Best Neighborhoods & Places to Stay in Tokyo as a Solo Traveler

Traveling solo in Tokyo and not sure where to stay? I got you!

I’ve traveled solo in Tokyo three times, and each time, I have wondered which area to stay in to optimize my itinerary and stay safe, while not missing out on the best Tokyo offers.

While central Shinjuku and Shibuya are the most sought-after wards in Tokyo, I find them daunting and crowded as a solo traveler.

That’s why I like to stay in these areas, but a bit off to the side. You know what I mean?

In the quieter, local areas that are still a 3-minute walk to the nearest station. Just not the cheapest, loudest place you can find.

Of course, there are pros and cons to staying “in the center of it all” or not—which I’ll get into in this post.

Whether you want to be smack-dab in the heart of the hustle and bustle or off to the side in a quieter part of Tokyo, here’s which area (plus accommodation) I suggest you stay in as a solo traveler.

Where to Stay in Tokyo as a Solo Traveler (Best Neighborhoods + Accommodation)

Knowing a bit more about how the city is organized can help you decide where to stay in Tokyo alone.

Firstly, there are 23 specialized wards of Tokyo, and within them, numerous neighborhoods and places to stay.

For example, the Taitō Ward, located in eastern Toyko (one of my favorite parts of the city), has the neighborhoods/wards of Asakusa, Ueno, and Yanaka.

Shibuya Ward has neighborhoods such as Harajuku, Daikanyama, and Hiroo.

See what I mean?

So, while you may be familiar with places like Shibuya or Shinjuku, they are just two wards of Tokyo, and there are way more amazing areas to discover that are suitable for solo travelers.

Secondly, if you are a solo female traveler, look out for female-only floors inside dorms or female-only capsule hotels.

To make your search easier, I’d recommend finding accommodation first by:

1. Ward/Neighborhood
2. Accommodation style (e.g., female-only, boutique, capsules, etc).

Below is a round-up of my favorite wards and neighborhoods to stay in Tokyo solo, including a few top choices for hotels/accommodation for each area.

Taitō Ward (East Tokyo)

Taitō is a fantastic area to experience the juxtaposition of traditional and modern Tokyo.

It offers everything from historical sites and cultural experiences to modern amenities and quirky neighborhoods.

This area is where I first stayed in Tokyo solo (precisely, in the Yanaka neighborhood, at the lovely hanare hotel).

Pretty much any neighborhood in East Tokyo is a good choice for accommodation, but my two favorite areas are Asakusa and Yanaka.

East-side Tokyo is cheaper (typically), and remains easily accessible to greater Tokyo. And, for me, it does have that perfect mix between old and new Tokyo.

Asakusa

Asakusa, a neighborhood in Taitō, is one of my top choices for places to stay in Tokyo alone for many reasons.

For one, it’s part of Tokyo’s shitamachi which means “lower city” and is characterized by traditional streets, cozy alleyways, and historic quarters.

You’ll find Tokyo’s oldest Buddhist temple, Senjo-ji, and myriad activities such as dinner cruises, Sumo shows, shopping, and more here.

I like staying here because the area is super safe and walkable!

You will be right by the scenic Sumida River, with views on Tokyo Skytree, and within easy reach of several popular neighborhoods, such as:

• Akihabara (Electric Town)
• Ryogoku (for Sumo)
• Ueno (Tokyo’s first and largest urban park, street food, museums, etc.,)
• Yanaka (Tokyo’s ‘old town’ and ‘cat town’)

And did I mention easy access to and from Tokyo’s airports? (It’s closer to Narita, but also easy to reach from Haneda!)

Seriously, Asakusa is an underrated place to stay in Tokyo because of its convenience and location.

While it can get busy with tourists visiting Senso-ji, many streets and corners of this area are quiet and have a preserved Edo-era atmosphere.

You can’t go wrong with staying solo in Asakusa—especially ideal for foodies and cultural exploration!

