{"id":73299,"date":"2026-08-13T05:21:11","date_gmt":"2026-08-13T05:21:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/japan\/73299\/"},"modified":"2026-08-13T05:21:11","modified_gmt":"2026-08-13T05:21:11","slug":"best-neighbourhoods-to-stay-in-major-cities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/japan\/73299\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Neighbourhoods To Stay in Major Cities"},"content":{"rendered":"

One of the trickiest things about planning a holiday is narrowing down a neighbourhood to stay in \u2013 the last thing you want is to rock up to discover you\u2019re stuck in a dining and culture dead zone, forced to spend half your travel budget getting transport to somewhere worth spending time in.\t\u00a0<\/p>\n

Sometimes it pays to let someone else do the work for you. 1 Hotels<\/a> has a knack for setting up in some of the world\u2019s buzziest neighbourhoods.<\/p>\n

1 Hotel Melbourne<\/a> is the perfect example \u2013\u00a0and so are its other locations overseas. No matter where you\u2019re travelling you\u2019re guaranteed a good vibe \u2013 and access to superb shopping, dining, nightlife and culture \u2013 as soon as you step out the door.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s our guide to the best neighbourhoods to explore in Tokyo, London, Los Angeles, Toronto and Nashville.<\/p>\n

Akasaka, Tokyo\"Courtesy<\/p>\n

Courtesy of Unsplash\/ Jezael Melgoza<\/p>\n

Located just west of the Imperial Palace, Akasaka is one of Tokyo\u2019s sleeper hits \u2013 it\u2019s close to everything but feels noticeably less touristy than areas like Shinjuku or Ginza. Peaceful, sophisticated and quiet (at least by Tokyo standards), the area is defined by sleek corporate high-rises and upscale shopping malls towering over traditional Shinto shrines, Edo Castle ruins and serene gardens that transform with the seasons. There\u2019s no shortage of high-end omakase and fine-dining spots, including a couple of Michelin-starred restaurants, but it\u2019s equally worthwhile straying off the main streets to find the neighbourhood izakaya, kissatens and tiny sushi counters that locals frequent.<\/p>\n

Eat: Edomae Sushi Hanabusa<\/a>, Minami Akaneyama<\/a>, Akanezaka Onuma<\/a><\/p>\n

Visit: Hie Shrine<\/a>, 21_21 Design Sight<\/a>, The National Art Center Tokyo<\/a><\/p>\n

Stay: 1 Hotel Tokyo<\/a><\/p>\n

Mayfair, London\"Courtesy<\/p>\n

Courtesy of Unsplash\/ Igor Savelev<\/p>\n

Staying in Mayfair is not just about location, it\u2019s about the lifestyle offered by this polished quarter of central London. Here, quaint mews houses and heritage mansions sit alongside prestigious galleries, flagship boutiques, ritzy members\u2019 clubs and white-tablecloth restaurants, while stately landscaped gardens dotted across the neighbourhood make the rest of the city drop away. Head to The Lanes for low-key coffee shops and buzzy cocktail bars, settle in for a session at one of Shepherd Market\u2019s old-school Victorian pubs, or join the well-heeled creative set in Mount Street, where galleries like Phillips, Grimm and Lyndsey Ingram showcase the best of both established and emerging artists.<\/p>\n

Eat: Automat<\/a>, The Audley Public House<\/a>, The Windmill<\/a><\/p>\n

Visit: Royal Academy of Arts<\/a>, Mount Street Gardens<\/a>, The Handel & Hendrix Museum<\/a><\/p>\n

Stay: 1 Hotel Mayfair<\/a><\/p>\n

King West Village, Toronto\"Courtesy<\/p>\n

Courtesy of Unsplash\/ Marcin Skaliij<\/p>\n

Once an industrial neighbourhood, King West Village has evolved into one of Toronto\u2019s most interesting spots, boasting a high concentration of restaurants and bars, and the kind of nightlife that doesn\u2019t stop until the sun comes up. Its central location is one of its top selling points. Head to Queen Street West and you\u2019ll find indie boutiques, artist-run galleries and street-art emblazoned buildings, while the nearby Lake Ontario waterfront offers bike trails, parks and water views. From the waterfront there\u2019s easy access to the Toronto Islands, loved by locals for their beaches, green spaces and peaceful vibe. Accessible by water taxi or ferry, the islands are a relaxed getaway from the bustle of downtown.<\/p>\n

Eat: Campechano<\/a>, Sara<\/a>, Cafe Renee<\/a><\/p>\n

Visit: Art Gallery of Ontario<\/a>, St Lawrence Market<\/a>, Toronto Islands<\/a><\/p>\n

Stay: 1 Hotel Toronto<\/a><\/p>\n

Sunset Strip, West Hollywood\"Courtesy<\/p>\n

Courtesy of Unsplash\/ Jake Blucker<\/p>\n

You\u2019ve heard of it, right? Sunset Strip is one of Los Angeles\u2019 most iconic places, home to legendary music venues like Whisky a Go Go, The Roxy and The Viper Room, beloved indie bookstore Book Soup and the best comedy clubs on the West Coast, giving Chicago a run for its money. It\u2019s also one of the city\u2019s most queer-friendly areas, with the nearby Rainbow District offering everything from pulsing nightclubs to independent, queer-owned boutiques. While LA is famously a city where a car is a necessity, West Hollywood bucks that trend: at a compact 4.9 square kilometres, this is a walkable neighbourhood that puts shopping, dining, fitness studios and cutting-edge wellness spots \u2013 this is LA, after all \u2013 at your fingertips.<\/p>\n

Eat: Gracias Madre<\/a>, Jones<\/a>, Somni<\/a><\/p>\n

Visit: Live at Sun Rose<\/a>, Laugh Factory<\/a>, Mak Center for Art and Architecture<\/a><\/p>\n

Stay: 1 Hotel West Hollywood<\/a><\/p>\n

Sobro, Nashville\"Courtesy<\/p>\n

Courtesy of Unsplash\/ Ricky Beron<\/p>\n

In a city renowned for its lively music scene, it pays off to put yourself close to the action. Sobro \u2013 that\u2019s \u201cSouth of Broadway\u201d for the uninitiated \u2013 is in the historic heart of Nashville, where pre-Civil War-era architecture jostles against neon lights and a constant stream of foot traffic. The neighbourhood is home to cultural centres like the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, and the National Museum of African American Music, but the real drawcard is Nashville\u2019s main drag Broadway, where an eclectic mix of laid-back lounges, record stores, honky-tonks and hole-in-the-wall dive bars provide a 24-hour soundtrack to the city\u2019s vibrant life.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Eat: St Vito Focacceria<\/a>, The Catbird Seat<\/a>, Kosho<\/a><\/p>\n

Visit: The Blue Room<\/a>, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum<\/a>, National Museum of African American Music<\/a><\/p>\n

Stay: 1 Hotel Nashville<\/a><\/p>\n

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with 1 Hotel Melbourne.<\/p>\n

\"Produced<\/a><\/p>\n

Produced by Broadsheet in partnership with 1 Hotel.
Learn more<\/a> about partner content on Broadsheet.<\/p>\n