5 Best Areas to stay in Tokyo

By Ajay Suresh- Wikimedia

5 Best Areas to stay in Tokyo

Tokyo city in Japan is among the most visited cities in Asia. This city is known for its ancient history and civilization.

There is a lot of attractions that draw tourists to this city like the traditional Japanese cafés that have maintained their old Edo period houses, beautiful temples, traditional Japanese guesthouses, are among the many exciting attractions of this city.

Tokyo is a big city and one thing that is most preferred when planning to visit is a convenience to all the sights that you intend to visit.

Finding a place to stay may be a task if you are visiting for the first time. We have therefore outlined 5 best areas to stay in while in Tokyo.

You can also read our previous blog on the best cities to visit in Japan and the top 10 facts about Mount Fiji.

1. Shinjuku

By Ajay Suresh- Wikimedia

First on the list is Shinjuku, a neighbourhood that has a mix of both modern and traditional feel to it.

This area is preferred by many that visit Tokyo because of its varied accommodation options ranging from budget hostels to five-star hotel rooms.

The area is also big on entertainment and shopping. There are parks in the area where one can escape to for a quiet time away from the busy crowd.

The neon lights and ultra-modern skyscrapers define this popular neighbourhood and are exciting to both regulars and first-time visitors.

The malls in Shinjuku are a favourite of many locals and tourists alike. These huge modern shopping malls like Lumine, Takashimaya Times Square and Odakyu have local and international brands.

The area comes alive in the evening till late. The beautiful neon lights flashing signs of restaurants, bars and other entertainment spots make it almost hard to choose.

The other best thing about Shinjuku is that there is a train station close by that connects you to other areas of Tokyo.

This station is among the busiest stations in Japan and the world. It serves more than three million people every day.

One can easily connect to the airport, Hakone, or go mountain climbing on Mount Fuji. The bus public bus is also another convenient transport system that one can to move around the city.

2. Shibuya

By Hide1228 – Wikimedia

Next on the list is Shibuya, this neighbourhood is almost similar to Shinjuku and is considered by many the best place to stay when in Tokyo.

This area is loved mostly by the youthful crowds and is frequented by hip Japanese youth. Shibuya is famously known for its fashion statements.

The train station here is also centrally located and is a major transportation hub of the city, to and from the airport.

There is a huge selection of accommodation options that one can choose from depending on their budget. There are traditional hotel rooms, hostels and even the modern capsule hotels.

If you need to do some shopping, this area offers some of the best options in the city. The shopping malls are close to each other and one can easily access them without getting tired or overwhelmed.

It is home to the famous Shibuya crossing, which is the main attraction in the area and Tokyo.

One can go for a walk at the nearby Yoyogi park for a quiet time away from the crowds that can get overwhelming and visit the shops at Harajuku that sale the trendiest outfits for the youth.

To enjoy your commute at the train station, avoid the rush hour when its at its busiest with large crowds.

3. Ginza

By Jordy Meow – Wikimedia

Ginza region in Tokyo is also another preferred area to stay at when in the city. This area is known for its luxury in both accommodation and shopping experience.

That, however, does not mean it may be above one’s budget, there are budget-friendly accommodation options.

This area like the others mentioned has a good transport network that connects you to the rest of the city and other regions of Japan.

The Tsukiji fish market is near Ginza and is the best place to try some delicious sushi and other delicious fish dishes, one can also buy fresh fish and other plates of seafood to prepare in their Airbnb.

The imperial palace, Chou Dori are some of the top attractions that one can easily access when they stay in the Ginza neighbourhood.

A visit to the Marunouchi business district will give a beautiful view of the imperial palace from one of its towering skyscrapers.

During the weekends, Chuo Dori main street in Ginza is shut and only pedestrians are allowed, this makes it less hectic with only human traffic.

Night shopping at Ginza is pleasant with more shops that are open where one can do some window shopping in the well-lit shops and colourful displays.

The nightlife here is quiet compared to Shinjuku and Shibuya, this most probably because the two attract much younger crowds.

There are several good restaurants and cocktail bars that one can go to for a chill evening.

4. Tokyo Station

By Toshinori baba – Wikimedia

The Tokyo station is another great area to stay while in the city. It is a short walking distance from Ginza.

It is also the main transportation system in Tokyo as its name suggests. It is the most convenient areas to stay and perfect for anyone whose itinerary has many day trips to various sights in the city and outside.

The station is connected to several airports, Tokyo bay area, Yokohama, Osaka among other cities.

There are several shopping malls, great restaurants, shops and accommodation places close to the station and some can be found at the station.

The nearby attractions that can be accessed from the Tokyo station include Tokyo Disney.

This area is best suited for those on transit and would like to make a brief stopover before proceeding to other cities.

The hotels in this area range from budget-friendly to high-end luxury. There are several hotels available depending on one’s budget.

5. Asakusa

If you are looking for a quiet neighbourhood with a more traditional Japanese feel to it and you are on a budget; Asakusa is the best place to stay. It is on the east side of Tokyo which is one of the oldest and historic side of the city.

The famous Sensoji temple, Tokyo Skytree is in Asakusa together with several traditional Japanese restaurants. Several transport systems connect you to the city and other areas from Asakusa.

The hostels in this region are spacious, not crowded and clean. It is close to Ginza area where one can go for shopping.

Asakusa is also the best place to buy Japanese souvenirs that are handmade ranging from chopsticks to ramen bowls.