tokyo - need help
 

I have no idea which district I should stay in tokyo. Price isn't an issue as each district has a hostel or a ryokan but I'm bewildered on the size of tokyo.

Which would be the most central area to stay in that is close to hotels?

Shibuya - It's a couple train stations from Shinjuku and a few more for Ropponggi. It's pretty close to a lot other districts like Ginza, Harajuku, etc.

What a question ... it really depends on what kinda traveler you are.
Shopper -> Shinjuku / Shibuya
Cultural Tourist -> Any of the older rundown districts (Ueno etc)
Bling -> Ginza / near Tokyo Station

I stayed at Shinjuku twice, but now I realize that the next time I wanna stay at somewhere like Ueno or Asakusa ... somewhere authentically Tokyo that would feel different compared to other Japanese cities.

I stayed at the Sakura Hostel in Asakusa. The district is much more traditional and laid-back than Shibuya and Shinjuku, and has a magical charm to it when you're wandering around it early morning stumbling back from partying in the latter neighbourhoods. All in all I would recommend the hostel.

http://www.sakura-hostel.co.jp/

i stayed at westin tokyo (in the ebisu area) just last week.

its a really nice neighbourhood and only a stop away from shibuya. i went all over the place in tokyo, and i definitely found the location convenient.

i also stayed in ikebukuro before, its not so central, but its still a very lively area.

I wrote a guide on how to find a Ryokan in Japan. You should read it. And keep in mind that you don't necessarily want to stay in the area that you'll be spending your days at visiting. In Tokyo, those are generally the most expensive places to stay.

I've decided to sleep in a hostel. I'm only bringing 3 grand with me to asia... hopefully its enough for vietnam and I'm gone for 3 1/2 weeks :O

Be sure to share your Vietnam experiences here, I'll be going this fall :)

Shibuya is a very central location--major shopping district in Tokyo.

Shinjuku is another area you might want to consider--business/shopping district

Depending on where you stay and your familiarity with the train system in Tokyo, you can hit up a lot of other popular districts that are minutes away by using the the JR Yamanote Line.

definately go with Sakura Hostel, it's one of the best hostels i've stayed in.

I will.

Vietnam will be all hotels though, since its about 20 dollars a nice in a decent hotel.

if you wanna get laid, dont stay in hostels. there are some cheap hotels in shinjuku. just stay within the circle subway line (yamanote line). i made a mistake and stayed at minami-senju..which is like the ghetto of tokyo and u have to switch train to get to the main areas.

That's fine, I can't stand hostels anyway. Plus I get a nice discount at Starwood hotels through my sister in law (that includes Sheraton, Westin, W, etc) :)

i'm abstinant so I'm not really worried ;)

Question number two, I'm in vietnam for 3 weeks. Is 1500-3000 enough?

The ryokan that SkinnyPupp was at was actually rather nice. I wouldn't mind staying there myself even if it is a little out of the way. I remember the train to get there was a bitch and we couldn't find the damn place for awhile, mostly because the roads didn't make any sense.

I plan on going to Vietnam myself. In fact, I plan on doing the Top Gear motorcycle trip and I expect 4 grand, including a used bike and plane ticket should be enough. I think living there will be wicked cheap.

No one gets laid at home. THAT'S WHAT LOVE HOTELS ARE FOR.

How long are you going to be in Tokyo? I lived near Shibuya for three months and my rent was about $1100 a month. If you're going to be there for a month or more, definitely look into renting an actual apartment.

if you have never ridden a bike in your life you will die.

guaranteed. I had a hard time in greece and there are wayyyyyyyy less bikes on the road.

I'm in tokyo for 4 days.

It wasn't THAT far out of the way. Within walking distance of the Tokyo Dome! I just hated trekking up that hill every day in the hot, humid weather.

It was a really nice place, I will definitely go back. Maybe not in the summer though. And they even gave me a toenail clipper as a souvenir!