47 Tokyo Neighborhoods
posted by John Spacey, July 12, 2009 updated on July 23, 2015
Tokyo neighborhoods are identified by their train stations. When people ask you where you live in Tokyo, they're really asking which station is closest to your home.Tokyo is big and Tokyo is spread. There are over 1000 train stations in Tokyo that translate to an equal number of identifiable neighborhoods. Making sense of Tokyo neighborhoods isn't always easy. If you're planning a stay in Tokyo, this guide may help. It's a list of the best known Tokyo neighborhoods ranked by notoriety. These are the neighborhoods that all the locals know.
1. Shibuya
Shibuya is the Tokyo most visitors are expecting: bright lights and big city. It's a major entertainment, dining and shopping district. Shibuya is best known for Shibuya Crossing — the world's busiest pedestrian crossing. 
2. Shinjuku
Shinjuku is Tokyo's largest neighborhood. Shinjuku is so big that it's really many different neighborhoods. One of them is Asia's largest red light district.
3. Ginza
Ginza is a large luxury shopping area featuring hundreds of flagship retail locations. During Japan's economic bubble land here was the most expensive in the world. In the fashion business, opening a shop in Ginza means that you've made it. 
4. Omotesando
Omotesando is a posh shopping and dining area. Its main street is a wide tree-lined boulevard that's often compared to the Champs-Élysées in Paris. 
5. Odaiba
Odaiba is an artificial island in Tokyo Bay that has cost the government trillions of yen in infrastructure spending over 200 years. Today it's a massive leisure and entertainment district that has a great view of Tokyo. 
6. Akihabara
Akihabara is the nerdiest neighborhood in Tokyo. That makes it high in the running for the most nerdy neighborhood in the world. If you're building a robot and need parts this is your place. It's also a great place to find maid cafes and otaku shops.
7. Asakusa
Asakusa was once a massive pleasure district. It's now known as the old part of town — filled with temples, izakaya, charming ryokan and mom and pop shops.
8. Harajuku
Harajuku is a youth-oriented shopping area that's well known for Japanese street fashions. 
9. Shimbashi
Shimbashi is a massive business district known for its charming restaurants and nightlife. It's the playground of Tokyo's salarymen. 
10. Ikebukuro
Ikebukuro is another Tokyo neighborhood that's massive beyond comprehension. It's second only to Shinjuku in terms of size and crowds. Ikebukuro is well known for its haunted skyscraper and nerd girl shops. 
11. Shimokitazawa
Shimokitazawa is what Japan would be like if it was run by hipsters. It's a charming old neighborhood filled with cafes, restaurants, bars, shops and concert halls. 
12. Marunouchi
Marunouchi is Japan's largest business district. It's a interesting place on weeknights and completely deserted on weekends. 
13. Gaienmae
Gaienmae is a fashion district that's filled with the offices of modeling agencies, fashion brands and photographers. 
14. Ebisu
Ebisu is know for its international atmosphere and pleasant cafes and restaurants. 
15. Yoyogi
Yoyogi is a quiet neighborhood sandwiched between massive Shinjuku and Shibuya. It's home to Tokyo's wildest park. 
16. Kichijoji
Kichijoji is the type of neighborhood where housewives shop with their friends on weekday afternoons. It's home to Inokashira Park, one of Tokyo's best parks. It's also a university town with reasonably vibrant nightlife. 
17. Ueno
Ueno is known for its large park, colorful markets and numerous cultural attractions. There are over a dozen major attractions in the area including Ueno Zoo and a number of art and history museums. Ueno is at the Imperial Palace's demon gate. This direction is considered unlucky — Ueno has always been a low rent area. 
18. Koenji
Tokyo's 50 year building boom has somehow skipped Koenji. It's filled with old buildings that attract young business owners. As a result its home to many offbeat shops, cafes and bars. 
19. Yurakucho
A downtown business area that hasn't changed much since just after WWII. Known for its tiny restaurants jammed under train tracks. 
20. Nakameguro
Nakameguro is best known for its sakura tree lined section of the Meguro river. The high stone walls of the river resemble an urban canal. The river has a dark history but has become one of the best spots for hanami in Tokyo.
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Tokyo has over 1000 neighbourhoods, these are ones that are good to know. |
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Tokyo has over 1000 neighbourhoods, these are ones that are good to know. |
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Tokyo's trillion yen leisure Island. Miraikan Museum Guide » |
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The Tokyo neighborhood that hasn't changed since WWII. |
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The Tokyo river that disappeared in WWII. |
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The most densely populated neighborhood in Japan has a surprisingly laid back atmosphere. |
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Harajuku for old ladies. |
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A charming old neighborhood that has escaped development by being on the wrong side of Tokyo's most famous river. |
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A dense forest of expensive but tiny wooden houses. |
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A great place to experience authentic Korean culture in the heart of Tokyo. |
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Asakusa was once Tokyo's largest pleasure district filled with gangsters, geisha, courtesans, writers, artists, actors and beggars. 2024 Asakusa Samba Carnival Guide » Hanayashiki: Japan's Oldest Amusement Park » Nakamise Street Guide » |
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One of Tokyo's most colorful neighborhoods. Harajuku: Tokyo Subculture Jungle » 2024 Harajuku Omotesando Genki Matsuri Super Yosakoi » Harajuku Takeshita Street Guide » |
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A Tokyo neighborhood built by an Emperor. 2024 Hibiya Oktoberfest » 23 Things To Do In Hibiya Park » Tokyo Imperial Hotel: A Hotel Fit For An Emperor » |
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A Tokyo neighborhood of odd luxury beside the Imperial Palace. |
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A charming Tokyo neighborhood on the banks of a canal-like river with a dark past. |
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One of Tokyo's most colourful neighbourhoods. |
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