Where to stay in Tokyo

No matter where you stay in Tokyo, the most important thing is that it is close to a convenient train line – not every train line in Tokyo makes sense for tourists. The first time I stayed in Tokyo we stayed in Akasaka which is served by the Hibiya Line – while this is not a big problem, it does not service any of the bigger stations, so we had to change trains a lot. (also there was literally nothing to do or see in the evening in this area or grabbing a late-night snack.) You can avoid this by making sure you are staying either directly on the Yamanote (circle) line or at a station that crosses over quickly.

Shibuya

Shibuya is one of Tokyo’s most colourful and busy districts, packed with shopping, dining and nightclubs. (conveniently, Shibuya is also my favorite disctrict!) It is quite crowded, especially on the weekends.

Ginza

Ginza is known to be one of the city’s top shopping districts, Ginza is packed with upmarket boutiques and ritzy cocktail and sushi bars. It is definitely more posh than all other districts and a bit more quiet, especially at night.

Roppongi

Roppongi is known to be a lively entertainment district where locals and tourists mix in with late-night bars and clubs. It is also the home of the Tokyo Tower. If going out is your thing, this will be a good home base for you!

Ikebukuro (my favorite)

I rarely see Ikebukuro mentioned as a base for your stay in Tokyo - but in my opinion, it is one of the best there is! It has direct access to the Yamanote line and other lines, lots of different entertainment options from shopping, to bars to a plethora of good food. Sunshine City is a small city in itself and has so many options you could likely spend a day there. Plus, Ikebukuro tends to be cheaper than the "traditional" tourist neighborhoods such as Shinjuku.