The district of Shinjuku, Tokyo is known to be one of Japan`s most famous entertainment and business districts. From, tourists’ attractions such as the exciting entertainment/red-light district Kabukicho to the business area with a large amount of high-rise office buildings, Shinjuku is one of, if not the best places to live in Tokyo. This article will showcase some of the popular Serviced Apartments in the Shinjuku Area.
The benefits of staying in a Serviced Apartment
If you are a foreigner coming to Tokyo on a long-term basis, finding an accommodation that suits your needs is probably one of the first concerns that will cross your mind. The easiest and most common method is to book a hotel room, which tends to be often costly. Other housing options are through Japanese housing agencies which often is a tedious process for foreigners as these contracts often required a guarantor which needs to be a Japanese citizen and the accommodation tends to not have furniture inside. Therefore, we propose the usage of Serviced Apartments which are often of a lower price than hotels with a relatively stress-free moving in process. The benefits of staying in a Serviced Apartment is summarized below;
- Equipped fully with furniture and daily electronic devices.
- No upfront cost of renting (Most Real Estate Agencies tend to charge initial costs before moving into an apartment).
- Often provide concierge services like hotels.
- Routine housekeeping services.
- All-inclusive rent (Utility and internet fees are all included in the rent)]
- A Guarantor or a Rental Guarantor is not required.
The lower costs of serviced apartments and the convenience it provides long term travelers is the smart and convenient way to live in Tokyo.
Characteristic of the Shinjuku Area
Transportation Hub
Shinjuku station was designated by the Guinness World Records as the Busiest Station in the world in 2011 with an average of 3.64 million passengers per day. The station provides rapid transfer to key areas in and around Tokyo consisting of 20 tracks and 12 train links. In addition, Busuta Shinjuku was recently constructed which offers an alternative solution to make your way around Tokyo or even the rest of Japan via bus services.
Busta Shinjuku
Website: http://shinjuku-busterminal.co.jp/en/
Address: 5 Chome-2-4 55, Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 151-0051
How to get here?
- A 1-minute walk from Shinjuku Station (JR Line), South Exit
- A 5-minute walk from Shinjuku Station (Toei Oedo Line New Line & Keio New Line), Exit 3 & Exit 5
- A 10-minute walk from Shinjuku Station (Marunouchi Line), Exit A12/A14
- A 1-minute walk from Shinjuku Station (Odakyu Line), South Exit
- A 10-minute walk from Shinjuku Station (Keio Line)
East for Entertainment, West for Business
Apart from being a transport hub, Shinjuku is also known for being one of the most famous entertainment and business districts in Japan. The two distinctive traits are often thought to be separated depending on the cardinal direction of Shinjuku station with Eash Shinjuku focusing more on Entertainment, while West Shinjuku being centered around business.
The Entertainment district of Shinjuku
The East Exit of Shinjuku station is a gateway to all your wildest fantasies. This area has one of the best shopping scenes in Tokyo with large scale departmental stores such as Shinjuku Marui Honkan and Lumine Est. Although not friendly towards children, East Shinjuku is also famous for the neon lights filled Kabukicho which is a red-light district filled with host and hostess bars and all kinds of restaurants and Izakaya (Japanese Bar`s).
Marui Shinjuku Main Building
Website: https://www.0101.co.jp/003/index.html
Address: 3 Chome-30-13 Shinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0022
Operating hours: Weekdays: 11:00~22:00, Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays: 10:30-~21:30
How to get here?
- A 1-minute walk from Shinjuku-sanchome Station (Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line)
- A 5-minute walk from Shinjuku Station (JR Line), East Exit
Lumene Est
Website: https://www.lumine.ne.jp/english/est/
Address: 3-38-1, Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0022, Japan
Opening Hours: Weekdays: 11:00~22:00, Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays: 10:30-~21:30
How to get here?
- A 1-minute walk from Shinjuku Station (JR Line), East Exit
Kabukicho
How to get here?
- A 5-minute walk from Shinjuku Station (JR Line), East Exit
The business district of Shinjuku
The West of Shinjuku is considered to be a business district with many large Japanese companies based in the area. It is also home to some of Tokyo`s tallest high-rise buildings such as the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Buildings which used to be the tallest building in Tokyo until 2007. The building also has two observatory decks which allow visitors to enjoy a full view of Tokyo from 202 meters above the ground.
