Where to stay in Tokyo, the neighbourhoods I actually recommend
The question I answered most before guests even arrived was "which neighbourhood should I book?" There is no single best area, only the best area for the trip you want. Here is how I sorted it.
Stay on the Yamanote loop. Almost any hotel on or just inside the green JR loop line puts the whole city within easy reach. That one rule solves ninety percent of the "where to stay" problem.
For a first trip, Shinjuku or Tokyo Station. Shinjuku is energy, food and unbeatable transport; Tokyo Station and Marunouchi are calmer, polished, and ideal if you are taking the Shinkansen onward. Both make every morning easy.
For nightlife, Shibuya. Younger, louder, and you can walk home from the bars. Shinjuku is the other pick for its tiny-bar alleys.
For old-Tokyo atmosphere and better prices, Asakusa or Ueno. Temple-town streets, cheaper rooms, Skytree and the museums nearby, at the cost of a longer hop to the west-side nightlife.
For a slower, design-led stay, Ebisu and Daikanyama or Nakameguro. Residential, stylish, excellent food, still minutes from Shibuya.
Whatever you pick, book early for cherry-blossom season and November, and check the nearest station and which lines it carries, not just the district name, that is what actually decides your daily commute.
What is the best area to stay in Tokyo for first-timers?
Anywhere on the JR Yamanote loop, and for a first trip I point most people to Shinjuku or the Tokyo Station / Marunouchi area. Both sit on top of the train network so every day starts easy: Shinjuku for energy and food, Tokyo Station for calm and Shinkansen access.
Is Shinjuku a good place to stay in Tokyo?
Yes, one of the best all-round bases. The busiest station on earth means you reach anywhere fast, with nightlife, food and department stores on your doorstep. Light sleepers should book a room on the quieter side, away from Kabukicho.
Where should I stay in Tokyo for nightlife?
Shinjuku or Shibuya. Shinjuku for Golden Gai and Omoide Yokocho, Shibuya for the younger bar scene. Both let you walk home without a last-train panic.
Where is a quieter, cheaper area to stay in Tokyo?
Ueno and Asakusa on the old-Tokyo east side, or the refined west-side pockets around Ebisu and Nakameguro, trade some late-night convenience for calmer streets and lower prices while staying well connected.