With a geographic area and population density that dwarfs New York and London, Tokyo is a metropolis that sometimes seems to exert its own gravitational field. As such, it operates by its own logic and rules: The best bars and restaurants are often invisible at street level, a 7-Eleven is a great place for a hot meal, and that great hole-in-the-wall izakaya probably has no website or social media. While it can all feel a little daunting at first, the city’s superb public transportation and infrastructure make exploring a pleasure. Don’t be afraid to veer off-course — getting lost is part of the fun here.
Tokyo itself may be massive, but in many ways it operates like a series of smaller, independent cities, each with its own distinctive character. Individual neighborhoods run the gamut from posh Ginza, where you’ll find of-the-minute fashions and on-trend eateries, to serene Asakusa, which retains much of its historic architecture and a slower pace of life. Picking the perfect area — and of course, the perfect hotel — for your travel style will help ensure you make the most of your time in this utterly compelling capital.
As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.
For First-Timers: Omotesandō
With its sprawling size and intense concentration of things to see and do, Tokyo can feel overwhelming to first-time visitors. Find your footing at Omotesandō, one of the most architecturally stunning boulevards in the entire city. This grand, tree-lined street was originally built as a path to the Meiji Shrine. As such, it’s about as geographically and culturally central as can be. It’s often likened to the Champs-Élysées in Paris thanks to the phalanx of big-name luxury stores along its coveted real estate.
Aside from shopping, staying near this tony address puts you within easy reach of Harajuku, Ginza, and other highly sought-after neighborhoods — as well as the vast park surrounding the Meiji Shrine itself.
Where to Stay: The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo
For Couples: Ginza
If you’re looking to give your beloved the royal treatment, ritzy Ginza is the perfect spot. Famously glam, this neighborhood is where Tokyo’s fashionable elite go to see and be seen. Whether you’re seeking indulgent couples’ spa treatments, omakase for two, or just a Pretty Woman-worthy blow-out shopping excursion, book a room with your boo around here.
Cute date ideas abound in this area, whether it’s holding hands and strolling down the car-free Hokosha Tengoku (Pedestrian Heaven) on the weekend or taking in the view from the rooftop garden on the chic GINZA SIX complex. For something truly out of this world, go stargazing at the Konica Minolta Planetaria TOKYO, then grab a craft cocktail at The Punch Room at The Tokyo EDITION, Ginza. After one sip of one of the elevated tipples here, it’s easy to see why this speakeasy was named one of Asia’s 50 Best Bars
Where to Stay: The Tokyo EDITION, Ginza
For Business Travelers: Shinagawa
While Tokyo is certainly a city that knows how to have a good time, sometimes work beckons. If you’re one of the millions of travelers who come through on business each year, you’ll want to book a hotel that’s near your meetings but close enough to other attractions that you can kick back off the clock. Shinagawa, a special ward, has it all.
Not only do travelers here have easy access to embassies and office buildings, but it’s also a breeze to get in and out of town since Haneda Airport is only a 20-minute subway ride away. Better still, the lightning-fast Tokaido Shinkansen departs from Shinagawa Station. In other words, if you can extend your business trip, you might be able to squeeze in a weekend jaunt via bullet train to Kyoto’s famed temples and shrines.
Where to Stay: JW Marriott Hotel Tokyo
For Luxury-Lovers: Ginza and Marunouchi
Travelers who prize the finer things in life will find no shortage of delights in the Japanese capital. Tokyo has a way of elevating even otherwise ordinary things to the level of luxury — think $300 musk melons, exquisitely crafted washi paper, indigo-dyed fabrics, and handcrafted distressed denim. Ginza is awash with opulent retail opportunities, with shopping centers selling everything from designer duds to sleek sports cars, while Marunouchi is the perfect place to embrace a more understated form of luxury. Both neighborhoods are utterly iconic and offer the chance to embrace Tokyo’s swankier side.
Part of Marunouchi’s effortlessly chic allure lies in its location; the name literally translates to “inside the circle,” referencing the fact that the area was historically protected by the outer moat of the Imperial Palace. It’s still within easy walking distance of both the palace and the nearby Meiji Shrine, as well as the Shinkansen trains whizzing through Tokyo Station.