Photo by Fumiaki Hayashi
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Buildings
Website: http://www.metro.tokyo.jp/english/offices/observat.html
Address: 45F Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, 2-8-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 163-8001 Japan
Observatory Opening Hours: South deck 9:30 am – 11 pm (last entry 10:30 pm), closed on the 1st & 3rd Tue of every month
*The north deck is temporarily closed until January 14, 2020.
Admission Fee: Free of charge
How to get here?
- A 2-minute walk from Tocho-Mae Station (Oedo Subway Line)
- A 10-minute walk from Shinjuku Station (JR Line), West Exit
Popular Serviced Apartments in Shinjuku
Oakwood Apartments Nishi Shinjuku
Situated in the heart of Shinjuku, Oakwood Apartments Nishi Shinjuku is a new serviced apartment which opened its doors on July 2018. Located only 9-minutes away by foot from Shinjuku station (JR Line), residences can travel both to work and for leisure purposes with less hassle due to the various train lines that intersect at Shinjuku station. If traveling far is not an option, a 15 minutes’ walk from the apartment will take you to the entertainment and shopping district of Shinjuku which will guarantee you an endless array of entertainment. Daily necessities such as convenience stores as well as supermarkets can be found around the serviced apartment.
Oakwood Apartments Nishi Shinjuku 1 Bedroom
Access:
- A 7-minute walk from Nishi-Shinjuku Station (Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line)
- A 7-minute walk from Shinjuku-Nishiguchi Station (Toei Oedo Line)
- A 7-minute walk from Seibu-Shinjuku Station (Seibu Shinjuku Line)
- A 7-minute walk from Shinjuku Station (JR Yamanote Line)
Galicia Sasazuka
Located one station away via the Keio Line from Shinjuku station, Sasazuka is a charming town with multiple shopping arcades and attractive restaurants. The location of this apartment not only provides quick access to major areas such as Shibuya but culturally enriching areas such as Yoyogi Park which is famous for street live performances and Shimokitazawa for vintage and second-hand shopping too. Located right next to the main street, Galicia Sasazuka is a serviced apartment with a luxurious white exterior, auto-lock featured entrance door and spacious corridors providing residences with upmost privacy and exclusiveness.
Galicia Sasazuka 1br Comfort Room 2 401
Galicia Sasazuka 1br Comfort Room 2 601
Galicia Sasazuka 1br Comfort Room 1 303
Galicia Sasazuka 1br Basic Room 1 203
Access:
- A 4-minute walk from Sasazuka Station (Keio Line & Keio New Line)
Galicia Shinjuku Gyoen
Positioned near the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Galicia Shinjuku Gyoen provides you with the best of both worlds. Being only 14 minutes away by foot from Shinjuku main station, the serviced apartment itself is located in the residential area of Shinjuku which is calm and peaceful. With a stylish exterior and hotel-like interior furnishing, this serviced apartment ensures a great stay unlike any other.
Galicia Shinjuku Gyoen 1br Premium
Galicia Shinjuku Gyoen Studio Casual
Galicia Shinjuku Gyoen Studio Green
Access:
- A 7-minute walk from Shinjuku Gyoenmae Station (Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line)
- A 14-minute walk from Shinjuku Station (JR Line)
Frontier Shinjuku
A branded tower apartment located 5 minutes away from Hatsudai Station (Keio New Line). The serviced apartment provides hotel-like services such as a Japanese Concierge service, Residence Lounge, and a Gym. The furniture in the apartment room is carefully selected to fully immerse the guests in a luxury environment. It also has great access to Shinjuku Central Park being only 4 minutes away by foot and 14 minutes away from Shinjuku Main Station.
Tsi Shinjuku Tower 1br Premium B2
Tsi Shinjuku Tower – Studio Executive A1
Access:
- A 5-minute walk from Hatsudai Station (Keio New Line)
- An 11-minute walk foot from Tochomae Station (Toei Oedo Line)
- A 13-minute walk from Shinjuku Station (JR Yamanote Line, Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line)
Citadines Shinjuku
Citadines Shinjuku is located 7 minutes away from the Tokyo Metro Line, Shinjuku Sanchome Station which has great accessibility to Narita, Haneda Airport and other prefectures in Japan.
