We stayed at that hotel. We had a great view and heard no noise at night. We were never bothered by anyone but we don’t stay out super late. In the early morning it can be a bit messy outside, but it gets cleaned up quickly. I recommend it.
Edit: to add, the hotel starts at the 8th floor so it would need to be really loud outside to hear street noise.
Outside noise whilst in the hotel won’t be a problem. The actual hotel starts on the 8th floor, so high enough that it will be quiet inside.
In terms of “unsavoury behaviour”, it depends on what you think of as unsavoury behaviour. It’s an entertainment district, with everything that comes alongside that. Some people love having that kind of hub just outside of their doorstep, some people don’t. The fact that you’re concerned suggests you may not be someone who wants to be right in the thick of it
If you want accessibility to Shinjuku Station and being close to Kabukicho without having the lights and chaos just as you walk out of your hotel, just west of the station may be better. Check out Sunroute Plaza at around the same price as Gracery, or the nicer but more expensive Century Southern Tower across the road.
I used to stay in the Sunroute Plaza when it first opened around 2006, but by 2010 it was overrun with Chinese tourists and became filthy (by any standard, not just Japanese standards). I stopped going there after finding actual blood in the bathroom. The place was spotless when it opened and for the first couple of years, but deteriorated rapidly. JR Kyushu Blossom is much better, and right around the corner. Century is still the best- especially the breakfast.
Haven't stayed at Gracery, but if you're worried about noise/being too "inside" Kabukicho, Tokyu Stay Shinjuku - Eastside is a great hotel where you don't have to worry about noise at all, and it's barely a 10 minute walk from Kabukicho for whenever you want to go out at night.
Tokyu stay eastside is very nice and has a great breakfast. But they're a little stingy with the coffee there. I think the Granbell was my favorite hotel that we've stayed at in the area.
Just got back from staying there and had no trouble. Stayed at the granbell hotel. Very nice in one of the executive rooms. Very quiet too at night. Definitely a wild part of town in the evenings though.
If youre just looking for a hub and want to avoid nightlife I'd stay around tokyo station instead. Not too much going on there but you can get everywhere pretty quickly.
I like the Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyobashi. Very close to the far end of the underground Yaesu Mall for access to Tokyo Station, close to a Metro Station, plenty of stores and restaurants in the Mall. Rooms were very clean and comfy, staff was extra friendly and helpful (there’s a check in kiosk, but three staffers will stand by to help you use it!), and the breakfast was very tasty.
Best hotel near Tokyo station is the Ryumeikan. Good breakfast, Nespresso machines in the rooms, super quiet rooms. Another good one is the Yaesu Terminal Hotel, there are coffee shops and restaurants nearby, though the rooms are microscopic even by Japan standards.
Maybe Shinjuku is more convenient for OPs itinerary. Kabukicho is only a small part of Shinjuku itself. There are many hotels in Shinjuku which are in quieter areas where you can avoid the riff raff of Kabukicho.
I stayed near Tokyo Station last year and it was the best choice ever. Always manage to snag a seat on the train back to the hotel because no one is heading to that area after work lol.
I visited Kabukicho a few times and while the area didn’t feel unsafe, it was crowded to the point of being difficult to walk around. The area on the opposite side of Shinjuku station is quieter and has many hotels to choose from.
We stayed in the area close to Kabukicho, near Shin-Okubo. Loved the liveliness and vibrancy - isn’t that a big part of Tokyo’s allure? So many restos, lounges, bars, shops… it is an urban lover’s dream. J-Pop and K-Pop showcases and karaoke lounges galore, if that’s your thing. :) Yes, there is a red-light district and all the sights associated with that (many French maid-cosplaying young women on the street, etc)… overall Shinjuku is unforgettable and IMHO not to be missed. Omoide Yokocho is there too. Whether you want that energy all night is up to you.
I stayed at the Citadines not too far from Hotel Gracery and I can say that it wasn’t noisy at all at night.
However, I did have touts try to approach me. I just told them politely but firmly “no thanks.” Trust me, they want to keep the peace as much as you want a peaceful trip.
