Best Places to Stay in Tokyo for First-Timers: Top Areas And Hotels

Last updated on August 23rd, 2025

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Looking for the best places to stay in Tokyo for first-timers? I’ve got you! From buzzing Shinjuku to historic Asakusa, here’s everything you need to know about choosing the best neighborhood to stay in Tokyo.

As you start building your dream Tokyo itinerary, you will soon realize that there’s an infinite combination of things to see, do, explore, and eat that will leave you wanting to split yourself in half to try to cover it all.

And while it’s not humanly possible to see it all—I learned this after spending six months in Tokyo, running around like a crazy person trying to soak it all in—it doesn’t mean that you can’t see all YOU want to see.

One of the best ways to help yourself accomplish this is to choose the best neighborhood to stay in, according to your priorities and travel style.

Whether you’re spending 2 days in Tokyo or have some extra time to plan a 5-day Tokyo itinerary, choosing the right base for you will guarantee you make the most of your time in this exciting city.

And this guide on the best places to stay in Tokyo for first-timers will break down the best neighborhoods in the city, based on convenience, vibe, and nearby attractions, as well as featuring some hotel recommendations for every budget.

So hopefully you will walk away from this confident in choosing the best area to stay in Tokyo for your trip.

So let’s get started!

Best Places To Stay In Tokyo For First Timers: Top Areas And Hotels

As soon as you start looking at a Tokyo map and comparing distances between Tokyo’s main attractions, you will realize the immensity of this city.

So, to make your precious time in Tokyo more efficient, you’ll want to consider your top priorities for the trip.

Whether you’re interested in taking day trips and want to be close to the main train station, if you’re a foodie and would rather be close to the famous Tsukiji Fish Market, or maybe you want a neighborhood with a chill vibe where you can spend your days soaking in the local atmosphere.

The options are endless, and there are many ways to make a Tokyo trip perfect for you!

If you have many interests and want to move all over the city—understandably—fear not, Tokyo’s metro system is very efficient, so choosing an accommodation is not an ultimatum.

However, choosing the right area to stay in Tokyo could just save you some commute time and money during your stay.

To give you an idea of the best areas to stay in Tokyo for first time travellers, here’s an overview of the top neighborhoods:

Quick Overview: Best areas to stay in Tokyo for first-time travellers

Area	Vibe	Best For	Cons
Shinjuku	Energetic, busy	Nightlife, transport, first-timers	Can be chaotic and crowded
Shibuya	Trendy, fun	Shopping, food, younger travelers	Can get pricey and noisy
Asakusa	Traditional, peaceful	Culture, budget stays	Farther from other major areas
Ginza	Upscale, polished	Luxury lovers, foodies	Not much nightlife
Tokyo Station	Central, convenient	Day trips, transport hub	Lacks character at night
Ueno	Local, family-friendly	Museums, zoo, budget-friendly options	Less lively nightlife

Shinjuku: Best place to stay in Tokyo for a futuristic Tokyo vibe

If your dream is to visit Tokyo for its neon-packed streets that look straight out of a futuristic dystopian movie, then Shinjuku is the neighborhood to go to.

Shinjuku is one of Tokyo’s most energetic districts, where brightly lit streets, giant 3D displays, rushing crowds, lively bars, and rooftop Godzilla sightings will make you feel like you’ve stepped straight into an anime.

• Pros: Staying in Shinjuku will guarantee you always have something to do, no matter the time of day or night, as this is known as the area of Tokyo that never sleeps.
  
  Besides the possibility of entertainment and food at all times, Shinjuku also has good transport connections, making it easy to commute to other parts of the city.

• Cons: However, this side of town is always busy and crowded, so if you get overwhelmed easily, maybe this is not the right area for you. And, unless your hotel has good noise-canceling walls, you might get some of the street noise.

Where to stay in Shinjuku, Tokyo:

• Budget: Shin Okubo Sekitei – Affordable, simple Japanese-style rooms, some of them with futon bedding on a tatami floor—which I love!—15 min away from Kabukicho tower.
• Mid-range: WPÜ HOTEL Shinjuku – Clean and modern rooms in a trendy hotel just a few steps away from Shinjuku Station, right in the heart of all the action.
• Luxury: Hilton Tokyo Hotel – Stylish and spacious rooms with incredible views over Shinjuku’s skyline. Plus, enjoy access to the hotel’s indoor pool and sauna.

Things to do in Shinjuku, Tokyo:

• Play arcade games at the vibrant Kabukicho Tower
• Watch Godzilla roar on top of the Shinjuku Toho building
• Sip sake at one of the tiny bars in Shinjuku Golden Gai
• Enjoy a bowl of ramen at the 24-hour Ichiran Ramen

Shibuya: Best place to stay in Tokyo for first-timers

Shibuya is one of the best places to stay in Tokyo for first timers due to its central location, endless things to do, and proximity to many Tokyo attractions.

