- To read about my recommendations of affordable, Reasonable, Convenient hotels in Tokyo, visit: Affordable Cheap Reasonable Hotels in Tokyo
- To read about my recommendations of affordable and reasonable hotels in Osaka, visit: Osaka Reasonable Affordable Hotels
- To read about my recommendations of reasonable, affordable, and convenient hotels in Kyoto, visit: Kyoto reasonable, affordable, and convenient Hotels
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
I filmed this video clip in October 2017 to demonstrate how close Keikyu EX Inn Hotel and Shinagawa Prince Hotel are to the JR Shinagawa train station. Literally about 1 to 2 minute walk across the street from Shinagawa JR train station exit. After arriving at Shinagawa JR station, take the Takanawa 高輪 口 (West side) exit, both Keikyu EX Inn and Prince Hotel will be right in front of your eyes.
HOTEL REVIEW - ADVANTAGES
1. Located near a major transportation hub in central Tokyo.
Because Shingawa Keikyu EX Inn Hotel is located in front of Shinagawa station, one of the most important train station in Tokyo, this location offers many convenient modes of public transportation:
*Haneda Airport Acess
Hankyu 阪急 Airport Express train takes visitor from Haneda airport directly to Shinagawa station within 25 minutes. One-way train ride cost was only about ¥410 Japanese Yen or $3.60 USD.
*Narita Airport Access
My favorite method of getting from Narita airport to Shinagawa station in Tokyo will always be the stylish Narita Express train. The train ride takes about 90 minutes and costs about ¥3390 Japanese Yen or $30 USD.
*Yamanote JR Loop Train Line Route
Many of the important sightseeing spots can be reached by stopping at train stations on the JR Yamanote 山手線 train line in Tokyo. From Shinagawa station to Shinjuku~20 minutes; Shibuya station~13 minutes; Harajuku station~15 minutes; Akihabara station~16 minutes; Ueno~14 minutes.
*Shinkansen Bullet Train Station Access
Needless to say that Shinkansen bullet train access makes Shinagawa station a wonderful transit hub west bound; To Nagoya~1 hour 34 minutes; Osaka~2 hours 41 minutes; Kyoto~2 hours 11 minutes. I also recommend taking the bullet train for day trips to destinations such as Atami 熱海 or Shizuoka 静岡 while using the Japan Rail JR pass.
2. Spaciousness
Shinagawa Keikyu EX Inn Hotel was the most spacious hotel room I have ever stayed at in Japan. The size of the room would have allowed many more suitcases to be opened on the floor during packing or unpacking. For travelers who need large spaces in the room, Shinagawa Keikyu EX offers a great deal at this price range. I have posted two photographs comparing two different hotels of similar price range (only $20 USD difference)
When compared with the type of hotel I usually stay at when I visit Osaka, Shinagawa Keikyu EX Inn is very spacious.
3. Stylish with modern amenities
Lobby and decor of other common areas of of Shinagawa Keikyu EX Hotel feel modern and stylish. This is the main difference between the nearby Shinagawa Prince Hotel. I noticed the automated foreign currency exchange machine that also facilitates quick check out process.
4. Overall Reasonable Price Range $80 to $150 USD.
With solid concierge services for restaurant reservations and transportation arrangements, I felt this hotel offers one of the best deals in Tokyo. Situated at one of the most convenient locations in central Tokyo, large stylish rooms, and at reasonable price range, I would recommend Shinagawa Keikyu EX Inn Hotel to new travelers or experienced visitors to Tokyo.
There were as many as four staff in uniform working at the Hotel Guest Service Counter.
HOTEL SURROUNDING AREA
*Convenient stores
There were at least two convenient stores on the way from Shinagawa train station to Keikyu EX Inn Hotel, one near the Takanawa West exit of the station (a bit pricey in my opinion,) the other one was across the street of the hotel (7-Eleven, always reliable).
*Supermarket
There are a few supermarkets in front of or located inside of the Shinagawa station. I recommend picking up some Sushi Bento meal boxes and fresh Japanese fruits as snacks before heading back to the hotel room at night.