–> Resol Poshtel ($$+) — Upscale female-only capsule dorms in the heart of Asakusa
–> Nui Hostel ($$) — (Where I stayed; technically in Kuramae, but easy to walk to Asakusa)

Yanaka

Tucked away near Ueno lies Yanaka, a small neighborhood that feels more like Kyoto than Tokyo.

I also stayed here solo for three nights and loved this corner of the city.

Yanaka, with its historic temples and small-village atmosphere, is the perfect option for solo travelers looking for a quiet, off-the-beaten-path place to stay in Tokyo.

Yanaka has art galleries, cat-themed shops, a peaceful cemetery, and ancient temples.

It takes a bit longer to reach via metro, but it remains easily accessible and you’ll be within a 10-20 minute subway ride to Tokyo’s city center.

If you’re considering staying in Yanaka, I can’t recommend Hanare Hotel enough.

–> Read about my experience staying at hanare hotel!

Meguro, Shinagawa, & Shibuya Wards (Central-west & Southwest Tokyo)

On the opposite side of Tokyo, in the large South-Central-West Tokyo, you have popular areas such as Shibuya, Shinagawa, and Meguro Wards.

But if you tread a bit further beyond Shibuya, you’ll find a more local Tokyo squished in between near the wards of Meguro (cherry blossoms; Nakameguro), Minato (Tokyo Tower), and Shinagawa (major Shinkansen hub).

This entire area in the Southwest-Central side of Tokyo is another great base to stay in as a solo traveler because you will be a stone’s throw away from major stations and attractions while still getting a feel for non-touristy Tokyo.

A few of my favorite ‘hoods in this area that would be ideal for a stay are below!

Nakameguro & Daikanyama

I’m combining Nakameguro and Daikanyama because of their proximity.

As neighboring neighborhoods, these two places are equally great choices for where to stay in Tokyo as a solo traveler.

While adjacent to each other, each is distinctly unique.

Nakameguro is the more artsy, creative neighborhood, whereas Daikanyama (known as the ‘Little Brooklyn’ of Tokyo) is more chic and sophisticated.

Nakameguro, in particular, is great for strolls along the Meguro River, which is postcard-worthy in cherry blossom season!

It also has hidden cafes, cool indie shops and boutiques, and a casual, youthful crowd.

I stayed in the waves hostel just a 3-minute walk from the station, which was perfect for visiting Tokyo.

If you want to stay in this area, you might enjoy The Millennials Shibuya (technically in Shibuya, a short walk to Nakameguro).

This capsule hotel has pod-style rooms and invites you into a fun, social space!

However, if you’re looking for more of a serviced apartment feel with a kitchenette, then check out Tokyo Stay Meguro-Yutenji.

If you’re flying with no budget, Gajoen hotel near Meguro Station has beautiful Japanese gardens and cultural exhibits!

Daikanyama, on the other hand—sandwiched between Shibuya to the north and Nakameguro to the south—is a fun place to stay in because of its convenient location (one stop away from Shibuya).

Whereas Nakameguro is hip and artsy, Daikanyama is the chic and sophisticated counterpart.

Here, you’ll find affluent stores, luxury shops, and design-centric cafes, bookstores, and hotels.

The Blue Bottle coffee shop in Daikanyama is also one of my favorite go-to spots for remote working (and coffee) as a digital nomad in Tokyo.

We loved taking our e-bikes into this part of the city at night as well.

While all the tourists flock to Shibuya, this area stays so local, and we got to enjoy the restaurants and brewery with (tourist) crowds—it’s still popular among locals!

If you want to be a bit north of Shibuya near Yoyogi, then the cute Almond Hostel & Cafe would be my pick for staying solo on a budget.

The hyper-social and design-forward Trunk Hotel is also a top contender, if you feel like treating yourself!

For an even more local/off beat lodging experience, consider staying in Ebisu or Hiroo neighborhoods.

