Where to Stay in TOKYO: The Best Areas & Hotels
Being the most populated and third largest city in the world, figuring out where to stay in Tokyo can be quite an intimidating task. Hopefully, this guide can help you to determine which area is right for you. We have even provided some accommodation suggestions to save you time organising your Tokyo trip.
Before we start let us just say, we LOVE Tokyo. The energy of this city is something we have yet to find anywhere else in the world. It is an absolute dream destination for any type of tourist, there is so much to see, do and eat. We highly recommend following our Tokyo itinerary on your upcoming trip to guarantee a great time.
Known as the city of cities there are many neighbourhoods within Tokyo that have their own unique charm. Deciding which area will work best for you will depend on your circumstances and interests. Continue reading to discover the most popular areas to stay in Tokyo.
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Contents
- Shinjuku: Where to Stay in Tokyo for First-timers
- Shibuya: Where to Stay in Tokyo for Shopping
- Ginza: Where to Stay in Tokyo for Luxury
- Asakusa: Where to Stay in Tokyo on a Budget
- Akihabara: Where to Stay in Tokyo for Fun
- Tokyo Disney: Where to Stay in Tokyo for Families
Shinjuku: Where to Stay in Tokyo for First-timers
Shinjuku is the perfect place to stay in Tokyo for first-timers. It is centrally located in the city, is on the main metro line, and is near key attractions. If you want an easy stay with the biggest convenience, Shinjuku is for you.
Iconic Tokyo Hotels
The Lost in Translation Movie Hotel
Price: 156,557 yen (£975)
If money is no object, why not reenact Bill Murray and Scarlet Johansson scenes in The Park Hyatt Hotel featured in the iconic movie Lost in Translation? The hotel’s famous bar can be found on the 52nd floor and offers truly unbelievable views of Tokyo.
Not much of a drinker? You can also soak in the view from their indoor swimming pool or whilst taking a yoga class (we don’t remember Bill doing downwards dog). The hotel is also conveniently located close to Shinjuku station and provides all of the facilities you could ever need to make for a once-in-a-lifetime stay in Tokyo.
Luxury Hotels
Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo Premier Grand
Price: 59,413 yen (£370)
Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo Premier Grand is a well-located hotel that has excellent panoramic views out across Shinjuku. Why pay to visit a viewpoint when your hotel already has one? Not only is there an onsite fitness centre and swimming pool, but this hotel also has a convenience store and a co-working space.
Rooms are spacious with the dark decor making the rooms feel cosy and zen. All rooms have a seating area, a desk/vanity space and ensuite bathrooms with luxury toiletries. There is also a restaurant, executive lounge space and some very comfortable hammocks. This hotel has everything you could need so all you have to worry about is sightseeing.
Mid-Range Hotels
Citadines Shinjuku Tokyo
Price: 27,316 yen (£172)
A really smart way of making your money go further in Tokyo is staying in an aparthotel like Citadines Shinjuku Tokyo. This hotel was once voted as one of the top 25 places to stay in Japan by Tripadvisor’s Travellers Choice. And we can see why.
Guests benefit from staying in a studio apartment, with enough kitchen space to prepare and cook meals. The seating area is separated from the bed giving the apartment clear zones. The sofa can also be converted into an additional bed if more than two of you travelling. This apart-hotel also has a 24-hour gym, coin-operated laundry on-site, vending machines and a concierge service.
Daiwa Roynet Hotel Nishi-Shinjuku
Price: 26,839 yen (£169)
Daiwa Roynet Hotel Nishi-Shinjuku offers 4-star accommodation for a reasonable price. Rooms are spacious which is rare in Tokyo, with clean, classy decor. Coin-operated laundry facilities are on-site as well as vending machines.
One of our favourite features in this hotel is their own brand of drip coffee, it is actually delicious (we may have posted some home). There is also a shared lounge area. If you are travelling for work, or want to lounge outside of your room, this is a great feature.