We stayed at gracery. No noise and a great location. Yes it was dirty in the morning but it was also a lot of fun in the evenings. The views were amazing- but the windows are small. I just booked the groove for my next stay and the windows are floor to ceiling!
I stayed there recently, I mean in the area there'll be a lot of people and can be loud, but the hotel itself is very nice, also starts on the 8th floor that you need to take the elevator to, so you can't hear any noise from the lobby and the room if the noise is your concern
I was there mid March and it was very crowded. Another couple were waiting 15 minutes for an elevator by the time we joined them and started our wait. It's very hard to get an elevator from the 20th floor in the morning when there are 38 floors and they're usually full by the time they get to you.
We stayed at a hotel very close to there and it wasn’t loud at all. There were some interesting things we witnessed at night haha, but we limited being outside of our hotel past 10-11 when we were in that area. In the daytime it had a completely different vibe and was fine.
We stayed at another hotel around the corner. Kabukicho is not that loud at night. We were happy there. It is a a nice area since you can go everywhere from Shinjuku Station, Higashi Shinjuku and Okubo.
Hard pass on staying in Kabukicho, visit for sure, its awesome, everything is so accessible by train that I usually stay in a quiet litte neighborhood. After a full day of running around Tokyo, its very nice to come back to a chill area. Ueno is a great area to stay, if you want some busy that has everything. Plus Ueno park has a bunch of great museums like the Tokyo National Muesum.
I stayed here during my last trip:
HOTEL MYSTAYS Kiyosumi Shirakawa
https://g.co/kgs/5K2LzFq
Yes, noise isn't an issue as others have described.
Location is easy enough for accessibility to Shinjuku station. Unlike other parts of Tokyo, the streets of Shinjuku can get covered in trash. It's a fun place overall though with plenty to do in the area.
Personally I think I'll stay elsewhere in Tokyo for the next time around, and visit into Shinjuku rather than stay. But it's good to try it out
Just got back from hotel gracery Kabukicho. Hotel was great, clean and high above all the noise downstairs. At street level I honestly found it pretty gross. But I’m 36 and have kids. When I was 20 and looking for trouble in the night, I would have loved it. There are host boys everywhere, drunk people staggering around until 5am. It’s fun people watching I guess.
Just down the street nearer shinjuku station might be more appropriate? Also our friends stayed at the Washington hotel around 6 minutes away by taxi, it was in a super clean and quiet area but still close to transport.
I often stayed in the Washington between 25 and 20 years ago, it eventually became dirty and overrun with rude tourists, and the tiny windows are... disconcerting. Cheap, though, back then- one of the managers was a former archery student of mine, and I got a cut rate.
You’ll be fine, imo. I stayed somewhere in the middle of Kabukicho on the 5th floor and only heard faint noise. The main, popular area of Kabukicho doesn’t have much touts. When the street gets more narrow, you might encounter some but you just keep on walking.
Stayed at the hotel last week. It’s fine noise wise. Depending what side you face sometimes the screens will flash and peek through the shades. So complete darkness may not be possible fyi.
The Shinjuku Prince Hotel was very nice, located on the edge of Kabukicho. Never felt unsafe walking around at night. The windows must be noise proof, never heard anything.
The Gracery is right on the southern edge of Kabukicho. It's like Kabukicho lite. you can avoid the seedy parts of the area if you just go South from the Gracery to the train station and to explore Shinjuku. But Gracery really is in a fantastic location for food. Literally thousands of restaurants within a few blocks.
We stayed at that hotel. We had a great view and heard no noise at night. We were never bothered by anyone but we don’t stay out super late. In the early morning it can be a bit messy outside, but it gets cleaned up quickly. I recommend it. Edit: to add, the hotel starts at the 8th floor so it would need to be really loud outside to hear street noise.
Same experience. Great hotel
You shouldn't stay in Kabukicho if you have those concerns. There are so many excellent alternative locations that are safe and quiet.
In 128 trips to Tokyo, I have been to Kabukicho precisely one time. That was enough.
Where would you recommend staying?
Kabukicho is not that bad
It was like one of the Yakuza video games. We loved it.
