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| # Tokyo Neighborhoods Overview | ||
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| [Google Maps Overview of Tokyo's Best Areas to Stay][tokyo-best-areas] | ||
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| [tokyo-best-areas]: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1T2e130QaA1uguYbXkG6tERjfBaw&ll=35.66395604735201%2C139.73538670000005&z=12 | ||
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| ## Table of Contents <!-- omit in toc --> | ||
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| * [TL;DR](#tldr) | ||
| * [Shinjuku -- Central, Vibrant, and Great for First-Time Visitors](#shinjuku----central-vibrant-and-great-for-first-time-visitors) | ||
| * [Notable Areas](#notable-areas) | ||
| * [Things to Do](#things-to-do) | ||
| * [Drawbacks](#drawbacks) | ||
| * [Shibuya -- Fashion, Coffee, Indie Culture, and Nightlife](#shibuya----fashion-coffee-indie-culture-and-nightlife) | ||
| * [Notable Areas](#notable-areas-1) | ||
| * [Things to Do](#things-to-do-1) | ||
| * [Drawbacks](#drawbacks-1) | ||
| * [Ginza \& Tokyo Station -- Central, Sophisticated \& Upscale](#ginza--tokyo-station----central-sophisticated--upscale) | ||
| * [Notable Areas](#notable-areas-2) | ||
| * [Things to Do](#things-to-do-2) | ||
| * [Drawbacks](#drawbacks-2) | ||
| * [Ueno -- The Best Area for Museums \& Budget Hotels](#ueno----the-best-area-for-museums--budget-hotels) | ||
| * [Notable Areas](#notable-areas-3) | ||
| * [Things to Do](#things-to-do-3) | ||
| * [Drawbacks](#drawbacks-3) | ||
| * [Asakusa -- Tokyo's Traditional East Side](#asakusa----tokyos-traditional-east-side) | ||
| * [Notable Areas](#notable-areas-4) | ||
| * [Things to Do](#things-to-do-4) | ||
| * [Drawbacks](#drawbacks-4) | ||
| * [Akihabara \& Iidabashi -- Geek Culture and Budget Accommodations](#akihabara--iidabashi----geek-culture-and-budget-accommodations) | ||
| * [Notable Areas](#notable-areas-5) | ||
| * [Things to Do](#things-to-do-5) | ||
| * [Drawbacks](#drawbacks-5) | ||
| * [Roppongi -- Tokyo's Cosmopolitan Area](#roppongi----tokyos-cosmopolitan-area) | ||
| * [Notable Areas](#notable-areas-6) | ||
| * [Things to Do](#things-to-do-6) | ||
| * [Drawbacks](#drawbacks-6) | ||
| * [Odaiba \& Tokyo Bay -- Modern Family-Oriented Resorts](#odaiba--tokyo-bay----modern-family-oriented-resorts) | ||
| * [Notable Areas](#notable-areas-7) | ||
| * [Things to Do](#things-to-do-7) | ||
| * [Drawbacks](#drawbacks-7) | ||
| * [Great Articles to Read](#great-articles-to-read) | ||
| * [Helpful Videos to Watch](#helpful-videos-to-watch) | ||
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| --- | ||
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| ## TL;DR | ||
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| | **Neighborhood** | **Highlights** | **Drawbacks** | **Accommodation** | **Nightlife** | | ||
| | ------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------- | ------------- | | ||
| | **Shinjuku** | Central hub, shopping, dining, and entertainment | Crowded, seedy areas, pricy | Moderate to high | 🍻🍻🍻 | | ||
| | **Shibuya** | Fashion, youth culture, nightlife, and cafes | Crowded, pricy | Moderate to high; limited budget | 🍸🍸🍸 | | ||
| | **Ginza & Tokyo Station** | Sophisticated, upscale, access to bullet trains | Lacks historical charm, very expensive | High-end | 🍸🍸🍸 | | ||
| | **Ueno** | Museums and traditional & quiet neighborhoods | Far from central Tokyo, quiet evenings | Budget to moderate | 🍻🍻 | | ||
| | **Asakusa** | Traditional charm, temples, and shrines | Far from western Tokyo, no JR Yamanote Line | Budget to moderate | 🍻 | | ||
| | **Akihabara & Iidabashi** | Geek culture (tech & anime), and budget accommodations | quiet evenings | Budget to moderate | Limited | | ||
| | **Roppongi** | High-end entertainment, dining, nightlife, and art museums | No JR access, very expensive | High-end | 🍸 | | ||
| | **Odaiba & Tokyo Bay** | Family-oriented, waterfront, and shopping malls | Far from central Tokyo, lacks unique charm | Moderate to high | Limited | | ||
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| --- | ||
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| ## Shinjuku -- Central, Vibrant, and Great for First-Time Visitors | ||
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| * [Shinjuku map area on Google Maps][shinjuku-map] | ||
| * Central Tokyo hub, ideal for first-time visitors | ||
| * Offers a wide range of shopping, dining, and entertainment | ||
| * Plenty of indoor attractions for rainy days | ||
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| ### Notable Areas | ||
