best choice for luxury brands and department stores. For electronics, video games, anime, and manga, head to Akihabara.
• Best for Nightlife: Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Roppongi
  Shinjuku has countless late-night bars, restaurants, karaoke venues, and entertainment spots. Kabukicho is the main nightlife district, while nearby Golden Gai is known for its tiny bars. Shibuya is particularly good for dance clubs, live music, and casual bars. Roppongi has a more international bar and club scene, along with upscale restaurants, but is less convenient for general sightseeing. Most trains stop running around midnight, so stay near the nightlife you expect to enjoy most.
• Best for Fine Dining: Ginza
  Ginza is my favorite area for a trip focused on upscale restaurants, particularly sushi, tempura, fine dining, and cocktail bars. It’s also excellent for department-store food halls. Shinjuku and Shibuya have more casual choices and plenty of inexpensive restaurants. Tokyo Station’s Gransta food halls and Ekibenya Matsuri are great places to pick up food before a train journey.
• Best for Traditional Tokyo: Asakusa
  Asakusa has Tokyo’s most famous historic temple, traditional shops, narrow streets, and several excellent ryokan. The area around Senso-ji is crowded during the day but becomes much quieter after the sightseeing crowds leave. I especially like staying here if you want a different atmosphere from the skyscrapers and shopping malls of western Tokyo. My favorite traditional stay is Kaminarimon Ryokan.
• Best for Couples: Ebisu
  Ebisu has excellent restaurants, attractive side streets, and a more relaxed atmosphere than Shibuya or Shinjuku. It’s also convenient for exploring Daikanyama and Nakameguro. The Westin Tokyo is a great luxury choice, while Ebisuholic Hotel is a smaller alternative.
• Best for Short Visits: Tokyo Station
  If you’re staying just one or two nights, particularly between train journeys, Tokyo Station is hard to beat. You can walk to Marunouchi and Ginza, and the station has excellent connections across Tokyo. It’s also a great base for longer luxury stays. If you’re flying through Haneda, Shinagawa is another practical option because of its direct airport trains. My favorite hotel here is the Tokyo Station Hotel.
• Best Central Location Without the Crowds: Akasaka
  Akasaka is one of Tokyo’s most underrated hotel locations. The connected Akasaka-Mitsuke and Nagatacho stations provide access to five subway lines, with direct trains to many major neighborhoods. It’s a good alternative to Shibuya or Shinjuku if you want convenient transportation without the crowds immediately outside your hotel. The Capitol Hotel Tokyu is an excellent luxury choice.
• Best for Anime, Manga, and Electronics: Akihabara
  Akihabara is the place to stay if electronics shopping, gaming, anime, and manga are a major part of your trip. It’s well connected by JR and subway, though I prefer Shibuya, Shinjuku, or Tokyo Station for a typical first visit. The Nohga Hotel Akihabara is a good choice.
• Best for a Neighborhood Feel: Nakameguro and Daikanyama
  These neighboring areas have independent cafes, restaurants, bookstores, and boutiques. Nakameguro is particularly beautiful during cherry blossom season, while Daikanyama has some of Tokyo’s best small shops. They’re great places to explore and appealing bases for repeat visitors, though hotel choices are limited.

Our Deluxe One-Bedroom Suite at the Four Seasons Marunouchi. I love this hotel. It’s small by Tokyo luxury-hotel standards, with excellent service and a fantastic location just steps from Tokyo Station. The rooms and suites have been completely renovated.

Getting Around Tokyo

Tokyo has an excellent train and subway system. For most visitors, it’s the easiest and fastest way to get around.

The JR Yamanote Line runs in a loop through many of Tokyo’s most useful neighborhoods, including Tokyo Station, Ueno, Akihabara, Shinjuku, Harajuku, and Shibuya. It’s particularly convenient for sightseeing, though important attractions such as Senso-ji and Tokyo Skytree are outside the loop.

Tokyo also has 13 subway lines operated by Tokyo Metro and Toei. Each line has a color and letter, and stations are numbered. For example, Omotesando is G02 on the Ginza Line and Asakusa is G19, making it easy to follow your progress even if you don’t speak Japanese.

The Peninsula Tokyo has direct access to Hibiya subway station. Having a station this close to your hotel makes sightseeing much easier.

