Where I Wouldn’t Stay in Tokyo (and Where I Would Instead)
Tokyo has so many areas to stay in. Asakusa, Shibuya, Ueno, Ginza, Tokyo Station, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, Shinagawa…And if this is your first time in Japan, you might have no idea where to choose your hotel. Tokyo is a very safe city overall.But “safe” doesn’t always mean comfortable, quiet, or a good match for your trip. So today, let’s break it down.
Haneda Airport Hotels:
T3: Royal Park Hotel: https://expedia.com/affiliates/tokyo-hotels-the-royal-park-hotel-tokyo-haneda.OhqFX4f
T3 Villa Fontaine: https://expedia.com/affiliates/tokyo-hotels-hotel-villa-fontaine-grand-haneda-airport.MN8a4EA
Police Map (only in Japanese) : https://map.digipolice.jp/
✈️ Official Travel Information:
– **Visit Japan Web:** [https://services.digital.go.jp/en/visit-japan-web/]
– **US Dept. of State:** [https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Japan.html]
– **UK:** [https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/japan]
– **Australia (Smartraveller):** [https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/japan]
About Me:
Thanks for watching! My name is Kengo. I create Japan travel guide videos from Tokyo, showing you essential tips and must-visit places. Please subscribe for my weekly exploration to discover the charm of Japan.
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Chapters:
0:00 Seinor, Solo Female, Family Travel
4:08 For Easy Access from HND
5:40 For Easy Access from NRT
7:11 Best for Shinkansen Access
9:44 For more Tokyo Like Feel
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27 Comments
HI. I like to stay near Shin-Okubo station. I like the area, and it's a short walk to Shinjuku and Nishi-Shinjuku. And because I usually stay in Tokyo over a 2-3 month period, I stay in different areas, and always end my trip in Asakusa.
I've been to Tokyo twice and always stayed at Asakusabashi. It's on the Asakusa line that connects to Narita so I don't have to change trains when coming from or going to the airport. It's also walkable to Akihabara / Asakusa when it's not that hot (around 15 mins?). And it is one of the less expensive areas for hotels (not sure about now).
Nice video! Last two times I've traveled to Tokyo, I stayed around Hamamatsucho station and liked it. Nice area more relaxed. Tokyo tower near by and right on the Yamanote line and Haneda Monorail. Next trip I'm planning on doing the Shimanami Kaido if you happen to have or plan to make a video on it.
Staying in Ueno again on my next trip this Spring. Love the area and super convenient for the trains.
I wouldn't worry about crime in Japan, but never follow a tout into a bar in Kabukicho (or Roppongi).
I love Edogawa city!
I think another thing to keep in mind is not following touts, no matter the area. They just happen to have a lot of them in Shinjuku and Kabukicho. There have been lots of reports of people following touts into bars where they are, unfortunately, drugged and charged alot of money on their credit cards. This is obviously a crime and is likely reported on this map, so be sensible when you're out and about. I've been to Kabukicho plenty of times but I have never been in danger simply by realising that crime can happen anywhere.
You talk briefly about cemetery. Is it okay to visit them or not? I know we need to respect the dead and i assume that we have to be quiet.
I mean i remenber seeing a sign at Zojo-ji Temple in 2023, saying that we couldn't get there and i've no problem respecting that. But on the other end, i've visited Koyasan and they are a very big cemetery in the forest and it was one of the most amazing place i've seen in all Japan. So yeah, i wonder how we should react with "normal" cemetery. I'm not saying i've plan to visit one of them, just curious.
Ueno is a nice central base if you want to explore different areas of Tokyo each day. If you land at Narita, the Keisei Skyliner ends at Keisei Ueno station, and immediately across the street there is an APA hotel with a great view that is very reasonably priced (though the rooms are quite small). This station is connected underground to Ueno Station which is connected to several major subway lines that cover the eastern half of Tokyo, and the Yamanote Line which can get you to virtually anywhere else with one connection.
The only "crime" I've noticed is that there are homeless people hanging out in Ueno Park after dark, mainly between the museums and down south as far as the Saigo statue. They mostly try to not draw attention to themselves, but there is the occasional drunk or disturbed person trying to get into fights with garbage bins. The path around Shinobazu Pond is still quite nice at night and you will mainly see couples out for a walk. In the very early hours of the morning, the park is mostly occupied by elderly folks on their morning walks or doing tai-chi.
As for Kabukicho, it has a reputation for night-life and attracts a lot of foreigners (and locals) looking to party and get drunk. 99% of the time when you see someone post an image of garbage in the street in Japan, it is Kabukicho. The core part of it gets pretty trashy every night, but it is always cleaned up by the next morning. There is a different kind of homeless population in Kabukicho, mainly teens or young adults with no place to go.
Last year, on my first trip to Japan, I stayed in Ueno arriving from Haneda. It did like the location, it was near a major station, so easy access without quite being "in the middle of it all". I did stay at a biz hotel, but as a single traveler, for me that was just fine.
