Location

11-3 Kasumigaokamachi, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0013, Japan
Mitsui Garden Hotel Jingugaien Tokyo PREMIER
(三井ガーデンホテル神宮外苑の杜プレミア)

Quiet Neighborhood to Stay in Tokyo

The first thing I noticed about the location of this hotel was the open and green surroundings. There were wide sidewalks, plenty of parks and trees, a campus of Tsuda University nearby, and a slightly residential atmosphere. This area is part of Jingu Gaien (or Meiji Shrine Outer Garden), a scenic cultural district in Tokyo. Right across from the garden is the Japan National Stadium, the main venue used for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and now a major landmark for sports events and concerts.

From Mitsui Garden Hotel Jingugaien to Shinjuku

The two closest metro stations from Mitsui Garden Hotel Jingugaien Tokyo Premier are: Sendagaya Station(JR) and Kokuritsu-Kyōgijō Station(Oedo Line). It’s also 30-minutes walking distance to Shinjuku, one of Tokyo’s biggest transport hubs. Below is the walking route I took from the hotel to Shinjuku:

1. Exit through the side entrance of the hotel, and walk past the ice skating ring.
2. Continue straight towards Sendagaya station and past Excelsior Cafe.
3. At the small crosswalk turn right towards the underpass.
4. Follow the road along the outer perimeter Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
5. When you reach the “山本鍍金試験器” building, turn left towards Apollo gas station
6. From the gas station, cross the road and turn right
7. Continue straight until you reach Shinjuku Station area (ie. Takashimaya with subway connection).

From Haneda Airport to Mitsui Garden Hotel Jingugaien

I personally didn’t try this route because I had lunch plans elsewhere on my first day, but to reach the hotel from Haneda Airport, you can take the Keikyu Airport Line to Daimon Station (~30 minutes). And from Daimon, you can transfer to the Oedo Line, which will take an extra 10–12 minutes to Kokuritsu-Kyōgijō Station (only a 3-minute walk from the hotel).

On my way back to the airport, I walked to Shinjuku Station and took the Airport Limousine Bus directly to Haneda (→ full review here). For anyone with heavier luggage or who prefers less walking, taking the Oedo Line to Shinjuku first and catching the limousine bus from there is another option.

Standard Room (2 Beds with Balcony)

I booked a Standard Room (2 Beds) with Balcony via Trip.com for KRW705,856 + JPY800 (paid onsite) for two nights. Considering Tokyo’s usual hotel prices (especially during the peak Christmas season) this felt reasonable.

The room size wasn’t big (as expected for Tokyo), but it was well-planned and clean. The layout was efficient with: two beds, a small seating space, TV, a small closet, and a compact bathroom separated from the toilet. The mini balcony overlooking the Japan National Stadium was nice for fresh air and a touch of openness, but I would have preferred a slightly larger room in exchange for the balcony space.

We barely used the in-room shower because both my mom and I went to the public bath every night. But the bathroom was clean, and basic amenities like shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and hand soap were already provided. Disposable amenities such as toothbrushes, cotton pads, razors, and hairbrushes could be picked up from the lobby (free of charge).

The hotel sits in a quiet area next to the stadium, so we didn’t hear much noise from the streets. But door-closing sounds from the hallway were quite loud at times so if you’re a light sleeper, bringing earplugs might be a good idea.

Facilities & Services

Public Bath

Among all the Mitsui Garden hotels and other hotels with public bath I’ve visited in Japan, this one was by far the quietest. Even during typical peak hours (ie. weekend evenings around 7-8pm) I rarely saw more than two or three other guests. The bath became a de-stress spot for both me and my mom, and this alone made the hotel feel worth the price for me.

The public bath is located on the 2nd floor, and is open to all hotel guests from 3pm to 1am & from 6am to 9am. They provide shampoo, conditioner, body wash, basic skincare, and hair dryers, but you need to bring a towel from your room. (FYI they also provide slippers and loungewear in the room.)

Fitness Room

The gym is also located on the 2nd floor, the same floor as the public bath. It’s open from 6am to 10pm and despite the compact size, it includes the essentials like treadmills, rowing machines, elliptical machines, and gym balls. I didn’t see anyone using the gym during my stay, so it seemed like a great option for a private workout.

Vending Machines

Also on the 2nd floor, there are vending machines with drinks, snacks, cup noodles, and even canned beer. Since the nearest convenience store is at Sendagaya Station, these machines turned out to be surprisingly handy, especially at night and in the morning. They accept cash or IC transportation cards only, so my mobile PASMO on Apple Wallet came in handy.

Rooftop Terrace

The 13th-floor rooftop terrace is open from 8am to 10pm, offering a quiet outdoor space overlooking the stadium area. I visited too early before the opening hour so I couldn’t go in, but peeking from the entrance it looked like a lovely spot to enjoy fresh air especially during warmer seasons.