Tokyo is one of the biggest and most populous cities in the world, and it welcomes millions of tourists from all over the world every year. Being composed of 23 wards, several towns, villages and cities, selecting accommodation for your first trip can be tricky. Here are the best neighbourhoods to stay in:

Shinjuku

Known for its excellent shopping and entertainment options, Shinjuku is frequently recommended to first-timers who are wondering where to book their accommodation in Tokyo. Whether you are a budget traveller looking for a low-cost bed in a shared dormitory or a couple wanting to splurge on a luxury suite, Shinjuku has lots to offer. It is home to the busiest railway station in the world, the Shinjuku Station, which runs numerous subway and train lines and sees over two millions commuters on a daily basis. Moreover, it has a bus terminal, called the Busta Shinjuku, which serves various bus lines that take passengers to different parts of the country.

Transportation Access:

The following are the different train lines that serve Shinjuku Station:

• JR – Yamanote Line, Chuo Main Line, Chuo Rapid Line, Chuo Sobu Line, Shonan Shinjuku Line, Saikyo Line
• Odakyu – Odawara Line
• Keio – Keio Line, Keio New Line
• Tokyo Metro – Marunouchi Line
• Toei Subway – Toei Shinjuku Line, Toei Oedo Line

Attractions Nearby:

Many of Tokyo’s most famous tourist attractions are located close to Shinjuku Station.

• Shinjuku Gyoen, a large and beautiful park that becomes crowded in spring and autumn with visitors wanting to view its magnificent cherry blossoms and autumn foliage, is a 10-minute walk from Shinjuku Station’s New South Exit.
• The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office, with observation decks that provide (free of charge) panoramic views of the metropolitan area and Mount Fuji on clear days, is just a 10-minute walk from Shinjuku Station’s West Exit.
• For modern architecture fans, Shinjuku’s Skyscraper District, situated west of Shinjuku Station, is a must-visit as it has an abundance of tall, towering buildings that house shops, malls, restaurants, hotels and other facilities.
• Known as the largest and most vibrant red light district in Japan, Kabukicho is a few minutes’ walk from Shinjuku Station. It is where you can find a wide selection of entertainment including bars, restaurants, eateries, pachinko parlors, love hotels and night clubs that are open up until the wee hours of the morning.
• If you love shopping, there are large malls and department stores around Shinjuku Station, such as Isetan, Odakyu and Takashimaya, which have multiple floors of shopping spaces and offer a wide selection of items including clothing, footwear, traditional Japanese arts and crafts, bags, high-end designer brands and electronics.

Ginza

Known for being the upmarket area of Tokyo, Ginza is home to expensive dining places, five-star hotels, high-end boutiques and malls, and posh art galleries. It has two centrally located railway stations, the Ginza Station and the JR Yurakucho Station.

Transportation Access:

The following train lines serve the Ginza area:

• Ginza Station – Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line, Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line
• JR Yurakucho Station – JR Keihin Tohoku Line, JR Yamanote Line, Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line

Attractions Nearby:

• If you wish to see kabuki, the Kabukiza Theater in Ginza runs plays almost daily. Ticket prices range from 4,000 yen to 22,000 yen, and bookings need to be made in advance.
• Found under JR Yurakucho Station, the Yurakucho Gado-shita dining district features dozens of dining options that range from small izakaya, beer halls and yakitori places, to fine dining spots and French wine bars.
• Multi-storey department stores, such as Matsuya, Tokyu Plaza Ginza and Marronnier Gate, not only offer excellent spots to shop for quality clothing, footwear, bags and other fashion items, they also have excellent restaurants and eateries that serve local and foreign cuisine.

Shibuya

Whether day or night, Shibuya is one of Tokyo’s liveliest and busiest wards. Every day, visitors flock to this part of the city to shop, dine, party and sightsee. Compared to the other districts, Shibuya caters more to young people, with many department stores and shops featuring youth culture and fashion.

