10/06/2026
One of the most common mistakes first-time Tokyo visitors make? Booking accommodation based on name recognition alone.
Shinjuku and Shibuya are famous for a reason but staying in the middle of them isn't always the right call for families. Too loud, too busy, and often poor value for the space you actually get.
After 20+ years living here and hosting thousands of guests, here's what we've learned: the neighbourhood shapes the whole trip.
Shinjuku gives you access to everything. It's the hub, trains going everywhere, iconic skyline, never a dull moment. Just don't expect a quiet street to come home to.
Minami Asagaya is the one locals actually live in. Covered shopping streets, riverside parks, great cafes, and a pace that finally lets you breathe. Most tourists never find it.
Meidaimae sits right between Shinjuku and Shibuya, seven minutes either way, but feels nothing like either. Quiet streets, local restaurants, a neighbourhood that actually has character.
Mita is calm, prestigious, and incredibly well connected. Close to Tokyo Tower and Roppongi, with the kind of streets that make a longer stay feel genuinely comfortable.
We have homes in all four. Each one chosen because we'd stay there ourselves.
Save this before you book 📌 and send it to whoever you're planning your Tokyo trip with.