Budget Stays
Capsule Hotel Anshin Oyado Shinjuku
Price: 6,906 yen (£43 per capsule)
Capsule Hotel Anshin Oyado Shinjuku is an adult-only hotel where guests sleep in capsule pods. We can’t believe the price of this place considering it has a mist sauna (yes, a sauna), a jet bath and it offers massages! Plus it is just so fancy and cosy looking.
Each pod has a tablet PC and free WiFi. There is also an on-site clothing shop, an internet cafe, and complimentary green tea. The only downside is it is male-only (sorry ladies).
Book And Bed Tokyo Shinjuku
Price: 6,906 yen (£43)
Ever wanted to sleep in a library or a bookshop? Well at Book And Bed Tokyo Shinjuku you can. Just look at how beautiful this place looks! Guests each have their own capsule whether it’s single or double which has a safe inside to lock away the valuables.
This hotel has a bar, free WiFi, and luggage storage. It also serves some very gothic-looking food and beverages with an American breakfast available.
Shibuya: Where to Stay in Tokyo for Shopping
Shibuya is another area in Tokyo that is incredibly central to big attractions. It also has great transport links and a large selection of restaurants for every budget, making it great for first-time visitors to Tokyo.
Luxury Hotels
Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel, A Pan Pacific Partner Hotel
Price: 65,400 yen (£413) per night
This hotel truly is a luxury pick. Rooms at the Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel start on the 19th floor, ensuring each one has panoramic views across the city and even Mount Fuji on a clear day. The rooms are spacious yet comfortable, with flat-screen TVs, desks, a minibar and toiletries provided.
Within the building, guests can also find eight restaurants serving everything from Japanese, Chinese and French cuisine, a pastry shop, a nursery and a top-floor bar. There is also a pool, gym, hot tub and sauna. Everything you could want is in this hotel – what an absolute dream.
Shibuya Stream Excel Hotel Tokyu, Tokyo
Price: 57,640 yen (£364) per night
Shibuya Stream Excel Hotel Tokyu combines vintage and modern decor styles to create rooms with ambience. Not only is there a restaurant and bar within the hotel, but there is also a Meister room. The Meister room is a shared space for guests with a kitchen area, vending machines, gym, free shoe shine facility as well as laundry services.
It’s nice to know that even if you have splashed out on accommodation, you can cut costs elsewhere by preparing your own meals.
Mid-Range Hotels
sequence MIYASHITA PARK / SHIBUYA
Price: 45,605 yen (£288) per night
This hotel offers something incredible… 2 pm check-out! No more dragging yourself out of bed and rushing breakfast to meet the 10 am check-out time. At sequence MIYASHITA PARK / SHIBUYAyou can enjoy a leisurely start to your day.
sequence hotel is located in Miyashita Park, one of the spots featured in our Tokyo 5-day itinerary. It has a restaurant and bar as well as a 24-hour front desk, luggage storage and free WiFi throughout. Each room also has Apple AirPlay and Google Chromecast so guests can enjoy their favourite apps on the TV.
The building itself has many shops, restaurants and bars and is closely located to Shibuya Crossing. You would really be pushed to find a better-located hotel in Shibuya.
all day place shibuya
Price: 26,761 yen (£169) per night
all day place shibuya is more than just a hotel. It is a craft beer bar that serves the most delicious-looking pizza right in the heart of Shibuya. They also serve speciality coffee and a top quality breakfast.
If the food alone isn’t enough of a reason to book immediately, the rooms are decorated in the most beautiful, calming forest green. There are different room types available from compact to suites with a kitchen and washing machine. All travellers are catered for.
This four-star hotel has a 24-hour front desk, luggage storage and coin-operated laundry facilities.
Budget Stays
The Millennials, Shibuya
Price: 14,093 yen (£89) per night
The Millennials, Shibuya is a smartly designed hostel that aims to maximise space in individual guest capsules. The beds are adjustable so you can go from an upright seat to fully reclined. There is also a pull-out drawer underneath the bed to store any luggage you bring with you.