My advice is to use a rechargeable Suica or PASMO card. You can tap in and out of most trains, subways, and buses without buying individual tickets. Compatible phones can also use digital transit cards. A Tokyo Subway Ticket can save money if you’re taking lots of Tokyo Metro and Toei subway journeys, but it doesn’t cover JR trains or every private railway. I wouldn’t buy a sightseeing transport pass automatically.

Don’t rent a car in Tokyo. Parking is expensive, traffic can be heavy, and public transportation is far more convenient.

One important hotel tip: Check the walking route from the station exit to your hotel, not just the distance to the station on a map. Large stations such as Shinjuku, Tokyo, and Shibuya have multiple exits spread across a wide area. Some hotels that appear close to a station require a surprisingly long walk.

The Best Places to Stay in Tokyo

• Best Luxury Hotels in Tokyo
  Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Marunouchi • Tokyo Station Hotel • Shangri-La Tokyo • Mandarin Oriental Tokyo • The Peninsula Tokyo • Park Hyatt Tokyo
• Best Boutique Hotels in Tokyo
  TRUNK(HOTEL) CAT STREET • Shibuya Stream Hotel • Andaz Tokyo
• Best Ryokans in Tokyo
  Kaminarimon Ryokan • Hoshinoya Tokyo • Ryokan Asakusa Shigetsu
• Best Affordable Hotels in Tokyo
  Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku • Tokyu Stay Shibuya • Asakusa Tobu Hotel
• Best Hotels for Families in Tokyo
  Mimaru Tokyo Ueno East • Mimaru Tokyo Ueno Inaricho • Asakusa View Hotel

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The 10 Best Neighborhoods in Tokyo for Tourists

1. Tokyo Station, Marunouchi, & Ginza

Best for luxury hotels, excellent transportation, shopping, and short stays.

I love staying around Tokyo Station. It’s not as lively as Shibuya or Shinjuku, but the location is central and convenient, particularly if you’re arriving by Shinkansen or planning day trips outside the city.

Marunouchi, on the west side of Tokyo Station, is Tokyo’s main financial district, with broad streets, impressive architecture, upscale restaurants, and some of the city’s best hotels. The historic Tokyo Station building is an attraction in its own right. Inside the station are extensive shopping areas, restaurants, and food halls, including Tokyo Character Street.

The Imperial Palace is a short walk west of Marunouchi. Most visitors explore the outer grounds and gardens rather than the palace buildings themselves. The East Gardens are particularly worthwhile, and the National Museum of Modern Art is nearby.

The Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum is another good stop for art lovers. To the north, Nihonbashi has traditional shops, department stores, and the excellent Mitsui Memorial Museum.

Yoshikura Honten izakaya in Ginza.

Ginza, south/south-east of Tokyo Station, is my favorite part of this area for restaurants and shopping. Its main streets are lined with department stores, luxury boutiques, and excellent restaurants, but there are also plenty of small bars, ramen shops, and traditional Japanese eateries tucked away on side streets.

The Kabuki-za Theatre is worth visiting, even if you’re only interested in seeing the building. Chuo-dori, Ginza’s main shopping street, becomes pedestrian-only for several hours on weekend afternoons.

For food, explore the basement food halls at Ginza Mitsukoshi or head to the Tsukiji Outer Market, a short subway ride or longer walk from Ginza. The wholesale fish market moved to Toyosu, but Tsukiji remains an excellent place for seafood and casual eating.

The main disadvantage of staying around Tokyo Station is price. Hotels in Marunouchi and Ginza tend to be expensive, particularly at the luxury end. Ginza also has more atmosphere after dark than the office-oriented streets immediately around Tokyo Station.

