Where to stay in Tokyo?

Staying in Asakusa: the traditional district

Located in the north of the city, Asakusa is the district that has best retained the feel of an older Tokyo. Very popular, it is very attached to Japanese traditions and is sometimes referred to as the historic district.

It is home to Sensō-ji Temple, one of the oldest Buddhist temples and a must-see in the capital. In contrast to its authentic feel, it is also famous for being home to the Tokyo Skytree, a tower rising to a height of 635 metres and offering breathtaking views.

Another spot you can’t miss is Kappabashi Dôgugai, a street dedicated exclusively to culinary products, including the famous traditional Japanese knives. 

Now considered to be one of the most popular tourist areas, Asakusa offers a wide range of reasonably priced accommodation. If you want to stay in a typical hotel such as a ryokan, this is one of the areas where you'll find the most. 

Lively during the day thanks to its many shops and places of interest, this district becomes rather quiet in the evening, but you can find many restaurants here.

Finally, while Asakusa is one of the best places to stay when visiting Tokyo, it does have one significant drawback. Although it is served by the metro, it is not on the Yamanote Line, Japan's main railway line running through the city centre.

But while journeys can sometimes be longer, you can still reach Tokyo's other iconic areas thanks to its two metro lines.

Staying in Shinjuku: lively evenings and great location

To the east, Shinjuku is the liveliest part of the Japanese capital, day and night. Considered one of the most modern districts, this is where you'll find the many skyscrapers that make up Tokyo's skyline. At the heart of these large buildings, Shinjuku is home to one of Tokyo's largest parks: Shinjuku Gyo-en. 

With its lively streets and numerous bars and restaurants, Shinjuku is an ideal place to stay for those who want to party. If you decide to stay in this part of Tokyo, be sure to take an evening stroll along the two streets best known for their nightlife: Golden Gai and Kabuchiko.

Shinjuku is Tokyo's transport hub, with its huge station and excellent transport links, including the Yamanote Line. Its easy access to other districts makes it an ideal place to stay if you want to visit the city easily. Departures to Mount Fuji also leave from this station. 

Although it's a very large area, a number of accommodation options are available close to the station. Be aware though that they are often in high demand, so you’ll need to book several months in advance.

Shibuya: staying in one of Tokyo's most popular areas

The central district of Tokyo, Shibuya is certainly the best known in the world thanks to its famous scramble intersection Shibuya Crossing. Shibuya is also renowned for its many fashion and luxury boutiques.

You can visit Takeshita Street, home to a host of vintage and cosplay shops, or Omotesandō Avenue, the famous street nicknamed “Tokyo's Champs Elysées". Shibuya is also home to one of the city's most iconic monuments: the Meiji Jingu, a Shinto shrine set in the heart of a vast forest.

Like Shinjuku, Shibuya is one of the liveliest and most festive areas in the Japanese capital. So if you're looking for a lively night out, this is the place to stay. There are plenty of bars, restaurants and nightclubs to choose from. 

Its closeness to the Yamanote Line also means that it is easy to reach other areas and get around the city. However, as with Shinjuku, although there is accommodation close to the station at fairly affordable prices, it is highly sought-after, so you’ll need to plan in advance if you want to stay here.

Ueno and Yanaga: staying in a calm residential area

Located in the north-west, Ueno and Yanaga are the most popular areas of the Japanese capital. It's a quieter spot, ideal for getting away from the tourist crowds and discovering local life.

Although these areas are less visited by tourists, Ueno has a number of points of interest, including several museums such as the National Museum, its popular park ideal for admiring the sakura flowers in spring, and Tokyo Zoo.

The nearby Yanaga area is famous for its large tree-lined cemetery, which is open to the public, and Yanaga Ginza street, lined with popular little shops.

If you're looking for a place to stay in Tokyo, Ueno and Yanaga are good alternatives. These areas offer fairly affordable accommodation, which can be a good option if you're on a budget.

In terms of transport, Ueno and Yanaga are served by the Yamanote line. So it's pretty easy to get to Tokyo's other must-see areas and sights.

Ginza: staying in Tokyo's chic area

With its upmarket boutiques and chic restaurants, Ginza is one of Tokyo's best shopping areas. There are many gourmet restaurants where you can sample Japanese specialities.

Beyond its fashionable side, Ginza is certainly the best place to stay in terms of location. In the heart of the city, it is also close to the Yamanote Line and Yurakucho and Shimbashi stations. You can also easily take the Shinkansen to get out of the megalopolis and discover the surrounding area.

Lastly, Ginza is mainly home to luxury accommodation in large skyscrapers. Prices are often very high, but it’s worth considering if your budget allows.

Akihabara, Chiyoda, Shinagawa: other very central districts

The districts mentioned above are not the only interesting places to stay in Tokyo. In fact, depending on what you want, but also on your budget and location, there may be other interesting places to stay in the Japanese capital. These include Akihabara, Chiyoda and Shinagawa.

Akihabara is the part of Tokyo dedicated to video games and manga. While its main avenue is rather noisy, the adjacent streets are fairly quiet and offer affordable accommodation. This area is well-situated, but there's no point in staying here if you're not a fan of manga. 

The city's central district, Chiyoda is home to the Imperial Palace and a number of political headquarters. Although there are no points of interest, it is well served by public transport, and staying here is a good idea if you want easy access to the capital. 

Finally, to the south of the city, Shinagawa is certainly one of the least expensive areas in Tokyo. If you decide to stay here, you can quickly get to the other areas via the Yamanote line.