Choosing a good hotel near Tokyo’s Shinjuku station can be challenging if you’ve never been there before. So to help you get started, I show and describe the neighborhood, and some of the best hotels within, based on how close they are to the station, value for money and overall quality.
About the Shinjuku Station Area
Shinjuku Station is located in the center of Shinjuku ward, a vibrant entertainment and business district in the heart of Tokyo. It’s the busiest railway station in the world, with around 3.6 million passengers passing through every day. You can catch local commuter trains and the subway from here, as well as long distance bullet trains to other parts of Japan.
Because Shinjuku Station is so huge, navigating your way around can be difficult, so it’s a good idea to give yourself extra time when arriving or transferring between trains.
There are more than 200 exits across multiple levels, but of course, you don’t have to memorize them all. To keep things simple, just keep in mind the four main access points: the West Gate, the East Gate, the South Gate, and the New South Gate.
The West Gate leads into the business district of Nishi-Shinjuku. Some of the tallest skyscrapers in Tokyo are here, including the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, which has a free observation deck with panoramic views of the city.
The East Gate is the closest access point for the red light district of Kabukicho, with its high concentration of bars, nightclubs, and adult entertainment venues. Walk a few blocks further east and you’ll arrive in the narrow alleyways of Golden Gai, home to more than 200 tiny shanty style bars and restaurants. And just a few streets to the south is Shinjuku Ni-chome, Tokyo’s LGBTQ area.
The South Gate is most convenient for accessing the Shinjuku Southern Terrace, a large pedestrianized shopping area with open-air cafés and restaurants.
Finally, the close by New South Gate is the quickest way to access the Shinjuku Bus Terminal, where many long-distance busses leave and enter the city.
Important: Shinjuku ward is large, spanning, over 7 square miles. So, not every hotel in Shinjuku is considered close to Shinjuku station. However, the hotels I’ve listed below are all within a 15 minute walk, making it easy to get in and get out.
The Best Luxury Hotels
These 4 hotels are some of the best options to consider when you’re looking for a luxury experience near Shinjuku Station. Their starting rates range from 45,200 JPY (~$288) to 89, 500 JPY (~$564) per night.
Kimpton Shinjuku Tokyo
The Kimpton is located in the skyscraper district of Nishi-Shinjuku, around a 7 minute walk from Shinjuku Station. This New York inspired hotel is pretty tall, and views from the upper floors are quite good.
Its restaurant offers an impressive breakfast with table service (no buffet) , featuring a variety of Japanese and Western options. In the evenings, from 17:00 to 18:00, you can have free drinks and canapés at the rooftop bar. If you’re traveling solo or want to make new friends, this is a great opportunity to meet other guests.
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Keio Plaza Hotel
The Keio Plaza is located across the street from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. It’s just a 5-minute walk from Shinjuku Station’s West Gate via a tunnel that connects to the back of the hotel.
The spacious rooms are split across two interconnected towers, with shared access to a fitness center, outdoor swimming pool (summer only), and multiple in-house bars and restaurants.
This hotel is a also good choice for Disney enthusiasts, as you can skip the crowds on the subway and catch the free shuttle to and from Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea.
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Bellustar Tokyo
Bellustar is located on the top 9 floors of the newly opened Kabukicho Tower skyscraper. The rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows, so, if you’re looking for picturesque panoramas of Tokyo, you can’t go wrong here.
Before heading out for the day, you can enjoy a tasty Japanese or Western-style breakfast in the restaurant on the 45th floor. Or, have room service deliver breakfast in bed, free of charge.
In the evening, there’s the rooftop bar to sample some of Japan’s finest craft whiskies and saké while taking in one of the city’s best sunset views.
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Hilton Tokyo
The Hilton is a 10 minute stroll from Shinjuku Station’s West Gate. If you don’t feel like walking, there’s also a free hotel shuttle service running every 20 minutes.
This is a Nishi-Shinjuku skyscraper hotel, so rooms on the higher floors have sweeping panoramas across Tokyo. On a clear day, you can even take in views of Mount Fuji from your bed.
When you’re not out sightseeing, you can relax in the spa and onsen, swim some lengths in the indoor pool, or play a game of tennis on the rooftop courts.
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The Best Mid-Range Hotels
These 4 hotels have an excellent balance between value for money and modern comforts. Their starting rates range from 20,950 JPY (~$132) to 33,900 JPY (~$216) per night
Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku
This 3-star hotel is located on a quiet street around 5 minutes on foot from Shinjuku Station’s South Gate.
