Where to stay
Where you stay shapes your travel time and the feel of your trip. Compare the most popular neighborhoods in each region.
Good to know when booking
- Staying within a 5–10 minute walk of a station makes luggage much easier. Check the nearest station and exit on a map first.
- Hotel rooms in Japan tend to be small. With two or more large suitcases, check the room size (m²).
- Cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Fukuoka charge a separate accommodation tax. Check whether it's included in your booking.
- Rooms fill up months ahead for cherry blossoms, autumn leaves and big festivals. Once your dates are set, book a refundable rate early.
Tokyo
For a first visit, Shinjuku or the Tokyo Station area is a safe choice.
Shinjuku
- Pros
- The most rail lines meet here, with airport buses too. Plenty to eat and do late into the night.
- Cons
- The station is huge and confusing, and the Kabukicho area gets rowdy at night.
- Best for
- First-timers who value convenient transport above all
Shibuya
- Pros
- Close to shopping and trendy food, and within walking distance of Harajuku and Omotesando.
- Cons
- Rooms are pricey and weekends are very crowded.
- Best for
- Shoppers and night-view lovers
Ueno & Asakusa
- Pros
- Rooms are relatively cheap, and the Skyliner to Narita Airport leaves from Ueno.
- Cons
- Western areas like Shibuya and Shinjuku are 30+ minutes away, and it quiets down early at night.
- Best for
- Budget travelers and those using Narita Airport
Tokyo Station & Ginza
- Pros
- Great access to the shinkansen and airports, with tidy streets. Handy for day trips to Hakone or Kamakura.
- Cons
- Expensive, and many shops close early in the evening.
- Best for
- Those making day trips or wanting a quiet base
Osaka & Kyoto
Many people stay in Osaka and day-trip to Kyoto and Nara. If you're spending several days in Kyoto, stay there.
Namba & Shinsaibashi
- Pros
- Direct from Kansai Airport on the Nankai Line, with Dotonbori's food right outside.
- Cons
- Crowded and noisy late into the night, and a little farther from Kyoto than Umeda.
- Best for
- First trip to Osaka, or anyone here for the food
Umeda (Osaka Station)
- Pros
- JR, Hankyu and Hanshin lines meet here, making day trips to Kyoto, Kobe and Nara easy. Lots of department stores and restaurants.
- Cons
- The stations and underground malls are a maze at first.
- Best for
- Those going back and forth to Kyoto and Kobe
Tennoji & Shinsekai
- Pros
- Rooms tend to be cheaper, and the Haruka airport express stops at Tennoji.
- Cons
- The nighttime vibe isn't for everyone, and you'll need transfers to reach northern sights.
- Best for
- Budget travelers using JR to Kansai Airport
Around Kyoto Station
- Pros
- Shinkansen and airport expresses stop here, and the bus terminal makes moving with luggage easy.
- Cons
- You'll need a bus or train to reach major sights like Kiyomizu-dera and Gion.
- Best for
- Those with lots of luggage or several days in Kyoto
Kawaramachi & Gion
- Pros
- Gion, Pontocho and Nishiki Market are walkable, and you can see the streets quiet early in the morning.
- Cons
- Pricey, and rooms are hard to find in peak season.
- Best for
- Those who want to soak up old Kyoto
Fukuoka
The city is compact, so Hakata, Tenjin or Nakasu all work well.
Hakata Station
- Pros
- About 5 minutes from the airport by subway, and the starting point for the shinkansen and trains or buses to Yufuin and Beppu.
- Cons
- Fewer nightlife options than Tenjin or Nakasu.
- Best for
- Short trips or lots of side trips
Tenjin
- Pros
- The shopping and dining hub, with department stores and an underground mall. Nishitetsu trains to Dazaifu leave from here.
- Cons
- A bit farther from the airport and shinkansen than Hakata Station.
- Best for
- Shoppers and food lovers
Nakasu & Haruyoshi
- Pros
- Riverside yatai stalls and night views on your doorstep, halfway between Hakata and Tenjin.
- Cons
- Mixed with an entertainment district, so it can feel a bit rowdy at night.
- Best for
- Those who want yatai food and evening walks
Hokkaido
Many use Sapporo as a base, see Otaru in a day, and stay at least a night in Hakodate or Furano.
