Japan is a beautiful country with a unique and fascinating culture. Tokyo, the largest city and capital of Japan, has become the de facto destination when visiting. Tokyo is massive with a population of nearly 9 million people. Due to it’s size, it is hardly similar to other popular tourist cities across the world. Purely walking around and exploring the streets is a naive approach when attempting to experience all of what Tokyo has to offer.
Whether you are traveling by yourself or as a family with small children, understanding which areas you’d like to stay, visit, or simply avoid is imperative. Below we will touch base on which Tokyo neighborhoods will best fit your vacation goals.
Best neighborhoods to stay in Tokyo
Shinjuku
One of the most popular areas to stay as a tourist, Shinjuku offers a well rounded home base during your travels. With the Shinjuku train station being the busiest in Tokyo, it will provide transportation to other areas of the Tokyo, or Japan as a whole. With shopping malls such as Takashimaya Time Square close by, there are endless entertainment and dining options within reach. Once the sun has set, the Golden Gai district offers a numerous if you are looking for a taste of Tokyo’s nightlife.
Ueno
One of the more family friendly Tokyo neighbourhoods, Ueno features parks, museums, and the famous Ueno Zoo. If you are looking for a historical and informative museum experience, take a look at these popular destinations:
- Tokyo National Museum
- National Museum of Western Art
- Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum
- National Science Museum
Aside from the numerous museums, the Ueno Zoo (which is Japan’s oldest) is a must visit spot. With over 400 species and 3,000 animals, the Ueno zoo is most often associated as the home to a small number of giant pandas.
Providing affordable hotels in a less hectic neighbourhood, Ueno is a great place to stay while being within reach of the more populated areas of Tokyo.
Best Tokyo neighborhoods to visit
Shibuya
Made famous by the Shibuya Crossing, the busiest street crossing in the world, Shibuya is a youthful and eccentric neighborhood near the center of Tokyo. Filled with specialty shops and niche clothing stores, Shibuya offers a glimpse into many of the subcultures that interest the younger Japnese generation. Shibuya also features the Hachiko Statue, a tribute to the historically loyal Akita dog who has been memorialized throughout pop culture.
Roppongi
One of the more refined Tokyo neighbourhoods, it is an upscale taste of the Tokyo nightlife and attractions. Popular for business travelers, Roppongi is a more polished area within Minato City. Famous for the Mori Art Museum and the Suntory Museum of Art, these can offer a more relaxed outing aside the typical nightlife. The Zojo-ji Temple and Nogi-jinja Shrine can both offer beautiful and historic tourist locations to visit while in Roppongi.
Also popular for the Roppongi Hills, this neighbourhood has become a popular destination for foreigners.
Neighborhoods to Avoid
Kabukicho
A smaller subsection of Shinjuku, Kabukicho is a less than family friendly neighbourhood. Referred to as the “sleepless town“, it is a red-light district home to hostess clubs and love hotels. Originally planned as an area for kabuki theater, the neighbourhood was developed and thusly named “Kabukicho”. Although the area does boast a number of movie theaters, it is mostly known for the aforementioned adult oriented businesses. Due to the nature of these businesses, members of the Yakuza crime syndicate were strongly associated with the area. Although the Japanese government has taken steps to minimize the number of members throughout that area, it still makes Kabukicho an area to avoid.
Gotanda
While there is nothing inherently wrong with Gotanda, it also doesn’t cater to much to visitors. You may be able to find cheap lodging in Gotanda, but the neighbourhood doesn’t offer much else to travelers in the way of entertainment or sightseeing. The former location of the Sony headquarters, it still features a number of office buildings.
Knowing the ins and outs of Tokyo can seem like a daunting task. As a traveler, especially from a western country, it can be easy to become overwhelmed by the cultural differences of one of the busiest cities in the world. Exploring the city can vary on whether you are looking for the nightlife experience of clubs and bars throughout the Golden Gai district, or in contrast a more subdued trip visiting the museums and historical sites of Ueno. So take your time to research the different neighbourhoods of Tokyo ensuring you get the most out of your next trip.
