Where to Stay In Tokyo Your First Time (my 8 favorite areas)
I first moved to Japan 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.
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Where to Stay In Tokyo Your First Time (8 best spots)
1. Shinjuku
A lively town that’s convenient, busy and ‘quintessentially Tokyo’
Shinjuku is one of the most popular places to visit and stay at. It’s super convenient and has tons to do.
I go to Shinjuku a lot for local concerts, good food and nights out. It’s a solid choice if you prefer the noise, lights and night life of Tokyo.
Here are some fun things to do in Shinjuku:
Bar-hopping in Golden-gai yokocho
Observation deck at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
Get lost in Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Shopping, so much shopping
Explore more:
➤ The Best Times to Visit Japan
2. 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.
3. 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).
4. 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.
Ragno Maman is also a popular spider sculpture to check out.
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.
5. 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.
Explore more:
➤ The Best Share Houses in Tokyo
6. 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.
7. Koenji
For retro stuff and alternative/punk culture
I love Koenji. It’s one of my favorite places to explore.
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, music venues, shopping or cafes to enjoy.
Here are a few things that come to mind:
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
8. 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.
Explore more:
➤ Unique Things to do in Tokyo
Choosing the Right Spot to Stay (quick tips)
Explore all accommodation options such as hotels vs. AirBnBs or even share houses for longer term stays
Stay a little outside popular spots to save money (remember, train transportation in Tokyo is super 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
Explore more:
➤ How to Plan Your Trip to Japan
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? Nice. Here’s More.