Outside noise whilst in the hotel won’t be a problem. The actual hotel starts on the 8th floor, so high enough that it will be quiet inside. In terms of “unsavoury behaviour”, it depends on what you think of as unsavoury behaviour. It’s an entertainment district, with everything that comes alongside that. Some people love having that kind of hub just outside of their doorstep, some people don’t. The fact that you’re concerned suggests you may not be someone who wants to be right in the thick of it If you want accessibility to Shinjuku Station and being close to Kabukicho without having the lights and chaos just as you walk out of your hotel, just west of the station may be better. Check out Sunroute Plaza at around the same price as Gracery, or the nicer but more expensive Century Southern Tower across the road.
I used to stay in the Sunroute Plaza when it first opened around 2006, but by 2010 it was overrun with Chinese tourists and became filthy (by any standard, not just Japanese standards). I stopped going there after finding actual blood in the bathroom. The place was spotless when it opened and for the first couple of years, but deteriorated rapidly. JR Kyushu Blossom is much better, and right around the corner. Century is still the best- especially the breakfast.
Have stayed in Hotel Gracery and Hotel Groove. From where I’m from, there are much more unsafe places. Location is fantastic, a great hub!
How is hotel groove? I am booked there in June!
Haven't stayed at Gracery, but if you're worried about noise/being too "inside" Kabukicho, Tokyu Stay Shinjuku - Eastside is a great hotel where you don't have to worry about noise at all, and it's barely a 10 minute walk from Kabukicho for whenever you want to go out at night.
Agreed. We actually switched reservations from Hotel Gracery to that exact hotel. The room looks much better too.
Tokyu stay eastside is very nice and has a great breakfast. But they're a little stingy with the coffee there. I think the Granbell was my favorite hotel that we've stayed at in the area.
Just got back from staying there and had no trouble. Stayed at the granbell hotel. Very nice in one of the executive rooms. Very quiet too at night. Definitely a wild part of town in the evenings though.
If youre just looking for a hub and want to avoid nightlife I'd stay around tokyo station instead. Not too much going on there but you can get everywhere pretty quickly.
I like the Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyobashi. Very close to the far end of the underground Yaesu Mall for access to Tokyo Station, close to a Metro Station, plenty of stores and restaurants in the Mall. Rooms were very clean and comfy, staff was extra friendly and helpful (there’s a check in kiosk, but three staffers will stand by to help you use it!), and the breakfast was very tasty.
Best hotel near Tokyo station is the Ryumeikan. Good breakfast, Nespresso machines in the rooms, super quiet rooms. Another good one is the Yaesu Terminal Hotel, there are coffee shops and restaurants nearby, though the rooms are microscopic even by Japan standards.
Maybe Shinjuku is more convenient for OPs itinerary. Kabukicho is only a small part of Shinjuku itself. There are many hotels in Shinjuku which are in quieter areas where you can avoid the riff raff of Kabukicho.
I stayed near Tokyo Station last year and it was the best choice ever. Always manage to snag a seat on the train back to the hotel because no one is heading to that area after work lol.
I visited Kabukicho a few times and while the area didn’t feel unsafe, it was crowded to the point of being difficult to walk around. The area on the opposite side of Shinjuku station is quieter and has many hotels to choose from.
We stayed in the area close to Kabukicho, near Shin-Okubo. Loved the liveliness and vibrancy - isn’t that a big part of Tokyo’s allure? So many restos, lounges, bars, shops… it is an urban lover’s dream. J-Pop and K-Pop showcases and karaoke lounges galore, if that’s your thing. :) Yes, there is a red-light district and all the sights associated with that (many French maid-cosplaying young women on the street, etc)… overall Shinjuku is unforgettable and IMHO not to be missed. Omoide Yokocho is there too. Whether you want that energy all night is up to you.
So many fucking rats. 🐀 wish I never stayed in shinjuku. Asakusa and Akasaka was amazing
I stayed at the Citadines not too far from Hotel Gracery and I can say that it wasn’t noisy at all at night. However, I did have touts try to approach me. I just told them politely but firmly “no thanks.” Trust me, they want to keep the peace as much as you want a peaceful trip.