Sapporo Station
- Pros
- Direct JR trains from New Chitose Airport, with trains on to Otaru and Asahikawa.
- Cons
- Susukino has far more places to eat at night.
- Best for
- Those making side trips, or wanting to walk less on snowy streets in winter
Susukino & Odori
- Pros
- Ramen, jingisukan and seafood spots everywhere, and close to Odori Park, home of the Snow Festival.
- Cons
- It's a nightlife district, so some areas stay noisy late.
- Best for
- Food lovers and night owls
Hakodate Station & Bay Area
- Pros
- Close to the Morning Market, the red-brick warehouses and the Mt. Hakodate ropeway.
- Cons
- Goryokaku and Yunokawa Onsen are 20–30 minutes away by streetcar.
- Best for
- Those here for the night view and the Morning Market
Okinawa
Without a car, most stay in Naha; with one, many choose central or northern resorts.
Naha (around Kokusai-dori)
- Pros
- Direct from the airport by Yui Rail, with plenty of restaurants and shops, so it works without a car.
- Cons
- The nice beaches are some distance away.
- Best for
- Car-free travelers, short trips
Central (Chatan & Ginowan)
- Pros
- Watch the sunset over the sea at American Village, with easy drives both north and south.
- Cons
- Buses are inconvenient, so you really need a car.
- Best for
- Road-trippers who want both sea and town
North (Onna & Motobu)
- Pros
- Clear water right outside resort hotels, close to Churaumi Aquarium and Kouri Island.
- Cons
- A car is a must, prices are high, and it's 1.5+ hours from the airport.
- Best for
- Resort lovers and families
Nagoya & Takayama
In Nagoya the station area is easiest for getting around; if you're heading to Takayama and Shirakawa-go, spend a night in Takayama.
Around Nagoya Sta. (Meieki)
- Pros
- Airport trains, the shinkansen and Takayama expresses all stop here, so it's easy with luggage.
- Cons
- Less nightlife than Sakae.
- Best for
- Day-trippers and short stays
Sakae
- Pros
- Close to department stores, Oasis 21 and Osu, with lots of restaurants and bars.
- Cons
- You'll need the subway to and from Nagoya Station.
- Best for
- Shoppers and evening diners
Around Takayama Sta.
- Pros
- The old town and morning markets are a 10-minute walk, and the Shirakawa-go bus terminal is right by the station.
- Cons
- Shops close early and nights are quiet; rooms fill fast in peak season.
- Best for
- Those combining Shirakawa-go, ryokan lovers
Hiroshima
Most stay near Hiroshima Station or downtown and visit Miyajima as a day trip or with one night in a ryokan.
Around Hiroshima Sta.
- Pros
- Airport buses, the shinkansen and JR trains to Miyajima all leave from here.
- Cons
- The Peace Park is about 20 minutes away by streetcar.
- Best for
- Those also visiting Onomichi or Kurashiki
Hatchobori & Hondori
- Pros
- Walking distance to the Peace Park, close to okonomiyaki spots and shopping streets.
- Cons
- You'll need a streetcar or taxi with luggage from the station.
- Best for
- Sightseeing and dining downtown
Ryokan on Miyajima
- Pros
- See the shrine in the quiet evening and early morning after the day-trippers leave.
- Cons
- Pricey, and few restaurants open in the evening.
- Best for
- Couples and those wanting a special night
Shikoku
In Matsuyama, stay at Dogo Onsen or downtown; in Takamatsu, near the station by the port.
Dogo Onsen
- Pros
- Stay at a hot-spring ryokan and stroll to the Honkan and the arcade in yukata.
- Cons
- It's 20+ minutes by streetcar from the airport bus stop or JR station.
- Best for
- Hot-spring lovers
Matsuyama Okaido
- Pros
- Close to the castle ropeway and arcades, with plenty of affordable business hotels.
- Cons
- No hot-spring atmosphere.
- Best for
- Budget-minded travelers
Around Takamatsu Sta. & port
- Pros
- Ferries to Naoshima, Kotoden and the airport bus are all close by.
- Cons
- The nightlife area is a bit away, around Kawaramachi.
- Best for
- Island-hoppers and Kotohira day-trippers
As of October 2026