• Best Hotels Around Tokyo Station and Marunouchi
  Tokyo Station Hotel • Hotel phone: +81 3-5220-1111
  Four Seasons Marunouchi • Hotel phone: +81 3-5222-7222
  Shangri-La Tokyo • Hotel phone: +81 3-6739-7888
  Courtyard Tokyo Station • Hotel phone: +81 3-3516-9600
  Mandarin Oriental Tokyo • Hotel phone: +81 3-3270-8800
  Hoshinoya Tokyo • Hotel phone: +81 50-3134-8091
• Best Hotels in Ginza and Hibiya
  The Blossom Hibiya • Hotel phone: +81 3-3591-8702
  The Celestine Ginza • Hotel phone: +81 3-3572-3111
  Conrad Tokyo • Hotel phone: +81 3-6388-8000
  Imperial Hotel Tokyo • Hotel phone: +81 3-3504-1111
  The Peninsula Tokyo • Hotel phone: +81 3-6270-2888
• Best Cheap/Midrange Hotels
  Hotel Sunroute Ginza
  Quintessa Ginza
  Super Hotel Premier Ginza

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2. Shinjuku

Best for nightlife, shopping, restaurants, and excellent train connections.

Shinjuku is one of Tokyo’s best areas to stay, especially if you want to be surrounded by restaurants, shopping, and nightlife. It has a huge selection of hotels at almost every price level.

The biggest drawback is Shinjuku Station. It’s one of the busiest railway stations in the world, with a complicated network of platforms, exits, underground passages, and surrounding shopping malls. After a day of sightseeing, getting from the correct platform to your hotel can take longer than expected.

For most visitors, I prefer the south or west side of Shinjuku Station. The streets are easier to navigate, and you’re still close to restaurants and shopping. The west side, known as Nishi-Shinjuku, has many of the area’s skyscraper hotels.

The east and northeast sides are much livelier. Kabukicho is Tokyo’s best-known nightlife district, packed with bars, restaurants, karaoke venues, and late-night entertainment. It’s fun to explore, but I wouldn’t choose a hotel in the middle of Kabukicho if you’re looking for quiet evenings.

Nearby Golden Gai has narrow lanes lined with tiny bars. Some are cash only and have cover charges, minimum orders, or limited seating. Omoide Yokocho, near the station, is another great place to eat and drink, with small izakayas and yakitori restaurants.

For daytime sightseeing, Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden is one of Tokyo’s most beautiful parks. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building has free observation decks with excellent city views.

The Park Hyatt Tokyo occupies the upper floors of Shinjuku Park Tower. It’s famous for its role in Lost in Translation and remains one of Tokyo’s finest luxury hotels. The New York Bar and New York Grill are worth a visit even if you’re not staying there.

Shinjuku is my top choice for travelers who want nightlife and a wide selection of hotels. For a first visit focused more on restaurants, shopping, and walking around the neighborhood, I slightly prefer Shibuya.

• Best Hotels in Shinjuku
  Hotel Groove Shinjuku • Hotel phone: +81 3-6233-8888
  Hotel Gracery Shinjuku • Hotel phone: +81 3-6833-1111
  Park Hyatt Tokyo • Hotel phone: +81 3-5322-1234
  Odakyu Century Southern Tower • Hotel phone: +81 3-5354-0111
• Best Cheap/Midrange Hotels
  Rose Garden Shinjuku
  Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku
  Super Hotel Shinjuku Kabukicho
  UNPLAN Shinjuku

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3. Shibuya

My favorite neighborhood for a first visit to Tokyo.

Shibuya has everything I want in a Tokyo base: great restaurants, shopping, bars, nightlife, and excellent train connections. It’s crowded and energetic, but I find it easier to enjoy on foot than Shinjuku.

The famous Shibuya Scramble Crossing is immediately outside the station. The Hachiko statue is nearby, and Shibuya Sky has one of Tokyo’s best observation decks. If you want to visit around sunset, book ahead. Popular time slots sell out.

Shibuya is particularly good for shopping. Shibuya 109 specializes in fashion, while the surrounding streets have everything from department stores and electronics shops to small boutiques. Shibuya PARCO is especially good for contemporary Japanese fashion and pop-culture shops.

Cat Street runs north toward Harajuku, with independent shops, cafes, and boutiques along the way. It’s one of my favorite walks in Tokyo.

The main hotel decision is how close you want to be to Shibuya Station. The area is hilly, particularly west of the station around Dogenzaka, so a hotel that looks close on a map can involve a steep walk.

For convenience, I love the Shibuya Stream Hotel. The Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyu is another excellent choice with convenient station access. TRUNK (HOTEL) CAT STREET is better for couples who want a stylish boutique hotel in a quieter location between Shibuya and Harajuku.

