Which Tokyo Neighbourhood Should You Stay In?
Tokyo is not really a city so much as a collection of dense centres joined by train lines. Which one you sleep in changes your trip more than almost any other decision, because it determines what is available to you at eleven at night when you are tired and hungry.
8 min read
The good news is that the train network is so comprehensive that nowhere central is truly badly placed. The question is less about convenience than about atmosphere.
Shinjuku — if you want everything, immediately
Enormous, loud, and superbly connected. Shinjuku station is one of the busiest in the world, which means you can get anywhere, and also that you will get lost inside it at least once. Golden Gai and Omoide Yokocho put tiny bars and grilled skewers within walking distance of your hotel, and there is food at any hour.
Best for: first-timers who want the Tokyo of the films, and anyone who values being able to walk home.
Shibuya — if you are here for the energy
Younger, busier, more retail. The famous crossing is here, along with a lot of the city's nightlife. It has been heavily redeveloped in recent years, so there is more polish and more tall glass than there used to be.
Best for: shorter trips where you want the volume turned up, and travellers who will be out late.
Asakusa — if you want the older city
Low-rise, traditional, built around Sensō-ji temple. Quieter at night, generally cheaper, and full of the kind of small shops that vanished from the more developed districts. The trade-off is that it is on the eastern side, so some journeys take longer.
Best for: travellers who want atmosphere over convenience, and anyone on a tighter budget.
Around Tokyo Station — if you are moving on quickly
Business-district calm, which means excellent transport and less life on the street after office hours. If your trip involves several shinkansen departures, the time saved is real.
Best for: short stays, onward travel, and anyone prioritising sleep.
Ueno — the underrated middle ground
Well connected, close to the museums and the park, cheaper than the western hubs, and with a proper market street in Ameyoko. It rarely makes the top of lists and probably should.
[ADD YOUR OWN] Where you stayed, what you would change, and the one street you kept walking back to.
