Shibuya Penthouse: 3-Minute Walk to Station & Crossing!
Shibuya Penthouse: 3-Minute Walk to Station & Crossing! - A Confession of a Converted Tokyo Tourist
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because I'm about to give you the unfiltered truth about Shibuya Penthouse. Forget the polished travel blog fluff – this is coming from a guy who, after a week in Tokyo, felt less "Zen Master" and more "jet-lagged zombie craving a decent cup of coffee." And let me tell you, this place… it's got its good bits, and, well, let's just say I have some strong opinions.
Accessibility – The Good, The Bad, and the Staircase of Doom (Mostly Good!)
Okay, first things first: "3-minute walk to the station & crossing!" – they ain't kidding. That is gold in Shibuya. Seriously, if you've ever wrestled a suitcase through that human tidal wave, you'll understand. So, A+ for location. Now, the "accessibility" angle… the website boasts "facilities for disabled guests," but there was a serious lack of specifics. I didn't personally need them, but I did see, on the way to my room, an elevator. HUGE plus. The lobby? Spacious. The restaurant? Seemed manageable. But, honestly? More detailed info would've been appreciated. Not everyone can conquer the Shibuya scramble, you know? Overall though, it seems like a solid start.
The Rooms – Pretty Damn Good, Actually.
My room? Let's just say I was prepared for a shoebox, standard Tokyo practice. Surprise! It wasn't. Available in all rooms: Air conditioning (thank the heavens!), alarm clock (for those early mornings), a mini-bar (yes!), and even… wait for it… an umbrella! Bless them. That detail alone saved me from a torrential downpour and a potentially soaked-through existential crisis. In-room safe box, check. Free Wi-Fi, double-check (and it actually worked, unlike some other places I've stayed). Hair dryer, bathrobes, slippers – all the little things that make you feel like a pampered, albeit slightly bewildered, tourist.
The separate shower/bathtub was a lifesaver after a day of exploring. I may have spent a solid hour submerged in hot water, letting the jet lag melt away. And yes, there was a reading light – essential for my late-night manga binges (don't judge). The only downside? That glorious extra long bed swallowed me whole. I swear I spent half the night lost in the duvet abyss. Also, that window that opens? It let in that glorious, chaotic Shibuya noise. Which, honestly, I loved. I'm that kind of guy - I enjoy the sounds of the city.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – A Mixed Bag of Deliciousness
Restaurants: Okay, let's get real about the food. They have a restaurant with Asian cuisine (surprise!) and Western cuisine, plus a coffee shop and snack bar. Breakfast was a buffet – standard affair, nothing mind-blowing, but the Asian breakfast options were definitely a highlight. The coffee/tea in the restaurant was passable. But the real MVP? The poolside bar – yeah, you read that right. A rooftop pool (more on that later) with a bar. Pure bliss. I may or may not have spent an entire afternoon sipping cocktails and watching the city swirl below. Room service [24-hour] was a godsend after a late night of bar hopping. The burger was actually pretty decent.
The "Things to Do" and "Ways to Relax" – Where Things Get Interesting
The Pool, The Myth, The Legend: Okay, I need to gush about the Swimming pool [outdoor]. It was amazing. Period. Pool with view – absolutely. I could see the iconic Shibuya crossing! It has a sauna and spa/sauna. There's all this jazz about fitness center, and gym/fitness and massage. I considered it. I really did. But, to be honest, after a day of battling crowds and navigating the subway, all I wanted was that pool. So, I sat there, sipping my cocktail, and…well, I think I forgot my troubles for a moment.
The Spa Experience – Or My Attempt at Zen
They also have a spa. I tried the Body scrub. I'd even tried booking a Massage. I’m not gonna lie, I went in wanting to feel like a pampered, enlightened human. I came out feeling…well, scrubbed. Maybe even a little pink. I think I prefer to be my own zen master, honestly.
Cleanliness and Safety – Reassuringly Sanitized (Probably)
Anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection in common areas, hand sanitizer everywhere – they’re taking it seriously, which, let's face it, is a major relief. Rooms sanitized between stays. I appreciated the effort, even though I'm not entirely sure I noticed anything different (in a good way!). Staff trained in safety protocol and the CCTV in common areas gave me some peace of mind, even if I sometimes forgot they were there.
Services and Conveniences – Because You're Going to Need Them
Concierge: Helpful, but slightly overwhelmed. I asked about a specific ramen shop, and they gave me directions to a completely different one. Hey, it was still delicious, so no hard feelings. Cash withdrawal: essential. Currency exchange: useful. Daily housekeeping. You betcha. Laundry service: invaluable. Luggage storage: a life-saver. The Convenience store was a godsend for late-night snacks, and they even had the aforementioned bottle of water. Basically, all the little things you need to survive a Tokyo adventure.
