What to pack for a stay at Shinjuku Granbell Hotel and Tokyo
Pack travel basics plus a few Tokyo-specific items: comfortable walking shoes, weather-appropriate layers, power adapters, and toiletries (the hotel supplies standard amenities). Bring copies of ID and your payment method, plan optional extras like paid breakfast or rooftop drinks, and note that rollaway beds and in-room minibars are not provided.
In this guide
- Essentials to bring for your stay
- Clothing and weather planning for Tokyo
- Toiletries, in-room items and hotel services
- Electronics, connectivity and payments
- Going out at night: rooftop bar, Kabukicho and etiquette
- Day trips, transport and practical items for sightseeing
- Room-type notes and family considerations
Essentials to bring for your stay
Bring a government-issued photo ID and the card you’ll use for incidentals — the hotel may request a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit at check-in. Check-in begins at 15:00 (3:00 PM) and the person responsible for check-in must be at least 18 years old.
Shinjuku Granbell Hotel has free Wi‑Fi throughout the property, but you should still pack your own charger, phone cable, and a compact power adapter for Japan’s Type A outlets (100 V).
- Passport or government photo ID
- Credit/debit card and a small amount of cash (yen)
- Phone charger, USB cable, and Japan power adapter (Type A)
- Copies/photos of reservation and emergency contacts
| Hotel check-in/check-out |
|---|
| Check-in from 15:00 (3:00 PM); latest arrival in the window: 01:00 |
| Check-out by 11:00 AM |
| Check-in guest must be 18 or older |
Clothing and weather planning for Tokyo
Tokyo’s seasons vary: spring and autumn are mild, summer is hot and humid, and winter is cool. Pack layers you can add or remove while sightseeing and at night in the city.
Comfortable walking shoes are essential — you’ll likely walk between subway stations and nearby attractions like Golden Gai, Omoide Yokocho, and the Samurai Museum.
- Light jacket or windbreaker for spring/autumn
- Breathable clothes and sun protection for summer; raincoat for the June–mid-July rainy season
- Warm coat, hat, and gloves for winter
- Comfortable closed shoes for walking
| Season | Packing focus |
|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | Layers + light rain layer |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Light clothing + umbrella/packable raincoat |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Warm coat and thermal layers |
Toiletries, in-room items and hotel services
Shinjuku Granbell Hotel supplies standard bathroom amenities; some rooms feature open or glass-partitioned bathrooms and select suites include freestanding tubs. The property does not include in-room minibars in standard rooms.
If you prefer specific brands or extras (sleeping mask, travel-sized laundry detergent), bring them — the hotel does have coin laundry on the 2nd floor and offers towel/linen changes on request.
- Basic toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste) if you prefer your own brands
- Small bottle of laundry soap for coin laundry or use hotel machines
- Travel-sized hand sanitizer and any prescription meds
- Earplugs or eye mask if you’re sensitive to city noise or light
| Hotel amenity | Notes |
|---|---|
| Coin laundry | On 2F for guest use |
| Towels/linen change | Available on request |
| Minibar | Not provided in standard rooms (independent reviews) |
Electronics, connectivity and payments
Free Wi‑Fi is available throughout the property, including guest rooms, with reported speeds of 25+ Mbps — still bring your own hotspot or SIM card if you need guaranteed bandwidth for work. A portable charger is useful for long days out.
The hotel accepts major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club, JCB) and cash. Some services or local shops still prefer cash, so carry small-change yen for taxis, vending machines, or small restaurants.
- Portable battery pack (10,000 mAh or larger)
- Unlocked phone + Japan SIM or international roaming plan (optional)
- Multiport USB charger for multiple devices
- Small amount of yen for cash-only vendors
| Payment method | Use cases |
|---|---|
| Major credit cards | Hotel charges, many restaurants and stores |
| Cash (yen) | Small eateries, taxis, vending machines |
| IC transit card (optional) | Subway and train fares (buy locally) |
Going out at night: rooftop bar, Kabukicho and etiquette
The hotel's roof top bar & terrace G (13th floor) serves drinks and light snacks and is open late on many nights. If you plan to go up, bring an ID and your room key; only guests can make reservations for the bar per hotel policy, though walk-ins may be possible depending on third-party listings.
Kabukicho is the local entertainment district; pack a small crossbody bag or money belt and keep valuables secure when out late. Bring a light layer for rooftop evenings, as wind and cooler temps can make terraces feel colder than street level.
- Photo ID for entry to rooftop bar if requested
- Light jacket for rooftop terrace evenings
- Cash for small cover charges or drinks if needed
| Rooftop bar info | What to bring |
|---|---|
| roof top bar & terrace G (13F) | ID, jacket, cash/card |
| Hours (official) | Mon–Sat evenings; Sundays/holidays shorter (check concierge) |
| Reservation policy | Hotel guests can make reservations; policies may restrict day-use bookings |
Day trips, transport and practical items for sightseeing
Higashi-Shinjuku Station is about a 4-minute walk from the hotel and connects via Fukutoshin and Oedo lines. Shinjuku Station is roughly a 15-minute walk through Kabukicho. Bring comfortable shoes and a small backpack for day trips.
For airport transfers, Haneda is the nearer airport; there are limousine buses to Shinjuku and other public transport options. If you plan full-day excursions (Kamakura, Hakone, Nikko), pack a small daypack with water, a portable umbrella, and any train passes you’ve purchased.
- Daypack with water bottle and umbrella
- IC transit card (Suica/PASMO) for trains and buses
- Printed or offline maps and train schedules for longer day trips
| Common day trips from Shinjuku | Approx. travel time (by public transport) |
|---|---|
| Kamakura | About 53–60 minutes |
| Hakone (Romancecar) | About 85 minutes |
| Nikko | About 2 hours |
Room-type notes and family considerations
Shinjuku Granbell Hotel offers a wide range of room types (for example: Economy Single, Economy Double, Superior Room, Deluxe Room, Executive / Studio, The Club Suite, The Resort Suite, The Pent House Suite, and many loft and Hollywood-style rooms). Rooms vary in layout and size; standard rooms are noted as compact in independent reviews.
Rollaway beds and cribs are not available at the property. The hotel’s policy allows children of all ages (young children under 6 may stay free when using existing bedding), so plan bedding accordingly when booking.
- No rollaway beds or cribs — book a room with the correct bed configuration
- Executive Rooms and Suites include Club Lounge access; check your room type if you want lounge access
- If you need more space, consider a Suite or Executive / Studio
| Room example | Bed type (as listed) |
|---|---|
| Economy Single | Large Twin Bed |
| Deluxe with Loft and Terrace, Ground Floor | King Bed |
| Executive / Studio | King Bed |