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| * **Kabukicho**: Tokyo’s largest adult entertainment district with bars, restaurants, and nightclubs | ||
| * **Golden Gai**: Narrow streets with small, atmospheric bars and restaurants | ||
| * **Omoide Yokocho (Memory Lane)**: Cozy eateries serving yakitori and other traditional dishes | ||
| * **Shinjuku Station**: World’s busiest train station; easy access to Tokyo and beyond | ||
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| ### Things to Do | ||
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| * **Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building**: Free observation deck with panoramic views | ||
| * **Shinjuku Gyoen**: [Famous garden][shinjuku-gyoen-anime] for cherry blossoms and autumn foliage | ||
| * **Shopping Malls**: Upscale malls like Lumine, Takashimaya Times Square, and Odakyu | ||
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| ### Drawbacks | ||
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| * Crowded, especially on weekends and evenings | ||
| * Kabukicho can be seedy; be cautious of scammers targeting tourists | ||
| * Limited budget accommodations | ||
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| [shinjuku-map]: https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1ZyMErMGQEXy_ZJqEOfby67wv3No&ll=35.695782888967486%2C139.70420839999997&z=13 | ||
| [shinjuku-gyoen-anime]: https://youtu.be/udDIkl6z8X0?feature=shared | ||
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| --- | ||
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| ## Shibuya -- Fashion, Coffee, Indie Culture, and Nightlife | ||
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| * [Shibuya map area on Google Maps][shibuya-map] | ||
| * Known for fashion, youth culture, and vibrant nightlife | ||
| * Bustling 24/7; perfect for night owls | ||
| * Plenty of cafes for coffee and tea enthusiasts | ||
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| ### Notable Areas | ||
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| * **Shibuya**: Mix of nightlife, cafes, and shopping; youthful and trendy | ||
| * **Harajuku**: Quirky fashion, vintage stores, and trendy cafes | ||
| * **Omotesando**: Upscale shopping with high-end boutiques | ||
| * **Ebisu**: Trendy spot with hip restaurants, bars, and cafes | ||
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| ### Things to Do | ||
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| * **Yoyogi Park**: Large park with walking paths and picnic areas | ||
| * **Meiji-Jingu Shrine**: Peaceful Shinto shrine surrounded by a dense forest | ||
| * **Shibuya Sky**: Open-air observation deck with city views, especially stunning at sunset | ||
| * **Tokyo Photographic Art Museum**: Exhibitions by Japanese and international photographers | ||
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| ### Drawbacks | ||
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| * Crowded on weekends and public holidays | ||
| * Nightlife areas can be rowdy, especially on weekends | ||
| * Harajuku is very female-dominated (opposite of Akihabara) | ||
| * Limited budget accommodations | ||
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| [shibuya-map]: https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1BoYDd2FfMOrOUmzvdI4EoR8UKgw | ||
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| --- | ||
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| ## Ginza & Tokyo Station -- Central, Sophisticated & Upscale | ||
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| * [Ginza & Tokyo Station area on Google Maps][ginza-map] | ||
| * Relaxed, sophisticated, and less busy at night | ||
| * High-end hotels, shopping, and a mature nightlife scene | ||
| * Close to the Imperial Palace and Tokyo’s main transport hub | ||
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| ### Notable Areas | ||
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| * **Tokyo Station**: Main transport hub with easy access to other cities via Shinkansen | ||
| * **Marunouchi**: Business district with shopping and views of the Imperial Palace | ||
| * **Tsukiji**: Famous for its seafood market and vibrant street food scene | ||
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| ### Things to Do | ||
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| * **Imperial Palace & Gardens**: Historic Edo castle with beautiful gardens | ||
| * **Ginza Shopping**: High-end brands at [Ginza SIX][ginza-six], [Ginza Mitsukoshi][ginza-mitsukoshi], and [Ginza Wako][ginza-wako] | ||
| * **Hamarikyu Gardens**: Traditional garden with a tea house offering scenic views | ||
