Last Updated on October 19, 2026 by A Teaspoon of Travel

Ultimate Guide for First Time Visitors: Where to Stay in Japan

Best Places to Stay in Tokyo, Hakone, and Kanazawa

Planning your first trip to Japan can be both exciting and overwhelming, especially when it comes to choosing the perfect places to stay. There are so many unique and fun experiences in Japan. The challenge for most visitors is navigating the dizzying number of train lines along with the language barrier to get where you want to go. I have found that the key to navigating Japan successfully is staying in a convenient location. The neighborhoods I choose to stay in help me minimize train transfers and are easily accessible to everything in my itinerary. This post has our recommendations for where to stay in Japan for first time visitors in three must-see destinations: Tokyo, Hakone, and Kanazawa.

There are thousands of accommodations in Japan, and there isn’t one best place to stay for every first-time visitor. The best place depends a lot on your itinerary, transport needs, and type of accommodations you prioritize. But after researching accommodations for our own trips to Japan, I’ve narrowed down our picks for the most convenient and highly rated places. After multiple visits to Japan, here are our recommendations for where to stay in Tokyo, Hakone, and Kanazawa for first-time visitors!

Where to Stay in Tokyo, Hakone, and Kanazawa At a Glance

Destination/Area	Best for	What to consider
Shinjuku, Tokyo	Shopping, transportation connects, easy access to Hakone	Very busy and complex train station and busy neighborhood
Tokyo Station Area	Easy shinkansen and transportation connections, direct connections to airport and Tokyo Disney	Expensive accommodations
Hakone-Yumoto	Close to train station	More traditional onsen hotels are usually located further from the town
Downtown Kanazawa	Walking to attractions and restaurants	Further from train station
Kanazawa Station	Early trains, frequent day trips	More walking to sightseeing

If this is your first trip to Japan, I would prioritize a convenient location over a long list of amenities. Especially if you’re going to be getting around by train and public transportation rather than taxis. Staying in a central location makes it easier to walk to attractions or get where you want to go with minimal train transfers to avoid getting lost.

In Tokyo, that means choosing a neighborhood with direct airport connections, on the Yamanote loop line, and with direct connections to onward travel. For Hakone, your decision is whether easy access to the station or a more secluded onsen stay matters more. In Kanazawa, the decision is whether you want to be closer to the attractions or will be taking more day trips. I’ve found that deciding on what area to stay first helps to narrow down the hotel choices.

Home Rentals or Hotels in Japan?

Whether to stay in a home rental or a hotel is usually a point of personal preference. However. in Japan it can be helpful to have the convenience of hotel front desk staff to help facilitate on your first trip. I enjoy the comfort and privacy of a home rental when traveling in the United States. But in Japan, it’s much easier to stay in a hotel or an apartment run by a hotel. That way you have access to front desk staff who can assist with making dinner reservations, directions, forwarding and holding luggage, and transportation questions. This is why all our recommendations for where to stay in Japan on a first time visit are hotels or apart-hotels.

It is also often easier to find hotels than home rentals. Japan has few street signs, making it easy to get lost even with Google Maps as your guide. The hotel recommendations below are located close to the train stations or main streets, so there is less chance of getting lost while looking for your accommodations. Our recommendations for where to stay in Japan for first time visitors below are in prime locations to best set you up for exploring.

Where to Stay in Tokyo

Tokyo is a big, dense metropolis with a lot of different neighborhoods to choose from when deciding where to stay in Tokyo when visiting Japan for the first time. There are a maze of subway lines connecting all of Tokyo. But for maximum transportation efficiency it is best to stay near one of the stations on the JR Yamanote Line, which loops around central Tokyo. For our itinerary, the most convenient places to stay to limit train transfers was either near Shinjuku Station or near Tokyo Station, so that is where I limited my search.

Why Stay in Shinjuku?

• Shinjuku Station is one of the transportation hubs in Tokyo.
  • It is easily reachable from both the Narita airport and Haneda airport by either direct express train or direct bus.
  • The tourist trains to Hakone also depart from Shinjuku Station. We chose to stay in Shinjuku for our trip to make it easier to get to Hakone.
• Shinjuku is also Tokyo’s shopping and entertainment hub. This area has endless choices of stores, restaurants and izakayas, the nightlife district of Kabukicho and Golden Gai, skyscrapers with magnificent rooftop city views, and a garden that is an oasis of green in this concrete jungle. The central location makes it an easy choice for where to stay on a first time trip to Japan.

