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I stayed at Tokyo’s Godzilla Hotel! Gracery Shinjuku, Japanese theme hotel review, Akihabara Washington.

godzilla hotel tokyo japan

Skreeeonk! Watch out, Tokyo. It looks like Godzilla is taking over the city once again.

Did you know you can stay at a Godzilla monster themed hotel: Hotel Gracery ShinjukuOnly in Japan, of course!

hotel gracery shinjuku kabukicho

Let’s kick off 2017 with a roar. I’ll take you inside Gracery Shinjuku, a wonderfully idiosyncratic hotel in the best possible location. (Godzilla’s claw points over Kabuki-Cho, the host club and nightlife district where most of the Goth / alternative events take place.)

● You can book a discounted room at the Godzilla hotel here, using my special link.

godzilla hotel ホテルグレイスリー新宿

On the terrace of the hotel is a towering Godzilla statue — it doesn’t get more epic than this. The monster even moves and roars, with flashing eyes!




toho cinemas shinjuku tokyo movie theater

Where is this bizarre Japanese hotel located? From Shinjuku station’s East Exit, walk towards Kabukicho and go down the street near Don Quixote. Look up — you’ll see the Hotel Gracery sign, and Godzilla atop a skyscraper!

It makes sense that he’s towering over Toho Cinemas, which releases all the Japanese Godzilla movies. (Address: 1-19-1 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan.)

hotel gracery shinjuku rooms review

The hotel has 30 storeys, which meant I had these soaring views of Shinjuku from my window. Gracery’s rooms are simple yet spacious, which provides great value (prices are around $100 a night). I spent over an hour soaking in the large bathtub, using the free red bath salts that I got when I checked in.

godzilla theme room, gracery japan

For fans of “dai kaiju”… There’s a Godzilla room that you can rent. Keep reading to see photos of the “monstrous” interior.

long clothing skirt, tokyo fashion

Hotel Gracery only opened in 2015, but already, it has become a Shinjuku landmark — thanks to the Godzilla perched menacingly over its ledge.

I’m wearing a Long Clothing Infinity Clip skirt. See more from this designer below:

godzilla teeth roar sculpture

If you’re a guest of the hotel, you can access the terrace where Godzilla lives… that is, if you dare.

hotel gracery shinjuku cafe lounge

Hotel Gracery’s convenient location makes it a perfect hangout. John and I invited our friends to join us for drinks and snacks at “Café Terrace Bonjour,” located on the eighth floor.

life size godzilla statue tokyo

The cafe is guarded by a life-sized version of the monster, similar to this 1995 Godzilla statue that you can put in your home.

godzilla cake, theme menu, dessert

The relaxing lounge has an adjoining outdoor terrace, and large selection of snacks and cocktails. There’s even a Godzilla cake that you can bite into.

absinthe ghost marshmallows

However, my friend Caro (who runs a Gothic baking blog) brought her own homemade spooky sweets for us to share. These are marshmallow ghost cookies are made with white chocolate and absinthe, in colors that match her green liquid lipstick

goth scene tokyo japan

Everyone grabbed a ghoul to eat. By the end of the evening, they had vanished into thin air.

(Many of us are wearing Killstar, Long  Clothing and other Gothic styles that you can get on this site.)

roaring moving robot godzilla

In the evening, Godzilla awakens at the top of each hour (6pm, 7pm, etc). For a few minutes, he shakes his head and his eyes flash like lightning. The creature bares his pointed teeth and spits out fog — or rather, his secret weapon of “atomic breath.”

ゴジラ fans, shin-godzilla movie

We did our own impression of the scary beast. I think Goths and Godzillas get along rather well together.

godzilla themed hotel review tokyo japan

Beneath the behemoth, there are carvings of Godzilla from his films over the years. The monster’s design changes every time they release a movie, such as with the latest “Shin-Godzilla.”

strathberry scotland mini tote bag

Some of the depictions are more goofy-retro than frightening.

