When we started planning our family trip to Tokyo, the one question that ate up more hours than flights or itineraries combined was: where should we actually stay? Tokyo is enormous, the train map looks like a plate of spaghetti, and every blog seemed to recommend a different neighborhood.
Here’s exactly where we stayed, what we thought of each hotel, and which other neighborhoods we’d now seriously consider for next time.
Why Ueno Is One of the Best Areas to Stay in Tokyo with Family
We started our trip in Ueno, and honestly, it turned out to be one of the smartest decisions we made — mostly by luck rather than research.
The biggest reason Ueno works so well for families is Ueno Station itself. It’s a massive transport hub where JR lines, the Tokyo Metro, and the Keisei Skyliner (the train that connects directly to Narita Airport) all meet. That meant we could get almost anywhere in Tokyo without multiple transfers, which matters a lot when you’re traveling with kids, luggage, and a stroller in tow.
A few other reasons Ueno deserves a spot on your family shortlist:
- Ueno Park is right there. It’s home to Ueno Zoo, several museums, and wide open walking paths — perfect for burning off kid energy without needing a train ride first.
- Ameyoko Market is a few minutes’ walk away, great for cheap snacks, quick souvenirs, and letting the kids people-watch in a lively but manageable space.
- It’s more budget-friendly than central Tokyo, with a good mix of affordable hotels, convenience stores, and casual restaurants that don’t require a reservation or a dress code.
- Direct airport access via the Skyliner made our arrival and departure days so much less stressful.
Where We Stayed in Ueno: Hotel Wing International Select Ueno Okachimachi (Now KOKO Hotel Ueno)
We booked Hotel Wing International Select Ueno Okachimachi, which has since been rebranded as KOKO Hotel Ueno Station. Same hotel, same location, just a new name and a slight refresh, so don’t be confused if you search for it and both names pop up.
This is not a fancy hotel by any means, and we want to be upfront about that. The room was quite compact, which is fairly standard for budget hotels in central Tokyo, so if you’re traveling with more than two people, expect to get cozy. But for what it is — a clean, no-frills, well-located base — it did exactly what we needed it to do. We weren’t spending much time in the room anyway; we were out exploring all day and just needed a reliable place to sleep, shower, and stash our bags.
If you’re after a budget-friendly Ueno hotel for families that prioritizes location and cleanliness over space and luxury, this is a solid pick.
Why Ginza Is Worth Considering for Families Too
Ginza is best known as Tokyo’s upscale shopping and dining district, but it’s also a genuinely convenient and safe area for families, for a few reasons:
- It’s centrally located, making it easy to reach other major areas like Tsukiji, Tokyo Station, and Odaiba without long commutes.
- The streets are wide, clean, and pedestrian-friendly, which makes a real difference when you’re pushing a stroller or herding kids through crowds.
- There’s a mix of both high-end and casual dining, so you’re not stuck choosing between a Michelin-starred restaurant and a convenience store, there’s plenty in between.
- It feels calm and orderly, especially compared to some of the busier tourist zones, which we appreciated after a long day of sightseeing with the kids.
Where We Stayed in Ginza: ibis Styles Tokyo Ginza East
For our Ginza stay, we booked ibis Styles Tokyo Ginza East, an Accor-branded hotel tucked into a quieter pocket of the Ginza area. Like our Ueno hotel, this wasn’t a luxury stay — it’s a midscale, practical option — but it was clean, comfortable, and more than decent for a family.
Here’s the part that made this booking especially worth it: since ibis Styles is an Accor hotel, we used our ALL Accor+ Explorer membership to book it, specifically the Stay Plus free night benefit. If you’re not familiar with it, the Explorer membership includes free night certificates that work like a buy-one-get-one deal — book two consecutive nights at a participating Accor property, and the more expensive of the two nights is comped. We used ours here, and it made an already reasonably priced hotel even better value. If you’re already loyal to Accor properties or planning multiple Japan trips, this membership is worth looking into before you book.
Other Areas We’d Recommend for Families in Tokyo
Ueno and Ginza worked well for us, but they’re not the only family-friendly bases in the city. Two other areas that consistently come up as great options for families — and that we’d genuinely consider for our next trip — are Shinjuku and Asakusa.
Shinjuku
Shinjuku is Tokyo’s largest transit hub, home to the busiest train station in the world, which sounds intimidating but actually works in your favor: almost every train line you’ll need touches Shinjuku Station. It’s also packed with shopping, department stores, and family-sized dining options, plus quieter green space at Shinjuku Gyoen when you need a break from the crowds.
Asakusa
Asakusa gives you the old-Tokyo, traditional atmosphere — think Senso-ji Temple, Nakamise shopping street, and rickshaw rides — in a neighborhood that feels a little more laid-back than the mega-districts. It’s also generally more budget-friendly, with plenty of family-sized rooms, apartment-style hotels, and a strong sense of neighborhood charm that kids tend to enjoy.
Hotels We’d Consider for Shinjuku Next Time
Premium: Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo A long-standing Shinjuku favorite with spacious rooms by Tokyo standards, multiple restaurants on-site, and a location just minutes from Shinjuku Station — a great option if you want a bit more comfort and space without leaving the neighborhood.
Midscale: Citadines Shinjuku Tokyo An apartment-style hotel with a kitchenette and laundry facilities in-room, which is a genuine game-changer for a longer family stay. Being able to cook a simple breakfast or wash clothes mid-trip makes a big difference when you’re traveling with kids for a week or more.
Economy: Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku A reliable, no-nonsense budget option in a great location, offering the same kind of practical, clean-and-central setup we valued at our Ueno hotel — ideal if location and price matter more to you than room size.
Hotels We’d Consider for Asakusa Next Time
Premium: The Gate Hotel Asakusa by Hulic A stylish option with a rooftop bar offering views toward Tokyo Skytree, and a location right in the heart of Asakusa’s temple district — a nice step up in comfort while staying close to the old-town atmosphere.
Midscale: Mimaru Tokyo Asakusa Part of the Mimaru chain known for spacious, apartment-style family suites with separate sleeping areas and kitchenettes — consistently recommended as one of the most practical options in Tokyo for families of four or more.
Economy: Super Hotel Asakusa A well-reviewed budget chain hotel offering clean, compact rooms and a genuinely low price point, similar in spirit to our own budget stays in Ueno — perfect if you’re prioritizing your yen for experiences over accommodation.
Final Thoughts on Where to Stay in Tokyo with Kids
If we had to sum up what we learned from actually living it: you don’t need a fancy hotel to have a great family trip to Tokyo — you need a well-connected one. Both Ueno and Ginza gave us that, in different ways and at different price points, and both Shinjuku and Asakusa look like they’d do the same.
Pick a neighborhood near a major train hub, keep your expectations about room size realistic (this is Tokyo, after all). At the end of the day, there’s no single “best” area – it really depends on what kind of trip you’re after. But if your priority is being close to Tokyo’s must-see spots and getting around with the least hassle, the areas above are the ones we’d point you toward first.
