The Insider’s Guide on Where to Stay in Tokyo for First-Timers

With cities within cities, 20+ wards, and countless neighborhoods, researching the best places to stay in Tokyo, especially for a first-timer, can feel incredibly overwhelming.

This is especially true because where you decide to stay in Tokyo (e.g., East Toyko vs. West Tokyo) can completely change your experience.

You might feel tempted to look for hotels in Tokyo’s most famous areas, such as Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Ginza, but I would argue that those concentrated areas aren’t ideal for first-time travelers.

(With exceptions! Allow me to explain below.)

I’m here to show you a different side of Tokyo and tell you exactly which areas of the city are best for first-time trips based on transportation convenience, hotels, activities, atmosphere, food, cultural experiences, and MORE!

Why take my advice?

I’ve been lucky enough to live in Tokyo for two summers, visit for a month solo in winter, and return to the city nearly a dozen times.

From those experiences, I’ve come to know Tokyo’s neighborhoods well and can advise you on what type of atmosphere and activities you’ll find there.

So let’s dive in!

Below, I’m sharing my favorite areas and Tokyo neighborhoods to stay in, specifically for first-time visitors.

I’ve also included my picks for unique hotels and budget-friendly hostels (including places I’ve stayed at for at least three nights and where I’d stay again).

An Insider’s Guide to the Best Places to Stay in Tokyo for First Time Visitors

First, before you book anything, you need to know:

1. What type of accommodation do you want (i.e., ryokan, budget capsule hotel, luxury hotel, etc)
2. Your hotel’s neighborhood/ward location (e.g., nearby which station? in which sub-neighborhood?)

Let’s break it down simply below. ↓

Pick Your Style of Accommodation

You can find all types of accommodation in Tokyo.

However, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend a traditional ryokan stay in Tokyo, as those are more suitable for trips to Kyoto or Hakone. But, this is just my opinion, and it depends entirely on your travel plans, group, and itinerary!

In Tokyo, you’ll find a lot of business hotels, apart-hotels, cool designer hotels, and capsule hotels.

You can even find ryokans and even bizarre hotel experiences, if that’s what you’re looking for!

Pick your type of hotel or stay, aka the kind of accommodation experience you want. Trust me, it’ll make the searching process a lot simpler!

• Do you want to spend a night in a futuristic capsule hotel?
• Are you looking for a modern hotel with a spa?
• What does your budget allow for?

Next, zone in on a specific area of Tokyo to focus on.

Note: Hidden gems abound in every corner of Tokyo, so use this guide as a springboard!

Choose an Area to Stay (My Pick: East Tokyo)

For first-timers—regardless if you’re traveling solo, as a couple, or with family—my favorite (and recommended) place to stay in Tokyo is around East Tokyo.

Specifically, what’s called Taitō City (台東区). This ward of Tokyo includes the following neighborhoods:

• Asakusa: The historic and cultural area is best known for Sensō-ji Temple, Nakamise Street, and rickshaws. Expect crowds, Edo-era vibes, and lots of restaurants, cultural activities, and convenient transport.

-> Search places to stay in Asakusa

• Ueno: Famous for Ueno Park, its museums, and Ueno Zoo!

• Yanaka: An old Tokyo neighborhood with an Edo-era atmosphere. This is where I stayed solo (at hanare hotel) during my first-ever trip to Tokyo!

• Kuramae: Just below Asakusa, Kuramae is a quieter, but up-and-coming area along the Sumida River with tucked-away cafes and boutiques. This neighborhood is the second place I stayed in Tokyo during a second solo trip (at Nui hostel).

• Akihabara (shared with the Chiyoda Ward, which is more central): You probably know Akihabara already, at least by name! This is Tokyo’s Electric Town and hub for anime, manga, and geek culture.

If I were you, I’d look for hotels near Asakusa first.

You’ll be near a major subway line, making it super easy to get to/from Narita and Haneda airports. Plus, you’ll be in one of Tokyo’s most cultural and historic wards with plenty to do.

East Tokyo simply has so much to see and do. It is a great base from which to explore the rest of Tokyo. And it is typically more budget-friendly than the neighborhoods closer to Shibuya.

In summary, for cultural travelers on their first trip to Tokyo, my recommendation is East Tokyo.

Travel Notes 📝

I love the area around Tokyo Skytree (Sumida Ward), but note that this is a bit further out from the West Tokyo area and can make transport times a bit longer.

Also, Central Tokyo (like Ginza, Marunouchi, and Tokyo Station area) caters more to business travelers and luxury tourists, so I don’t necessarily recommend them for first-timers seeking culture, exploration, or hidden gems!

But (and a big but at that!), if you want to experience more of Tokyo’s nightlife, you will enjoy staying closer to the core parts of Shibuya and/or Shinjuku.

Let’s compare.

West Tokyo Areas to Stay

As mentioned above, I’m skipping over Central Tokyo entirely to talk about West Tokyo here, starting with Shibuya.

Why? Central Tokyo is really a shopping-focused area, and I feel it is less interesting for first-timers who want to explore or sightsee. Feel free to change my mind! 😂

When visiting Tokyo for the first time, most people stay in either Shibuya or Shinjuku.

