If you’re looking for the best AirBnB in Shinjuku, this probably isn’t it, but the location is fantastic in a quiet neighbourhood and 5-10 minute walk to the best shopping in Shinjuku and Shinjuku Station. Read on for the dull review or just have a look at it now – link here.
First up, the rates are between HKD$500 and $1000 depending on the time you’re going. If you’re really looking for the AirBnB in Shinjuku then you’re going to be paying a lot more than this, but for this rate, you pretty much get what you pay for. I stayed here during Easter after doing some skiing in Kiroro so the rate was around HKD$1200 a night including service and cleaning fees. Communication with the host was excellent, Masahiro replied to any questions within a few hours, usually less, and provides a very comprehensive guide to Tokyo and in particular Shinjuku, ideal for first time visitors. I’ve been to Tokyo about a dozen times so admittedly didn’t even look at it, but at a glance it seemed helpful.
It Took 5 minutes to get in, it should mention the code is for the keybox, not the lockpad, perhaps I’m stupid. Anyway all good to get in once I figured out the code wasn’t for the gate but for the lock box to get the key. You get the key, walk to the entrance, stick one of the keys and the door opens. There’s a lift so if you have big suitcases as I did, this helps a lot. There’s quite a few reviews of this Airbnb in Shinjuku that mention a smell, and you can smell something, that musty smell, but after a minute when you’re inside it doesn’t really bother you and you don’t notice it.
Some quick thoughts:
– The sink is half blocked, the water does go down, but very slowly
– The bathroom is so small the toilet is not straight (see photo!)
– The shower is tiny but the water pressure is actually very good and if you can fit in the shower, which is a deep tub, it’s actually a good shower despite the size
– The towels absolutely reeked, like hadn’t been washed, it was so bad I had to go buy a new one
– There are some missing parts of the blind, don’t think people can see in, but it just adds to the apartments overall shabbyness
– It was a little bit windy the first night, there’s something knocking against the window or something knocking outside
– I got bitten by something, I presume based on the state of the towel, it’s bed bugs
If it wasn’t for these, this apartment /AirBnbwould be alright, definitely not the best Airbnb in Shinjuku but not the worst. I mean it’s small but this is Tokyo and for the price, well if it was for the advertised price of HKD$500 per night, it’d be ok, but not for $1200 per night I paid during Easter. It’s got a microwave, little griller, jug, washing machine, but where you would hang clothes I have no idea. There is no room at all to put anything else other than a toothbrush on the sink, and no counter.
Spot the pubic hair!
The bed is about a single size, if you’re a big westerner, or actually probably even medium height/size, you’re probably going to find it a bit small but it’s comfortable and ok. There’s a washing machine, little kitchen, sofa, and wifi, which I didn’t really use, but it’s portable so you can take it out although you apparently only get 500MB per day. Without a doubt the best things about this Airbnb is the location.
It’s situated in a quiet part of Shinjuku but only 5-10 minutes walk from the main shopping and eating areas of Shinjuku, and about 10 minutes walk to the main Shinjuku station. There’s a bunch of nice little restaurants very nearby, including a Thai and some Japanese restaurants within 100m of the apartment. When you leave, it’s a few minutes to the main road to get a taxi or as mentioned about 10 minutes to Shinjuku Station where you can get trains to either Haneda or Narita Airports.
Overall I probably wouldn’t stay here again. Can hear upstairs running and pit patting all over the place, as well as whenever they have a shower very clearly. If you’re prone to loud shagging, you’re probably going to wake up the neigbourhood. The sound proofing isn’t that great, you can hear outside and everything going on including birds at 5a,m in the morning, rubbish trucks, people and the like. It’s not bas enough to keep you from getting a good nights sleep, but not the best.
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