While you might have heard of Shibuya because of its famous Shibuya crossing—the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world—don’t let this scare you.

Once you’re past the Shibuya Crossing and its sea of people, the crowds disperse as you make your way through the smaller streets in Shibuya, and there’s more room to breathe when compared to Shinjuku.

• Pros: In this centrally located area, you will find everything your heart desires, from some of the best coffee shops in Tokyo, great eats, and modern shopping centers to leisurely wander through.
  
  Shibuya is overall a massive section of Tokyo, so if you can stay somewhere central within the neighborhood—close to Cat Street—that would make your days in Tokyo easier and more efficient.

• Cons: The one downside of staying in Shibuya is that, because of its incredible location, accommodations tend to be pricier in this area of Tokyo. But if I were to choose where to stay in Tokyo for first-time travellers, I would choose here.

Where to stay in Shibuya, Tokyo:

• Budget: Shibuya Tobu Hotel – Snug, clean, and simple rooms in the heart of Tokyo, just a few minutes away from Shibuya Station. On the “cheaper” side for the great location.
• Mid-range: Sequence Miyashita Park Shibuya – Snug and sleek rooms in the heart of Shibuya, with incredible views over the city, and direct access to the modern Miyashita Park Shopping Center.
• Luxury: TRUNK Hotel Cat Street – A beautifully designed hotel in a top location in Shibuya, offering modern yet cozy rooms for the design lover.
  

Things to do in Shibuya, Tokyo:

• Join the crowds at Shibuya Crossing
• Wander the trendy Harajuku district
• Stroll through the lush Yoyogi Park (if visiting during spring, this is one of the best places to see cherry blossoms in Tokyo)
• Browse the shops on Cat Street

Asakusa: Best place to stay in Tokyo for traditional vibes

If you’re a history lover and are more interested in the traditional side of Tokyo, then you might want to stay closer to Asakusa to experience this every day as you step out of your hotel.

Asakusa is a slower-paced neighborhood of Tokyo, known for its historic temples, traditional craft shops, street food stalls along Nakamise Street, and its unique older Tokyo vibe.

• Pros: This is the best neighborhood to stay in Tokyo to experience the older, more traditional side of the city and feel like you’ve traveled back in time every time you step outside your door.

• Cons: On the downside, this is a highly touristic area of Tokyo, so if you are close to the temple, the streets might always be packed when you exit your hotel.
  
  This area is also a little bit further north in the city, so it might take longer to move to other neighborhoods in Tokyo for the day.

Where to stay in Asakusa, Tokyo:

• Budget: Far East Village Hotel Tokyo, Asakusa – Clean, simple, affordable rooms just a few steps away from Asakusa’s famous Nakamise Shopping Street.
• Mid-range: Ryokan Asakusa Shigetsu – A unique stay in Tokyo. A traditional ryokan in the heart of Asakusa offering traditional tatami floor rooms, and on-site Japanese baths with a view of the Senso-ji Temple’s five-storied Pagoda.
• Luxury: Kaminarimon Ryokan – Sleek Japanese-style bedrooms, with most of them featuring a private bath. The hotel has the perfect Asakusa location, just steps away from the iconic Kaminarimon Gate.

Things to do in Asakusa, Tokyo:

• Walk through the impressive Kaminarimon Gate
• Buy unique souvenirs from craft shops on Nakamise Street
• Explore the grounds of the historic Senso-ji Temple
• Snack at the many street food stands

Ginza: Best place to stay in Tokyo for shopping and foodies

One of the best places to stay in Tokyo, if what you want is to shop and eat your heart out, is the polished Ginza.

Ginza is an upscale shopping district, offering luxury brands, mainstream shops, upscale restaurants, bars, and elegant shopping centers where you can spend entire days browsing.

While being one of the most expensive districts in the world, don’t be put off, as there are shops for every budget here, as well as restaurants.

• Pros: Here you can find trendy cocktail bars, popular sushi bars, upscale restaurants perfect for a splurgy night out, and incredible shopping.
  
  Surprisingly, you can also find some of the best places to eat in Tokyo, such as Ginza Kagari—my favorite ramen—as well as being super close to the unmissable Tsukiji Fish market—a foodies paradise.
  
• Cons: It’s not necessarily the most central location in Tokyo, and it might take some time to get to other areas, but I love the proximity to the Tsukiji Fish Market. The food there is so good, you will surely want to visit more than once.