• Best Hotels in Shibuya
  TRUNK (HOTEL) CAT STREET • Hotel phone: +81 3-5766-3210
  Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyu • Hotel phone: +81 3-5457-0109
  Shibuya Stream Hotel • Hotel phone: +81 3-3406-1090
  Shibuya Granbell • Hotel phone: +81 3-5457-2681
• Best Cheap/Midrange Hotels
  The Millennials Shibuya
  Tokyu Stay Shibuya

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4. Asakusa

Best for traditional Tokyo, temples, ryokan, and inexpensive hotels.

Asakusa is the closest Tokyo comes to having an old town. The main attraction is Senso-ji, Tokyo’s most famous Buddhist temple, traditionally founded in the seventh century. Most of the present temple buildings are postwar reconstructions, but the surrounding streets still have a distinctly traditional atmosphere.

Nakamise-dori, the pedestrian street leading from Kaminarimon Gate to the temple, is lined with souvenir shops and snack stalls. It’s very busy during the day. The surrounding side streets are better for finding smaller restaurants, traditional shops, and a quieter atmosphere.

The nearby Asakusa Shrine is worth visiting, and families with younger children may enjoy Hanayashiki, a small amusement park.

Tokyo Skytree is across the Sumida River. You can walk there via the Sumida River Walk and Tokyo Mizumachi, a pleasant route with good views of the tower. At 634 meters, Tokyo Skytree is Japan’s tallest structure and has two observation decks.

Asakusa is one of Tokyo’s best places to stay in a traditional ryokan. I particularly like Kaminarimon Ryokan.

The main disadvantage is transportation. Asakusa has several train and subway stations, but they’re operated by different railways and aren’t all in the same building. Journeys to Shibuya and Shinjuku take longer than they do from more central neighborhoods.

• Best Hotels in Asakusa
  Asakusa Tobu • Hotel phone: +81 3-3843-0111
  Asakusa View • Hotel phone: +81 570-003-235
  Kaminarimon Ryokan • Hotel phone: +81 3-3844-1873
  Saunaland Asakusa • Hotel phone: +81 3-5830-7140
• Best Cheap/Midrange Hotels
  Super Hotel Asakusa
  TOKYO-W-INN Asakusa
• Best Hostels
  &And Hostel Asakusa Kappabashi
  Nui Hostel

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5. Roppongi

Best for nightlife, upscale restaurants, and art museums.

Roppongi has a large concentration of bars, clubs, restaurants, and luxury hotels. It’s particularly popular with international visitors and Tokyo’s expatriate community.

It’s also one of Tokyo’s best neighborhoods for art. The Mori Art Museum occupies the upper floors of Roppongi Hills, which also has the Tokyo City View observation deck. The National Art Center, Suntory Art Museum, and 21_21 Design Sight are also nearby.

Tokyo Midtown is a major shopping, dining, and hotel complex. The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo occupies the upper floors of Midtown Tower.

Tokyo Tower is east of Roppongi. The best views of the tower are from the surrounding streets and Shiba Park. Nearby Zojo-ji Temple is worth visiting for its impressive temple grounds and views of the tower behind it.

Roppongi is a good place to stay if nightlife and restaurants are your priorities. For general sightseeing, I prefer Shibuya, Shinjuku, or Tokyo Station because their train connections are more useful.

• Best Hotels in Roppongi
  Grand Hyatt Tokyo • Hotel phone: +81 3-4333-1234
  The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo • Hotel phone: +81 3-3423-8000
• Best Cheap/Midrange Hotels
  APA Roppongi Ekimae
  APA Roppongi Six

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6. Akihabara

Best for electronics, anime, manga, and video games.

Akihabara is Tokyo’s main electronics and anime shopping district. If you’re interested in Japanese pop culture, it’s one of the most entertaining neighborhoods to explore.

The enormous Yodobashi Akiba electronics store is beside the station. On the west side, Chuo-dori and the surrounding streets are packed with shops selling video games, anime merchandise, figures, manga, and collectibles.

Radio Kaikan is a good place to browse several floors of specialty stores. Super Potato specializes in retro video games, while Mandarake is known for secondhand manga and collectibles.

Akihabara is also famous for maid cafes. @Home Cafe and Maidreamin are among the best-known examples.

