The best Tokyo hotels
Little stays the same in Tokyo – except for the certainty that you’ll have a blast. The sprawling conurbation of Greater Tokyo – which swallows up the cities of Kawasaki and Yokohama too – is home to 28 million people and is the world’s largest metropolitan area. This essentially means that, whatever you are into, whatever you want to see or do, you’ll find it here somewhere – alongside plenty you didn’t know you wanted, too. That same old adage extends to the best Tokyo hotels: go glam or go local, go boutique or go bling, sleep in a skyscraper or flop on the finest futon – in the vastness of Tokyo, there is a Goldilocks stay ‘just right’ for you.
What is the best part of Tokyo to stay in?
That depends on your needs, what you’re into and where you’re heading next. First timers and families will find Shibuya is a great base for many walkable, must-see attractions (Scramble Crossing, Harajuku, Yoyogi Park, Meiji Shrine) as well as being just a short distance from some of Tokyo’s other great neighbourhoods (Nakameguro, Shimokitazawa). Many of the big-brand, skyscraper Tokyo hotels are clustered around the Otemachi financial district, with luxury spas in the sky, high-end retail at ground level and access to the Imperial Palace and its expansive green lung (expect to see your fellow guests on the Palace running loop in the morning). The Toranomon area is the place to immerse yourself in night views of the skyline and Tokyo Tower. If you’re heading onwards within Japan or need easy airport connections, base yourself close to the main bullet train hub, on the Yaesu side of Tokyo Station.
How many days do you need in Tokyo?
Three nights in Tokyo is enough time to get a solid feel for the city – and also to straighten out your body clock if you’ve travelled long haul. Choose a single base because, wherever you choose, the whole city is easily accessible via the vast, efficient and clean train and subway network (grab a map as it’s also very complex). Plan to do no more than two ‘things’ per day. If it’s your first time in Tokyo, don’t miss Shibuya, for the Scramble Crossing, legendary ‘hints’ store Tokyu Hands and the new Shibuya SKY open-air observation deck. You can also get a sense of the vastness of the city from the tallest tower, Tokyo Skytree on the east side. For art and architecture, hit the streets of Omotesando and Ginza, or visit the Mori Art Museum or TeamLab Futures in Toyosu (also the location of the new fish market). Book two months in advance for the Yayoi Kusama Museum, or just turn up at Kengo Kuma’s Nezu Museum, with its tranquil valley garden – a gem in the heart of fashionable Aoyama. For pre-loved fashion, try Shimokita or Koenji. Senso-ji temple and Asakusa, in the old downtown, have a relaxed, retro vibe, or you can catch a quiet moment at Meiji Jingu, Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden or Hamarikyu Gardens on Tokyo Bay.