At a glance
- Shinjuku is convenient for west Tokyo and some long-distance buses and trains, but the station is huge and it’s complicated to get between its east and west sides. Check which exit and rail line are closest to your hotel address.
- Shibuya is convenient for west Tokyo plans, including Harajuku and Daikanyama, and for evening dining. Keep construction, changing pedestrian routes, and weekend crowds in mind.
- Ueno and Nippori can make it easier to reach east Tokyo and Narita. Take a well-lit main street back to your hotel instead of cutting through market alleys late at night.
- Tokyo Station and Nihonbashi are useful for comparing access to central Tokyo, the Shinkansen, and airport buses, but prices may be higher and it can take a while to reach an exit on the other side of the station.
Day by day
Suggested itinerary
See each day's route, highlights, background and stay together in one place.
Airport arrival route → Actual exit closest to your room address → Check-in deadline
Location where your evening plans end latest → Last train or well-lit walk back to your hotel → Check for a convenience store and laundry
Luggage storage rules → Airport transportation boarding point → Work backward from your target terminal arrival time
Places and meals
Works for west-side plans and access to major transit, if you’re comfortable with a complex station.
Google MapsA choice to prioritize east Tokyo and access to Narita.
Google MapsCompare this option when central Tokyo and access to regional trains are priorities.
Google MapsHow to fit it in
Mark the three places you’ll leave latest and the airport on a map. Find a station you can get back to with no more than one transfer. Then check whether the hotel address is near a convenient exit at that station. This will narrow down your options considerably.
Reality check
If you’re taking a day trip to Hakone, compare Shinjuku; for Nikko, consider Asakusa or the Ueno area; for Kamakura or Yokohama, compare JR access. But don’t choose a hotel based on just one day trip. Count the transfers for the airport and the rest of your city plans, too.
Spending 15 minutes each day walking between your hotel station and your room, round trip, adds up over three nights. When comparing listed walk times, add 10–20 minutes for long walks inside major stations and elevator waits.
Add city taxes, service charges, cancellation terms, breakfast, luggage storage, laundry, and round-trip airport transportation to the room price. A cheaper hotel farther out may not cost less overall if it means long trips each day or a taxi after the last train.
Prioritize fire safety, front desk hours, nighttime access, official lodging registration, and nearby walking conditions over guest review scores. Note the emergency exit at check-in, and don’t leave your passport and valuables scattered around your room.
If plans change
Look for a smaller station two or three stops away on the same line, then recheck whether express trains skip it, the last train, elevators, and nighttime activity.
Compare staying near a simpler nearby station instead of Shinjuku or Tokyo Station itself, and using the major station just once a day.
Small tip
A five-minute walk from a station depends on which ticket gate you’re measuring from. In addition to the map distance, check recent information about pedestrian bridges, underground stairs, railway crossings, construction detours, and the hotel entrance that’s accessible around the clock.
Final check before departure
- Check the nearest ticket gate, exit, and elevator for your room address
- Compare three routes: the airport, late-night plans, and your day-trip departure
- Save cancellation, luggage storage, check-in, and nighttime access rules
Construction around Tokyo stations can often change exits and street-level routes. Before departure, check the hotel’s official directions and the railway station map instead of relying only on a booking platform’s description.
Information checked: 2026-07-29