Best hotel area in Tokyo? Kinshicho is recommended! More convenient than Shinjuku, Ueno, or Ikebukuro!

*AI Translated

Are you still choosing hotels in Shinjuku, Ueno, or Ikebukuro for your Tokyo trip? A Hong Kong editor who has lived in Japan for 8 years gives her stamp of approval, saying, “If I were to recommend a place to friends now, it would definitely be Kinshicho!” Here, we introduce the latest hidden gem accommodation area for 2025.

This article will thoroughly introduce why Kinshicho is recommended as a place to stay, how to enjoy the surrounding area, access to major sightseeing spots, and recommended hotels.

*By purchasing or reserving products introduced in this article, a portion of the sales may be returned to FUN! JAPAN.

🚅Book your Shinkansen ticket with NAVITIME Travel! 👉 Click here

😄Enjoy a more convenient trip to Japan with NAVITIME eSIM!👉Click here

Where is Kinshicho? Which ward is it in? What is there?

Kinshicho is located in the southern part of Sumida City, Tokyo, and is an area that has developed around Kinshicho Station. Two train lines, the JR Sobu Line and the Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line, run through Kinshicho Station, making three main routes to Tokyo’s major areas extremely convenient. The north exit side is filled with large commercial facilities directly connected to the station, where you can enjoy shopping and dining. There is also Kinshi Park near the station, which serves as a place of relaxation for local residents. The south exit side is a lively area with many restaurants, including izakaya and ramen shops. There is also an area with adult entertainment establishments, giving the neighborhood a unique atmosphere. Once you pass through these areas, you will find residential neighborhoods with a more relaxed vibe.

Related Articles

• A Thorough Guide to the 23 Wards of Tokyo with Maps! Popular Spots in Jonan, Joto, Josai, Johoku, and More

What kind of town is Kinshicho?

Kinshicho was once known as an entertainment district with concerns about public safety, and it was especially advised to be cautious when walking alone at night. However, in recent years, large-scale redevelopment has greatly changed the face of the town. While some areas on the south exit side retain their former characteristics, the area around the station has been developed into a bright and clean environment with commercial facilities and parks. It is a convenient area with all the facilities necessary for daily life, and is now attracting attention as a place to stay in Tokyo.

An Editor with 8 Years in Japan Explains! Two Reasons Why Kinshicho is a “Hidden Gem”

Although Kinshicho is still relatively unknown overseas, it is less crowded compared to Shinjuku, Ueno, and Ikebukuro, making it a recommended place for foreign tourists to stay. There are mainly two reasons for this.

Reason 1: Excellent access with multiple train lines available!

Kinshicho Station is served by two lines: the JR Sobu Line and the Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line, allowing you to use three different routes in practice. With the JR Chuo-Sobu Line, you can directly access major city center stations such as Tokyo Station and Shinjuku Station. Trains run frequently from early morning until midnight, making it a convenient base for sightseeing. The Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line provides direct access to popular areas such as Shibuya and Omotesando. Transfers to other subway lines are also smooth, making travel throughout Tokyo efficient.

Reason 2: Fully equipped with convenient facilities, yet less crowded

Around Kinshicho Station, you will find large commercial facilities, restaurants, convenience stores, and drugstores—everything travelers need. There are commercial facilities directly connected to the station, so you can enjoy shopping and dining comfortably even on rainy days. Kinshi Park is within walking distance, and the famous sightseeing spot Tokyo Skytree is also just a 15-minute walk away. In addition, there are many hotels within a 10-minute walk from the station.

You can freely choose to spend time around Kinshicho or take the train to various sightseeing spots throughout Tokyo, making it recommended for those who want to create a flexible itinerary.

Complete Guide to Transportation Access in Kinshicho

Kinshicho Station is a key transportation hub where both trains and buses are available, and is used by many people. With two railway lines and multiple bus routes, access to major areas of Tokyo and the airports is extremely convenient.

 JR Chuo-Sobu Line: Two Systems (Rapid and Local)

From the JR Sobu Line platform at Kinshicho Station, you can use two different systems: the "Rapid" and the "Local" trains. However, since these two go in completely different directions and to different stations, you need to be careful when using them.