The Little Things – The Quirks and the Charm
They had a shrine on the property. I thought that was really cool.
They had a smoke detector (good!) and a fire extinguisher (also good!).
I spotted several elevators.
The air conditioning in public area was strong, and effective, which I fully appreciated as a sweaty tourist.
The Verdict – Would I Go Back?
Absolutely. The location alone is worth the price of admission. Yes, there were minor imperfections (the concierge's ramen blunders, the slightly-too-large bed). But the overall experience was positive. The staff were friendly, the rooms were comfortable, and the rooftop pool… well, that’s a memory I won't soon forget. And even if it isn't perfect, it's a good base of operations for exploring the craziness that is Shibuya. Just… remember to pack your earplugs. You'll thank me later.
Metadata (SEO & Search Optimization)
- Title: Shibuya Penthouse Review: 3-Min Walk to Station & Crossing! Honest Review
- Keywords: Shibuya, Tokyo, hotel review, Penthouse, accommodation, Japan, travel, Shibuya crossing, accessibility, pool, wifi, clean, safe, location, reviews, best hotels, tourist, traveler, travel advice, hotel, recommendations.
- Meta Description: A candid, honest review of Shibuya Penthouse, a hotel close to Shibuya station and the famous crossing. Discover the pros and cons from a real traveler's perspective, including accessibility, amenities, and overall experience. This review focuses on the rooftop pool, amazing location, and offers everything you need to know before you book!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups! This isn't your average travel itinerary, this is… me, loose in Japan, praying I don’t screw it all up. And yes, the damn itinerary itself is probably gonna be a bit… loose. Let's dive in.
The "PENTHOUSE 3min Direct to Shibuya Station & Crossing" - aka, My Japan-tastic Mess of a Plan
(Day 1: Arrival - Tokyo! Oh, the Joy and the Jet Lag)
- Morning (~8:00 AM JST) - Landed! And I am a zombie. Okay, Heathrow was a freaking nightmare. Delayed flight, lost my good noise-canceling headphones (RIP, sweet prince), and I'm pretty sure the guy next to me was secretly practicing interpretive dance with his elbows. But! I’m in Tokyo! The air… it smells like… clean. Maybe. Probably. Definitely not stale airplane air.
- Morning/Early Afternoon (~9:00 AM – 12:00 PM) - Immigration, Baggage, and the Search for Sanity. Smooth-ish immigration (thank god for pre-filling the forms on the plane), then the baggage carousel of existential dread (seriously, is my suitcase just floating in the void now?). Found it! Thank you, sweet luggage gods. Now, train time! Praying I don't end up on a train headed to… the middle of nowhere.
- Early Afternoon (~12:30 PM - 1:30 PM) - Shibuya Station - The Arrival's Nerve-Wracking Charm
- So it's true, I did book a place 3 minutes from Shibuya station. The penthouse part? Well, that's a… strategic exaggeration. (It's a nice apartment, okay? Give me a break! I'm paying for this!)
- I'm picturing myself, cool as a cucumber, navigating the crowds like a seasoned pro. Reality? I'm pretty sure I'll be a deer in headlights, clutching my backpack like a lifeline, and muttering "Sumimasen!" every two seconds.
- Emotional Reaction: Okay, deep breaths. I'm here. Japan. The land of vending machines and… well, I haven’t eaten much yet, but the promise of sushi is getting me through.
- Quirky Observation: I'm pretty sure I saw two salarymen bowing to each other in the middle of the station concourse. Is this… normal? Should I be bowing? Am I going to accidentally insult someone by not bowing?!
- Imperfection: Likely to get very lost. Anticipate the first hour will consist of frantic Google Maps-ing, asking for help (poorly), and accidentally colliding with a schoolgirl in a ridiculously cute uniform.
- Afternoon (~2:00 PM - 3:00 PM) - Apartment Check-in: Will the Lock Work?
- Here goes nothing…Praying I can find the place. Praying the key works. Praying I didn't accidentally book a room overlooking a landfill.
- Messy Thought: Okay, I'm already fantasizing about the first bath. Can't wait to wash away the airplane grime of the past 24 hours. Maybe even try out one of those fancy Japanese toilets with all the… buttons.
- Emotional Reaction: Relief! A place to dump my stuff and maybe… just maybe… take a little nap.
