Accomodation - Where Golfers should stay in Tokyo
Photo taken from Shinjuku station overpass looking toward the Hotels of Shinjuku.
If you google the best places to stay in Tokyo you will be given a laundry list of suggestions. Ginza, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ueno, and Roppongi will be some of the names that may pop up. They are all fabulous places but wading through the content, trying to figure out the best option is a difficult proposition. As a golf professional and a resident of Tokyo (Shinjuku) for more than 8 years there is no doubt in my mind that Shinjuku is the most intelligent choice, especially for golfers.
Shinjuku is a suburb in Tokyo that covers an area of almost 20 square kilometers. When I say Shinjuku I am really suggesting you book accommodation near Shinjuku station. This train station is the busiest in the world and the surrounding area is the perfect microcosm of Japan. Shinjuku is a major economic hub, a shoppers paradise which has an abundance of restaurants, clubs, bars and every type of entertainment imaginable, including the famed karaoke bars. Galleries, theatres and bookstores are some of the other attractions which bring people to Shinjuku.
Shinjuku station both left and right. The bus terminal is on the the right, level 3.
As a golfer one of the major benefits of staying in Shinjuku is the direct access to Narita airport. The Narita Express (NEX) is a terrific express train that travels from Narita airport directly into the heart of Shinjuku station. The trains are modern, comfortable and have assigned seating with huge windows to gaze out of as you travel into Tokyo. A major plus of the NEX is there is ample space for golf bags and luggage, especially overhead. There are other options like buses and cheaper trains but don’t even bother as choosing NEX is worth every cent (Approx $30 USD one way) just for comfort, peace of mind, luggage space and most importantly efficiency.
The Narita Express (NEX). Assigned seating and plenty of space for luggage
NEX collects travellers from all three terminals at Narita airport, stopping at Tokyo, Shibuya and Shinjuku stations.
Shinjuku Stations greatest advantage are the direct trains running to many of Taiheiyo clubs courses, including the famed Gotemba courses. The station also houses a wonderfully efficient bus terminal which has buses leaving for Gotemba every 30 minutes, starting as early as 6:30 am. Shinjuku is not a shinkansen station so if you do require a bullet train then a very short journey by taxi will have you at Tokyo Station. If you decide to take private transport from Shinjuku each day the wide roads and close access to large highways means you won’t spend much time sitting in traffic, especially in the afternoons and evenings.
There are a host of hotels in Shinjuku to choose from. The popular choices are the Hilton, Keio Plaza, and Park Hyatt ( where the movie Lost in Translation was filmed ). The hotels are all just a few hundred meters from the bright lights of the station and the walk into the centre of town will have your head on a swivel as you make your way through the busy streets. These premium hotels are not cheap but are quiet, relaxed and great places to use as a retreat if this is what you require. If your budget is a little tighter and you want to stay in the middle of the action then consider the APA hotel chain. They are very simple hotels which are quite decent and a very short stumble from the surrounding restaurants and bars. Just note that the rooms are quite small at APA hotels, and the bathrooms even smaller, but are always comfortable and clean.
Victoria Golf sits beside Shinjuku station which is the mecca of golf retail in Japan. It has nine stories totally dedicated to golf. You can literally spend hours in this building that will inevitably put a dent in your credit card. Make sure you take the elevator to the 9th floor which is devoted to Titleist and Footjoy. The other floors have products from all the major manufacturers, both international and Japanese, with a lot of the merchandise only available in Japan. They have knowledgeable english speaking staff who can assist with things like clothing alterations and equipment information. When you exit Victoria Golf, walk cross the narrow street in front of you and turn left. Fifty yards along on your right is the entrance to Takashimaya. Take the elevator to the 9th floor where you will find a very special golfing retail experience, providing you another opportunity to destroy your credit card.
Victoria Golf in Shinjuku is an institution. Nine floors of pure golf.
The only reason why you may choose another area to stay in is because you have stayed in Shinjuku before and want to experience something different. Your first foray into Tokyo, especially for golfers, should be Shinjuku. If you decide on another area you will no doubt have a fantastic time but the convenience and atmosphere of Shinjuku is undeniable, not to mention the retail and dining experiences that await you.