Tokyo is a beautiful big city with lots of areas to explore. If you are planning to visit Tokyo for the first time, this post is perfect for you! Stick around and read through to understand the neighborhoods and choose a hotel in the area that fits your style best.

Ginza

Luxurious area with high end brands, cafes, nice restaurants & boutiques. The area is pedestrians friendly and each Saturday and Sunday, from 12:00 noon until 5:00 pm, the main street through Ginza is closed off to road traffic, allowing people to walk freely. My favorite area in Tokyo 🙂

Marunouchi

This is the business district of Tokyo and where the main railway station of the city ‘Tokyo Station’ is located. It is very close to Ginza (walking distance). It is also close to the Imperial Palace and its beautiful gardens (hello cherry blossoms). It is a strategic location to stay for people who like to explore many areas inside/outside Tokyo and can easily use public transportation.

Shibuya

A popular & busy touristic area in Tokyo. It has the famous Shibuya crossing and it is considered the center of youth fashion and culture. A lot of food options and nightlife. Hotels are much cheaper in this neighborhood.

Omotesando/Harajuku

The second high end area in Tokyo. It is combination of trendy & luxury. Stores are beautifully decorated and the omotesando street is big and lined with magnificent Zelkova trees. It has lots of instagram worthy spots like the famous Dominique Ansel Bakery and the Omotesando Hills shopping mall with its great architecture. Not many hotels in the area but it is close to Shibuya.

Shinjuku

busy busy neighborhood with lots of entertainment & shopping attractions. It has the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden which is very famous to visit during cherry blossom season. It also has many skyscrapers, the well-known Isetan department store & plenty of electronic shops. Final note, the area also has a red light district called Kabukicho so explore with caution.

Roppongi

Popular district among foreigners because it is home to many embassies. It has two main shopping complexes each connected to a famous luxury hotel. Tokyo Midtown connected to The Ritz Carlton (tallest building in Tokyo – you can almost see mountain fuji from top) and Roppongi Hills connected to Grand Hyatt. Both complexes offer excellent variety of dining options with great atmospheres.

Odaiba

Man made islands with lots of leisure, shopping and dining tourists attractions. It has the Odaiba beach, the closest beach to central Tokyo. Worth visiting but I would not recommend staying in comparison to other locations in the city.

Other Popular locations in Tokyo:

Akihabara – famous as the electronics district.

Asakusa – traditional historic vibes and famous for the notable temples.