Why Stay in Shinjuku During Your Trip to Tokyo?

When it comes to choosing the best place to stay in Tokyo, Shinjuku shines with its shops and restaurants, verdant gardens, and exciting entertainment. For travelers looking to immerse themselves in the Tokyo experience, Shinjuku is a buzzing hub of local culture and nightlife, but finding the right place to return to and relax at the end of the day can be a challenge.

Travelers planning a Japan trip from late 2026, however, will have a new hotel option to keep an eye on: Tokyu Stay Shinjuku. The hotel is situated just east of JR Shinjuku Station in the Shinjuku-Sanchome area, close to Isetan Shinjuku department store and Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, and generally located in a convenient spot for shopping, dining, and nightlife. Tokyu Stay Shinjuku is also undergoing extensive renovations, and it’s scheduled to reopen on September 29, 2026. (Reservations are already open.) The hotel’s new design is inspired by its surroundings, taking cues from retro Shinjuku-Sanchome culture, to create a space that feels like a town square: where travelers, local culture, and the energy of the neighborhood can mingle.

Tokyu Stay Shinjuku (東急ステイ 新宿)
3-7-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo
Check-in/Check-out: 15:00 / 11:00
Access: 1 min from Shinjuku-sanchome Station Exit C3 (Toei Shinjuku Line/Tokyo Metro) | 8 min from Shinjuku Station East Exit (JR)
Official Website (en) | Instagram | Reservations

Shinjuku’s Most Convenient New Hotel: Tokyu Stay Shinjuku

Convenient Train Access in Central Tokyo

Even if your travel plans take you far from Shinjuku every single day, location is a clear strength at TOKYU STAY Shinjuku. The hotel is just a minute on foot from Shinjuku-Sanchome Station and an 8-minute walk from JR Shinjuku Station. That means easy access to the Yamanote Line (which runs a ring around Tokyo), all the other JR lines that pass through Shinjuku, and even the Marunouchi, Fukutoshin, and Shinjuku subway lines.

Put simply, Shinjuku is a major transit hub! For first-time visitors, the area is undeniably practical and well-connected. For repeat visitors, Shinjuku always has more to offer—a treasure trove of unsuspecting places to explore beyond the usual sightseeing spots.

Staying in Shinjuku-Sanchome

Shinjuku is known for its shopping, neon lights, and nightlife, and Tokyu Stay Shinjuku is certainly close to it all—an easy walk from the shopping malls around Shinjuku Station, the famous cluster of cramped watering holes called Golden Gai, as well as the famous food-and-drink-lined alley called Omoide Yokocho (or sometimes “Memory Lane”).

But Shinjuku-Sanchome, the neighborhood surrounding the hotel, has a slightly different feel thanks to its rich history. Sanchome has long been associated with film, theater, cafes, bars, art, photography, music, and “yose,” a traditional kind of Japanese variety show, making it one of Tokyo’s more bohemian cultural centers. Whatever vibe you’re looking for, the hotel’s convenient location makes it easy to find.

Tokyu Stay Shinjuku’s renovation has also taken inspiration from these local cultural layers. The hotel’s new concept has been named “Sankado Square,” and the space is being reimagined as a lively plaza on a Sanchome “Kado” (“corner” in Japanese). The second-floor lounge resembles a retro Shinjuku-Sanchome jazz club, with a collection of vinyl to choose from, free coffee and soft drinks, as well as popcorn, aperitivo, and even a menu of cocktails/mocktails inspired by records at the hotel. (In the morning, this is also where you’ll find the English-style breakfast buffet, complete with croque-monsieur.)

The lounge is positioned as a hub connecting guests with the surrounding community, and the hotel is currently looking into holding a range of events and workshops involving Shinjuku culture. The aim is to use it as a place to foster connections between guests and the local community through music, food, and local culture.

New Tokyo Hotel Rooms With Shinjuku Style

The new guest rooms at TOKYU STAY Shinjuku feature the use of distinctive colors and flexible layouts, based around a theme they call “Studio” in homage to Shinjuku’s many creative workspaces and performance halls, as well as film, yose, even cafes. The result is a series of rooms with fun, retro style—but also a quiet, relaxed atmosphere, welcoming you in from all the action outside. 

For travelers looking for practicality, one of the most useful updates is the increase in room size. After the renovations, the average room is expanding to around 25㎡, including rooms that can accommodate up to four guests—a welcome addition to central Tokyo’s hotel scene, where spacious rooms for families and other groups can be hard to find.

A Shinjuku Experience for Friends, Couples, Even Solo Travelers

Guest rooms are set to include double, triple, and four-person rooms, a practical array ranging from the compact Superior Queen to a more spacious 30㎡ Deluxe Twin, with enough space for three.

Those who want the full local experience, however, may want to stay in the 3-chome Collective TWIN—a 39㎡ concept room, where up to four guests can soak up some of Shinjuku’s old-fashioned nightlife culture, from theaters to bar-hopping, while enjoying conveniences like a kitchenette with a microwave, and even a washer-dryer.

Family-Friendly Hotel Rooms in Tokyo

The Signature Family room is the hotel’s most convenient option for families and groups, with 47㎡ for up to four guests, and plenty of space to open up big suitcases (or let little ones run wild). If you need a space that will let you prepare snacks, wash dirty laundry, and enjoy bath time without getting in everyone’s way, the Signature Family Room’s kitchen, laundry machine, and separate bath area can come in handy for families with kids or any group of friends!

A New Shinjuku Hotel for 2026 Tokyo Travel Itineraries

TOKYU STAY Shinjuku’s location has always made it a popular choice for travelers who want the convenience of Shinjuku, but with all the new updates in 2026, it’s due to become a favorite among those looking for a hotel with a little extra local character. The renovation is bringing bigger rooms to Shinjuku, with practical in-room amenities, and an all-over design inspired by the culture of Shinjuku-Sanchome—a good fit for families and other larger groups, as well as any repeat Tokyo visitors on a mission to discover Shinjuku’s best hidden gems, or anyone who values a balance of convenience and style. With its reopening set for September 29, 2026, TOKYU STAY Shinjuku is one to keep in mind for future Tokyo trip planning.

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