- Late Afternoon/Evening (~4:00 PM - 6:00 PM) - SHIBUYA CROSSING - The Holy Grail of Sightseeing.
- This is it. The iconic scramble crossing. I've seen a million photos, but I bet it's even more overwhelming in real life.
- Quirky Observation: Are all the people in those photos actually walking or are they just… floating? Like a giant, moving, human sea?
- Doubling Down on the Crossing: I think I'm going to stand somewhere for like…an hour, and just let the energy sweep over me. Maybe try to take a video. I'm sure I will fail to capture it in its entirety.
- Opinionated Language: It's going to be ridiculously crowded, I know, but I don't even care. This is why I came to Japan. This is a pilgrimage.
- Evening (~7:00 PM onwards) - Dinner & Exploration.
- Find something delicious to eat! (Ramen? Tempura? Sushi? The possibilities are endless! And terrifying.)
- Anecdote: I saw a travel blogger recently talking about a place with "amazing yakitori but you need to book months in advance". I'll probably try my luck anyway. A good plan? No, not really.
- Imperfection: Will probably end up ordering the wrong thing, looking like an idiot, and loving it anyway.
- Rambling Thought: I need to work on how to say "excuse me". I keep stammering. Also, I should learn the kanji for sushi.
- Emotional Reaction: Hunger, excitement, and a healthy dose of nervous anticipation.
(Day 2: Tokyo - Temples, Trains, and a Vending Machine Addiction Begins)
- Morning: Explore the surrounding areas of Shibuya - Harajuku or Shinjuku
- Afternoon: Visit some famous temples in Tokyo
- Evening: Dinner and exploration in new wards within Tokyo
(Day 3: Day Trip to Hakone - Mountains, Art, and Hot Springs… Maybe I won't get lost.)
- Morning: Travel to Hakone.
- Afternoon: Cruise on Lake Ashi, check out the Hakone Open-Air Museum (fingers crossed I understand the art), and maybe even… maybe… a relaxing onsen (hot spring).
- Evening: Return to Tokyo.
(Day 4 - Kyoto Bound!)
- Morning: Train to Kyoto. I seriously need to book Japan Rail Pass before I get there.
- Afternoon: Kyoto station and Check-in to a traditional Ryokan
- Evening: Exploration around Kyoto station
(Day 5 & 6: Kyoto - Temples, Gardens, and Geishas (fingers crossed!)
- Day 5: Visit Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), Fushimi Inari Shrine, Gion district (trying to spot a geisha!), and attempt to master the art of matcha.
- Day 6: Wander through the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, explore the Tenryu-ji Temple, and maybe a cooking class (if I'm feeling brave).
(Day 7: Back to Shibuya -- and Reality)
- High Speed Train back to Tokyo.
- Shop for souvenirs. Eat every food I saw.
- Depart Tokyo: Back to the (uninteresting) world.
Important Notes and Utterly Unrealistic Goals:
- Language: I'm going to try to learn some basic Japanese. (Emphasis on "try.")
- Food: I'm going to eat everything. (Emphasis on "everything.")
- Getting Lost: Accept it. It's part of the adventure. Prepare for it. Embrace it.
- Packing: Did I pack enough socks? Probably not.
- Emotional Stability: Highly doubt. Will likely alternate between sheer joy and existential panic.
- The "Perfect" Photo: Forget it. It will probably be blurry. But I will enjoy the moment.
- Be open to everything!
- Most importantly: HAVE FUN!
So, there you have it. My incredibly subjective, probably unhelpful, and hopefully entertaining itinerary. Wish me luck. I’m going to need it.
Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Villa Dubois Guest House (US) - Your Dream Getaway!
Okay, spill the tea! Is this "Shibuya Penthouse" actually as amazing as it sounds? (Because, let's be real, "penthouse" is a loaded word.)
Alright, alright, settle down, social media-obsessed voyeurs. Yes...and no. "Penthouse" does evoke images of champagne breakfasts and infinity pools. This one? Let's just say it's *elevated*, physically, a little bit. It's on a high floor, so the views are pretty epic, especially at sunrise. And the location? Three minutes to the actual, screaming, neon-drenched chaos that is Shibuya Station and that insane crossing. That part is totally true, no filter needed. But it's not like, *Dubai penthouse* amazing. More like, *Tokyo functional, slightly stylish, and with a truly awesome view* amazing. I mean, you are getting a *ton* of light, that's the biggest upside there.
The location, the location, the location! Three minutes to the crossing? Is that a *lie* like those people selling watches in Times Square? Or is it truly that magical?
