After several trips to Tokyo, we decided to stay in Shibuya, my favourite district in this megacity. It’s a very large district and, unfortunately, not that easy to navigate because of the many construction sites you have to circumvent that keep you from walking to where you want to go!
The Tokyu Stay Shibuya Shin-minamiguchi is an easy walk from the Shibuya JR Station minamiguchi (South entrance) gate. Shibuya Station is massive and complicated. You should get a good map of it before you arrive. It serves several train lines and underground lines and there are many gates on several levels. The Shin-minamiguchi side of the station has more office towers than shops. That’s o.k., though, as it is relatively quiet at night. You will feel very safe and surrounded with like-minded people if you find yourself walking back to the hotel late in the evening.
I could live at this hotel! The hotel rooms are about the largest you are going to find in Japan, much less Tokyo, without paying a small fortune. Our room had a kitchenette that included a small fridge, a microwave, one burner (a hob), a large basin (sink) and its own washing machine! There are pots and pans, plates and tea cups, electric kettle, etc. All you need for some light cooking, or at least warming up some takeaway food. Our room had plenty of closet space and drawers to put everything away. The...After several trips to Tokyo, we decided to stay in Shibuya, my favourite district in this megacity. It’s a very large district and, unfortunately, not that easy to navigate because of the many construction sites you have to circumvent that keep you from walking to where you want to go!
The Tokyu Stay Shibuya Shin-minamiguchi is an easy walk from the Shibuya JR Station minamiguchi (South entrance) gate. Shibuya Station is massive and complicated. You should get a good map of it before you arrive. It serves several train lines and underground lines and there are many gates on several levels. The Shin-minamiguchi side of the station has more office towers than shops. That’s o.k., though, as it is relatively quiet at night. You will feel very safe and surrounded with like-minded people if you find yourself walking back to the hotel late in the evening.
I could live at this hotel! The hotel rooms are about the largest you are going to find in Japan, much less Tokyo, without paying a small fortune. Our room had a kitchenette that included a small fridge, a microwave, one burner (a hob), a large basin (sink) and its own washing machine! There are pots and pans, plates and tea cups, electric kettle, etc. All you need for some light cooking, or at least warming up some takeaway food. Our room had plenty of closet space and drawers to put everything away. The flat screen TV was large (and gets CNN), the bed was comfortable. Best of all, we had our own balcony! It wasn’t large, but we could step out in the evening and look over the Shin-Minamiguchi side of Shibuya, see and hear the trains going by, see the office workers head home and get a sense of what it’s like (sort of) to live in Tokyo.
The hotel is close to a Family Mart. This will prove very useful if you stay awhile. The convenience store is open 24 hours, is spotless and sells a bit of everything at reasonable prices (particularly handy for well-priced beer and wine!).
The Tokyu Stay hotel lobby is functional and pleasant, the staff are professional and attentive. When we asked for assistance with the washing machine, they were very helpful. When you check in, you are given your breakfast vouchers that you use at the small café next door. Breakfast is served from 6:00 am and it’s primarily Japanese breakfast but there are a few things for Westerners, like scrambled eggs and toast.
Ironically, the hotel’s Shibuya location is sort of an issue, at times. As mentioned, the number of construction sites nearby makes navigating a bit tricky. If this isn’t your first trip to Tokyo, you may not find this a problem. Have good maps before you arrive!More
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