JR Chuo-Sobu Line is a line that goes directly from Kinshicho to central and western areas of Tokyo (Tokyo Station, Akihabara, Shinjuku, Nakano area). You can transfer to the Yamanote Line at Akihabara Station and to the Rapid Chuo Line at Ochanomizu Station, and it also goes directly to Shinjuku Station.

JR Sobu Line Rapid goes directly to major hub stations such as Tokyo Station, Shimbashi, and Yokohama. At Tokyo Station and Shinjuku Station, you can transfer to major lines such as the JR Yamanote Line and JR Keihin-Tohoku Line, making access throughout Tokyo convenient.

Both lines operate frequently, about every 5 to 10 minutes, and run from around 5:00 a.m. to around midnight.

Tip💡: If you plan to use JR lines frequently, the "JR TOKYO Wide Pass" (15,000 yen) is recommended. You can ride unlimited on JR lines for three days, and it can be used for access from Narita Airport and Haneda Airport, travel within Tokyo, and even day trips to places like Mt. Fuji, Lake Kawaguchi, and Nikko.

Related Articles

• 8 Recommended Unlimited Ride Passes for Use from Central Tokyo to Popular Nearby Tourist Spots
• Complete Guide to Unlimited Ride Train Tickets in Tokyo! Which Free Passes Can Be Used for Two Days? Passes for Foreign Visitors Too
• How to Get from Tokyo to Mt. Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi! Train Transfers When Using the JR PASS

Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line

Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line is a subway line that goes directly from Kinshicho to central and popular western areas (Otemachi, Omotesando, Shibuya area). With trains running every 3 to 6 minutes and smooth transfers to other subway lines, you can efficiently get around by making full use of the subway network.

Tip💡: If you plan to use the subway frequently, the Tokyo Subway Ticket (from 800 yen) is convenient. You can ride all Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway lines freely, making it ideal for getting around Tokyo, including transferring to other subway lines using the Hanzomon Line.

Related Articles

• A Must-Have for Tokyo Sightseeing! Summary of Convenient and Economical Tokyo Metro Tickets

Access to Airports by Bus

While you can use the train to get from Narita Airport or Haneda Airport to Kinshicho Station, the bus with no transfers is recommended. From Narita Airport, there is a Limousine Bus that goes to hotels near Kinshicho Station (Tobu Hotel Levant Tokyo), with a fare of 3,100 yen and a travel time of about 105 minutes. Also, if you use the Limousine Bus from Haneda Airport to Kinshicho (Tobu Hotel Levant Tokyo), the fare is 1,200 yen and the travel time is about one hour.

Related Articles

• From Haneda Airport to Central Tokyo! Thorough Comparison of Train and Bus Transportation Methods and Fares
• Access from Narita Airport to Tokyo! Thorough Guide to Transportation Methods by Purpose and Area

Transportation: Popular Sightseeing Spots Within One Hour by Train from Kinshicho

Kinshicho is located close to the center of Tokyo, making access to major sightseeing spots extremely convenient. In the table below, you can check the travel times from Kinshicho to popular tourist destinations.

Travel Time from Kinshicho to Each Sightseeing Spot

*All times are approximate and may vary depending on the route used, transfers, and time of day.
*There is also a direct bus from Kinshicho to Tokyo Disney Resort. For details, click here.

The excellent location of Kinshicho is immediately apparent. Sightseeing spots on the east side (Tokyo Skytree, Asakusa, Ryogoku) can be reached within 10 minutes, and major central areas (Tokyo Station, Akihabara, Ueno) are accessible within 15 minutes. Popular areas on the west side (Shinjuku, Shibuya, Harajuku, etc.) can also be reached in about 30 minutes.

Furthermore, even popular tourist spots such as the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo – The Making of Harry Potter, as well as Tokyo Disney Resort and Yokohama located in the suburbs, can be reached within an hour. Access to airports is also excellent, with about 45 minutes to Haneda Airport and about 90 minutes to Narita Airport, making travel on arrival and departure days smooth.

Comparison of Travel Times: “Kinshicho VS Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, Ueno”

Let’s compare how convenient Kinshicho is in terms of access compared to other major accommodation areas. The table below compares the travel times from popular accommodation areas among foreign tourists to major sightseeing spots.