Suginami & Nakano Wards (West Tokyo)

Finally, the last large area of Tokyo I recommend staying in for solo travelers is greater North/West Tokyo, which includes (but isn’t limited to) Shinjuku, Suginami, and Nakano Wards.

Shinjuku City (Shinjuku Ward)

Since Shinjuku is a must-see (along with Shibuya), many first-time travelers will stay in West-side Tokyo.

Shinjuku is known for its nightlife, but it’s much more than that!

While the red light district of Shinjuku (i.e., Kabukicho) gets rowdy and noisy at night, it has a lot of underrated areas to discover.

If you are a solo female traveler, I wouldn’t recommend staying in the heart of Shinjuku’s nightlife unless lodging in a female-only capsule hotel or dorm.

–> Read next: My top 8 picks for female-friendly stays in Tokyo

Koenji & Asagaya (Suginami Ward)

Suginami is a bit further west of Shinjuku, which is considered more Central-west.

In any case, either works for solo travelers because of all the activities and accessible transportation.

For a more off-beat area, head one station left and dip into the Suginami Ward.

Here, you will find underrated neighborhoods such as Koenji and Asagaya.

While Koenji is famous for its vibrant rock bars and live music scene, Asagaya is known for its intimate jazz bars and small neighborhood izakayas.

Both areas have distinct nightlife and cultural vibes, making them unmissable destinations for those exploring Tokyo’s west side.

Nakano (Nakano Ward)

On this side of the city, you’ll also find the very underrated Nakano Ward.

Nakano is only a 5-minute train ride (JR Chuo line) from Shinjuku. And yet, so many tourists miss out on this area in favor of Shinjuku’s neon lights.

However, Nakano has so much to offer; in particular, it is a must-visit for anime, manga, and quirky shopping at Nakano Broadway. It’s like the Akihabara of west-side Tokyo!

All three of these areas on west side Tokyo often get overlooked by tourists who have their eyes set on Shinjuku or Shibuya.

But don’t!

Here’s an overview of these three neighborhoods and their distinct characteristics (and reasons to stay there). 😉

• Koenji — Known for its rock music and cool counterculture
• Asagaya — Best known for its jazz bars, laid-back izakayas, and festivals
• Nakano — The quirky hub for otaku culture, shopping, and bars

There is a reason I don’t mention Central Tokyo (i.e., near Imperial Palace, Ginza, Tokyo Station, etc) in this guide.

While Central Tokyo (Ginza, for example) is convenient, I find it overwhelming as a solo traveler. And there’s just SO many underrated places in Tokyo to discover. You really don’t need to be in the thick of it to experience the best Tokyo has to offer.

Personally, I prefer to experience a more local side of Tokyo and, as such, tend to look for underrated neighborhoods that are still within 1-2 subway/metro stops from major hubs.

This way, I can explore at my own pace, avoid crowds, and wander into quieter parts of the city while discovering hidden gems.

Last Tips for Staying in Tokyo Solo

• Pick your ideal neighborhood first: It’s easier to narrow down your accommodation options when searching by neighborhood rather than by hotel type.
• Consider travel times and what you REALLY want to see and do: You won’t be able to do and see it all in Tokyo, and that’s okay. Focus on what you want to experience and pick your area from there!
• For extra safety, stay at female-only capsule hotels (men-only rooms available too!): While not a guarantee, I find it more relaxing to stay in capsule hotels with female-only floors, especially if I’m solo.

While Tokyo is safe for solo travelers, it remains a huge metropolis, and petty accidents such as pickpocketing, etc., can still happen.

I felt safe wandering these neighborhoods at night.

But if you decide to stay in the heart of Shinjuku, Shibuya, Akihabara, Ginza, Roppongi, or other popular places where nightlife is a full-on party, consider returning to your hotel early.

As always when solo traveling in Tokyo and beyond, stay aware of your surroundings!

If you have any questions about accommodation in Tokyo for solo gals and guys, please ask in the comments below!