The surrounding of this serviced apartments includes a supermarket, many restaurants that provide different types of cuisine and shopping facilities allowing a comfortable lifestyle. The carefully handpicked furniture and room size make it a very spacious environment for residences.
Citadines Shinjuku Tokyo – 25 Sqm Studio Double/Twin Bed
Citadines Shinjuku Tokyo – 28 Sqm Studio Double/Twin Bed
Access:
- A 5-minute walk from Shinjuku Gyoenmae Station (Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line)
- A 7-minute walk from Shinjuku-sanchome Station (Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line, Toei Shinjuku Line)
Residence Tokyo Nishinsinjuku
1 minute away from Tokyo Metro Line, Nishi Shinjuku Station, Residence Tokyo Nishi-Shinjuku is an affordable serviced apartment. Access to Shinjuku by train is only 4 minutes away and it allows quick transfer to other parts of the city as well.
Residence Tokyo Nishisinjuku 1br
Access:
- A 1-minute walk from Nishi-Shinjuku-Gochome Station (Toei Oedo Line)
- A-12 minute walk from Nishi-Shinjuku Station (Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line)
Ark Yotsuya
Constructed in 2017, Ark Yotsuya is a mansion tower that overlooks the Shinjuku, Yotsuya area. Located in the most popular area of the district, Yotsuya Sanchome is of proximity to Shinjuku which makes it the perfect place to base oneself for both business and leisure purposes. The attractive blue exterior of the building with its spacious room ensures a comfortable and fashionable stay.
Access:
- A 4-minute walk from Yotsuya-sanchome Station (Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line)
- A 7-minute walk from Shinjuku Gyoenmae Station (Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line)
Residence Tokyo Shinjuku, Kagurazaka
Located 6 minutes by foot from the Tokyo Metro Line, Kagurazaka Station, Residence Tokyo Nishishinjuku is an affordable serviced apartment. As the access to Shinjuku by train is only 9 minutes it allows quick transfer to the city center as well.
Residence Tokyo Shinjuku・Kagurazaka A 1br
Access:
- A 6-minute walk from Kagurazaka Station (Tokyo Metro Tozai Line).
The process of applying and moving into a Serviced Apartment in Japan
The Shinjuku area is one of the biggest business and entertainment districts in Tokyo and there are many recommended Serviced Apartments in the area. Lastly, we will share with you the exact application and moving-in process to a Serviced Apartment in Tokyo using the MetroResidences Serviced Apartment website.
Checking for room availability
Firstly, find a serviced apartment to your liking on the website by using the provided area and pricing filters. Once you found a serviced apartment to your liking, check the availability by clicking Book Now at the bottom of the page and select the duration of stay to check availability, however availability of some of the bookings cannot be check. Instead, you can fill in the enquiry form, email us at booking.jp@metroresidences.com or call us at 03-4405-522. Our sales staff will get back to you at the fastest available timing.
Booking Procedures
Once you found an available room that meets your needs and schedule, you are ready to make your reservation! For personal bookings, a Personal Photo identification document such as a passport or driving licenses of the person staying will be needed to be submitted and if it is a corporate booking kindly also attach your corporate registry. Once received we will verify the documents and if all goes well, we will send you the invoice with the full breakdown.
Payment
The initial payment with Metroresidences will include a security deposit, down payment for one months’ worth of rent and the cleaning expenses for when you leave the apartment.
Contract
After an internal background check is conducted by Metroresidences, we will send you a digital and physical copy of the contract which needs to be signed and returned back to us. Once that has been done you are ready to move into your new serviced apartment!
Moving in
Upon confirmation for both payment and signing of the contract has been done, our front office team will contact you regarding the checking in procedures!
Summary
The business and entertainment district of Shinjuku offers various types of serviced apartments. Find one that meets your needs by using the Metroresidences Webpage and let our team help you out to provide you a home away from home. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to learn more about Metroresidences.