The rooms are basic but spotlessly clean, with comfy beds and pillows, Smart TVs, and a kettle to make hot drinks (just ask reception for coffee and tea refills).
If the breakfast buffet isn’t included in your room rate, it’s worth paying extra. There’s an impressive selection of tasty Japanese and Western options to fuel you up for a long day of sightseeing.
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Hotel Gracery Shinjuku
Gracery is in the heart of the Kabuchiko party district, around a 5 minute walk from Shinjuku Station’s East Gate. Finding this place is easy; the famous Shinjuku Godzilla Head is perched right on top of the hotel terrace.
There are coin operated laundry machines in the lobby, a helpful concierge, and a convenient 24-hour 7-Eleven downstairs (handy for a midnight snack!) There are also countless late-night restaurants just moments from the hotel entrance.
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Kadoya Hotel
The Kadoya Hotel is in the Nishi-Shinjuku business district, less than a 5 minute walk from the train station’s West Gate. This is a quieter area during the evening, but it’s just a short stroll from the excitement of Kabuchiko and Golden Gai.
The rooms are decent size for Tokyo, and each one comes with an electric kettle and a small fridge.
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Tokyu Stay Shinjuku
Tokyu Stay is in the LGBTQ area of Shinjuku Ni-chome, a 10 minute walk from Shinjuku Station.
The rooms are modern, comfortable, and clean, and if you stay on the 8th floor or above you’ll have impressive views over the city.
This is one of the few hotels in Tokyo where you can do laundry in your room, as each unit comes with an all-in-one washer/drier.
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The Best Budget Hotels
These 4 places are easy on your wallet, while still providing good comfort and cleanliness. Their starting rates range from 11,648 JPY (~$73) to 17,230 (~$108) per night.
Keio Presso Inn Shinjuku
Keio Presso is a cosy budget hotel in the Nishi-Shinjuku skyscraper area, less than a 10 minute walk from Shinjuku Station’s West Gate.
Like most budget hotels in Tokyo, the rooms are pretty small, but they’re clean and comfortable, and come with AC, a refrigerator, an electric kettle, and a TV. There’s also a free basic breakfast included in the price, or you can grab something more substantial from the Lawson convenience store on the basement level.
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Hotel Rose Garden Shinjuku
Hotel Rose Garden is next door to the Nishi-Shinjuku metro station, just a 10-minute walk from Shinjuku Station via an underground tunnel.
The rooms are on the smaller side, but if you want a little more space there’s a welcoming communal area downstairs where you can relax, work, or mingle with other guests.
You’re only a short stroll from many great restaurants and bars here, but the Japanese and Western style breakfast, with made-to-order omelet station, is worth staying in for.
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Imano Tokyo Hostel
Imano is a backpacker-style hostel tucked away on a quiet side street in the vibrant Kabukicho party district, ensuring proximity to the action without compromising your sleep.
There are male and female dorms with privacy curtains and reading lights, or you can pay extra for a private room.
The whole place is consistently clean (a pleasant surprise for a backpacker’s hostel!) and the staff are super friendly. If you’re looking to meet other travelers, don’t miss the happy hour at the hostel bar from 4pm to 7pm.
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APA Hotel Shinjuku Kabukicho Chuo
This APA hotel is right in the heart of the lively red light district, around 10 minutes on foot from Shinjuku Station.
The small rooms are cleverly designed with under-bed storage for luggage, making the space feel less cramped. There’s also a TV (with Netflix!) and a desk for working, plus a fridge for drinks and snacks.
The breakfast buffet is worth a try; there are fewer Western options but some delicious Japanese and Indian dishes to fuel you up for the day.
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Conclusion
As you can see, there are plenty of good hotels to suit all budgets within a short walk of Shinjuku Station.
The most popular places to stay around the station include the business district of Nishi-Shinjuku with its towering skyscrapers and epic city views. Another favorite is the red light district/all-night party zone of Kabukicho, where you can enjoy some of Tokyo’s most exciting and vibrant nightlife.
These areas have good accommodation options to suit all budgets, from basic hostel dorm beds to 5-star luxury hotel rooms.
Hopefully, this guide will help you find the best place to stay in Shinjuku within walking distance of the station. Happy exploring! 😊