Pods also have a full-length mirror, hanging space for clothes and an overhead shelf. Blackout blinds act as doors to give privacy and avoid any unwanted wake-ups when somebody inevitably switches on all the lights for a late-night loo dash.
Tea and coffee facilities are provided along with pastries and bread for breakfast. The shared bathroom has free toiletries and each pod has free WiFi.
almond hostel & cafe Shibuya
Price: 5,067 yen (£32) per night
almond hostel & cafe Shibuya is an excellent value-for-money hostel in Tokyo. The focus of this hostel is privacy, and they are particularly concerned with the safety of female travellers. There is a women’s only floor with a separate entrance from the mixed dorm floor for extra protection.
Each pod has a charger port, dimmable lights, a shelf, and hanging space as well as a designated storage locker for luggage. The onsite cafe has a drool-worthy toasted sandwich menu and also serves coffee for that morning caffeine kick.
This hostel’s design is sleek, simple and stylish – nothing about it feels budget.
Ginza: Where to Stay in Tokyo for Luxury
If you have got that cash and you want to splash it, Ginza is the place to be. The area is upscale and modern with high-end shopping and dining. It is home to the most expensive street in Japan.
The close proximity to Tokyo Station is a major draw to this area as it allows travellers to be connected with the rest of the country. It is also near the famous Tsukiji fish market and has some of the best architecture in all of Tokyo.
Luxury Hotels
The Peninsula Tokyo
Price: 241,474 yen (£1,523) per night
We did say Ginza is the place the splash the cash and The Peninsula Tokyo is our flashiest pick.
Here guests can expect to be pampered in the spa centre with massages and beauty treatments available. The fitness club has a swimming pool, personal trainer services and sun loungers, overlooking the Imperial Palace Gardens. Also, it is an absolute flex to be picked up from the airport by this hotel’s Rolls-Royce limousine.
Rooms are luxurious boasting a living area with sofas and a wide-screen TV, a bedroom with bed-side curtain controls and a marble bathroom with a built-in flat-screen TV. They come with a dressing area, mood lighting and free WiFi.
There is also a variety of restaurants at The Tokyo Peninsula that serve Japanese, Cantonese and Western cuisines as well as afternoon tea.
Imperial Hotel Tokyo
Price: 74,202 yen (£468) per night
At Imperial Hotel Tokyo, the focus is on providing first-class hospitality to all guests. It features a beauty massage salon, with in-room massages available, a fitness centre and a swimming pool. Guests can dine at one of the 13 restaurants in the hotel before selecting which of the 3 bars to enjoy evening drinks in.
Rooms in this prestigious hotel are elegantly decorated. Each has a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a small fridge and a seating area. Free tea set and a newspaper are offered.
Mid Range Hotels
THE BLOSSOM HIBIYA
Price: 29,332 yen (£185) per night
THE BLOSSOM HIBIYA is a four-star hotel in Tokyo’s Ginza district. The stylish decor is calming, ensuring each room has a zen feeling for ultimate relaxation. All rooms come with a city view, soundproofing, free WiFi and a flat-screen TV.
In terms of facilities, this hotel has a free-of-charge fitness centre, meeting rooms and an on-site restaurant that serves a buffet breakfast. Guests also benefit from the 24-hour front desk, luggage storage and laundry facilities.
karaksa hotel premier Tokyo Ginza
Price: 45,345 yen (£286) per night
At karaksa hotel premier Tokyo Ginza, guests can enjoy an exclusive lounge where seasonal drinks and light bites are available throughout the day, along with a glass of wine in the evening. On top of this, there is also a mini lounge space, 24-hour front desk, and in-room served breakfast with both Japanese and Western offerings.
Every room has large windows to look out across the Ginza district and bring natural light into the space. There is also a desk, a fridge and lovely rainfall showers.
