Where to Stay In Tokyo Your First Time (my 7 favorite areas)
I first moved to Tokyo in 2017 as an English teacher. Nowadays, I stay here part time as a tourist (since I work remotely). The reason I keep coming back?
I love it here.
I’ve made lifelong friendships and it’s somewhere I happily call (my second) home. So if you’re wondering where to stay in Tokyo your first time, these are my top picks and favorite places (i.e., it’s where I usually stay when I’m in town).
Who knows, we may bump into each other!
Alright, let’s do this.
Table of Contents Show
Hey there, just a heads up some links in this post were either sponsored or may be affiliate links, which earn me a small commission. This is at no extra cost to you and I’ll never recommend products I haven’t tried firsthand or don’t come with solid reviews and reputation. All this just helps me keep the lights on. So thank you for your support!
Tokyo 101
Tokyo is one of the main 7 prefectures that make up the Kantō region.
There’s honestly so much to explore here – enough to keep you busy for at least the rest of this decade.
So before looking at my top picks, let’s lay some groundwork and get to know this city a bit more.
Some Quick Tokyo Facts
Tokyo has 23 special wards, 26 cities, 5 towns and 8 villages (source)
25 million tourists visited Japan in 2023, a solid bounceback after pandemic lows (source)
Tokyo is home to nearly 14 million people (source)
It’s the most populated city in the world (source)
Tokyo is one of seven prefectures that make up the Kantō region (source)
Tokyo became the capital of Japan in 1868, after the Edo period (source)
The busiest train station in the world, Shinjuku station, is in Tokyo (source)
Recommended: Fascinating Facts About Japan
⬇ Save this post to Pinterest ⬇
Why Visit Tokyo?
Tokyo has a vibe no camera or blog post can fully capture.
It’s a beautiful mixture of super modern with neon lights and traditional culture full of old temples and historic buildings. It feels surreal.
So if you’re planning a trip here – congrats, your life is about to get even cooler.
Here are some of the top reasons I keep coming back year after year:
The people are amazing – super friendly, warm and welcoming
The food is incredible
Amazing shopping and thrifting
It’s super safe
Great night life (bars, concerts, late night cafes and more)
The trains (super convenient and always on time)
The convenience (24-hour 711s, transportation, public restrooms are everywhere, etc.)
Recommended: My Top Travel Tips for Tokyo
Choosing the Right Spot to Stay (quick tips)
Explore all accommodation options (hotels vs. AirBnBs or even share houses for longer term stays)
Stay a little outside popular spots to save some loot (remember, train transportation in Tokyo is ultra convenient)
Explore areas beforehand using Google street view or YouTube content
Consider what type of traveler you are and what you’ll be doing
Hop around multiple spots to experience more
Fly into the most convenient airport if you can (Haneda vs. Narita airport)
If you’re not sure where to stay or what to do, choose a central location
Where to Stay In Tokyo Your First Time (7 best spots)
There are so many amazing things to do in Tokyo, and each spot offers something unique.
So these are my favorite spots to stay.
Recommended: How to Plan Your Trip to Japan
1. Shibuya
A central hub with easy access to other areas and lots to do
I spend a lot of time in Shibuya.
From Japanese lessons at cafes to meeting friends in front of the Hackihō dog statue (next to the famous Shibuya Scramble crossing), it’s a central hub for many in Tokyo.
Also, since there are always so many tourists in the area, most staff at hotels and restaurants are used to English, which of course makes things easier.
It’s a town that has something for everyone. You can enjoy:
Shopping at Dogenzaka or Daikanyama
Miyashita Park (shopping, cool bars on the street and a rooftop garden with a skatepark to boot!)
Plenty of izakayas, alleyways, bars and restaurants to explore
Shibuya Scramble Crossing
Nearby parks (like Yoyogi park or Meiji shrine)
And if you want more, you’re still close enough to other hubs like Shinjuku, Shimokitazawa or even Tokyo station.
If you’re visiting Tokyo for the first time and seriously have no idea where to stay, Shibuya is a solid starting point.
2. Omotesando + Harajuku
For high-end shopping or kawaii culture
Omotesando and Harajuku sit right next to each other and are popular spots to visit and walk around.
They’re also close to other major hubs like Shinjuku and Shibuya or Tokyo and Shinagawa. I’d recommend spending at least a day or two exploring this whole area.