The sea-monster tries to take a bite out of my Strathberry of Scotland midi leather tote, which I decorated with a Devilish 666 bow.

giant godzilla monster sculpture

For those who aren’t familiar with “Gojira,” (ゴジラ), the monster first appeared in Ishirō Honda’s 1954 film, Godzilla (more info here). He’s a raging, gigantic prehistoric sea monster whose powers were awakened by nuclear radiation.

godzilla hotel gracery rooftop

Japan’s Godzilla quickly became a legend, and his name is now known all over the world. To this date, he’s the star of over 20 films, as well as video games, manga and spin-offs featuring his allies, rivals and juniors.

nu goth dark fashion blogger

John, Atsushi and I are fans of Godzilla, even though he’s destroyed Tokyo over and over. My skirt is a Long Clothing Infinity Clip design; find more from this label at:

godzilla store, merchandise tokyo

For super-fans, Hotel Gracery has two special suites dedicated to Godzilla! One gives you the perfect view of Godzilla’s head, from your window.

book godzilla theme hotel room

The other, called “Godzilla Room,” lets you get immersed in the monster’s universe. Everything is decorated playfully, such as trick walls that reveal art in black light, and a mega-statue that greets you when you enter.

mothra flying over tokyo

The suite’s windows have decals of his frenemies such as Mothra, who appears to be spreading his wings over Tokyo.

big hand godzilla hotel rooms gracery

High five to Gracery Shinjuku, for the creative Godzilla room decoration. Would you be able to sleep with his scaly hand on the wall, looking like it’s about to grab you?

shinjuku gracery hotel reviews, rooms

One of the walls is decorated with his movie posters, from the 1950s to today. I enjoyed seeing the concept evolution over time. (Photos by John S and me.)

space godzilla window

SpaceGodzilla came down from the stars. Such a creative window design — from this angle, it looks like he’s about to tear this skyscraper out from the ground. 

godzilla road sign kabuki cho

The Japanese love their home-grown monster, and even named this Godzilla road after him (leading from Meiji-doori to Hotel Gracery).

godzilla building shinjuku skyscraper

I always recommend that travelers stay in Shinjuku, since it’s close to everything. Hotel Gracery is in the best possible location: near Decabarz (the alternative Goth club), Golden Gai, host clubs, bizarre theme restaurants, cat cafes, and all types of delicious food. In the area underneath the hotel for example, there’s takoyaki, okonomiyaki, sushi, and Krispy Kreme.

godzilla roaring, mouth

Hotel Gracery did a spectacular job in executing the Godzilla theme. There’s impeccable attention to detail…

retro gojira posters, japanese godzilla movies

… and tributes to the “kaiju” all over the lobby, such as this mural leading up to the elevators. 

godzilla enemies, rivals

Fans of Godzilla, King Ghidara and Mothra — you’ve got to check out this unique hotel.

akihabara hotel washington tokyo

While in Tokyo, I got to rest my head at yet another theme hotel, Washington Akihabara. (Japan’s Washington Hotels are under the same umbrella as Gracery.)

Located in the “otaku” district of Japan, this is the only hotel in the world with a room dedicated to train aficionados. One of the walls contains a glass case, filled with miniature re-constructions of railway stations. (Above, can you spot No Face?)

train themed hotel, tokyo

Washington Hotel is once again in a convenient location: a 1-minute walk from JR Akihabara Station. (Address: 1-8-3 Kanda Sakumacho, Chiyoda, Tokyo)

Train fans can reserve Room 1304, which has a huge train track with professional levers. You can borrow one of the hotel’s model trains, put it on the rails, and use the gears to make it whizz around at different speeds. 

washington hotel akiba tokyo room

Above, you can see a blue and green train looping around on opposite tracks. The model set includes the city’s landmarks, including Tokyo Tower.

pokemon go nail polish, nail art designs

Once again, the rooms are clean and spacious, and excellent value (book a room for under $90 here). Hotel Washington also has a terrific included breakfast: I ate my fill of hiyayakko (chilled soft tofu), pickled vegetables, tamago and miso soup every day.

tokyo godzilla tour

You can also find out more about Hotel Gracery Shinjuku and book a room here (you can request the Godzilla suite).

godzilla theme restaurant

Have you watched any of the Godzilla movies? Would you stay in this eccentric theme hotel?




Coming up – a travel video and more posts from my JR Rail Pass trip through Japan. If you’re planning to come in the spring for cherry blossom season, it’s a great idea to get one of these unlimited passes, which let you ride the rails at a fraction of the cost.

SHARE & COMMENT

38 Comments

  1. Erick
    Posted January 2, 2017 at 10:40 pm | Permalink

    this hotel is LIFE. LIFE I say.

