Guide · Tokyo
Where to staywith the whole city within reach
To see Tokyo without spending your days on trains, your hotel’s neighbourhood matters as much as its price. From Shinjuku, 53% of the city’s 572 station hubs are less than 30 minutes away.
The ranking
For each neighbourhood we calculated the door-to-door travel time to the 572 station hubs (stations, with interchange stations grouped together) in the covered area, then the share reached within 15, 30 and 45 minutes. The higher the 30-minute figure, the more of the city is open to you.
| # | Neighbourhood | ≤ 30 min | ≤ 15 min | ≤ 45 min | Link to the map |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Shinjuku | 53% | 9% | 90% | Map |
| 02 | Shibuya | 47% | 8% | 83% | Map |
| 03 | Ikebukuro | 42% | 8% | 85% | Map |
| 04 | Tokyo Station & Marunouchi | 42% | 7% | 85% | Map |
| 05 | Akihabara | 42% | 7% | 85% | Map |
| 06 | Harajuku | 40% | 5% | 82% | Map |
| 07 | Ueno | 38% | 6% | 80% | Map |
| 08 | Shinagawa | 37% | 5% | 78% | Map |
| 09 | Ginza | 29% | 5% | 77% | Map |
| 10 | Shimokitazawa | 28% | 6% | 70% | Map |
| 11 | Roppongi | 24% | 3% | 70% | Map |
| 12 | Asakusa | 19% | 3% | 53% | Map |
| 13 | Kichijōji | 12% | 3% | 44% | Map |
| 14 | Odaiba | 8% | 2% | 32% | Map |
Neighbourhood by neighbourhood
Shinjuku53% of hubs within 30 min
The best starting point in the city: the Yamanote line, the Chūō Rapid line, several subway lines, and Keiō and Odakyū trains to the west.
Shibuya47% of hubs within 30 min
Very well connected to the south-west and the centre; ideal for evenings out, a little less direct for the east of the city.
Ikebukuro42% of hubs within 30 min
One of the city’s best scores thanks to the Yamanote, the Saikyō line and three subway lines; hotels are often cheaper than in Shinjuku.
Tokyo Station & Marunouchi42% of hubs within 30 min
At the geographic heart of the network: every direction is balanced, and the Shinkansen is right there for day trips.
Akihabara42% of hubs within 30 min
Very central, served by three JR lines, the Hibiya subway line and the Tsukuba Express; an efficient base for the east and north.
Harajuku40% of hubs within 30 min
Between Shinjuku and Shibuya on the Yamanote: very well connected, in a greener, more residential area.
Ueno38% of hubs within 30 min
Convenient when arriving from Narita, with the Yamanote, the Keihin-Tōhoku line and two subway lines.
Shinagawa37% of hubs within 30 min
The best compromise for Haneda and the Shinkansen to Kyoto and Osaka, while staying on the Yamanote.
Ginza29% of hubs within 30 min
Central and quiet at night; excellent for the east and the centre, a little slower to the west than the Yamanote stations.
Shimokitazawa28% of hubs within 30 min
Very close to Shibuya and Shinjuku without being on the Yamanote: an original base for the west of the city.
Roppongi24% of hubs within 30 min
Good for museums and nights out, but only two subway lines (Hibiya and Ōedo): expect a transfer on most journeys.
Asakusa19% of hubs within 30 min
Charming, linked to Ueno and Ginza by the Ginza line and to Haneda by the Asakusa line; longer to the west (Shinjuku, Shibuya).
Kichijōji12% of hubs within 30 min
Calm, pleasant and more affordable; the Chūō Rapid line runs to Shinjuku, but the rest of the city is further away.
Odaiba8% of hubs within 30 min
Pleasant for a day by the sea, but out of the way: few hubs within 30 minutes, so rarely the best choice for a hotel.
Reading this ranking
A high score mostly means many fast, frequent lines nearby, as at the big stations on the Yamanote line. A lower score does not rule out a pleasant stay if your sightseeing is concentrated in one area.
The percentages count the station hubs in the covered area (the 23 special wards and eastern Tama), with no weighting for tourist sights. Open the map from a neighbourhood to see exactly what is close.
Moving to Tokyo?
For a long stay or a move, the right criterion is often the commute to your workplace or school. Our dedicated tool ranks neighbourhoods to live in based on that journey.
Find where to live based on your workFurther reading
Open the map from Shinjuku- Tokyo airportsHaneda and Narita: calculated times to the main districts, which lines to take, practical tips.
- Tokyo neighbourhoodsShinjuku, Asakusa, Shimokitazawa…: how far can you get from each of them?
- Tokyo train linesJR, subway and private railways: stations served and average frequency.
- How to read a travel time mapColours, isochrones, how times are calculated, and frequently asked questions.