Best neighborhoods in Tokyo

A busy business and shopping area of Tokyo. It is also known for its popular after-work izakaya, including the yakitori restaurant where Mark has dinner.

"A busy business and shopping area of Tokyo. It is also known for its popular after-work izakaya, inc"

The center of Japan's kawaii fashion culture, with a young, colorful vibe and crepe shops everywhere. It is also the start of a shopping route past La Foret, Tokyo Plaza and Cat Street.

"The center of Japan's kawaii fashion culture, with a young, colorful vibe and crepe shops everywhere"

Home to the world's busiest station, with skyscrapers on the west side and shopping and entertainment on the east. It is a good base for getting anywhere in Tokyo.

"Home to the world's busiest station, with skyscrapers on the west side and shopping and entertainmen"

Otaku paradise, packed with comic stores, video games, card games, electronics, cosplay and figurines. Some shops sell adult goods, so be aware with kids.

"Otaku paradise, packed with comic stores, video games, card games, electronics, cosplay and figurine"

One of Tokyo's central business districts. Mark has a lunch of fresh sashimi and chicken soup at a traditional, old-school restaurant down a small alley here.

"One of Tokyo's central business districts. Mark has a lunch of fresh sashimi and chicken soup at a t"

The place to soak up Japanese culture on Tokyo's east side. It is touristy, so the host suggests exploring the smaller streets and visiting on a Tuesday to avoid crowds.

"The place to soak up Japanese culture on Tokyo's east side. It is touristy, so the host suggests exp"

Shinjuku's red-light district north of the east exit, with neon lights, hostess bars and love hotels. It is fun to see but needs caution around the clubs.

"Shinjuku's red-light district north of the east exit, with neon lights, hostess bars and love hotels"

A bay-side area with giant shopping centers like DiverCity, Aqua City and Palette Town. It is less busy than other parts of Tokyo and good for families, with free shuttles and a monorail.

"A bay-side area with giant shopping centers like DiverCity, Aqua City and Palette Town. It is less b"

Tokyo's Koreatown, good for Korean cosmetics and K-pop goods. Avoid weekends, when it is very crowded.

"Tokyo's Koreatown, good for Korean cosmetics and K-pop goods. Avoid weekends, when it is very crowde"

A trendy neighborhood near Shibuya, suggested as a nearby area to explore.

"A trendy neighborhood near Shibuya, suggested as a nearby area to explore."

One of Tokyo's most foreign-friendly neighborhoods, known for luxury shopping at Roppongi Hills and Tokyo Midtown, nightlife and art museums.

"One of Tokyo's most foreign-friendly neighborhoods, known for luxury shopping at Roppongi Hills and "

A laid-back, funky hipster neighborhood with vintage clothing shops everywhere and cozy cafes in the back streets.

"A laid-back, funky hipster neighborhood with vintage clothing shops everywhere and cozy cafes in the"

Yokohama's shiny waterfront district with a futuristic skyline on the bay.

"Yokohama's shiny waterfront district with a futuristic skyline on the bay."

Japan's largest Chinatown, with over 600 restaurants, buns and dumplings. It is a great night photography spot.

"Japan's largest Chinatown, with over 600 restaurants, buns and dumplings. It is a great night photog"

A stylish, trendy neighborhood that was once a geisha district. Stone-paved lanes and quiet alleyways remain, and it is a good spot for street food.

"A stylish, trendy neighborhood that was once a geisha district. Stone-paved lanes and quiet alleyway"

One of the busiest districts on the Yamanote Line, with big department stores like Tobu and Seibu, great ramen and a reputation as an anime hub.

"One of the busiest districts on the Yamanote Line, with big department stores like Tobu and Seibu, g"

Known for its cherry blossom tunnel along the Meguro River, plus trendy bars, restaurants, accessory shops and high-end vintage stores.

"Known for its cherry blossom tunnel along the Meguro River, plus trendy bars, restaurants, accessory"

One of Tokyo's most desirable places to live, with lots of restaurants, shopping streets and street food. It feels like a more down-to-earth second Shibuya.

"One of Tokyo's most desirable places to live, with lots of restaurants, shopping streets and street "

A chaotic, smoky business district that is one of Tokyo's best spots for night photography, with the Yamanote line roaring overhead and standing bars full of office workers.

"A chaotic, smoky business district that is one of Tokyo's best spots for night photography, with the"

A gritty, neon-lit Shibuya district full of love hotels and nightlife. It is a top night photography spot with a Blade Runner atmosphere.

"A gritty, neon-lit Shibuya district full of love hotels and nightlife. It is a top night photography"

A district that grew up around the local beer factory and is named after the Yebisu brand.

"A district that grew up around the local beer factory and is named after the Yebisu brand."

Tokyo's book district, with around 150 bookshops, many specialising in rare and out-of-print works.

"Tokyo's book district, with around 150 bookshops, many specialising in rare and out-of-print works."

A time-capsule town far from central Tokyo that escaped wartime damage and keeps many well-preserved traditional buildings. It is famous as the setting of the Tora-san film series.

"A time-capsule town far from central Tokyo that escaped wartime damage and keeps many well-preserved"

Yanaka survived both the Great Kanto Earthquake and WWII bombings, so it keeps much of its old-world charm. Traditional buildings sit between modern ones.

"Yanaka survived both the Great Kanto Earthquake and WWII bombings, so it keeps much of its old-world"

A neighbourhood known for its museums and parks, suggested as an alternative area to explore.

"A neighbourhood known for its museums and parks, suggested as an alternative area to explore."