Budget Stays
Henn na Hotel Tokyo Ginza
Price: 13,794 yen (£87) per night
This hotel is one of our quirkier picks. Henn na Hotel Tokyo Ginza is one of Tokyo’s famous robot hotels. Here the reception desk is monitored by two humanoid robots to welcome guests and answer basic queries. Robots and electronics feature strongly throughout this hotel with air purifying and floor cleaning robots, LG Styler dry cleaning machine, Chromecast and Oculus Quest 2 all available.
Whilst the rooms might not be dazzling, a stay here is certainly going to be fun, quirky and worth the money. They have a free breakfast on offer and in a city like Tokyo, we’ll take all the free meals we can get. The manga comics in each room are also a nice added bonus.
Asakusa: Where to Stay in Tokyo on a Budget
Asakusa is home to Tokyo’s Samauri District. Here you can find historical sights, incredible temples and quaint neighbourhoods. This area is just bursting with Japanese culture. Accommodation in Asakusa is priced very reasonably, making it perfect for budget travellers. Top sights include Senso-ji Temple and Tokyo Sky Tree.
Luxury Hotels
MIMARU SUITES Tokyo ASAKUSA
Price: 52,322 yen (£330) per night
We will be honest, it was hard to find a luxury place in Asakusa. Everywhere is priced so reasonably. We did settle for MIMARU SUITES Tokyo ASAKUSA in the end however, even this is a brilliant deal. Four people can comfortably be accommodated if you opt to stay in the two-bedroom theatre suite. That’s just over £80 per person!
This suite has two reasonable-sized bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a kitchenette to prepare your own meals. The main draw is the large lounge area with a projector for some cosy movie nights after an exhausting day of sightseeing. We’ve labelled it as “luxury” but your money goes far with this one.
Mid Range Hotels
PROSTYLE RYOKAN TOKYO ASAKUSA
Price: 26,161 yen (£165) per night
Since you’re staying in a more traditional area, why not stay in more traditional accommodation? PROSTYLE RYOKAN TOKYO ASAKUSA gives travellers the ultimate ryokan experience at their 4-star hotel. There is a shared lounge area, along with a restaurant and bar. Some of the rooms here even have their own private onsen.
Budget Stays
plat hostel keikyu asakusa station
Price: 2,854 yen (£18) per night
plat hostel keikyu asakusa station is an excellent budget choice for travellers. This hostel has private rooms, semi-private dorms and single pods. The semi-private dorm offers more privacy than a dorm bed but at a lower price point than a private room. Pods have a charging point, reading light and security light.
This hostel is well located near to the metro station and Senso-Ji temple. There is a kitchen area to prepare food, a shared lounge and a laundry service available.
Resol Poshtel Tokyo Asakusa
Price: 5,390 (£34) per night
Resol Poshtel Tokyo Asakusa could win the title for more luxurious dorm beds we’ve seen in a hostel. Pods are more “cabin” style and each one is decorated in a different style. There are mixed dorms as well as gender-specific dorms so everybody can feel comfortable during their stay.
Guests can use the shared “living lobby” lounge, free WiFi, luggage storage space and laundry facilities.
Akihabara: Where to Stay in Tokyo for Fun
Akihabara is the place in Tokyo you go for some fun. It is well known for its array of arcades, electronics, maid cafes and anime and manga merchandise. It is also an area that is great for budget travellers.
During one of our days in Tokyo, we spent an entire day just playing in the arcades here. If you feel you may be the same or even want more arcade time, we recommend staying here.
Luxury Hotels
NOHGA HOTEL AKIHABARA TOKYO
Price: 33,930 yen (£214) per night
NOHGA HOTEL AKIHABARA TOKYO is a great value, luxury pick for the Akihabara area. Rooms are reasonably priced as well as incredibly spacious. At this price point, guests can benefit from a lounge area in their room with a great TV and sound system.
This accommodation also has a la carte or continental breakfasts, free bikes (there’s your transport sorted) and make use of the very posh-looking bar.