Omotesando is great for high-end shopping and luxury while Harajuku is perfect for a “kawaii culture” experience.
And both Meiju Shrine and Yoyogi park (which sit nearby) offer some awesome nature bathing (or, “shinrin-yoku” as it’s called in Japanese).
Plus, if you’re in the area, one of my favorite ramen shops, AFURI, has a location right in Harajuku (just prepare to wait in line for a bit).
3. Roppongi
For nightlife and entertainment
If you like nightlife, then you’ll like Roppongi.
Sandwiched between Shibuya and Chuo City, Roppongi is a bustling entertainment district with plenty of bars, clubs, restaurants or even museums.
I don’t spend too much time in this area, but if your personality and travel style fits the vibe, you may like it more.
You can read more about Roppongi and what to do there here.
4. Taitō City Special Ward (Ueno, Asakusa)
For parks, museums + markets
Taitō City is another special ward in Tokyo, which includes many popular spots, including both Ueno and Asakusa.
Ueno has the famous (and huge) Ueno Park as well as Ameyoko street (for a more street market vibe) and lots of museums (including the Tokyo National Museum).
One of my close friends lives here and I always love visiting the area – great vibes!
On the other side of the city is Asakusa.
Asakusa has an old-Tokyo style vibe to it and is home to the famous Senso-ji temple.
So rest assured, if you’re staying in this area, you’ll have plenty to see and do.
Staying for 1 month or more?
(consider renting a share house)
5. Shimokitazawa + Kichijoji
For artsy, hipster vibes
Shimokitazawa has long been a favorite spot for me to visit or spend the day in.
I also lived in Kichijoji for about six months, and it was definitely an awesome place to call home.
Both towns are only 20 minutes away from each other by train (no transfers) and Shimokitzawa is just a few stops away from Shibuya.
There’s a ton of shopping, vintage thrift shops, venues and restaurants in both places (more so in Shimokitazawa though). But a main draw for Kichijoji is its famous Inokashira Park, which is especially epic during the fall (for Koyo) and the spring (for Sakura).
Inokashira Park is the perfect spot to enjoy some sake and snacks under a tree or you can rent a swan boat for around five hundred yen.
Nearby to Kichijoji is also the Ghibli museum. If you’re a fan of Hayao Miyazaki, it’s perfect. But even if you’re not, it’s a unique building with lots to explore.
Both towns are conveniently located in Tokyo and have tons of unique shops and things to do. They’re definitely two of my favorite spots in Tokyo.
6. Koenji
For retro stuff and alternative/punk culture
Located in Suginami ward, Koenji is located west of Shinjuku.
It’s a hub for punk and alt rock, thrifting and more edgy, retro culture (a great followup to Shimokitazawa).
Like Shimokitazawa and Kichijoji, there are plenty of thrift shops, izakayas and quaint shopping or cafes to explore.
Here are some fun things to do in Koenji:
Live houses for local shows
R-za Dokushokan Cafe
Drink Up!! craft beer shop
Lots of cafes and local coffee spots
Local shrines and festivals
Thrifting and vintage shopping
7. Yokohama
For something fun and outside of (yet still close to) Tokyo
I love Yokohama. There’s so much to do there.
And while it’s technically not part of Tokyo, it is just next door and offers a lot for people to do and see.
About 40 minutes by train from Haneda airport, Yokohama is located in Kanagawa prefecture and just 27 minutes from Tokyo station.
Some popular things to do in Yokohama include:
Chinatown
A large ferris wheel
Landmark Tower
Also, if you’re staying near Yokohama, you’re closer to Kamakura and Enoshima (about 30 minutes by train). This is a popular area with a lot of beachy vibes, hiking trails and the famous large Buddha statue, Kotoku-in.
So even if you don’t stay here, it’s worth a day trip.
Later ✌️
Tokyo is full of fun pockets and unique corners to explore.
From the nightlife energy of Roppongi to the hipster-chic vibes of Shimokitazawa, there’s something for everyone.
If this is your first time staying in Tokyo, it’s probably best to consider what you like (or want) to do during your visit to help guide your decision. But luckily, Japan’s convenient trains make it easy to get across town (so don’t feel too bad if you choose “wrong”).
Because wherever you end up staying, you’ll have an epic time (guaranteed!).
Want More? Okay. Here’s More.