I personally would never consider staying near the Tokyo airport's unless I was arriving at a strange time like 0300 to 0500. Personally I like to stretch my legs after being on a plane and getting into the greater Tokyo area is a nice change to get the blood flowing. I always find it funny to hear about Kabukicho being "sketchy" yet its always overflowing with people both foreign and local.
When I go to Tokyo I always stay in a different neighbourhood. So far Shibuya, Shinjuku, Asakusa, Akiba, Ginza, Hatchobori, Ueno, and Ikebukuro. Coming back in March and it's between Kichijoji and Ryogoku–haven't decided yet. 😀
Stayed in Nishi-Shinjuku last visit, I really liked it but the hotels in that area are 2 times as much as they were in 2023. So I'll be staying near Suidobashi Station this time around. Unless someone has another recommendation
It was our first time to stay in Blossom Shinjuku and we liked it there a lot. I don’t like the crowd so we tried to stay away from Tokyo area and stayed in Yokohama around Landmark Plaza to relax before going back home. But I was wrong. We don’t know where to go at night in Yokohama and it’s kinda boring. We will stay in Shinjuku again next time we go to Japan before going back.
Thank you Ken san for the tips and video.
Arrigato
Staying in Tabata, completely out of the way i know haha
been 3 times in Tokyo and always stayed in Komagome. I just love that spot so much! I did noticed more tourists now, when i was there in october last year, I guess people are looking into more quiet areas as well
Hawaii tour companies like the Metropolitan in Ikebukuro. Lots of dining, department stores, youth culture there. Ginza is nice for trendy folks. Shinzuku is very electric. Nishi-Shinzuku is not far from Shinzuku. Ueno has a lot of attractions nearby. Asakusa is my favorite. Maybe too crowded with tourists and not on the Yamanote line. You are right about Shinagawa. It is a favorite with people transiting but a bit less interesting. Asakusa & Ikebukuro are my choices.
I've booked to stay in Ginza on arrival from Haneda as it looks easy to get to. My final stay is in Shinjuku. Great vlog – many thanks. 👍
Very interesting map, thank you.
Indeed the only place where I didn't feel safe in japan was kabukicho once I left the tourist attractions; the people there don't look very happy to see you.
I liked the hamamatsu-cho area, you can go almost everywhere without changing metro lines, the place isn't too crowded, it's close to the airport, you still have enough restaurants to choose from and it's cheaper that other areas.
Only downside is that you don't have many things to see nearby
Five trips to Tokyo, I always stay around Ueno and Taito City. It's easy to get onto the Yamanote line, and I like walking down to Akihabara and Ginza. It's a very quiet area, especially at night, and away from most tourists. Taito City is more of a business district, not many places to eat after 9pm. But east of Ueno is always interesting, lots of shops and food.
I came in December and stayed in Higashi-Nihonbashi in Tokyo, and Shijo Karasuma in Kyoto! Loved Senosji in Asakusa. Ueno Park, Nezu Shrine, and Tokyo National Park were all great!
Omori was nice. Just took the Keikyu line to Shinagawa and transferred on Yamanote line.
Very helpful information, thanks. As an older, solo, female traveller I will be staying near Tokyo station for many of the reasons you mentioned so this was a good confirmation of my choice
Kichijoji is a great place for food, shopping and hanging out. Inokashira park is beautiful.
Definitely going back…
Big Fan keep up the great vids…
Notice how it’s concentrated around Kabukicho? That’s where all those Meiwaku Gaikokujin Nigerians are, that have little to no meaningful business being in Tokyo, let alone Japan, other than causing trouble.
US YouTuber yungjamez was simply making a video when he was randomly attacked and struck in the head by one of those goons for no good reason, and the police did absolutely nothing. Disgusting!
Tyler Oliveria did a video with yungjamez, following up about that incident. During that video, during which they did absolutely nothing to provoke absolutely no one, those same Meiwaku Gaikokujin Nigerians started getting aggressive about being filmed and started demanding that they didn’t film them, like as if they had any authority telling others in Tokyo what to do, like tf?
Then the Meiwaku Gaikokujin Nigerians started chasing them and attempted to assault and kick them like feral criminals! And for absolutely what? What are they doing in Tokyo?!
What are the police sitting on their hands for? Get rid of those Meiwaku Gaikokujin Nigerians before they seriously hurt someone!
Absolutely disgusting!!
On my first trip to Japan, I stayed at a Hilton in Nishi-Shinjuku. Unfortunately, I experienced what you warned about. I arrived at Shinjuku Station at almost midnight and had to walk with my luggage about 1km and down stairs. I've stayed near Tokyo Station too for convenience, but my last two trips I stayed near Ueno Station, which is much more convenient and has plenty of restaurants and stores
Ginza and the Marunuochi area is always my go to when I visit Tokyo. Very close to Tokyo station and just a short train ride to Kanda and Akihabara, you can even walk if you're up for it.