Tokyo travel guide

Where to Stay in Tokyo: Best Areas & Hotels

First-time visitors should stay in Shinjuku or Shibuya. Both sit on the JR Yamanote loop line with direct airport links, English-friendly signage, and endless food and nightlife. Shinjuku offers better value; Shibuya is trendier and slightly pricier.

Where to stay in Tokyo — Tokyo Tower and neon city skyline at dusk, Japan
where to stay in Tokyo — updated 22 September 2026 | original AmazingAsia artwork

Choosing your base in Tokyo

Where you stay in Tokyo shapes your whole trip. First-timers do best in Shinjuku or Shibuya for connectivity; repeat visitors love the quieter east side around Asakusa and Ueno for atmosphere and value.

The best areas to stay in Tokyo

  1. Shinjuku · $$

    Best for: First-time visitors and nightlife

    The vibe: Neon canyons, giant station, everything open late

    Hotel pick: Hotel Gracery Shinjuku — Mid-range tower with Godzilla head, approx ¥18,000–28,000/night

  2. Shibuya · $$$

    Best for: Younger travellers and shopping

    The vibe: Trendy, dense, endlessly photogenic

    Hotel pick: Shibuya Stream Excel Hotel Tokyu — Modern riverside tower, approx ¥25,000–40,000/night

  3. Asakusa · $

    Best for: Budget travellers and old-Tokyo atmosphere

    The vibe: Temples, rickshaws, traditional crafts

    Hotel pick: Richmond Hotel Premier Asakusa — Reliable mid-range near Senso-ji, approx ¥10,000–16,000/night

  4. Ginza · $$$

    Best for: Luxury and department-store shopping

    The vibe: Polished, quiet at night, flagship everything

    Hotel pick: MUJI Hotel Ginza — Minimalist design hotel, approx ¥30,000–50,000/night

  5. Ueno · $

    Best for: Museums and airport access via Skyliner

    The vibe: Park, pandas, unpretentious izakaya

    Hotel pick: &Here Tokyo Ueno — Design hostel-hotel hybrid, approx ¥8,000–14,000/night

Destinations in Tokyo

where to stay in Tokyo — FAQs

Where should first-time visitors stay in Tokyo?

First-time visitors should stay in Shinjuku or Shibuya. Both sit on the JR Yamanote loop line with direct airport links, English-friendly signage, and endless food and nightlife. Shinjuku offers better value; Shibuya is trendier and slightly pricier.

How much do Tokyo hotels cost per night?

Tokyo hotel prices range from ¥3,000–6,000 for capsule hotels and hostels, ¥10,000–20,000 for business hotels, ¥25,000–50,000 for four-star properties, and ¥60,000+ for luxury. Prices spike 30–50% during cherry-blossom and autumn-foliage seasons.

Last reviewed and updated: by the AmazingAsia editorial team. See our editorial policy.