Away from the shopping streets, Kanda Myojin is a beautiful Shinto shrine, and nearby Yushima Seido is a historic Confucian temple.

Akihabara is a reasonable hotel base if you’re especially interested in electronics and anime. It has useful JR connections to Tokyo Station and Ueno, but I wouldn’t choose it over Shibuya or Shinjuku for a general first visit.

• Best Hotel in Akihabara
  Nohga Hotel Akihabara • Hotel phone: +81 3-6206-0569
• Best Cheap/Midrange Hotels
  Best Western Fino Tokyo Akihabara
  JR-East Hotel Mets Akihabara
  Super Hotel Premier Akihabara

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7. Ueno

Best for museums, families, budget hotels, and Narita Airport connections.

Ueno is one of my favorite alternatives to Shibuya and Shinjuku, particularly for families and travelers who want a less expensive hotel.

The biggest attraction is Ueno Park, home to several of Tokyo’s best museums. The Tokyo National Museum has outstanding collections of Japanese art and historical artifacts. The National Museum of Nature and Science is especially good for families, while the National Museum of Western Art is another highlight.

Ueno Zoo is also in the park. During cherry blossom season, the park becomes one of Tokyo’s busiest places for hanami, or cherry blossom viewing.

Shinobazu Pond is a pleasant place for a walk, with lotus flowers in summer. Nearby Ueno Toshogu is a historic Shinto shrine.

Outside the park, Ameyoko is a busy shopping street with inexpensive restaurants, market stalls, and shops.

Ueno is particularly convenient for Narita Airport. The Keisei Skyliner connects Keisei Ueno Station directly with Narita, and JR Ueno Station has excellent connections to other parts of Tokyo.

For families, I recommend the apartment-style rooms at MIMARU Tokyo Ueno East and MIMARU Tokyo Ueno Inaricho.

• Best Hotels in Ueno
  MIMARU Tokyo Ueno East • Hotel phone: +81 3-5811-1677
  MIMARU Tokyo Ueno Inaricho • Hotel phone: +81 3-5246-4637
  Minn Ueno • Hotel phone: +81 3-5817-8025
  Nohga Hotel Ueno • Hotel phone: +81 3-5816-0211
• Best Cheap/Midrange Hotels
  APA Hotel Ueno Ekimae
  Ryokan Sawanoya

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8. Akasaka

Best for central subway connections without the crowds of Shibuya or Shinjuku.

Akasaka is one of Tokyo’s most practical places to stay, though it doesn’t have as many famous attractions as the other neighborhoods on this list.

The biggest advantage is transportation. Akasaka-Mitsuke and Nagatacho stations are connected and together serve five subway lines. You can reach many of Tokyo’s main neighborhoods without changing trains.

Akasaka also has plenty of restaurants, bars, and hotels, particularly around Akasaka-Mitsuke Station. It’s lively in the evening without feeling as hectic as Shinjuku.

The area’s best-known attraction is Hie Shrine, a Shinto shrine on a small hill with a picturesque staircase lined with red torii gates. Nogi Shrine is another interesting stop.

The National Diet Building is nearby, as is Akasaka Palace, Japan’s State Guest House. Parts of the palace and gardens are open to visitors on designated days.

I recommend Akasaka for travelers who plan to explore a different part of Tokyo every day and want convenient transportation without paying Marunouchi luxury-hotel prices.

• Best Hotels in Akasaka
  The Capitol Hotel Tokyu • Hotel phone: +81 3-3503-0109
  Centurion Classic Akasaka • Hotel phone: +81 3-5545-5571
  Hotel New Otani Garden Tower • Hotel phone: +81 3-3265-1111
  The Prince Gallery Tokyo Kioicho • Hotel phone: +81 3-3234-1111
• Best Cheap/Midrange Hotels
  Hotel Mystays Premier Akasaka
  Super Hotel Premier Akasaka
  Via Inn Prime Akasaka

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9. Harajuku and Omotesando

Best for fashion, shopping, cafes, and Meiji Jingu Shrine.

Harajuku is one of Tokyo’s most entertaining shopping neighborhoods, especially if you’re interested in Japanese youth fashion.

Takeshita Street is the busiest part, a narrow pedestrian street packed with clothing shops, accessories, snack stalls, and cafes. It gets extremely crowded, particularly on weekends.