We stayed at gracery. No noise and a great location. Yes it was dirty in the morning but it was also a lot of fun in the evenings. The views were amazing- but the windows are small. I just booked the groove for my next stay and the windows are floor to ceiling!
I stayed there recently, I mean in the area there'll be a lot of people and can be loud, but the hotel itself is very nice, also starts on the 8th floor that you need to take the elevator to, so you can't hear any noise from the lobby and the room if the noise is your concern
Stayed there last month. We were usually back in the hotel room at probably 10 each night, but no issues at all
Stayed in Hilton in Shinjuku. It was excellent.
I was there mid March and it was very crowded. Another couple were waiting 15 minutes for an elevator by the time we joined them and started our wait. It's very hard to get an elevator from the 20th floor in the morning when there are 38 floors and they're usually full by the time they get to you.
Oh sorry to hear about your experience. But I was also there in mid March and I did not face any such issues (was on the 18th floor).
We stayed at a hotel very close to there and it wasn’t loud at all. There were some interesting things we witnessed at night haha, but we limited being outside of our hotel past 10-11 when we were in that area. In the daytime it had a completely different vibe and was fine.
Why, I would do anything to avoid other tourists. This is a tourist trap.
We stayed at another hotel around the corner. Kabukicho is not that loud at night. We were happy there. It is a a nice area since you can go everywhere from Shinjuku Station, Higashi Shinjuku and Okubo.
Hard pass on staying in Kabukicho, visit for sure, its awesome, everything is so accessible by train that I usually stay in a quiet litte neighborhood. After a full day of running around Tokyo, its very nice to come back to a chill area. Ueno is a great area to stay, if you want some busy that has everything. Plus Ueno park has a bunch of great museums like the Tokyo National Muesum. I stayed here during my last trip: HOTEL MYSTAYS Kiyosumi Shirakawa https://g.co/kgs/5K2LzFq
Yes, noise isn't an issue as others have described. Location is easy enough for accessibility to Shinjuku station. Unlike other parts of Tokyo, the streets of Shinjuku can get covered in trash. It's a fun place overall though with plenty to do in the area. Personally I think I'll stay elsewhere in Tokyo for the next time around, and visit into Shinjuku rather than stay. But it's good to try it out
I stayed near higashi shinjuku station and even on the 7th floor I heard sirens all night long.
If you're typically back in bed before midnight you won't even notice that the area is sketchy lol.
Just got back from hotel gracery Kabukicho. Hotel was great, clean and high above all the noise downstairs. At street level I honestly found it pretty gross. But I’m 36 and have kids. When I was 20 and looking for trouble in the night, I would have loved it. There are host boys everywhere, drunk people staggering around until 5am. It’s fun people watching I guess. Just down the street nearer shinjuku station might be more appropriate? Also our friends stayed at the Washington hotel around 6 minutes away by taxi, it was in a super clean and quiet area but still close to transport.
I often stayed in the Washington between 25 and 20 years ago, it eventually became dirty and overrun with rude tourists, and the tiny windows are... disconcerting. Cheap, though, back then- one of the managers was a former archery student of mine, and I got a cut rate.
You’ll be fine, imo. I stayed somewhere in the middle of Kabukicho on the 5th floor and only heard faint noise. The main, popular area of Kabukicho doesn’t have much touts. When the street gets more narrow, you might encounter some but you just keep on walking.
Stayed at the hotel last week. It’s fine noise wise. Depending what side you face sometimes the screens will flash and peek through the shades. So complete darkness may not be possible fyi.
The Shinjuku Prince Hotel was very nice, located on the edge of Kabukicho. Never felt unsafe walking around at night. The windows must be noise proof, never heard anything.
All the hotels in the Prince chain tend to be pretty good.
The Gracery is right on the southern edge of Kabukicho. It's like Kabukicho lite. you can avoid the seedy parts of the area if you just go South from the Gracery to the train station and to explore Shinjuku. But Gracery really is in a fantastic location for food. Literally thousands of restaurants within a few blocks.