Quick answer
Stay in Shinjuku for a first trip: it's Tokyo's biggest rail hub, with direct buses to Mount Fuji and food at every price. Shibuya is the trendier option, Ginza and Tokyo Station suit calm stays and bullet-train starts, Asakusa and Ueno are the value pick, and Shinagawa is best for Haneda flights. Pick a hotel within five minutes' walk of a station.
The best areas to stay in Japan
Shinjuku
₹₹Best for: First-timers, nightlife, Fuji and Hakone trips
Tokyo's biggest rail hub, with highway buses to Mount Fuji, trains to Hakone and endless restaurants, including Indian and vegan places.
The station is a maze, and the Kabukicho side gets rowdy at night; choose the west or south side.
Doubles from ₹11,000 a night
Shibuya
₹₹₹Best for: Young travellers, shopping and Harajuku access
The crossing, Shibuya Sky and Harajuku on foot, with newer hotels and slightly larger rooms.
Expensive, and the station area is crowded at all hours.
Doubles from ₹14,000 a night
Ginza and Tokyo Station
₹₹₹Best for: Bullet-train departures, couples and older travellers
Calm, polished streets, department stores, and Tokyo Station for the shinkansen to Kyoto.
Quiet at night, among the priciest areas, and short on budget eateries.
Doubles from ₹15,000 a night
Asakusa and Ueno
₹Best for: Budget travellers, families and old Tokyo
Senso-ji, Ueno Park and its museums, and the Skyliner from Ueno to Narita in about 40 minutes. Rooms are cheaper and slightly bigger.
30–40 minutes from Shibuya and Shinjuku, and quiet in the evenings.
Doubles from ₹7,000 a night
Shinagawa
₹₹Best for: Haneda flights, shinkansen and families
A shinkansen stop with trains to Haneda in about 15 minutes, and large hotels with family rooms.
Little to see nearby, so you'll commute for sightseeing.
Doubles from ₹10,000 a night
₹ budget · ₹₹ mid-range · ₹₹₹ premium. Nightly rates are starting prices for a double room outside peak dates.
Where should you stay in Tokyo?
For a first trip, stay in Shinjuku, near the south or west exits of the station. It's the most practical base: trains run to every part of the city, highway buses leave for Mount Fuji, and you'll find food at every price, including Indian and vegan restaurants. Shibuya is the trendier alternative, and Ginza or Tokyo Station suit travellers who want calm streets and an easy start for the bullet train.
Asakusa and Ueno are the value pick, with rooms often 30% cheaper and a little larger. They're also the best base if you're flying into Narita.
How small are Tokyo hotel rooms?
Small. A standard double in a business hotel is often 12–15 square metres, with the bed against the wall and space for one open suitcase. Families of four usually need two rooms or a serviced apartment. Ask specifically for a twin room if you don't want to share a bed, and look for triple or family rooms if you're travelling with a child.
What matters most when choosing
- Distance to the station: five minutes on foot is ideal, because Tokyo already involves a lot of walking.
- Train line: a hotel on the JR Yamanote loop makes most sights a single train ride.
- Luggage: if you're forwarding bags to Kyoto, check the front desk handles deliveries; most mid-range hotels do.
Book Tokyo hotels three to four months ahead for cherry blossom or autumn dates. Good-value rooms near Shinjuku and Shibuya sell out first.
Budget your stay with the Japan trip cost, follow our 8-day Japan itinerary, and check the Japan food guide for vegetarian restaurants near your base.
Frequently asked questions
Is Shinjuku or Shibuya better for a first trip to Tokyo?
Where should families stay in Tokyo?
Should I stay in a ryokan in Tokyo?
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Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.
