The Greatest Neighborhoods for Your Go to

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

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

By way of 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, a whole bunch of neighborhoods.

However, as a customer to town, there are just a few areas which might be ultimate 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 instructed lodging in every) so you’ll be able to work out which space is best for you.

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

What’s the most effective neighborhood for sightseeing?
Shinjuku is a busy, centrally positioned neighborhood that has sufficient sights to awe any customer — particularly a first-time customer.

What’s the most effective neighborhood for vacationers on a funds?
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 the most effective neighborhood in Tokyo for museums?
Situated in and round the primary park in Ueno are among 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 the most effective neighborhood for nightlife?
When the solar goes down, Roppongi comes alive. It’s already a buzzing neighborhood, however at night time the bars and golf equipment open up and fun-seeking locals gravitate right here.

What’s the most effective neighborhood for procuring?
Upscale Ginza is without doubt one of the world’s most well-known procuring districts. Everybody from legendary, household-name worldwide designers to native up-and-coming ones have shops right here.

What’s the most effective neighborhood for foodies?
Maybe probably the most bustling district within the busiest metropolis on the planet, Shinjuku can also be an amazing place for hungry food-loving vacationers, as it’s residence to swaths of bar-and-restaurant-flanked lanes.

What’s the most effective neighborhood for historical past?
Asakusa is a central neighborhood that additionally occurs to be probably the most conventional. For those who’re in search of outdated Edo — the erstwhile title of this metropolis — you would possibly discover it in Asakusa.

What’s the most effective neighborhood for hipsters?
Shimokitazawa, often called “Shimokita” to locals, has been reworked in recent times right into a go-to spot for hipster cafés and cinemas.

What’s the most effective neighborhood total?
Marunouchi is smack within the middle of all of it. It’s not essentially loaded with all of the sights — in spite of everything, that is Tokyo, in order that they’re unfold out — nevertheless it’s geographically ultimate and has slightly little bit of one thing for everybody.

So, with these questions answered, right here’s a breakdown of every neighborhood, with instructed 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 avenue 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 also be residence 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 comfortable mattress, gentle, energy outlet, and safety field. The hostel additionally has a standard room, shared kitchen, and energetic bar/restaurant.
• MID-RANGE: Hotel Century Southern Tower – Request as excessive a room as attainable at Lodge Century, positioned just some minutes’ stroll from Shinjuku Station, and also you’ll be rewarded with a improbable 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 modern resort bathed in delicate, off-white hues. The visitor rooms are loaded with all of the facilities you’d count on from a luxurious resort, together with posh bathtub merchandise and ultra-fast Wi-Fi. For those who can nab an upper-floor room, the views are spectacular.

The place to Keep for Price range Vacationers: Shibuya

When most non-Japanese folks consider Japan, notably Tokyo, they consider Shibuya — whether or not they comprehend it or not: the intense flashing lights, the glass skyscrapers, the sidewalks filled with folks, the mesmerizingly busy intersections with pedestrians marching in each path.

It doesn’t seem at first that Shibuya could be a great 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 avenue meals. Plus, the eye-candy spectacle of all of it means that you could 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 slightly bland, this resort is clear, comfy, reasonably priced, and in an amazing 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 ground, so that you’re assured an amazing view out of your room, which will probably be massive and include Japanese inexperienced tea units, a chaise lounge, mini-bar, and luxe bathtub merchandise. The resort additionally has eight totally 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 just a few of the museums which might be sprinkled round Ueno — principally 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 largest and finest museums. However it’s not all museums right here. Along with the nice park, Ueno is a wonderful 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 bathrooms within the shared bogs 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 low makers, the bogs 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 comfy. And the situation is tough to beat.

The place to Keep for Nightlife: Roppongi

Residence to the enduring Tokyo Tower, the Mori Artwork Museum, the Roppongi Hills, and Tokyo Midtown procuring/leisure complexes, Roppongi has slightly one thing for everybody. However in the event you’re into nightlife, it’s notably 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 will not be a ton of funds choices in Roppongi, however Villa Fontaine makes up for it by providing superior service and clear, comfy rooms with fridges, humidifying air cleaners, AC, electrical kettles, and TVs (and bidets).
• MID-RANGE: Mitsui Garden Hotel Roppongi – Set in a modern 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 might match a big household — and all are outfitted with instant-coffee machines, inexperienced tea, fridges, electrical razors, pajamas, and a bidet within the lavatory.
• LUXURY: Ritz-Carlton Tokyo – Housed within the prime eight flooring of one of many metropolis’s tallest skyscrapers, the Ritz-Carlton is without doubt one of the most luxurious spots in Tokyo. There are seven eating places and a complete ground devoted to wellness and figuring out. Rooms have floor-to-ceiling home windows, some with gorgeous views of Mount Fuji. Even the fundamental rooms are big and laden with all the luxury facilities you’d count on from a resort of this caliber.

