Shinjuku is a great place to stay if you've never visited Tokyo before. It's well-connected to public transport, as well as Narita Airport (catch the Narita Express). Not only is Shinjuku a transport hub – it also boasts a collection of restaurant-packed alleyways, buzzing nightlife, and parks that are especially beautiful in spring.

Luxury Ginza, though pricey, is a great place to stay. It's known as Japan's main luxury shopping district with an abundance of galleries, bars and upmarket department stores found here. Ginza was the first neighbourhood in Tokyo to modernise, so it maintains a distinct Japanese vibe without the crowds you experience in Shinjuku. Only one stop away from Tokyo Station, Ginza is a convenient place to base yourself for regional travel.

Akihabara is a quirky neighbourhood with many great budget accommodation options. Though it's a relatively plain district, with little dining and nightlife, it's a world-renowned hot-spot for electronics. Akihabara also has fantastic connections to public transport, with JR Akihabara situated on the Yamanote Line.

Roppongi is a hub for international nightlife, shopping, dining, and entertainment. It's an area with a real air of sophistication. Bars, restaurants, galleries, and picturesque parks are in abundance here. While Roppongi is a great place to stay, it can get very noisy at night. It's also not on the Yamanote Line, posing a problem for those seeking direct connections to Tokyo hot-spots.

Ueno, the cultural heart of Tokyo, is a great place to stay if you're interested in history and the arts. The area has the city's greatest concentration of museums and vintage wooden structures. There are more than 100 temples in Ueno, as well as traditional Ryokan and an impressive neighbourhood park – not to mention links to other parts of the city and great airport access.

Stay in Shibuya to experience modern Tokyo. It's full to the brim with upmarket shops and restaurants, is home to the buzzing Shibuya Crossing, and also has great transit links. The epitome of what you picture in your mind when you think about Tokyo, Shibuya is the perfect place for those who love the hustle and bustle of cities.

Asakusa is an area isolated from other parts of Tokyo, with other wards fairly long train rides away. This district has experienced very little of the development seen in other parts of Tokyo, so it maintains a real old-city atmosphere. It's a great place to stay if you're interested in ancient temples and craft shops, with the area retaining a lot of history and old Edo spirit.