Okay, so here's the lowdown on the proximity: it's WILDLY close. I mean, I walked it, probably like, a hundred times. (Obsessed, much?) And each time? Nope. The timer didn't lie. It's basically, "Step out the door, maybe trip on the slightly uneven pavement (Tokyo, right?), and BAM! You're staring at the scramble crossing." I actually timed it with my phone, because I am a nerd. It's genuinely three minutes – maybe four if you get distracted by a particularly shiny anime billboard. Seriously, you can practically *taste* the crowds. Which, you know, can be good if you like ramen. Which, uh, I do. A lot.
The Views!! What are they like? Instagrammable? (Important.) Is it just a view of a bunch of other buildings, or is there something truly spectacular?
Okay, the views deserve their own category because OMG. Forget "instagrammable", it's *life-affirming* picturesque. You get Tokyo Tower, the skyscrapers, the whole freaking Shibuya panorama stretched out before you like a glorious, concrete and neon tapestry. Sunset is INSANE. Seriously, get your phone ready. (I’ve got dozens of photos, let’s be real). The city just blazes. Seeing all those lights coming on as the sun goes down… man. It's the kind of thing that gives you goosebumps and makes you feel like you're IN Tokyo. And yeah, of course, you see other buildings. It's a city! But the perspective is what makes it. You're *above* it all, looking down on the hustle. It's pretty magical. It makes you forget you need to buy milk or that the laundry needs doing. Well, for a little while, anyway.
Okay, the *downsides*. Because, let's be brutally honest, nothing is perfect. What's the catch? Is there a catch?
Alright, here's the real talk. First off, *space*. Tokyo apartments aren't exactly known for sprawling roominess, and this is no exception. It's compact. Efficient. Cozy. Translation: don't expect to have a rave, or host a sumo wrestling match. (Unless you're really dedicated, in which case, go for it! Just clean up afterward). Secondly, the noise. It's Shibuya. It's *loud*. Even on a high floor, you get the hum of the city. But it's the *good* kind of loud, the electric buzz of a city that never sleeps. Thirdly, it's not *cheap*. You're paying for the location and the view. And lastly? The elevators sometimes take forever. Not a *huge* deal, but I'm impatient, what can I say? Sometimes I just took the stairs when I was feeling active, which probably burned off all the ramen calories.
The apartment's *interior*. Describe it!! Is it minimalist, traditional, or… what? Do you have a favorite thing in there?
Okay, the inside... is nice and modern. It's not like, screaming "Japanese minimalism"... which is nice, but this is good. Clean lines, good light, and it has a feeling like they thought about actually living in the place, not just renting it out. The furniture is functional, which is a bonus (I've stayed in many places with furniture that looks good but is uncomfortable to sit on for longer than 5 minutes). My absolute favorite thing? The *shower*. It had *amazing* water pressure. After a long day of navigating the crowds, the pressure felt like a massage, but more. It's silly, but the shower was the best part of the day sometimes. I'm really into showers, apparently. And the little balcony was a good spot for morning coffee. You can get a little people-watching in from up there.
Okay, let's talk about "living" in Shibuya. Beyond the apartment itself, what's the *vibe*? Is it all flashing lights and sensory overload?
Shibuya is…an experience. Imagine a party that never stops. Bright, loud, exhilarating, and sometimes, a little overwhelming. It's definitely sensory overload! There are crowds, constant music, and a million restaurants. You are *never* bored. I'm, to be honest, I felt *vital* there. There's also a huge amount of *stuff*. Shopping, entertainment, restaurants of every stripe...it's all there. Even getting lost is fun (and, trust me, you *will* get lost). But, as much as I loved that chaos, I also needed a place to recharge. The apartment was *that*. It was a quiet sanctuary, even though it was only a 3-minute walk, tops, from the hustle. It's a real dichotomy, which is part of the appeal. You can dive headfirst into the crazy, and then retreat to your little haven. And believe me, that haven is worth it. I'd go back tomorrow.
Would you actually recommend this place to *normal* people? Or is it just for, like, Instagram influencers with endless budgets?
Listen, if you have the budget, absolutely, YES. I mean, if you're the kind of person who wants to be in the thick of it, to experience Shibuya, to have that *view*, and to have a place to come back to and breathe… then do it. It's not cheap, let's be honest, but it's worth considering against some of your potential alternatives in Tokyo. If you're on a ramen budget, and need to stretch every penny, find a hostel (or, you know, a really, really cheap love hotel - not judging!). But for the rest of us? It’s a great experience, a genuine option to really *live* in that city and feel those city vibes. Book it! You won'tMy Laptop Work
