If you are visiting Tokyo for the first time and prefer being in the center of things, you will probably be deciding between the neighborhoods of Shinjuku and Shibuya. So is Shibuya a good place to stay? I think so, and I’ll tell you why.

Though they are only three stops apart on the metro, there is a definite difference in the feel of each neighborhood. I myself stayed in Shibuya, and though I visited Shinjuku, I’m happy with the choice I made. In fact, if I visited Tokyo again, Shibuya would definitely be my neighborhood of choice.

Both places are definitely must-go areas in Tokyo though, so don’t let my personal choice sway you. Here is what both Shibuya and Shinjuku have in common:

• Easy access to transportation
• Incredible nightlife
• Great choice of restaurants
• Almost always crowded, mostly with people in the 18-40 range

But today, I’m going to dive into the neighborhood I fell in love with (and give you some advice on where to go), and leave Shinjuku for tomorrow. Shibuya is the first and last place I saw in Tokyo, and it has stuck with me ever since I left. Why?

Shibuya: Tokyo’s Mini-City

If you’ve spent any time online or on Instagram, you have probably come across a photo/video of the famous Shibuya crossing. It is the largest intersection in the world, and it looks like this in action:

This was the first place I saw when I arrived in Tokyo from Narita Airport as the airport bus dropped me right off at the intersection. After an 11 hour flight, no sleep, and a 2 hour busride thanks to Friday night traffic, I disembarked from the bus and started to make my way through the crowds with an 18 kg suitcase in tow.

You should know that addresses in Japan do not at all function like those in the U.S. So, finding the Airbnb felt like the last step in an obstacle challenge. Since a lot of things will be challenging in Japan, you may want to check out the 25 Kanji you will absolutely need for your trip.

In fact, my host told me from the beginning to ignore the address because there was no way I would figure it out. Instead she e-mailed me a list of pictures of streets I should turn on to.

You thought I was joking, didn’t you?

Nevertheless, the first impression of Shibuya, especially on a packed Friday night, was still mesmerizing.

Is Shibuya A Good Place to Stay?

If you want a busy neighborhood with lost to do, and access to most other neighborhoods of Tokyo, ABSOLUTELY. And here’s why.

So why should you stay in Shibuya? Besides the plenty of bars, restaurants, love hotels, and karaoke megaplexes all crammed up against each other?

First, even though Shibuya is a crowded central Tokyo neighborhood, you can easily find peace and quiet by turning off the main streets and heading into alleys, exploring the bars and restaurants in areas like Dogenzaka. Dogenzaka is nicknamed “Love Hotel Hill”, but don’t let the name fool you because it’s not just love hotels that dot the streets here. There are plenty of great clubs, bars, and izakaya (Japanese pubs).

Second, the further you walk from the Shibuya Crossing, the less likely you are to run into non-Japanese people. I ran into a total of two American-looking people in Shibuya, and they turned out to be transplants. As you will find out, this is not the case in Shinjuku, where I saw tour group after tour group being led through the area.

Overall, for all its flashing lights and signs, Shibuya seemed a little less kitsch-y, less of a tourist magnet, more diverse in terms of types of streets and areas, and more “local” Tokyo than Shinjuku (though still quite touristy compared to other neighborhoods obviously, and nothing like old Tokyo). But this does not mean Shinjuku is without its charms, especially Golden Gai – tune back in tomorrow for that!

Where to Go in Shibuya

Below is a list of some of the places I explored in Shibuya, plus a couple of other suggestions from locals. Enjoy while you’re staying in Shibuya yourself!

Great Cafes in Shibuya

• Excelsior Caffe: This two-floor coffee shop was a great place to start my day. I would order an iced latte and snacks, then look out onto the crowds starting to pour into Shibuya in the morning while preparing myself for a day of walking and exploring.

Best Food in Shibuya

• Oreryu Shio-Ramen: What’s a trip to Tokyo without ramen? It has a huge variety of flavors, and you get to order from a ticket vending machine (hand your ticket to the staff).
• Uobei: One of the great things about eating in Japan is trying one of their very unique and completely different restaurant experiences. Uobei is just that, as it’s one of the best sushi conveyor belt restaurants in the city. Order through the touch screen (there is an English option), and get the best of tech and sushi all at once!
• Sagatani: Great Japanese noodle dishes for as low as 300 Yen ($2.50). You have to order from the vending machine outside, as you will find is the case in some other Japanese restaurants.

Best Bars in Shibuya

• Goodbeer Faucets: This bar is just a short walk away from Shibuya station, with a HUGE selection of beers on tap (and bottled). It’s a must-stop in a country obsessed with its beer.
• Fujiya Honten: Fujiya Honten is cheap, fun and always busy. Do I need to say anything else? OK, fine. It’s a Japanese standing bar, that has great beers, a cool selection of wines, and delicious, affordable bar food. Just go.
• Ishino Hana Bar: This is for the folks who want to feel a little bit classier. There’s a 500 Yen cover charge, but everyone is dressed up, there’s a lot of brassy accents and dark wood, and fancy cocktails are served by fancy people. That’s what classy is, right?

The point is, Shibuya has everything you could possibly need to have a great time in Tokyo; hence, the “heart of Tokyo” description.

Cool Hotels in Shibuya

Whether you want a luxurious stay, a traditional Japanese capsule hotel, or anything in between, you can find it in the wide range of accommodations in Shibuya.

Note: prices provided are an average of hotel stays throughout the year, EXCEPT cherry blossom season. In March and April, you can expect an extra $100/night or so tacked onto many rooms.

Capsule Hotels in Shibuya

• The Millennials Shibuya: For a cool capsule hotel experience, check out this hotel located just 0.3 miles from Shibuya train station. The Millennials Shibuya is an adults-only hotel, so it’s not great for families, but wonderful if you want a quieter, more business-oriented environment. ($73-150/night)
• Book Tea Bed Shibuya: A slightly less upscale capsule hotel, but still a very efficient, centrally-located one for the truly budget-conscious who don’t mind that capsule life! ($32-53/night)

Mid-Budget Hotels/Hostels

• Tokyo Stay Shibuya: This relatively affordable experience – considering Tokyo hotel rooms are generally expensive – is right in the heart of Tokyo. ($250-290/night)
• Iyf Shibuya Tokyo: Travelers love this mid-budget Tokyo hotel for its great location near Shibuya station, as well as attentive staff and general comfort and cleanliness. Be warned, like many places in Tokyo, the rooms are smaller than you may be used to in other places – the city is famously really densely populated, and space is at a premium. ($150-240/night)
• all day place shibuya: Visitors to Tokyo who need to still keep up with work or generally prefer usable, funkily decorated common areas love all day place shibuya. The hotel has a restaurant, a bar, and a coffee brewer on site, and is incredibly close to the train station. ($250-333/night)

Luxury Hotels in Shibuya

• Hotel Indigo Tokyo Shibuya: The stunning rooftop view alone makes splurging on this hotel worth it. Most rooms have an excellent view as well, and you can enjoy delicious dining at the hotel’s two restaurants. ($350-440/night)
• Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel: A spa, killer views, spacious rooms, and EIGHT different restaurants; Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel has everything even the most exacting traveler could want. And once again it is smack dab in the middle of Shibuya. ($406-564/night)

Should I Stay in Shibuya?

I could not recommend it more. And if you want to look for a hotel other than the ones listed, check out Booking.com below:

First time in Japan? Check out my First Impression of a Gaijin to see what you can expect.

What’s your favorite Tokyo neighborhood? Are there any other places in Shibuya you would recommend? Comment below! If you liked the post, Pin away!

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