If you’re traveling to Japan for the very first time, there’s no better place to stay than Tokyo. The capital city has many interesting neighborhoods and endless activities to do and landmarks to visit.
Not sure where to base yourself? Read on as we help you figure out exactly where to stay in Tokyo for your first visit.
Photo by Jaison Lin on Unsplash
If you’re traveling to Japan, it’s easy to stay in Tokyo. It’s the country’s capital, after all, and one of the most technological and incredible cities you can find in the world. But choosing which neighborhood in Tokyo to stay in can be a lot more difficult, especially if it’s your first time.
The fact that Tokyo has quite a unique mix between the traditional Japanese culture and the modern city life makes it a bit more complex. You can stay in the old part of the city, where the streets are quieter, and sleep in a traditional ryokan, with an onsen and nice, clean yukata provided. Or you can choose the modern part and visit the anime cafes, electronic stores, and try sleeping in a capsule hotel!
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Tokyo’s Best Neighborhoods to Stay in
Shinjuku
If you liked what you just read about the modern side of Tokyo, you’ll love Shinjuku. It’s the part of the city that doesn’t sleep, and it’s warm all night with crowds under the neon lights. There are huge department stores, ramen alleys, and so many late bars. In other cities, a place like this would be unpleasant and chaotic, but not in Tokyo. It’s youthful and energetic, but it’s still quite orderly. Just be careful; some scams are going around, and with its many love hotels, it might not be the best if you’re traveling with kids.
In Shinjuku, you can shop like in no other neighborhood, there are many famous stores like Isetan, Lumine, and Don Quijote. If you want some nice views of the city, you can go to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. Once you’re hungry, you can head to Omoide Yokocho or Golden Gai to find yakitori stands and micro-bars. Finally, if you’re going for the bars and parties, go to Kabukicho, the red-light district.
Where to Stay in Shinjuku
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Park Hyatt Tokyo: It’s a classic place to stay, and quite luxurious too. It offers one of the best views in Shinjuku.
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Hotel Gracery Shinjuku: A great option for movie lovers. Don’t forget to get a photo with the Godzilla head on the terrace!
Photo by Jezael Melgoza on Unsplash
Ginza
If you’re looking for something quieter, and let’s be real, something more classy and refined, then Ginza is a better fit for you. It’s great if you like to travel with a certain luxury or if you’re a culture lover. Some people say that it’s too quiet for their personal taste, so keep that in mind.
If you want to go shopping, there are many luxury shops, and you can find brands like Chanel, Dior, and Uniqlo. The best department stores you’ll find there are Ginza Six and Mitsukoshi, and if you’re hungry, there are lots of incredible food options in the basements. For a cultural experience, you can’t miss the chance to see a traditional Kabuki performance in the Kabuki-za Theater.
Where to Stay in Ginza
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The Peninsula Tokyo: A very iconic hotel, near the Imperial Palace, and offering a 5-star experience.
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Hotel Monterey Ginza: It’s less classic Japanese, as it’s inspired by the European charm that Japanese people love.
Photo by Jezael Melgoza on Unsplash
Asakusa
If you travel to Japan thinking of the old style, the samurai and ninja era, where Japan was a glorious empire, then you’ll prefer Asakusa. Walking around its streets feels like stepping back in time to old Edo-period times. There are small streets, rickshaws, historical places, and kimono rentals.
To see more ancient places, you should visit the Senso-ji Temple, the oldest and most famous Buddhist temple. Here’s a little tip: if you’re a photographer, visit it at night, when it’s most beautiful. Not only for the photographers, but you can also rent a kimono and take it out for a walk and take some incredible photos. If you want to buy some souvenirs, go to Nakamise Shopping Street, where you’ll find Yukata, snacks, and much more. If you’re wondering what kind of souvenirs to buy in Japan, you can read our article on the topic.
Where to Stay in Asakusa
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Ryokan Asakusa Shigetsu: If you want to have the most authentic experience, stay in a traditional Ryokan like this one. It’s a great way to get to know more about the culture and experience the Japanese style of life.
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Wired Hotel Asakusa: It has a trendy boutique vibe, but it’s more economical than other hotels. You can stay in a dorm to save some money or choose a private room.
Photo by Nicholas Doherty on Unsplash
Akihabara
If you’re an otaku, you’ve certainly heard of this neighborhood. It’s the center of Japanese pop culture, gaming, and electronics! If you’re looking for anything anime-related, you’ll find it here, no matter how niche it is. It’s a youthful and energetic place, and you’ll have a great time if you’re into its vibe. But if you’re looking for a “cultural” experience, or at least something more traditional, you won’t find it there.
In Akihabara, you can finally visit an authentic Maid Cafe and have cute girls make delicious food and serve it in pretty and cute ways. It’s a great opportunity to have some fun photos. And, if you have family or friends back home who love anime merch, like figurines, collectibles, cosplay gear, or doujinshi, you have to visit Akihabara Radio Kaikan. There’s also Gachapon Kaikan, a place where you can easily spend so much money on little capsule toys and weird collectibles.
Where to Stay in Akihabara
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Akihabara Bay Hotel: If you’re up to having a weirdly Japanese experience, we suggest you spend at least a night at this hotel. Although this capsule hotel is only for ladies.
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Dormy Inn Akihabara: If you feel like you need a hot spring bath after a long day walking around and having a great time.
Yokohama
It’s not technically part of Tokyo, but hear us out first. Tokyo has a lot to offer, yes, but staying there for multiple days allows you to take a day trip and maybe stay the night outside. And if you’re doing that, there’s no better place to stay than Yokohama. It’s a big city, like Tokyo, but the vibe is quite different, more chill and relaxed.
If you want to see the modern side of the city, you should visit Minato Mirai and spend the afternoon there. It’s an interesting place with lots of fun activities, including malls, amusement parks, and museums. Or, if you love the silliness of Japanese culture, you can visit the Cup Noodles Museum. There, you can learn a lot about instant ramen and even make your own customized cup of noodles. For the foodies, there’s also Yokohama Chinatown, which is one of the largest in the world.
Where to Stay in Yokohama
- InterContinental Yokohama Grand: A very modern-looking hotel, shaped like a sail. It’s also pretty luxurious, so you know you’re going to have a great experience.
Photo by Gianni Scognamiglio on Unsplash
Tips for Staying in Tokyo
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Stay Connected: Before you start throwing things into your luggage, doing hundreds of Google searches to find the best hotels, and forgetting everything else, you need to guarantee that you’ll have a stable internet connection in Japan. Yoho Mobile is here to make it easier than ever! With just a few clicks, you can buy and install an eSIM, without searching for a physical SIM card. And you get a 12% discount just by reading this article with our coupon code YOHO12.
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Travel like a Japanese: Renting a car will only slow you down in a city like Tokyo; the best you can do is use the train and subway system. First, you should get a Suica or PASMO IC card to make paying the fare a breeze. To know the routes and schedules, you can use Google Maps or Navitime.
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Accommodation tips: Try to stay at a hotel that’s close to the major train lines so you can travel more easily from place to place. Also, if you’re staying at a capsule hotel, don’t book it for more than a night or two. They’re a fun experience but are really uncomfortable if you’re staying for a long time or you have many luggage with you.