*Ramen food court
I have written about the famous Shinatatsu Ramen 品達品川 food court in an older article on Best Ramen choices in Tokyo. I must re-emphasize the fun of visiting a Ramen food courts in Japan where many of the most delicious Ramen restaurants are gathered in one convenient location. Ramen lovers can try different delicious Ramen everyday while staying in near Shinagawa station.
*Opposite side of Shinagawa station
Some travelers might complain about the lack of restaurants and shops in front of Keikyu EX Inn Hotel or Shinagawa Prince Hotel. I have discovered the opposite when I took a 2 minute stroll to the other side of the station. After taking the East or Konan 港南口 exit, there were restaurants and shops lining the streets near the east entrance of the station. There will always be plenty of restaurants and shopping venues nearby major transportation hubs in Japan.
*T.G.I. Friday's and McDonald's American restaurant for "Western" food
For travelers who are much more used to North American cuisines, there will always be options for you nearby major hotel venues and high volume transportation hubs such as Shinagawa station. McDonald's across the street of Shinagawa station West exit is a good place for grabbing a cup of Caffè Americano to start off each day while traveling through streets of Tokyo. There is also a T.G.I. Friday's restaurant on the bottom floor of Shinagawa Keikyu EX Inn Hotel, good for those who must have some American food while traveling in Japan.
*I am lovin' it
*T.G.I. Fridays!
*No red light district nearby
Unlike other popular areas in Tokyo such as Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, Roppongi, and maybe Shibuya, I have not seen any red light district venues or street girls and touts/pimps nearby Shinagawa train station or nearby the hotels. Shinagawa Keikyu EX Inn Hotel and Shinagawa Prince Hotel are great hotels for solo or female or family oriented travelers.
RECOMMENDATIONS AND AFTERTHOUGHTS
1. Convenient bullet train station location offers better opportunity to hop on and off the bullet train for day trips to nearby cities, while using Japan Rail JR Pass.
2. Shinagawa JR station is convenient for visitors who want to visit main sightseeing spots on the Yamanote Line in Tokyo. Train rides to popular areas in Tokyo such as Shinjuku or Shibuya or Akihabara are all about 15 minutes without changing train lines. Shinagawa JR station also offers quick access to nearby Yokohama city (16 minutes by train).
3. Easy access to Shinagawa from both Narita Airport and Haneda airport. I recommend taking Non-stop Narita Express train from Narita Airport to Shinagawa station; I recommend taking Non-stop Hankyu express train from Haneda Airport to Shinagawa station.
4. Hotels of this price range and class offer great concierge services. They lend me umbrella in raining days and make phone calls for Michelin star restaurant reservation confirmation and taxi services.
5. Much better English speaking fluency among the hotel staff of this price range. Concierge services formal hotels provide will always be highly valuable for foreign visitors who do not speak the local language.
USEFUL INFORMATION
Keikyu EX Inn Shinagawa-Ekimae (Japanese language homepage)
(Located inside SHINAGAWA GOOS) 3-13-3 Takanawa, Minato 108-0074, Tokyo Prefecture
京急EXイン 品川駅前 (Japanese language homepage)
〒108-0074 東京都港区高輪3-13-3
TEL: +81 3-6743-3910
*Tripadvisor Hotel Price Comparison
*Hotelscombined Hotel Price Comparison
*Agoda Shinagawa Keikyu Ex Inn Hotel page
*Tokyo Consult blog article
Affordable Cheap Reasonable Hotels in Tokyo (List of Hotels near Shinagawa station)
Affordable Cheap Reasonable Hotels in Tokyo (List of Hotels near Shinagawa station)
*Tokyo Consult blog article
How to get from Narita Airport to Tokyo city (access from Narita Airport to Shinagawa station)
How to get from Narita Airport to Tokyo city (access from Narita Airport to Shinagawa station)
*Tokyo Consult blog article
How to get from Haneda Airport to Tokyo City (access from Haneda Airport to Shinagawa station)
How to get from Haneda Airport to Tokyo City (access from Haneda Airport to Shinagawa station)
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