Where to Stay in Shinjuku

Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo Premier Grand ($$)

• Best for: travelers who want a luxury stay next to Shinjuku Station
• What to consider: more expensive option in the Shinjuku area. If you’re going to spend most of your day out sightseeing, you may prefer to save money on a more basic hotel.

For a luxury stay in the most convenient location, I considered the Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo Premier Grand. This plush hotel is located only a couple minutes walk from Shinjuku Station and has amazing views of Tokyo from the lounge. The rooms are spacious (by Asian standards) and along with the cozy bedding ensure you have a peaceful cocoon to come home to after a day out in the hustle and bustle of Tokyo. We ultimately chose a hotel with a kitchenette that was a bit further away. But if staying in Shinjuku again, I would prioritize being closer to the station over the kitchenette because the longer walk back to the hotel after a day of sightseeing can feel extra tiring.

Citadines Shinjuku Tokyo ($) – where we stayed

• Best for: travelers who want more space and a kitchenette without paying luxury hotel prices.
• What to consider: the hotel is a 10 minute walk from Shinjuku Station, which feels longer than it sounds at the end of a long day of walking around sightseeing.

If you prefer an aparthotel with a kitchenette, the Citadines Shinjuku Tokyo is a great option 10 minute walk from Shinjuku Station. (Not to be confused with the Citadines Central Shinjuku Tokyo, which is located in the nightlife district of Kabukicho.) This is where we stayed, and we were pleasantly surprised by the large size of the rooms (by Asian standards, of course) since it is an apartment style hotel. Since hotel is a 10 minute walk from the station, it is in a much more peaceful area. This hotel is in the ideal place if you want to be close to the Shinjuku action but not right in the middle of it. The price is also reasonable by Tokyo standards for a room this size.

If those stays are not quite perfect, check out these other highly rated stays near Shinjuku Station!

Why Stay Near Tokyo Station?

• Tokyo Station is not only a huge transportation hub, it is also an underground mall city with tons to explore. There is a ramen alley housing some of Japan’s finest ramen shops. And a character street with shops dedicated to trains, characters, and toys.
• Staying near this transportation hub means paying a premium for convenience, but it could be worth it to save time! If you’re planning to visit Tokyo Disney but prefer not to stay at the resort, staying near Tokyo Station is a great option since there is a direct train from Tokyo Station to Tokyo Disney. But note that Tokyo Station is huge so there is still a long walk within the station to the train line that connects to Tokyo Disney.

Where to Stay near Tokyo Station

Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Marunouchi ($$) – where we stayed (twice!)

• Best for: travelers who prioritize transportation convenience or want a hotel with train views.
• What to consider: rooms are compact by American standards and best for a family of 3 with a young kid that can still bed share. You’re paying a premium for the location, not for space.

The Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Marunouchi is actually connected to Tokyo Station, so it can’t be any more convenient for transportation. If you are a train enthusiast (or have kids that are), then you will love the train view rooms with views of the train station tracks. This was the main draw for us in booking this hotel – easy entertainment for our train-loving kid! For everyone else, there are stunning views of Tokyo from the upper stories. The rooms are small by American standards but standard for Asian countries, with clean and modern decor. Since we were out exploring all day, the proximity to the train station made up for the room size.

Hotel Ryumeikan Tokyo Station ($)

• Best for: travelers looking for a moderately priced option near Tokyo Station.
• What to consider: rooms are compact and don’t have a lot of connecting rooms or layouts that would work for families. Layouts are probably better for couples.

The Hotel Ryumeikan Tokyo Station is about a 3 minute walk to Tokyo Station, and is a moderately priced option for the area. We considered it because it was a more affordable option in this expensive area. The restaurant at the top of the hotel has sweeping views of Tokyo. Some rooms have a little sitting area, which make the rooms feel slightly roomier than the standard Asian hotel rooms. But because of the room sizes, it’s probably best for couples rather than families who may want more space.

