Where to stay
Stay smart, travel easy.
WHERE TO STAY — TOKYO
Tap a pin or a row to see who that area suits — and who it does not.
Pick by trip type
Where to stay depends on how you arrive and what kind of trip it is. Choose your airport, then find your trip.
First visit · 4–6 days · Tokyo onlyStay inShinjuku or Shinagawa
Shinjuku or Shinagawa
Shinagawa is about 20 minutes from Haneda with no change, so a delayed arrival is nothing to panic about. If getting around during your stay matters more, go for Shinjuku: the Yamanote Line, the Chuo Line and several private railways all meet there, so wherever you are heading is a single train away. It comes down to an easier first day or an easier five days.
Tokyo plus the shinkansenStay inShinagawa
Shinagawa
If you are heading for Osaka or Kyoto, there is no need to go back to Tokyo Station. Shinagawa is a direct ride from Haneda, and you can board the Tokaido Shinkansen right there — it is the only area that is strong for both the airport and the bullet train. Note that the Tohoku and Hokuriku shinkansen do not run through Shinagawa, so if you are going that way, choose Tokyo Station instead.
Early-morning arrivalStay inShinagawa
Shinagawa
Early trains run before the rush and are quiet, so even with large bags the ride is easy. You reach Shinagawa with no change, and if you let your hotel know when you are arriving, most will hold your luggage before check-in. Once your hands are free, you can start exploring straight away that morning.
Late-night arrivalStay inShinagawa
Shinagawa
Even if you miss the last train, a taxi costs around ¥4,000 — the cheapest way into central Tokyo. That often works out cheaper than a hotel by the airport, and you wake up already in the city. If you cannot be sure when your flight will land, booking Shinagawa from the start is the safe choice.
Travelling with childrenStay inShinagawa
Shinagawa
Changing trains with children, luggage and a stroller can use up a whole day’s energy on its own. Take a taxi to Shinagawa and that burden disappears. The pavements around the station are wide and relatively uncrowded, so getting around with a stroller is easy.
On a budget · Long stayStay inIkebukuro
Ikebukuro
Hotels here cost a few thousand yen less per night than in other areas — over ten nights, that adds up to tens of thousands of yen. The Yamanote Line and private railways run through, so getting around during your stay is no trouble. The longer you stay, the more the price difference pays off.
Couples · A quieter stayStay inGinza
Ginza
About 30 minutes from Haneda, which makes it one of the best-connected areas in the city. The streets are calm and quiet at night, and safety is hardly a concern. There is a wide choice of places to eat across a broad range of prices, so you can spend as much or as little as you like.
Other regions
Kita or Minami — where to sleep for food, nightlife and day trips.
Sapporo as a base, plus onsen towns and the ski resorts.
Hakata and Tenjin, and using the city as a Kyushu base.