Hotel Gracery Shinjuku (Godzilla Hotel) Review - Tokyo
Introduction
Complete review of Hotel Gracery in Shinjuku—the only Tokyo hotel the reviewer has stayed in twice. Covers location, rooms, views, safety in Kabukicho, and pricing.
The Godzilla Experience
Main Attraction: Godzilla Head
- Famous Godzilla statue on top of building
- Entire top floor dedicated to Godzilla theme
- Visible landmark making hotel easy to spot
Godzilla Floor Features (Bookable on Expedia)
- Themed corridor
- Godzilla-decorated rooms
- One extra special themed room
- Six rooms with direct view of Godzilla head
- All other rooms are standard (non-themed)
Lobby & Common Areas
Godzilla Display (New)
- Located at lobby elevator exit
- Destruction scene display
- AR photo frames with QR codes
- Take pictures with virtual Godzilla
- Phone/camera stand for perfect photo angles
Historical Posters
- Godzilla movie posters through the years on display
Merchandise
- Godzilla tissue dispenser available for purchase (¥6,930)
Lounge
- Special dessert: "Godzilla versus Mothra on a pancake island"
- Godzilla-themed drinks
Terrace Access (Currently Closed)
Guest Perk: Access to terrace next to Godzilla head
What You Could See:
- Up-close view of massive Godzilla head
- "It's massive up close... He looks so much bigger when you're right up close to him"
- View of Prince Hotel
- Excellent view of Kabukicho
Closure Status:
- Currently closed (has been for a while)
- Rumor: Someone tried to climb Godzilla (not officially confirmed)
- No reopening date announced
- Warning: Don't book solely for terrace access
Previous Experience: "A real treat to be able to walk around right next to Godzilla at that spot you always look up at from the street"
Location & Getting There
From Shinjuku Station (East Exit)
Not the central east exit—the regular east exit
Landmarks Along Route:
- Giant 3D cat billboard (visible from station)
- Straight, easy route from there
- Don Quixote on corner (almost there)
- Toho Cinema Complex (hotel on top)
Easy to Spot Because:
- Giant Godzilla head on top
- Tall, stripy building
- "Hotel Gracery" signage clearly visible
Similar Location Hotels:
- Prince Hotel (brown building nearby)
- Hotel Grove
- Bellue Star
Hotel Entrance
- Located on Godzilla Road (official street name!)
- Enter building beside escalator
- Hotel starts on Floor 8
- Convenience stores nearby
- Restaurants underneath
Room Features & Amenities
Room Size & Layout
- Similar to most Tokyo hotels
- "Not that big, especially if you're from the USA"
- More spacious than lowest-price Tokyo hotels
- Space for suitcases
- Small chair and table setup (not always included in budget hotels)
Standard Amenities
✓ Air conditioning
✓ Refrigerator (good for convenience store drinks/snacks)
✓ USB charging ports + regular outlets
✓ Coat hanging space
✓ Slippers (can take home)
✓ Umbrellas provided (not all hotels include this)
Bathroom
Size: Quite spacious for Tokyo
Layout:
- Separate room for bath and shower
- Larger than cheaper hotels
- Not the typical small prefabricated bathroom pod
Features:
- Japanese toilet with bidet functions
- Heated seat (standard in all Japanese hotels reviewer stayed in)
- Shower setup (possibly wet room—reviewer used it over bath to be safe)
Toiletries: Quite a lot provided (normal for Japan)
Floor Height Advantage
- Hotel starts on Floor 8 (above cinema)
- All rooms are quite high up
- Better views guaranteed
Reviewer's Room: Floor 18 (hotel goes up to Floor 30)
The Views
Why the Views Are Special
- Above cinema = starts on high floor
- Can see extensive Tokyo skyline
- "I love this view"
East-Facing View (Reviewer's Room)
Visible landmarks:
- Tokyo Skytree (just barely)
- Tokyo Tower
- Roppongi skyscrapers
West-Facing View
- Reviewer had this view on previous stay
- Kabukicho Tower built next door since then
- Current view quality uncertain
Booking Tip
Look for "city view" in room type descriptions on Expedia to ensure you get a good view
Location Benefits: Shinjuku
Why Shinjuku is the Reviewer's Favorite
Immediate Area (Kabukicho):
- Right in the middle of the action
- "Really looks and feels just like how you imagine Tokyo"
- Exciting atmosphere
- Lots happening all the time
Compared to Other Areas:
- Very busy but less cramped than Shibuya
- Larger and more spacious layout
On Your Doorstep:
- All Shinjuku shops
- Numerous cafes and restaurants
- 24-hour Gyoza bar (from reviewer's video) nearby
- Late-night options abundant
Shinjuku Station Connectivity
Major Transportation Hub:
- Yamanote Line (excellent for getting around)
- Chuo-Sobu Line (quick access to Tokyo Station and Akihabara)
- Multiple metro lines