Where to stay in Ginza, Tokyo:

• Budget: Hotel Vista Tokyo Tsukiji – Technically on the outskirts of Ginza, this is one of the best budget hotels I found close to Ginza, with snug but clean and comfy-looking rooms.
• Mid-range: The Royal Park Hotel Ginza 6-Chome – Beautifully designed hotel with Wes Anderson vibes and colorful rooms, a rarity in Japan’s more minimalist style. Located between Ginza and the unmissable Tsukiji Fish Market.
• Luxury: Hotel The Celestine Ginza – Simple, yet elevated hotel rooms in a great location, a few steps away from the well-connected Shimbashi Station.

Things to do in Ginza, Tokyo:

• Browse the luxurious shops inside Ginza SIX shopping center
• Visit Shiseido’s Flagship Store
• Stock up on basics at the 11-story-tall Uniqlo
• Eat like there’s no tomorrow at Tsukiji Fish Market
• Sip on some delicious cocktails at the whimsical Tir na nog

Tokyo Station / Marunouchi: Best place to stay in Tokyo for access to the train

While staying close to Tokyo Station might seem tempting to have direct access to the train system, I feel like there’s not enough around here to make it worth the stay.

The area around Tokyo Station feels very businessy and void of vibe or personality for a first-time visitor.

For a first-time visitor, I think it’s better to stay in Ginza, where there are tons to do, while still being close to Tokyo Station.

• Pros: The area is very central, and you have direct access to Tokyo Station, which facilitates planning day trips out of the city, like to beautiful Kamakura, relaxing Hakone, or the picturesque Shibu Onsen in the winter.
  
• Cons: The area surrounding Tokyo Station is too business-y, there’s not much to do, and the vibe is just meh.

Where to stay near Tokyo Station, Tokyo:

• Budget: Super Hotel Premier Tokyo Station Yaesu-Chuoguchi – Simple and clean rooms, a few steps away from Tokyo Station, not the cheapest, but the most affordable in the area.
• Mid-range: Hotel Monte Hermana Tokyo – Classic and minimalist rooms in an incredibly central location.
• Luxury: The Tokyo Station Hotel – A luxurious hotel right in the Tokyo Station featuring beautiful rooms in a classical European style.

Things to do near Tokyo Station, Tokyo:

• Visit the grounds of the Imperial Palace
• Browse the incredible food stands at Daimaru Tokyo
• Grab a coffee at Brooklyn Roasting Company before a day trip

Ueno: Best place to stay in Tokyo for budget-friendly stays

While I would not necessarily advise staying in Ueno, I think it’s good to add it to the mix, to see its pros and cons.

Ueno is a little bit too far from the rest of the city, and while there are some fun things to do up there, I don’t think it’s worth basing yourself there for your whole trip.

However, the better located an area is, the more expensive the accommodations tend to be, so if you are looking for a more budget-friendly option for your accommodation in Tokyo, then Ueno might be a good area to consider.

• Pros: While being slightly further away from other Tokyo attractions, Ueno offers more affordable accommodation options for travelers on a budget.
  
  It’s not completely removed from everything, as from here you’re closer to Asakusa, which is a must-visit for Tokyo first-timers.

• Cons: Further away from other important areas in Tokyo, so you might spend more time commuting back and forth.

Where to stay in Ueno, Tokyo:

• Budget: Inninn Hotel Ueno – Snug, minimalist and affordable rooms a few steps away from Keisei Ueno train station, where you can take the train straight to Narita airport.
• Mid-range: Hotel Resol Ueno – Well-designed, cozy rooms in a modern hotel just a block away from Ueno Station.
• Luxury: Minn Ueno – Spacious, modern, cozy studios for a much better price than you will find in the city center.

Things to do in Ueno, Tokyo:

• Indulge in some tasty seafood at the Ueno Ameyoko Shopping Street
• Take a leisurely stroll through Ueno Park
• Have a museum day at the Tokyo National Museum

Final thoughts on the best places to stay in Tokyo for first-timers:

While Tokyo is a massive city and you surely want to cover as much of it as possible, you need to be strategic about what your priorities are for your trip and choose the right base for your itinerary.

If you want to be in the heart of the futuristic neon-packed streets—keeping in mind this could mean a louder area to sleep in—then Shinjuku is the right area for you.

Would rather be somewhere quieter, with a more traditional vibe, surrounded by historic buildings? Then, Asakusa is the best area to stay in Tokyo for you.

If you want to be the most central you can be, while avoiding the madness of Shinjuku, but still having endless things to do at your fingertips, then Shibuya is the place to stay.

In the big scheme of things, no matter where you choose to stay, Tokyo’s an incredibly well-connected city, and you’ll be able to move from one corner of the city to another with no problem.

So just think about which neighborhood vibe you like best, and where you would like to spend more time in and go from there.

I hope this guide on where to stay in Tokyo for first-time travellers helps you make the best choice for your upcoming trip to this incredible city.

Which area do you think is the winner for you? Let us know in the comments.