The surrounding streets are more interesting for independent boutiques and smaller shops. Cat Street runs south toward Shibuya and is one of my favorite shopping walks in Tokyo.

Omotesando Avenue is very different, with designer boutiques, upscale shops, and attractive architecture. The area becomes increasingly sophisticated as you walk east toward Aoyama.

Harajuku is also convenient for Meiji Jingu, one of Tokyo’s most important Shinto shrines. The shrine sits within its own extensive wooded grounds beside Yoyogi Park. It’s a beautiful place for a walk and a welcome break from the crowds.

Other worthwhile stops include the Ota Memorial Museum of Art, which specializes in Japanese woodblock prints, and the Design Festa Gallery.

Harajuku is better for shopping and sightseeing than for hotels. There are places to stay in and around the neighborhood, but Shibuya has a much wider selection and is only one JR Yamanote Line stop away.

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10. Tokyo Bay, Toyosu, and Odaiba

Best for waterfront hotels, museums, and specific family attractions. Not my first choice for general sightseeing.

Tokyo Bay covers several distinct neighborhoods, including Toyosu, Ariake, and Odaiba. They have modern hotels, shopping malls, museums, and waterfront views, but they’re spread across a large area and aren’t always convenient to travel between.

Toyosu is best known for Toyosu Market, which replaced Tsukiji as Tokyo’s main wholesale fish market. The market has restaurants and public viewing areas. If you want to watch the early-morning tuna auctions from the closer observation area, apply for advance admission.

Toyosu is also home to teamLab Planets, one of Tokyo’s most popular immersive art attractions. Book tickets ahead, especially for weekends and holidays.

Odaiba has more family entertainment. Highlights include the giant Gundam statue outside DiverCity Tokyo Plaza, Tokyo Joypolis, Legoland Discovery Center, and the excellent Miraikan science museum.

Odaiba also has a small beach, waterfront promenades, and good views of Rainbow Bridge. The Yurikamome elevated railway is a scenic way to reach the area from Shimbashi.

Ariake is home to Tokyo Big Sight and Small Worlds, a large indoor miniature museum.

Farther east, Kasai-Rinkai Park has the Tokyo Sea Life Park aquarium and a large Ferris wheel.

Tokyo Disney Resort is a separate destination. Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea are in Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture, east of central Tokyo. They’re reached via Maihama Station on the JR Keiyo Line, not the Yurikamome line serving Odaiba.

If Disney is the main reason for your visit, stay at the resort. Hilton Tokyo Bay is an official Tokyo Disney Resort hotel on the resort’s monorail loop.

For a waterfront stay closer to central Tokyo, I like Mitsui Garden Hotel Toyosu Premier. The views are excellent, and Toyosu Station provides subway access to central Tokyo.

• Best Hotels in Tokyo Bay
  Grand Nikko Tokyo Daiba • Hotel phone: +81 3-5500-6711
  Hilton Tokyo Odaiba • Hotel phone: +81 3-5500-5500
  Mitsui Garden Hotel Toyosu Premier • Hotel phone: +81 3-3534-3931
  Tokyo Bay Shiomi Prince • Hotel phone: +81 3-6660-3222
• Best Cheap/Midrange Hotels
  hotel MONday Premium Toyosu
  Sotetsu Grand Fresa Tokyo-Bay Ariake
• Best Disney Resort Hotel
  Hilton Tokyo Bay

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More Tokyo Neighborhoods Worth Visiting

The Meguro River during cherry blossom season. Nakameguro is one of my favorite Tokyo neighborhoods for cafes, restaurants, and walking.

• Ebisu, Nakameguro, and Daikanyama: Three of my favorite neighborhoods for restaurants, cafes, and shopping away from the busiest tourist areas. Ebisu has excellent dining and convenient train connections. Nakameguro is known for the Meguro River and its cherry blossoms, while Daikanyama has independent boutiques and the excellent Tsutaya Books complex. The Westin Tokyo and Ebisuholic Hotel are good places to stay in Ebisu.
• Shimokitazawa: A low-rise neighborhood west of Shibuya known for vintage clothing, record shops, independent cafes, small theaters, and live music. It’s one of Tokyo’s most enjoyable areas to wander without a sightseeing itinerary. I recommend visiting rather than staying here on a first trip.
• Ryogoku: Tokyo’s sumo neighborhood, home to Ryogoku Kokugikan, where three major sumo tournaments take place each year. The Edo-Tokyo Museum is one of Tokyo’s best history museums, with full-scale reconstructions and exhibits about the city’s past. The Sumida Hokusai Museum is also nearby. Good hotels include The Gate Hotel Ryogoku and APA Hotel & Resort Ryogoku Ekimae Tower.