| * **Pedestrian Paradise**: Main street closed to traffic on weekends for a pleasant stroll | ||
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| ### Drawbacks | ||
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| * Upscale and modern but lacks historical charm | ||
| * Everything is expensive (dining, accommodation, shopping) | ||
| * One of the most expensive areas in Tokyo | ||
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| [ginza-map]: https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1J26-ejxq53uFIlFY7M6q83fxUDQ&ll=35.673853299559994%2C139.76779762299805&z=13 | ||
| [ginza-six]: https://ginza6.tokyo/ | ||
| [ginza-mitsukoshi]: https://www.mistore.jp/store/ginza.html | ||
| [ginza-wako]: https://www.wako.co.jp/en/ | ||
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| --- | ||
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| ## Ueno -- The Best Area for Museums & Budget Hotels | ||
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| * [Ueno area on Google Maps][ueno-map] | ||
| * Quieter and more relaxed compared to other Tokyo neighborhoods | ||
| * Known for museums, Ueno Park, and traditional neighborhoods populated by locals | ||
| * Generally cheaper hotels | ||
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| ### Notable Areas | ||
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| * **Ueno Station**: Major railway hub with Shinkansen access to northern Japan | ||
| * **Ueno Park**: Home to temples, shrines, historic buildings, and museums | ||
| * **Yanaka**: Charming old Tokyo neighborhood with temples and a traditional vibe | ||
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| ### Things to Do | ||
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| * **Ueno Zoo**: Popular zoo featuring pandas and historic buildings | ||
| * **Tokyo National Museum**: Largest collection of Japanese art and history | ||
| * **Shitamachi Museum**: Showcases life in Tokyo during the Meiji and Taisho periods | ||
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| ### Drawbacks | ||
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| * A bit far from busier areas like Shinjuku and Shibuya | ||
| * Quiet in the evenings with limited nightlife | ||
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| [ueno-map]: https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1L96cjjDn9x-kL9vrxvoNxD0i1sk&ll=35.71773282500521%2C139.77037254365234&z=14 | ||
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| --- | ||
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| ## Asakusa -- Tokyo's Traditional East Side | ||
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| * [Asakusa area on Google Maps][asakusa-map] | ||
| * Retains traditional charm with temples, shrines, and rickshaws | ||
| * Great mid-range hotel options | ||
| * Feels like a piece of Kyoto in Tokyo | ||
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| ### Notable Areas | ||
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| * **Tokyo Sky Tree**: Tallest building in Tokyo with two observation decks | ||
| * **Senso-ji Temple**: Tokyo’s oldest temple with stunning gates and pagodas | ||
| * **Ryogoku**: Home to sumo wrestling stadiums and museums | ||
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| ### Things to Do | ||
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| * **Hanayashiki Theme Park**: Japan’s oldest amusement park with rides and attractions | ||
| * **Sumida Park**: Great for cherry blossoms in spring and fireworks in summer | ||
| * **Taiko Drum Museum**: Features hundreds of drums visitors can try playing | ||
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| ### Drawbacks | ||
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| * Not on the JR Yamanote Line; accessible via Ginza and Asakusa Lines | ||
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| [asakusa-map]: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/1/viewer?mid=12G4UzY0BACj2UJVkjpJ12veSdTI&ll=35.71338213336827%2C139.79515449737548&z=14 | ||
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| --- | ||
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| ## Akihabara & Iidabashi -- Geek Culture and Budget Accommodations | ||
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| * Center of geek culture with manga, anime, and electronics | ||
| * Affordable accommodations in quiet residential areas nearby | ||
| * Easy access to the city via Akihabara and Asakusabashi stations | ||
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| ### Notable Areas | ||
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| * **Akihabara**: Hub for manga, anime, and electronic stores | ||