Karaksa Hotel Tokyo Station ($$)

• Best for: families who need larger rooms with more space and don’t mind a short walk to Tokyo Station.
• What to consider: the rooms are more basic and practical than luxurious.

The Karaksa Hotel Tokyo Station is just a 5 minute walk from Tokyo Station. We considered this hotel because of the larger room types available for families. They have Japanese style rooms that can house families for 4 or 6, quadruple rooms with Western beds, and connecting rooms for families of 4 or 6. The rooms are fairly basic and not particularly luxurious, but for family-style accommodations in such a central location near Tokyo Station, the price is pretty reasonable.

Karaksa Hotel Colors Tokyo Yaesu ($$)

• Best for: families who want larger room layouts with underground access to Tokyo Station, and more kid-friendly amenities.
• What to consider: rooms are more practical than luxurious. Not every room has a washer/dryer, so check the amenities when booking.

Another good choice for families nearby from the same brand is the Karaksa Hotel Colors Tokyo Yaesu. We considered this hotel because it has an underground connection to Tokyo Station so it’s very convenient for transportation. And it also has triple, quadruple, and connecting rooms, which is great for families. Another family-friendly perk is that the lounge has a little kids space with some toys and books for kids, with snacks and drinks for the adults while kids play. If you don’t want to play in the lounge, there are some games that kids can borrow for the room. And the rooms have kid-friendly amenities by request, like kids toiletries, pajamas, and bed rails. Some rooms even have a washer/dryer, which is super convenient for families!

Mimaru Tokyo Station East ($$$)

• Best for: families who want apartment-style space and a kitchenette.
• What to consider: 15 minute walk from Tokyo Station, which can feel longer than it sounds after a long day of sightseeing. Not an issue if you’re planning on taking taxis. But if you’re planning on using public transportation then consider whether the extra space is worth the extra walk back to the hotel.

If you’re visiting Tokyo with kids and don’t mind a 15-minute walk from Tokyo Station, Mimaru Tokyo Station East is a great family-friendly choice. The one- and two-bedroom suites come with kitchenettes, giving you way more space than the typical compact Japanese hotel room. Apartment-hotels are my favorite type of accommodations when traveling as a family because you get the space of a home rental but with the amenities and staff of a hotel. If this hotel was closer to Tokyo Station, it would have been our top pick. For an extra fun stay, check out Mimaru Tokyo Hatchobori (just five minutes away) where you can book Pokemon-themed rooms.

Oakwood Premier Tokyo ($$$$)

• Best for: families or groups willing to pay more for a luxury apartment stay close to Tokyo Station.
• What to consider: this is definitely a splurge. Consider if the extra space and apartment amenities are worth the higher cost if you’re not going to be spending much time in your accommodations.

For a splurge (or if traveling with a larger family), look for an apartment at the Oakwood Premier Tokyo. These serviced apartments are a 2 minute walk from Tokyo Station. They have the privacy and amenities of an apartment, but with the services of a hotel since there is a front desk. The apartments have a kitchen and washer dryer. The suite style rooms are great for families who need more space. It’s one of the few larger hotel room options that is a couple minutes walk from the train station. If we had a bigger budget, these apartments would be my top choice for convenience to the station and apartment amenities.

If those stays are all booked up, check out these other highly rated accommodations near Tokyo Station!

Where to Stay in Hakone

There are a couple different areas to stay in around Hakone, depending on how secluded you want your stay to be and whether you want a traditional ryokan experience. We chose to stay in Hakone-Yumoto, near the train station, because it was more convenient for sightseeing during our short stay. However, staying at a more secluded onsen hotel has a better atmosphere for those staying longer and who are visiting Hakone just for the onsen experience rather than doing any other sightseeing.

Hakone Hotels with Private In-Room Onsens

Hakone is known for their hot spring baths (onsens), so if there is a place to splurge on a hotel with an onsen then this is definitely it! Many hotels have public onsen baths, but be aware that these baths are usually separated by gender and onsen etiquette dictates that bathing suits are not allowed. If you are traveling with a significant other and want to enjoy the onsen together, then you can either look for a hotel that has private onsens that are bookable for a period of time, or hotels with private onsens in the room. We used credit card points to splurge on a hotel with a private onsen in the room, and it was a highlight experience of our trip. The following hotels all have room options with private onsens in the room. It’s really a must-do experience in Japan! And definitely book a kaiseki dinner at your hotel – this experience was a highlight of our trip.