However, most don’t realize that Shibuya and Shinjuku are cities and specialized wards in Tokyo that include multiple neighborhoods.

For example, you’ll find hidden gems and neighborhoods beyond the main tourist trail in Shibuya.

Places to Stay in Shibuya (Beyond the Station Area)

The heart of Shibuya is what Tokyo is most famous for.

Just outside the station, you’ll find the Shibuya Scramble Crossing, the Hachikō statue, huge malls and stores (including Nintendo Tokyo), and neon-lit alleys crowded with tourists piling into izakayas.

In short, Shibuya isn’t a bad place to stay for first-timers; it’s just heavily focused on nightlife. I stayed at the BookTeaBed hostel for three nights to be near the station!

For travelers who want a more authentic experience of ‘Shibuya’, consider staying in one of these neighborhoods:

• Daikanyama: Come here for an upscale neighborhood stay with stylish cafes. I love this area, and it’s always busy with locals > and tourists.

• Nakameguro: Situated along the Meguro River, Nakameguro is ideal for exploring locally between day trips. I stayed here at the very cute and cozy waves hotel and loved the area’s vintage shopping and cherry blossoms in spring!

• Ebisu: Ebisu is my secret, not-so-secret favorite place to eat out in Tokyo. It’s buzzing with izakayas, ramen shops, and the cute and lively Ebisu Yokocho alley. Most importantly, it’s way less touristy than downtown Shibuya, but still super well-connected!

• Harajuku: You probably know Harajuku for its kawaii culture and Takeshita Street’s youth fashion, quirky shops, and weird/bizarre street culture. It’s busy here, so it may not be ideal for slow travel vibes, unless you’re staying somewhere tucked away such as at the designer Trunk (Cat Street) Hotel! However, it’s steps from Meiji Shrine and Yoyogi Park, so Harajuku kind of offers a fun mix of chaotic and calm.

If you do decide to stay in Shibuya on your first time in Tokyo, let it be in one of these cuter, lesser-known neighborhoods. That way, you can explore greater Tokyo during the day but enjoy slower, more local mornings and evenings.

Now, let’s compare with Shinjuku City!

Places to Stay in Shinjuku: Is It Ideal for First Timers?

Unless you’re big on nightlife and drinking, I don’t think it’s worthwhile to base in central Shinjuku for a first trip.

However, there are exceptions; people who want to be in on the action and nightlife should stay here. The “Godzilla Hotel” (aka Gracery Hotel) is a popular pop-culture choice among younger couples. (I wouldn’t stay here, personally.)

First, it’s good to note that Shinjuku is harder to reach than the rest of Tokyo, making the transport longer. It’s still doable, but it’s not ideal as a base. Maybe for short trips?

So, what are the exceptions? I’d recommend staying in Shinjuku for first-timers big on lesser-known neighborhoods with an underground music scene.

Koenji and Asagaya, for example, are two neighborhoods of Shinjuku known for their jazz and rock movements, with tiny hole-in-the-wall izakayas and live music events.

A stay in these areas makes your experience of Shinjuku much more than just Golden Gai or Omoide Yokocho (heavily-beaten tourist spots).

For anime, manga, and Mandarake lovers, Nakano City nearby Shinjuku might also be a good choice for you. It is often compared to East Tokyo’s Akihabara.

Unique Hotel Stays in Tokyo for First-Timers

I think your first time in Tokyo should be memorable! That’s why I’ve compiled a short list of the most unique, boutique, or designer hotels worth your money.

Here are a few options, whether you’re looking for a quirky hotel, a capsule hotel, or a humble guesthouse.

hanare hotel (Yanaka)

Hanare might be one of the most unique hotel experiences in Tokyo—this is where I stayed on my first trip solo! This hotel is all about slow, local travel (which suits me perfectly).

Your room is in a renovated, traditional machiya-style house in the middle of a residential area, and your stay includes tickets to retro local sentos (public bathhouses).

-> Feel free to read more about my stay at hanare on my blog, Nomad in Japan.

Trunk Hotel (Shibuya)

Trunk is Tokyo’s popular, premier designer hotel. It has effortlessly cool vibes.

If you have the budget and want a super cool place to stay, check out this hotel. It has a rooftop bar, sleek design, and repurposed furniture. But coolest of all is its mission to connect travelers with the local community!

Onyado Nono Onsen Hotel (Asakusa)

Onyado is where a modern hotel meets a ryokan-style guesthouse with an onsen. It’s a fascinatingly weird mix, admittedly… but it could be a match if you’re craving a bit of additional creature comforts with a Japanese twist.

Kokono Club Hotel (Asakusa)

Minutes from Senso-ji Temple, the Kokono Club is a modern, luxury take on standard Western-style hotels. It has large windows and terraces, and some suites have SkyTree views!

What differentiates this hotel from other modern hotels is the spaciousness and light, which you typically don’t find in Tokyo residences.

CITAN Hostel (Higashi-Nihonbashi)

My favorite hostel in Tokyo is CITAN—I’ve stayed here twice and have visited its public, ground-floor coffee shop many times!

This hostel is not your party hostel, which is why it’s so great for digital nomads in Tokyo. Instead, it has a minimalist design, with a downstairs bar for DJ nights and social fun.

Search here for even more places to stay in Tokyo here! ↓