Tokyo, Japan: Where To Stay
Tokyo is one of those cities that rewrites your definition of a great trip — a place where ancient temples share city blocks with neon-lit arcades, and where a bowl of ramen at midnight feels just as essential as any museum visit. Whether it's your first time or your fifth, figuring out where to stay in Tokyo can make or break the entire experience. Here's everything you need to know before you book.
Overview
Tokyo is Japan's sprawling capital and one of the most visited cities on earth, welcoming tens of millions of tourists each year. It's a city of contradictions that somehow works perfectly — ultramodern and deeply traditional, wildly busy yet remarkably safe and orderly. Visitors come for the food scene (Tokyo has more Michelin-starred restaurants than any other city in the world), the culture, the fashion, the pop art, the cherry blossoms, and an energy that's genuinely unlike anywhere else.
The city is divided into distinct neighbourhoods, each with its own personality. Shinjuku is loud, electric, and endlessly entertaining. Shibuya is the home of the famous scramble crossing and serious shopping. Asakusa holds the old-Tokyo soul of the city, with the iconic Senso-ji Temple at its heart. Harajuku and Omotesando offer fashion and design. Understanding these differences is the first step to choosing where to base yourself.
Essential Information
- Currency: Japanese Yen (JPY). Budget roughly $100–$200 USD per day for a comfortable mid-range trip including accommodation, food, and transport.
- Language: Japanese. English signage is widespread in tourist areas, but learning a few phrases goes a long way and is always appreciated.
- Time Zone: Japan Standard Time (JST), UTC+9. There is no daylight saving time.
- Best Time To Visit: Spring (March–May) for cherry blossoms and autumn (October–November) for fall foliage are the most popular seasons. Expect higher hotel prices and larger crowds during these periods.
- Visa: Many nationalities, including US, UK, EU, Australian, and Canadian passport holders, can enter Japan visa-free for up to 90 days. Always verify current requirements before travel.
Practical Tips
- Get a Suica or Pasmo card: These rechargeable IC cards work on virtually every train, subway, and bus in the city. They also work at many convenience stores and vending machines. Pick one up at the airport on arrival.
- Cash still matters: Japan remains largely cash-friendly, and some smaller restaurants and shops are cash-only. ATMs at 7-Eleven and Japan Post accept foreign cards reliably.
- Convenience stores are your friends: 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, and Lawson sell genuinely good food, affordable snacks, and useful travel items around the clock.
- Pocket Wi-Fi or eSIM: Reliable internet is easy to arrange. Rent a pocket Wi-Fi device at the airport or purchase a prepaid eSIM before you fly.
- Etiquette matters: Don't eat while walking, don't talk loudly on trains, and always sort your rubbish according to the bins provided. Small efforts are noticed and respected.
Getting There
Most international travellers fly into Narita International Airport (NRT), located about 37 miles east of central Tokyo. Haneda Airport (HND) is closer to the city centre and increasingly popular for international routes, so it's worth checking both when searching for flights.
From the US, direct flights from Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, and Chicago run frequently, with flight times ranging from around 12 to 14 hours. From London, non-stop flights take approximately 11 to 12 hours. Budget carriers and connecting flights via hubs like Seoul (Incheon) or Hong Kong can bring costs down significantly — expect to pay anywhere from $600 to $1,400 USD return from major Western cities, depending on the season and how far in advance you book.
From Narita, the Narita Express (N'EX) train connects directly to Shinjuku, Shibuya, and other central stations in around 60 to 90 minutes, costing approximately $30 USD each way. From Haneda, the Keikyu line gets you into central Tokyo in under 30 minutes for a fraction of the cost.
Accommodation Options
Budget: Tokyo has excellent budget options, particularly in Asakusa and Ueno. Traditional guesthouses (called ryokan) offer a uniquely Japanese experience, with futon beds and communal baths, often for under $60 USD per night. Capsule hotels are another iconic Tokyo experience — modern ones in Shinjuku can be surprisingly stylish and cost as little as $35–$50 USD per night.
Mid-Range: For $120–$250 USD per night, you'll find well-located, comfortable hotels across the city. The Shinjuku and Shibuya areas offer the best value at this level, with easy access to transport and nightlife. Look for business hotels from trusted Japanese chains such as Tokyu Hotels or Daiwa Roynet — clean, efficient, and well-run.
Luxury: Tokyo's luxury hotel scene is world-class. The Park Hyatt Tokyo (made famous by Lost in Translation) sits high above Shinjuku with extraordinary city views. The Aman Tokyo in the Otemachi business district offers serene, minimalist opulence. Expect to pay upwards of $500–$1,000 USD per night, though the service and experience are genuinely exceptional.
Plan your trip to Tokyo
Tokyo rewards the curious and the prepared in equal measure. No matter your budget or travel style, there's a perfect