    • lacarmina
      Posted January 4, 2017 at 3:26 am | Permalink

      Haha

    • Norman
      Posted December 13, 2018 at 2:41 am | Permalink

      lacarmina, the images of kaiju on the windows of the “Godzilla Suite” aren’t decals, the glass is actually etched. Great hotel though, no? Excellent service, great breakfast and super super clean.

  2. Querty Quilts
    Posted January 2, 2017 at 10:41 pm | Permalink

    Godzilla hotel I can’t believe i!! Lucky girl.

  3. Ms. Annie
    Posted January 2, 2017 at 10:41 pm | Permalink

    Happy New Year La Carmina.

  4. Santiago
    Posted January 3, 2017 at 1:17 am | Permalink

    I need to go to Japan and stay here.

  5. Diana S.
    Posted January 3, 2017 at 1:17 am | Permalink

    I really want to stay here.
    Great review.

  6. Rayu.
    Posted January 3, 2017 at 1:18 am | Permalink

    WOW WOW

  7. Mark
    Posted January 3, 2017 at 4:31 am | Permalink

    Bucket list for certain.

  8. U Peter
    Posted January 3, 2017 at 5:44 am | Permalink

    Godzilla is LIFE,

  9. Henry
    Posted January 3, 2017 at 5:44 am | Permalink

    I wish I could go there one day.

  10. Thom
    Posted January 3, 2017 at 6:01 am | Permalink

    Brilliant statue of Godzilla.

  11. Erin Erlach
    Posted January 3, 2017 at 6:46 am | Permalink

    I must go to this hotel! Erin

  12. Sherry
    Posted January 3, 2017 at 9:45 pm | Permalink

    I’d LOVE to stay here someday!!!!

  13. robert
    Posted January 3, 2017 at 9:47 pm | Permalink

    the Best hotel. I am planning to go.

  14. Jerry Moore
    Posted January 4, 2017 at 7:15 am | Permalink

    fantastic!! I will be visiting there this spring. Thanks for the tour

    • lacarmina
      Posted January 4, 2017 at 11:18 pm | Permalink

      I’m glad, Jerry! I’ll post more Godzilla coverage soon – there’s a statue in Ginza you must see as well.

  15. Jia
    Posted January 4, 2017 at 7:24 am | Permalink

    Godzilla hotel!!! I am going really soon now!

  16. Rara
    Posted January 4, 2017 at 7:24 am | Permalink

    Tengo que ir un día

  17. Garry Smith
    Posted January 4, 2017 at 8:04 am | Permalink

    My Wife and I spent a night in the room last year.. so much fun!!
    I will admit it was hard to book but thanks to s Japanese friend it worked out great.
    Even if you don’t stay in the Godzilla room the. Hotel is amazing, my favourite hotel on our trip to Japan
    Ps excellent article !

    • lacarmina
      Posted January 4, 2017 at 11:19 pm | Permalink

      It’s amazing! :) Hmm it seems they changed their website now to make it much more English accessible and easier to book – a great thing!

  18. Sara Nena
    Posted January 4, 2017 at 2:42 pm | Permalink

    woooow, never been to japan…there is really EVERYTHING

    http://7-sevendays.blogspot.it/

  19. Pele
    Posted January 4, 2017 at 11:14 pm | Permalink

    when I visit, I’ll have to make sure I stay here a few days

  20. Yves
    Posted January 4, 2017 at 11:14 pm | Permalink

    So cool dude

  21. Me me me
    Posted August 5, 2018 at 11:04 pm | Permalink

    Yeah, we are staying there for a week in September!

  22. J.J.
    Posted December 10, 2019 at 6:20 pm | Permalink

    It’s too bad a I have no friends or money so i’ll never get to go to Japan .-.

  23. Norman Gaines Jr.
    Posted July 17, 2022 at 8:50 pm | Permalink

    A couple of things: when the Godzilla head spews smoke, there are speakers on the street below for block that play his “theme” music.
    The Gracery Shinjuku bar doesn’t really have a “life size” Godzilla, since he’s over 300 feet tall. There’s also a whole light show on the street-facing side of the hotel when Godzilla does his thing hourly. Across the street from the main entrance (ask for it) there’s a block-long line of small bars, some that can only seat 4 Go there and drink.

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