*All times are approximate and may vary depending on the route used and time of day.

You can reach major sightseeing spots in Tokyo such as Asakusa, Ginza, Harajuku, and Shibuya, which are must-visit places on a Tokyo trip, within 30 minutes. Compared to other popular accommodation areas such as Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, and Ueno, access is just as convenient. In particular, Tokyo Station, which serves as a hub for long-distance travel to other prefectures, can be reached from Kinshicho in just 8 minutes. Access from Kinshicho to airports is also outstanding. Whichever airport you use, access to Kinshicho is convenient.

Hint💡: If you reserve a hotel in Kinshicho, you can feel at ease no matter whether you end up using Narita or Haneda Airport. This makes it ideal for those who have plans such as concerts decided in advance and want to secure accommodation before purchasing airline tickets.

How to Enjoy the Kinshicho Area

Kinshicho not only offers excellent access to other areas, but the area around the station is also full of sightseeing spots, shopping facilities, and restaurants. On days when you are tired from traveling, you can also spend a relaxing time around Kinshicho.

Sightseeing Spots

There are popular sightseeing spots around Kinshicho that you can enjoy within walking distance. Since there are also indoor facilities, you can flexibly adjust your schedule even on rainy days or when you are tired from traveling.

• TOKYO SKYTREE®: About a 15-minute walk from the station. You can enjoy the spectacular view from the observation deck and shopping at Tokyo Skytree Town. It is accessible on foot, but it is also just one stop from Kinshicho on the Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line.
• Sumida Aquarium: Located together with Tokyo Skytree, this urban aquarium is popular for its exhibits of penguins and jellyfish.
• Kinshi Park: A spacious park just a 3-minute walk from the station, bustling with cherry blossom viewers during the sakura season.

Shopping Facilities

There are many large shopping facilities directly connected to or near Kinshicho Station. They are perfect for shopping between sightseeing or for picking up last-minute souvenirs on your final day.

• Kinshicho TERMINA: Directly connected to the station as a station building, it offers fashion, miscellaneous goods, and restaurants. You can enjoy shopping comfortably even on rainy days.
• ArcaKit Kinshicho: A large commercial facility just a 1-minute walk from the station, with fashion brands, cafes, restaurants, and a movie theater.
• OLINAS Kinshicho: A complex facility about a 5-minute walk from the station, offering not only shopping but also many restaurants and cafes, making it popular with families.
• Kinshicho PARCO: A facility with fashion and trendy items for young people, where you can check out the latest fashions.

Restaurant Areas

Kinshicho retains the atmosphere of an old downtown area, so there are many izakaya and ramen shops frequented by locals, allowing you to experience authentic Tokyo food culture. The price range is also reasonable, making it attractive for tourists to enjoy cost-effective meals. There are plenty of dining options available from breakfast until late at night, regardless of the time.

On the north side of the station, there are many cafes and restaurants where you can enjoy lunch, making it convenient for breaks between sightseeing. The south side of the station is a lively area with many izakaya, yakiniku restaurants, and ramen shops, making it perfect for dinner. In addition, there are also family restaurants such as Denny's and Saizeriya, and sushi chain restaurants such as Sushizanmai and Nemuro Hanamaru, offering affordable dining options.

Related Articles

• A Comprehensive Guide to 'Reservations', 'Orders', and 'Payments' at Restaurants in Japan!

Recommended Accommodation in Kinshicho

There are various types of hotels within a 5-minute walk of Kinshicho Station. You can choose according to your budget and purpose, from business hotels and budget hotels to mid-range hotels. Below are hotels popular with international tourists.

*The price range is an approximate rate per person for double occupancy (room only), and may vary depending on the season and plan.
*The Google rating is based on reviews displayed on Google Maps, as of November 2025.
*Please check the official website of each hotel for the latest availability and rates.

▶ Book your room on Jalan!

▶ Book your room on Expedia!

▶ Book your room on Hotel.com!

Kinshicho offers convenient access to major stations and areas via two train lines and three routes, and is an ideal base for accommodation with a wide variety of hotels, abundant sightseeing spots, and shopping facilities. Please consider relatively less-crowded Kinshicho for your next trip to Tokyo.