What to check before booking:

• Room configuration: Western or Japanese style room
• In-room onsen: which room types contain an in-room onsen
• Meal options: kaiseki meals are not always included in the room rate and often require an additional fee
• Transportation and shuttles: for hotels located further from Hakone-Yumoto station
• Cancellation terms

Hotel Okada ($-$$$, depending on room type) – where we stayed

• Best for: travelers who want a private open-air onsen in their room, in a hotel close to the train station.
• What to consider: the hotel is not right next to the station. We did not mind the peaceful 20 minute walk (or 5-10 minute shuttle ride) to the station, but it is less convenient for those who prefer to be right next to the station. Not every room has an open-air bath in the room, so double check room configurations before booking.

Hotel Okada is a lovely 20 minute walk along a river (or a 5-10 minute shuttle ride) from the Hakone-Yumoto train station. It is in a beautiful setting next to the river, which instantly puts you in a peaceful mood. They have a variety of western and Japanese style rooms that have indoor or outdoor private onsens in the room. Just make sure to book a room with an open-air bath. We booked a Japanese style room with a private open air bath for the full experience, and it did not disappoint. I also highly recommend adding the delicious kaiseki dinner in your room during the stay.

Hakone Suimeisou ($$-$$$, depending on room type)

• Best for: travelers who want a private onsen experience a couple minutes walk from Hakone-Yumoto station.
• What to consider: not every room has an open-air bath in the room, so check room types before booking.

To be closer to the train station, the Hakone Suimeisou is only a 3 minute walk from the Hakone-Yumoto train station and also has rooms with private onsens. They have both western and Japanese style rooms that have a private open-air bath. They also have private onsens that you can reserve if you don’t have an onsen in your room. You can also book a delicious kaiseki dinner to enjoy in your room. This was initially our top pick since it is closer to the station, but it was not available for us to book with credit card points.

Kinnotake Sengokuhara ($$$$)

• Best for: adults looking for a secluded, luxurious ryokan experience with a private onsen, who plan on staying within the ryokan and not sightseeing in the area.
• What to consider: this ryokan is definitely a splurge. And its secluded location means you’ll have to figure out transportation. It’s adults only, so not an option for families traveling with children.

This adult-only ryokan is nestled in the mountains, so it is further away from the train station. But that distance grants you a tranquil escape in nature, where each luxurious room has its own private open-air bath. Kinnotake Sengokuhara is a splurge, but it’s totally worth it for this peaceful and relaxing retreat. I would consider this option if traveling again to Hakone just for the onsen experience. Since we were also sightseeing around the lake on our first trip to Hakone, it didn’t make logistical sense to stay in such a remote location.

If private onsens in the room are not a priority, check out these other highly rated hotels in Hakone with public onsens!

Where to Stay in Kanazawa

Kanazawa is a pretty compact city, and it is easy to explore on foot or using the Loop Buses that connect all the attractions to the train station. Our itinerary included a lot of day trips from Kanazawa, so it would have been more convenient for us to stay close to Kanazawa Station. However, there is not much to do around the station besides the station itself. So we opted to stay in the downtown Kanazawa area instead to be a closer to the attractions and restaurants in the heart of the city.

Downtown Kanazawa

KOKO Hotel Premier Kanazawa ($)

The KOKO Hotel Premier Kanazawa is perfectly located walking distance from the main attractions (like Kanazawa Castle and Kenroku-en Garden). The bus stop to the train station is right outside the hotel, so it is a short ride to the train station as well. The rooms are spacious by Asian standards, and some have beautiful garden views. As a bonus, they have a happy hour with free drinks! It’s also pretty affordable given the central location.

Near Kanazawa Station

Hotel Nikko Kanazawa ($)

The Hotel Nikko Kanazawa is a good choice if you prefer to stay close to the train station. Besides proximity to the train station, another plus is the spacious rooms, which are large for Asian standards.

Looking for other hotel options in Kanazawa? Check out these other highly rated accommodations in Kanazawa!

Now that you have booked your rooms, get excited to explore with our detailed 2 weeks Japan Itinerary or kid-friendly 10 day Japan Itinerary!