Money & Essentials · Where to Stay
Where to stay, decoded.
In Japan the neighbourhood matters more than the star rating. This page starts with Tokyo — the city where the wrong area costs you an hour a day — and outlines the accommodation types you'll encounter across the country.
Watch first — four Tokyo areas, ranked
Subscribe on YouTube
11:24Where Should You Stay in Tokyo: 4 Best Areas + Hotels You Have To Check Out
Ginza, Shibuya, Yanaka, or Shinjuku — the trade-offs between each Tokyo neighbourhood, with hotels we would actually book.
17.8K viewsTOKYO
Pick the area, then the hotel.
Ginza / Marunouchi — the safe first choice
Central, walkable, near Tokyo Station for onward Shinkansen trips. Skews expensive but the top of the range is genuinely world-class. Best for a first-time visitor doing the classic city trip.
Shibuya / Ebisu — nightlife and food
Denser, younger, better for restaurants after 9 p.m. and mornings that start after 10. Great transport in every direction. Pick this on a return visit or with a food-focused group.
Yanaka / Nezu — old Tokyo
Low-rise pre-war streets, small ryokan-style stays, morning walks through cemeteries and craft shops. Farther from Ginza / Shibuya but reachable in 20 minutes on the loop. Best for travellers who prefer atmosphere over hotel-brand recognition.
Shinjuku — dense, connected, loud
The world's busiest station is right there, so onward travel is unbeatable. Downside is the noise and neon; upside is the raw scale of nightlife and department stores. Good for shorter city stays.
Beyond the hotel.
Ryokan
Traditional inns with tatami floors, futon bedding, and typically dinner and breakfast included. Best experienced in an onsen town (Hakone, Kinosaki, Takayama) rather than city centre.
Business hotel
Compact rooms, functional bathrooms, reliably clean. ¥8,000–15,000 a night. Chains to look for: MyStays, Sotetsu Fresa Inn, APA (some love it, some don't).
Design hotel
The past five years have brought a wave of design-forward properties in every major city — think NOHGA, MIMARU, or independent boutique hotels. Great value at ¥15,000–30,000.
Capsule hotel
Fine for a single traveller with a small bag, useless for a couple with luggage. Book selectively for the experience — some (Nine Hours, First Cabin) are excellent.
Airbnb
Legal but tightly regulated. Book only listings with a valid registration number displayed. Good for families or stays over 5 nights.
Common questions.
Do hotels charge for extra guests?
Yes, usually per person. Standard "double" rooms in Japan are often really singles with a semi-double bed — check the bed size, not just the room type.
Are late arrivals a problem?
Big hotels have 24-hour reception. Small ryokan and business hotels often close reception at 22:00–23:00 — always message ahead if you'll arrive later.
Should I pay with foreign card or cash?
Chain hotels take cards. Small ryokan sometimes cash-only. Confirm at booking to avoid an awkward moment at checkout.
PAGE AUDITED 2026.07