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Tokyo is huge, and where you stay decides how much time you spend on trains. For a first trip, there is no single best area — it depends on which airport you use, whether you are taking the Shinkansen, and what kind of evenings you want. Here are the five areas I would suggest to a friend visiting Tokyo for the first time, and how to choose between them.
The short answer
- Taking the Shinkansen to Kyoto or Osaka? Stay near Tokyo Station or Shinagawa.
- Want nightlife and easy day trips to Hakone or Mt. Fuji? Stay in Shinjuku.
- Want a traditional feel and lower prices? Stay in Asakusa or Ueno — and fly into Narita if you can.
- Whatever you choose, pick a hotel within a few minutes’ walk of a station, ideally on or near the JR Yamanote Line.
| Area | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo Station / Marunouchi / Ginza | Shinkansen trips, first-class shopping, a calm base | Quiet at night; pricier |
| Shinjuku | Nightlife, day trips to Hakone and Mt. Fuji, every budget | Huge, busy station |
| Shibuya | Young, lively, shopping and cafes | Crowded; hilly backstreets |
| Asakusa / Ueno | Traditional atmosphere, lower prices, Narita on the Skyliner | Farther from Shinjuku and Shibuya |
| Shinagawa | Haneda flights, Shinkansen to Kyoto, short stays | Business district; less to do at night |
Tokyo Station, Marunouchi, and Ginza
The most convenient base if you are taking the Shinkansen: trains to Kyoto, Osaka, and northern Japan leave from Tokyo Station, and the Narita Express runs here directly. Marunouchi and neighboring Ginza are polished and calm, with department stores, good restaurants, and the Imperial Palace a short walk away. The trade-off is price and quiet evenings — this is an office district. See my Tokyo Station guide. Search Tokyo hotels on Agoda and filter by the Tokyo Station, Marunouchi, or Ginza area.
Shinjuku
Shinjuku has the widest choice of hotels at every price, lively evenings, and some of the best transport in Tokyo: Narita Express trains run directly here, and Shinjuku is the starting point for many trains and buses to Hakone and the Mt. Fuji area. The station itself is enormous and confusing at first, so a hotel on the west or south side, a short walk from your exit, makes life easier. Search Tokyo hotels on Agoda and filter by the Shinjuku area.
Shibuya
Shibuya is young and energetic, with the famous crossing, shopping, cafes, and great night views from the rooftop decks. It is a good choice if you want to be in the middle of things, but it is crowded, and some of the side streets are steep. The Narita Express also stops here. Search Tokyo hotels on Agoda and filter by the Shibuya area.
Asakusa and Ueno
For a more traditional side of Tokyo — Senso-ji temple, old shopping streets, and the river — Asakusa is hard to beat, and hotels are often cheaper than in the west of the city. Neighboring Ueno has museums and the park, and it is where the Keisei Skyliner from Narita arrives, so it is very convenient if you land at Narita. The trade-off is distance: Shinjuku and Shibuya are around 30–40 minutes away. Search Tokyo hotels on Agoda and filter by the Asakusa or Ueno area.
Shinagawa
Shinagawa is a practical choice for short stays: Keikyu trains reach Haneda Airport in about 15 minutes, and it is a Tokaido Shinkansen stop, so you can leave for Kyoto without going through Tokyo Station. It is a business district, so evenings are quieter. Search Tokyo hotels on Agoda and filter by the Shinagawa area.
Choose by your airport
- Flying into Haneda: Shinagawa (Keikyu) and the Tokyo Station area (Tokyo Monorail plus the Yamanote Line) are the easiest. See Haneda Airport to Tokyo.
- Flying into Narita: Ueno and Asakusa (Skyliner or Access Express) or Tokyo Station, Shinjuku, and Shibuya (Narita Express). See Narita Airport to Tokyo.
Tips from a Tokyo local
- Check the walking time to the station, not just the area name. Five minutes with a suitcase is very different from fifteen.
- Expect smaller rooms than in North America, especially in business hotels. Check the room size in square meters before booking if you have big luggage.
- Book early for peak seasons — cherry blossom season, Golden Week, and New Year. See New Year in Japan 2026–27.
- Moving on by Shinkansen? Compare Shinkansen tickets on Klook.
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