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Best areas to stay in Tokyo for first-time visitors and travelers
Tokyo is massive, and choosing the right area to stay can completely change your experience. The good news is that Tokyo’s train system is so efficient that staying near the right line matters more than the exact neighborhood.
Here’s a clear guide to the best areas to stay in Tokyo, depending on how you travel.
Best for: first-time visitors and short stays
The Yamanote Line is Tokyo’s main loop line. It connects all the major districts most travelers want to see, including Shinjuku, Shibuya, Tokyo Station, Ueno, and Ikebukuro.
Staying near this line keeps everything simple. You can reach shopping areas, nightlife, anime districts, museums, and Shinkansen stations without complicated transfers.
This is the easiest and safest choice for a first trip to Tokyo.
Best for: fast transfers and day trips
The Chuo Line runs straight across the city, linking Tokyo Station and Shinjuku, then continuing west to areas like Nakano, Kichijoji, and Mount Takao.
It also connects well with airport routes such as the Narita Express.
If you plan to move a lot across Tokyo or want easy access to western Tokyo and nature spots, this line is extremely practical.
Best for: sightseeing and classic Tokyo spots
The Ginza Line is Tokyo’s oldest subway line and passes through some of the city’s most iconic areas, including Asakusa, Ueno, Ginza, Omotesando, and Shibuya.
Staying near this line is ideal if your trip focuses on cultural landmarks, shopping, and walking-friendly neighborhoods.
Hibiya Line
Great for Roppongi, Ebisu, Tsukiji, and Ueno. A good choice if you enjoy food districts, nightlife, and museums.
Oedo Line
Connects Shinjuku, Roppongi, Ryogoku, and other key areas without transfers. Very convenient despite being entirely underground.
Keikyu Line
Direct access from Haneda Airport to Shinagawa and Asakusa. Ideal for short stays or early flights.
Why train lines matter more than neighborhoods
In Tokyo, being close to a major train line saves time, energy, and stress. Two hotels in different districts can feel equally convenient if they’re both well connected.
All of these areas are marked clearly on the map to help you choose the best base for your trip.
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Marie creator behind @Tabimawari
Hi, I’m Marie, the creator behind @tabimawari.
I lived in Kyoto, learned Japanese, and keep returning to explore Japan beyond the obvious.
Planning a trip to Japan usually breaks at the same point: you save a lot of places, but don’t know how to turn them into a realistic route. Cities are large, distances are not intuitive, and it’s hard to know what actually fits in one day.
This guide was created to solve that. It helps you understand how places connect, how many days make sense per area, and how to build an itinerary that flows.
With the interactive map, you can explore curated spots across Japan, follow ready-made itineraries and day trips, mix my routes with your own, and adapt everything to your pace.
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Marie creator behind @Tabimawari
Hi, I’m Marie.
French islander from Reunion island, Japan lover, and travel planner behind Tabimawari.
I spent a year living in Kyoto, learning Japanese and falling in love with the culture. Since then, I’ve kept going back, exploring every corner from Tokyo to the tiniest hidden towns.
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