Where to Stay in Tokyo: Choosing the Right Area

The area around Tokyo Station, where the Tokaido, Tohoku, Hokuriku and other shinkansen lines arrive and depart. The Marunouchi side has the Imperial Palace and the red-brick station building, while the Yaesu side has an extensive underground shopping mall. It works well as a base for day trips to other regions or early-morning departures.

Best for

• ✓Travelers taking the shinkansen out of Tokyo
• ✓Those combining business and sightseeing
• ✓Anyone who wants a morning walk around the Imperial Palace

Keep in mind

The station is huge, and transfers between JR local lines, the shinkansen and the subway often involve long walks.

Nearest stations

🚉 JR Tokyo Station; Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line Tokyo Station and Otemachi Station

A major shopping district lined with department stores, long-established shops and international brands, within walking distance of the Tsukiji Outer Market, Hibiya and Tokyo Station. With many subway lines, you can reach Asakusa or Roppongi without changing trains.

Best for

• ✓First-time visitors who want to stay in central Tokyo
• ✓Travelers who enjoy shopping and dining
• ✓Anyone who wants breakfast at Tsukiji

Nearest stations

🚉 JR Yurakucho Station; Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, Marunouchi Line and Hibiya Line Ginza Station

A huge terminal served by JR, private railways and the subway. The Odakyu Line runs toward Hakone, and limited express trains to Mt. Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi as well as highway buses from Busta Shinjuku also depart from here. The area has Shinjuku Gyoen and the observation decks of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, and restaurants stay open late into the night.

Best for

• ✓First trips to Tokyo
• ✓Travelers heading on to Hakone or the Fuji Five Lakes
• ✓Those who want to eat out and explore at night

Keep in mind

The station layout is complex, and taking the wrong exit can mean a long detour to your destination.

Nearest stations

🚉 JR, Odakyu and Keio Shinjuku Station; Tokyo Metro and Toei Shinjuku Station and Shinjuku-sanchome Station

Home to the Scramble Crossing and redeveloped station buildings, with Harajuku and Omotesando within walking distance. Besides the JR Yamanote Line, the Tokyu lines and the Keio Inokashira Line make it easy to head toward Yokohama or Kichijoji.

Best for

• ✓Travelers into fashion and cafe-hopping
• ✓Those who want to dine and shop into the evening
• ✓Anyone who also wants to stroll Harajuku and Omotesando

Keep in mind

Construction around the station often changes the walkways, so transfer routes can be hard to follow.

Nearest stations

🚉 JR, Tokyu, Keio and Tokyo Metro Shibuya Station

A traditional shitamachi neighborhood with Senso-ji Temple and Nakamise-dori, where ryokan and guesthouses are also clustered. The Toei Asakusa Line runs through onto the Keikyu and Keisei lines, so some trains go to Haneda Airport and Narita Airport without a transfer.

Best for

• ✓Travelers who want a classic Japanese streetscape
• ✓Anyone who wants to visit Senso-ji in the quiet morning hours
• ✓Those who also plan to visit Tokyo Skytree

Keep in mind

Getting to the western hubs such as Shinjuku and Shibuya takes a while.

Nearest stations

🚉 Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, Toei Asakusa Line and Tobu Asakusa Station; Tsukuba Express Asakusa Station

Ueno Park is home to national museums, art museums and Ueno Zoo, and the Ameyoko shopping street is right nearby. The Skyliner to Narita Airport leaves from Keisei Ueno Station, and shinkansen bound for Tohoku and Hokuriku stop at JR Ueno Station.

Best for

• ✓Travelers using Narita Airport
• ✓Families visiting museums and the zoo
• ✓Anyone who wants to graze on street food in Ameyoko

Keep in mind

JR Ueno Station and Keisei Ueno Station are separate stations, so transferring means walking outside at street level.

Nearest stations

🚉 JR Ueno Station; Keisei Ueno Station; Tokyo Metro Ginza Line and Hibiya Line Ueno Station

A station served by the Tokaido Shinkansen, with a direct Keikyu Line connection to Haneda Airport. Large hotels are concentrated around the station, and there is also a complex with an aquarium.

Best for

• ✓Travelers using Haneda Airport
• ✓Those taking the shinkansen to Kyoto or Osaka
• ✓Anyone with an early-morning departure

Keep in mind

Restaurants around the station can be limited at certain times, so for a night out you will head to another district.

Nearest stations

🚉 JR and Keikyu Shinagawa Station

The gateway to Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea, with large hotels lined up next to the parks. The JR Keiyo Line connects to Tokyo Station, and some hotels are served by airport limousine buses.

Best for

• ✓Families visiting Tokyo Disney Resort
• ✓Those who want to stay in the parks from opening to closing

Keep in mind

Reaching central Tokyo sights requires a transfer at Tokyo Station, where the Keiyo Line platforms are far from the main part of the station.

Nearest stations

🚉 JR Keiyo Line Maihama Station; Disney Resort Line