Transportation Access:

The following train and subway lines serve Shibuya Station:

• JR – Saikyo Line, Shonan Shinjuku Line, Yamanote Line
• Tokyo Metro – Ginza Line, Hanzomon Line, Fukutoshin Line
• Keio – Keio Inoshikara Line
• Tokyu – Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line, Tokyu Toyoko Line

Attractions Nearby:

• The famous Shibuya Crossing is a large intersection located right outside Shibuya Station. It is surrounded by towering buildings decorated with gigantic billboards and video screens that look fantastic at night.
• A statue of the beloved Akita dog, Hachiko, stands at one corner of the intersection, a few minutes’ from Shibuya Station’s Hachiko Exit. Every day, it is surrounded by a swarm of people wanting to take photos of and with it.
• For Japanese youth fashion trends, Koen Dori and Center Gai are home to many boutiques, shops and department stores that showcase the hottest and latest craze in terms of clothing, footwear and accessories.

Tokyo Station

Tokyo Station is one of the biggest railway stations in Japan. As it serves many Shinkansen lines, JR Lines (including the JR Yamanote Line) and subway lines, it can be extremely convenient to stay nearby while in Tokyo. It is also located at the heart of an important Japanese business district composed of many high-rises and skyscrapers.

Transportation Access:

The following train and subway lines serve Tokyo Station:

• JR – Tokaido Shinkansen, Tohoku Shinkansen, Yamagata Shinkansen, Akita Shinkansen, Joetsu Shinkansen, Hokuriku Shinkansen, Hokkaido Shinkansen, Tokaido Main Line, Ueno–Tokyo Line, Keihin-Tohoku Line, Yamanote Line, Chūō Main Line, Sōbu Main Line, Narita Express, Yokosuka Line, Keiyo Line
• Tokyo Metro – Marunouchi Line

Attractions Nearby:

• The Tokyo Imperial Palace and Imperial East Gardens are about a five-minute walk from Tokyo Station. It is the site where the former Edo Castle stood, and is currently the official residence of the Japanese Imperial Family. It is a popular sightseeing spot, especially during the peak cherry blossom and autumn foliage seasons, due to its spacious and well-maintained gardens, which feature moats and various species of plants and trees.
• Looking for a good place to eat any time of the day is very easy, as Tokyo Station has countless of small and large restaurants and eateries that offer not only authentic Japanese cuisine but also some international dishes. Kitte, Marunouchi Oazo, Nakadori Avenue, Tokyo Building Tokia, and Marunouchi Brick Square are just a few examples of places that not only have exemplary dining options but also shopping boutiques and shops.
• Some notable architectural structures in the neighborhood are the Tokyo International Forum, which holds exhibitions, conventions and concerts; and the Marunouchi Building, a 37-storey building that stands 180 metres tall.

Yamanote Line

The JR Yamanote Line runs on a loop around central Tokyo and offers easy access to many of the city’s famous sightseeing spots. Therefore, booking accommodation close to any of its major stops is highly recommended. Below are some of the most ideally located Yamanote Line stops and examples of popular attractions found nearby:

• Shibuya – Hachiko Statue, Shibuya Crossing
• Shinjuku – Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, Shinjuku Gyoen
• Tokyo – Tokyo Imperial Palace, Imperial Palace East Gardens
• Shimbashi – Tsukiji Fish Market, Hama Rikyu Gardens, Shiodome Shiosite
• Ikebukuro – Sunshine City, Namja Town, J-World Tokyo
• Ueno – Ueno Park, Ueno Zoo
• Harajuku – Meiji Shrine, Takeshita Dori, Omotesando
• Yoyogi – Yoyogi Park, Meiji Shrine
• Akihabara – Akihabara Electric Town, maid cafes, manga and anime shops, electronic stores, etc.
• Hamamatsucho – Tokyo Tower, Zojoji Temple
• Ebisu – Yebisu Garden Place