| * **Iidabashi**: Historic neighborhood with green parks and temples | ||
| * **Jimbocho**: Known for secondhand bookstores and cafes | ||
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| ### Things to Do | ||
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| * **Manga & Action Figures**: Shop for comics, video games, and collectibles | ||
| * **Electronics Shopping**: Yodabashi store and Akihabara Radio Center | ||
| * **Maid Cafes**: Experience quirky cafes where waitresses dress as French maids | ||
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| ### Drawbacks | ||
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| * Limited nightlife | ||
| * quiet in the evenings | ||
| * Very male-dominated area (opposite of Harajuku) | ||
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| ## Roppongi -- Tokyo's Cosmopolitan Area | ||
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| * Famous for entertainment, dining, and nightlife | ||
| * Popular with foreign visitors; menus often available in English | ||
| * Known for art museums, galleries, and luxury shopping | ||
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| ### Notable Areas | ||
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| * **Roppongi Hills**: Large entertainment complex with restaurants, shops, and cinemas | ||
| * **Tokyo Tower**: Iconic observation tower offering great city views | ||
| * **Teamlab Borderless**: Popular digital art museum with interactive exhibits | ||
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| ### Things to Do | ||
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| * **Zojo-ji Temple**: Historic temple with a giant bell and beautiful grounds | ||
| * **Atago-jinja Shrine**: Scenic shrine with a giant stone stairway | ||
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| ### Drawbacks | ||
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| * Loud nightlife | ||
| * not on the JR Yamanote loop line | ||
| * One of the most expensive areas in Tokyo | ||
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| ## Odaiba & Tokyo Bay -- Modern Family-Oriented Resorts | ||
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| * [Odaiba & Tokyo Bay area on Google Maps][odaiba-map] | ||
| * Resort-like hotels with family rooms and swimming pools | ||
| * High-tech entertainment hub with shopping centers, museums, and attractions | ||
| * Beautiful waterfront with promenades and views of the Rainbow Bridge | ||
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| ### Notable Areas | ||
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| * **Odaiba Beach**: Tokyo’s only beach with promenades and sea breezes | ||
| * **Rainbow Bridge**: Iconic bridge connecting Odaiba and central Tokyo | ||
| * **Fuji TV Building**: Futuristic building with a globe-shaped observatory | ||
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| ### Things to Do | ||
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| * **Statue of Liberty Odaiba**: Replica of New York’s statue with Rainbow Bridge in the background | ||
| * **TeamLab Planets**: Interactive digital art exhibit with water artwork | ||
| * **Toyosu Market**: Modern wholesale fish market with auctions and restaurants | ||
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| ### Drawbacks | ||
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| * Takes about 20 minutes to get to more central Tokyo areas | ||
| * Not as unique or charming as other Tokyo neighborhoods; feels more like a resort or American suburb | ||
| * Lots of children... they tend to cry... | ||
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| [odaiba-map]: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/1/viewer?mid=1G4-7K6MSJ-sMaZCfYUGmHs2vfxg&ll=35.622258459220156%2C139.7929294495362&z=13 | ||
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| ## Great Articles to Read | ||
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| * [Where To Stay In Tokyo - Our Favourite Areas & Hotels In Tokyo - Nerd Nomads](https://nerdnomads.com/where-to-stay-in-tokyo) | ||
| * [Tokyo City Guide - What to do in Tokyo](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2164.html) | ||
| * [Tokyo neighborhoods - Area guides - Time Out Tokyo](https://www.timeout.com/tokyo/neighborhoods) | ||
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| ## Helpful Videos to Watch | ||
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| * [101 Things to DO in TOKYO - Japan Guide to Secret Hidden Places - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8m7dnI2nrU8&list=PLcpuu5BzmasBKAILAe6tAEg-EHKETJjU6) by Paolo fromTOKYO |