Where to Stay in Tokyo: Areas Compared
For most trips, pick a hotel near a station on the JR Yamanote Line or a major subway hub. Choose by airport (Narita or Haneda) and by where you will spend evenings.
Areas at a glance
The world's busiest station, with Romancecar trains to Hakone and Narita Express services.
Eight rail lines and the Scramble Crossing; close to Harajuku.
Luxury shopping district with three metro lines and a weekend pedestrian zone.
Skyliner terminus for Narita, next to Ueno Park and Ameyoko.
Getting there
Narita: Narita Express to Tokyo Station (about 55-60 minutes) and Shinjuku, or Keisei Skyliner to Ueno (about 43 minutes). Haneda: Keikyu to Shinagawa (about 14 minutes) with through trains onto the Toei Asakusa Line.
Good for
- First-timers: Shinjuku or Shibuya for many lines and late dining
- Narita users on a budget: Ueno
- Shopping and quieter evenings: Ginza
Watch out for
- Big stations (Shinjuku, Shibuya) are complex; check your hotel's exit.
- Tokyo charges an accommodation tax per person per night.
Booking tips
- Match the area to your airport: Ueno for Narita Skyliner, Ginza/Higashi-Ginza for Haneda through trains.
- A hotel within a few minutes' walk of a station matters more than the district name.
- Several Japanese cities charge an accommodation tax per person per night on top of the room rate. Check whether the listed price includes it.
FAQ
Which area is best for a first trip to Tokyo?
Shinjuku or Shibuya for connections and evenings; Ueno if you fly into Narita.
Should I stay near Narita or Haneda?
Usually no. Both airports connect to central Tokyo by train; pick a central area on the matching line.