Where to Stay: Mesm Tokyo, Autograph Collection
For Families: Harajuku
Come Saturday, Takeshita Street and the surrounding alleyways morph into a cotton-candy-colored human carnival, complete with Decora Kei, Fairy Kei, and cosplayers of all stripes and subgenres. For decades, Harajuku has been at the epicenter of Tokyo’s youth culture. For teens, or anyone obsessed with music and fashion, this is the place to be.
If you’re traveling with smaller children, try stopping for tea in an animal café — this neighborhood has cafés specializing in cats, hedgehogs, piglets, Shiba inus, and more. Older kids and teens may prefer shopping for vintage clothes or vinyl records at the many shops around here. Do note that while Harajuku is a blast for kids, not every business here is appropriate for all ages. With a little internet research, it’s easily possible to sidestep the more adult-oriented cafés.
Although Harajuku is an incredibly fun, quintessentially Tokyo experience, it’s best enjoyed in shorter doses so that kids don’t get overstimulated. Rather than book a room right near Takeshita Street, opt for a stylish stay a short cab ride away where you can unwind at the end of the day.
Where to Stay: AC Hotel Tokyo Ginza
For Culture Lovers: Ebisu
With more than 400 museums and galleries, Tokyo is an art-aficionado’s paradise. You could opt to stay in Roppongi, home to the standout Mori Art Museum, or Shinjuku, where you’ll find Yayoi Kusama’s polka-dotted showcase. But Ebisu, which remains something of an underrated gem, has much to offer culture lovers.
Pay a visit to the Tokyo Photographic Art Museum, where well-curated exhibitions rotate on a regular basis, or check out the impressive collection of traditional Japanese watercolor paintings at the Yamatane Museum of Art. Ebisu also happens to be home to some of the city’s trendiest bookstores and cafés, making it easy to spend hours poring over tomes on art and design.
If you’re seeking a more interactive cultural experience, hop in a quick cab to nearby Azabudai Hills, where you’ll find an outpost of teamLab, a dazzling, immersive art installation. At teamLab Borderless, which is connected with the Mori Art Museum, works of art move between rooms and offer a dazzling tribute to human creativity. Kids will especially love the secret tea house experience toward the end, as well as the chance to see some of their own drawings animated.
Where to Stay: The Westin Tokyo
For Night Owls: Roppongi
The liminal period after the last subway stops around midnight and before it starts running again at 5 a.m. is when Tokyo really comes to life. While in some cities the last train signals the end of the night, here it means that many people are committed to staying out until first light. And with clubs like V2TOKYO and Odeon, who can blame them?
Although the densely packed bars in Golden Gai in Shinjuku get a lot of attention, Roppongi has a whole lot to offer in the wee hours of the night. The neighborhood has hundreds of bars, restaurants, and live music venues with a lot to explore. Roppongi also does serious double duty: By day, the so-called Roppongi Art Triangle, a trio of some of the city’s top galleries and museums, is abuzz. Then, as darkness falls, the crowds get ready to hit the town.
Where to Stay: The Tokyo EDITION, Toranomon
For Travelers Just Looking for a Place to Sleep: Ueno/Asakusa
There’s so much to do in Tokyo that you may not wind up spending much time in your hotel room. For travelers seeking a comfortable place to crash at the end of a long, action-packed day, the adjacent neighborhoods of Ueno and Asakusa offer plenty of options. While this more residential area lacks the high-octane energy of Ginza or Shibuya, staying here leaves you with extra yen for a splurgy kaiseki dinner or onsen visit. Since Ueno Station is well connected to both the JR lines, which travel around the city, and the Shinkansen, getting around is a snap.
This area also has its own abundant charms. Strolling along the Sumida Riverwalk with the Tokyo SkyTree in the backdrop is just as lovely as can be. In springtime, Ueno Park erupts into a sea of cherry blossoms. The city’s first public park also happens to be home to a trio of its finest museums: the Tokyo National Museum, the National Museum of Nature and Science, and the National Museum of Western Art.
On weekends, the streets surrounding Sensō-ji Temple, a striking Buddhist place of worship in Asakusa with roots dating back to the 7th century, come alive with stalls serving all sorts of snacks and sweets. Both locals and visitors come here dolled up in kimonos and yukatas to pose for photos. Shops around the area offer rentals if you didn’t bring your own.
Where to Stay: Four Points Flex by Sheraton Tokyo Ueno
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