- World's busiest station
Nearby Destinations:
- Ikebukuro: Couple stops away
- Shibuya: Couple stops away
- Harajuku: Couple stops away (or walkable)
Trade-off:
- Extremely busy (not for everyone)
- Some prefer quieter areas with smaller stations
- Benefit: Incredibly well-connected once you find your platform
Resources: Reviewer has videos about navigating Shinjuku Station
Breakfast Option
Hotel Breakfast Buffet
- Sakura morning buffet available
- Includes cheesecake
Reviewer's Preference
"We never have breakfast with a hotel... It's so easy to just get a bakery"
Recommendation: Explore local bakeries unless you prefer big hotel breakfasts
Lobby
- Really spacious
- Multiple service desks
- Accommodating staff
Safety in Kabukicho
Understanding Kabukicho
- Tokyo's red light district
- Reputation as "the bad area of Tokyo"
- Reality: Japan has very low crime levels
General Safety
✓ Walking streets is not unsafe, even late at night
✓ Lots of people around
✓ Well-lit with bright lights
✓ "Doesn't feel unsafe at all"
✓ More concerning areas exist in UK (reviewer's comparison)
Potential Issues for Tourists
Main Risk: Dodgy Bar Scams
What happens:
- Touts drag tourists into bars
- Drinks get spiked
- Large unauthorized credit card charges
How to Avoid (Easy):
- Ignore all touts on the street
- Pick venues yourself
- Don't let anyone take you into their bar
- Keep walking if approached
What You'll See at Night
- Many touts on streets
- Girls standing with signs
- Some drunk people (it's a drinking area)
- "Seedier stuff" exists but quite discreet
Japanese Context:
- Adult entertainment is hidden
- Not everything at street level
- More discreet than other countries
Noise Levels
- Rooms are quiet despite street activity
- High floor location blocks street noise
- "Noise has never been a problem"
Tout Harassment Levels
"We didn't get bothered that much by touts this time"
Factors:
- Depends on demographic
- Groups of guys hassled more
- Some commenters found them annoying
- Solution: Just ignore and keep walking
For Families
"It might not be the best place for families to stay. I'll leave it up to you to make your own decision."
Reviewer's Opinion:
- Over-18 stuff is quite discreet
- Main route (hotel to station) relatively clean
- Not as obvious on main streets
Cleanliness
- Not as pristine as other Tokyo areas
- Drinking district atmosphere
- Some visible effects of nightlife
Bottom Line
"As long as you ignore the touts and stay out of their dodgy bars, you won't run into trouble. It's not like the bad areas of some cities around the world."
Pricing
Disclaimer
Prices fluctuate based on:
- Booking time
- Season
- Day of week
- Current offers
Reviewer's Rate
Paid: ~£160 per night
Current Pricing (At Time of Review)
- Weekdays: £120-£130 per night (price drop since booking)
- Saturday nights: £170-£180+
- Some dates exceed £180
Booking Tips
- Prices vary across booking sites
- Always shop around
- Compare multiple platforms
Price Context
- Cheaper hotels exist in Kabukicho
- More expensive options also available
- Mid-range pricing for the location and features
Overall Assessment
Why the Reviewer Chose to Return
✓ Comfortable hotel
✓ Good, clean rooms
✓ Slightly more space than comparable price range
✓ Nice bathroom
✓ Extremely convenient location
✓ Godzilla experience
Rooms Quality
- Not particularly special
- Clean and well-maintained
- Tiny bit more space than competitors
- Standard but solid
Guest Experience
- Large hotel accustomed to foreign guests
- All front desk staff speak English
- No communication concerns
- Professional service
Best Features
- Location convenience
- Views from high floors
- Godzilla theming and access
- Spacious bathroom
- Shinjuku connectivity
Not Special, But Reliable
"They're not really anything special particularly, but they're clean"
Booking Information
- Available on Expedia
- Can specifically book Godzilla floor rooms
- Look for "city view" room types for best views
Additional Resources
- Reviewer's streetwalk videos (walking to Harajuku, Shinjuku Park)
- Shinjuku Station navigation videos
- 24-hour Gyoza bar video
- More Japan travel tips on channel
Final Verdict
Ideal For:
- First-time Tokyo visitors wanting iconic experience
- Travelers prioritizing location/connectivity
- Godzilla fans
- Those comfortable with nightlife districts
- Guests wanting English-speaking staff
Consider Alternatives If:
- Traveling with young children
- Prefer quieter neighborhoods
- Uncomfortable with red light district proximity
- Want luxury accommodations specifically
Key Recommendation
Don't book solely for terrace access since it's currently closed with no reopening date