Mid Range Hotels
JR-East Hotel Mets Akihabara
Price: 23,783 yen (£150) per night
JR-East Hotel Mets Akihabara is ideally located next to the metro station, making it extremely convenient to get around Tokyo. This hotel features an on-site restaurant, convenience store, ice cream store and a Starbucks. Basically, you could be covered for every meal of the day if you wanted to be.
There is also a huge amenities selection in the lobby so don’t forget to grab some just before heading up into your room.
remm Akihabara
Price: 15,855 yen (£100) per night
remm Akihabara is also conveniently located by the Akihabara metro station. Remm highlights its main priority as sleep. Each room has rainfall showers to fight off fatigue, a massage chair to rids you of any aches and pains and “silky remm” beds that are densely structured for better sleep.
Portal cafe is their on-site restaurant that is open from breakfast through into the late evening.
Budget Stays
Akihabara Washington Hotel
Price: 13,477 yen (£85) per night
Located right next to Akihabara metro station, Akihabara Washington Hotel offers excellent budget accommodation. For this price point, guests can enjoy their own private room with a private bathroom.
This hotel has vending machines on every floor, microwaves, laundry facilities and free WiFi throughout. They also claim to offer massage services but don’t get your hopes up for one of the “maids” from the maid cafes walking through the door.
Tokyo Disney: Where to Stay in Tokyo for Families
Tokyo Disney is located in the Tokyo Bay area in the south of the city. This is a fantastic area for families as there are a lot of child-friendly activities to do here.
The most popular is the Tokyo Disney resort which contains two theme parks: Disneyland and the Tokyo exclusive DisneySea. Both are amazing places to visit, however, due to Tokyo DisneySea being very unique we recommend visiting that one if you only have time for one park.
Also in the Tokyo Bay area is the world-famous teamLab Planets. This immersive digital art experience is a MUST on any Tokyo itinerary (see ours).
Luxury Hotels
Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay Hotel
Price: 31,710 yen (£200) per night
Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay Hotel is an official hotel of Tokyo Disney that seems to have it all. From Spa and wellness facilities for the adults to mini golf and games arcade for the kids. This is a perfect place for families that don’t want the fun to end at the theme parks.
Based right next to the Bayside monorail station, guests have direct access to Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. From here you can also connect to the JR station to explore the rest of the amazing city of Tokyo.
Mid Range Hotels
Grand Nikko Tokyo Bay Maihama
Price: 23,782 yen (£150) per night
Grand Nikko Tokyo Bay Maihama is a stunning gigantic complex that is also an official hotel of Tokyo Disney Resort. Located on the eastern side of Tokyo Bay and 4 minute walk away from the Disney Resort monorail providing direct access to both Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo Sea.
All rooms in the hotel feature balconies and look perfect for families. There are plenty of dining options on-site where you can find something for the fussiest of eaters.
Budget Stays
ibis Styles Tokyo Bay
Price: 15,855 yen (£100) per night
To save some money, we recommend staying slightly further away from Tokyo Disney. ibis Styles Tokyo Bay is a great hotel chain that we have used many times. It is always a safe choice giving great value for money.
This hotel is 4km away from Tokyo Disney, however, they provide a free shuttle to the parks which is so convenient. Also, the hotel is only 20 minutes away from Tokyo Station meaning guests can easily explore the rest of the city beyond Tokyo Disney.
Conclusion
We hope that we have provided you with a very comprehensive guide on where to stay in Tokyo. There is such a range of accommodations to choose from, from iconic and luxury to something more budget. And there is no shortage of fun/interesting choices! How much fun does a robot hotel sound? Or having a massage chair in your room?
Everywhere we picked had something special about it along with excellent, reliable reviews. If you do pick somewhere we have suggested, we hope that it enhances your time in Tokyo. This truly is an incredible city that you could just keep coming back to so try out different areas and see which suits you best.
Thank you for reading our where to stay in Tokyo guide. If you have any recommendations or suggestions please add them to the comments box below 🙂
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