The place to Keep for Buying: Ginza

For those who’re seeking to max out your bank card in Tokyo — and it’s actually 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 is perhaps 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 types and traits.

And if all that procuring builds up an urge for food, Ginza boasts an incredible assortment of eating places. Not surprisingly, it’s simple to interrupt the financial institution right here at counters serving among the finest sushi you’ll eat in your life. However in the event you 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 comfy dorm-style rooms, through which every mattress is in a pod-like setting. So count on to get some additional privateness right here — so long as you don’t thoughts sleeping in a pod. Every has its personal lights, retailers, cabinets, and a snug mattress. There’s additionally a bigger room for touring households and some personal rooms, in addition to a communal kitchen and a snug frequent lounge.
• MID-RANGE: The Celestine Ginza – The 104-room Celestine is positioned up in a tower on a avenue flanked by retailers, eating places, and bars so it’s proper in the midst of the motion. The rooms are pretty massive and have desks, minibars, and spacious bogs. Some have floor-to-ceiling home windows; others have comfy sofas.
• LUXURY: Hyatt Centric Ginza – The 164 rooms at this property are understated however stuffed with comfy luxurious facilities. BeeKind bathtub merchandise, Bluetooth audio system, Nespresso espresso machines, and, after all, gorgeous 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 gymnasium within the resort.

The place to Keep for Historical past Lovers: Asakusa

Asakusa-jinja, considered one of Tokyo’s best Shinto shrines (from the seventeenth century), the imposing neo-Baroque imperial palace, and a handful of different gorgeous shrines contribute to the historic make-up of tranquil Asakusa. For those who 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 out of doors pubs; Nakamise Road is similar however for procuring. There’s additionally the historic Hanayashiki amusement park, and, in neighboring Ryugoku, you’ll be able to witness sumo wrestlers training.

Greatest Locations to Keep in Asakusa

• BUDGET: Plat Keikyu – Conveniently positioned throughout from Akasaka Station, Plat is bathed in quite a lot of wooden, giving it a really homey really feel. The hostel has personal and semi-private rooms, in addition to 12-person dorm rooms (and in addition 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 comfy 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 resort has an enormous gymnasium, a laundry room, an upscale Japanese restaurant, and even a cigar bar. The 487 rooms are all a bit on the smaller aspect, however they make up for it with among the most comfy beds round.

The place to Keep for Hipsters: Shimokitazawa

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

Better of all, most 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 nice 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 personal rooms and a big dormitory for these on a severe funds. As is the case in lots of hostels in Japan, the sleeping scenario 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 resort within the middle of Shimokita. Naturally, the visitor rooms have file 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 standard inn). There’s even an onsen (scorching spring) within the resort. The visitor rooms are minimalist within the Japanese method, however oh-so-comfortable on the similar time. The on-site conventional Japanese restaurant/teahouse is price staying in for.

The place to Keep for Comfort: Marunouchi

For those who 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 outdated and new, conventional and modern. Residence to Tokyo Station, the Nationwide Museum of Fashionable Artwork, the Tokyo Worldwide Discussion board, and scores of procuring facilities, galleries, and eating places, Marunouchi is only a brief practice journey to the remainder of Tokyo.

Greatest Locations to Keep in Marunouchi

• BUDGET: Hotel Metropolitan – Marunouchi doesn’t have quite a lot 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 here are on the smaller aspect however have bathtubs, bathtub merchandise, flat-screen TVs, and free bottled water and inexperienced tea (plus electrical kettles).
• MID-RANGE: Marunouchi Hotel – It’s exhausting to get extra Marunouchi than this resort. The property has just a few good eating places, together with French, Japanese, and teppanyaki ones. The big commonplace 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 resort. The rooms are big, and lots 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.

Tokyo is very large. There are few different locations the place I really want to emphasise that the situation you select to base your self is of utmost significance. This manner, 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 greatest — and busiest — metropolis.