Sengakuji Temple, best known for the graves of the 47 Ronin.

• Sengakuji and Shinagawa: Sengakuji Temple is famous for the graves of the 47 Ronin, one of Japan’s best-known historical stories. The area is also useful for travelers arriving at Haneda Airport. Shinagawa Station has direct Keikyu trains to Haneda and Shinkansen connections. Hotels include Grand Prince Hotel Takanawa, The Prince Sakura Tower Tokyo, and Tokyu Stay Takanawa.
• Ghibli Museum in Mitaka: A must for Studio Ghibli fans. The Ghibli Museum is outside central Tokyo, near Kichijoji and Mitaka stations. Tickets must be purchased in advance for a specific date and time. You cannot buy admission tickets at the museum. There’s no need to stay nearby unless you particularly want to explore the Kichijoji area.
• Tokyo Dome City: A good destination for families, with amusement rides, restaurants, shops, and the Tokyo Dome baseball stadium. The Tokyo Dome City Attractions amusement park includes the Thunder Dolphin roller coaster and Big O Ferris wheel. Convenient hotels include Tokyo Dome Hotel and sequence SUIDOBASHI.
• Aoyama and Omotesando: Upscale shopping streets, excellent restaurants, and attractive architecture between Harajuku and Akasaka. The Nezu Museum is particularly worthwhile for its Japanese and East Asian art and beautiful garden. The Taro Okamoto Memorial Museum is another interesting stop. A good hotel is Tokyu Stay Aoyama Premier.

Narita Airport to Tokyo

The Narita Express (N’EX) is my preferred option for Tokyo Station, Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Shinagawa. Trains have reserved seats and luggage space, making them convenient after a long flight.

Travel time to Tokyo Station is roughly one hour, with longer journeys to Shibuya and Shinjuku. Some services also continue to Ikebukuro. Check the timetable for your destination rather than assuming every train serves every station.

For Ueno, take the Keisei Skyliner instead. It connects Narita Airport with Nippori and Keisei Ueno, with the fastest journeys to Nippori taking around 36 minutes.

Taxis from Narita to central Tokyo are expensive. I would take the train unless you’re traveling with a group, have substantial luggage, or arrive when rail services are limited.

• Best Hotels for Narita Express Connections
  Tokyo Station: Tokyo Station Hotel
  Shibuya: Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyu
  Shinjuku: Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku
  Shinagawa: Shinagawa Prince Hotel
• Best Hotels for Keisei Skyliner Connections
  Ueno: Nohga Hotel Ueno or Minn Ueno

Haneda Airport to Tokyo

Haneda has two convenient rail options.

Keikyu trains connect Haneda Airport with Shinagawa, where you can transfer to JR trains, including the Yamanote Line. Some Keikyu services continue onto the Toei Asakusa Line, providing direct connections to parts of eastern Tokyo.

The Tokyo Monorail connects Haneda with Hamamatsucho, where you can transfer to the JR Yamanote Line for Tokyo Station, Shibuya, and Shinjuku.

Both routes are inexpensive and generally much faster than taking a taxi during busy periods. The best choice depends on your hotel’s location.

• Good Hotel Near Shinagawa Station: Shinagawa Prince Hotel
• Good Hotel Near Hamamatsucho Station: Meitetsu Inn Hamamatsucho

Should You Stay Near Narita or Haneda Airport?

For most trips, no. Tokyo’s trains make it easy to reach the airports from the city, and staying near the airport means missing an evening in Tokyo.

The exception is an unusually early departure, a late arrival, or an overnight connection.

At Narita, Nine Hours Narita Airport is a convenient capsule-hotel option. For a conventional hotel room, consider Hotel Nikko Narita or ANA Crowne Plaza Narita.