Stay in a tattoo-friendly Tokyo Onsen Hotel: YUEN SHINJUKU
Have you ever dreamt of soaking in a rooftop onsen, watching the sun set over the biggest city in the world, followed by free ice cream and sake? WARNING: You are about to…
There is no doubt that Japan has rapidly become one of the biggest tourist destinations in the World, with bucket lists filled with everything from visiting Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios, to seeing the Snow Monkeys in Nagano.
But one of the biggest things that brings people to Japan is the Onsen Culture and Ryokan Stays.
I was always a little hesitant, both of the nudity aspect and the misconception that they will cost a fortune, especially in key cities like Tokyo. So I was pleasantly surprised to learn about a boujee on a budget Tokyo Onsen Hotel in the heart of Shinjuku.
Whether you are planning your first visit, plotting your return like me or simply want to start dreaming of that ‘one day trip’, you are going to want to take note of Onsen Ryokan Yuen Shinjuku – now a tattoo friendly onsen experience!
Where is Yuen Shinjuku?
This Unique Tokyo Onsen Hotel is tucked away in the quieter streets of the Shinjuku Ward district of Tokyo.
Only a short walk from both Golden Gai and Shinjuku Station, although there is a range of other transport options and experiences to have even closer!
How to get to Yuen Shinjuku?
Yuen Shinjuku is a short walk away from one of the busiest transport hubs in the world, meaning there are endless options to get you to and from your Tokyo Onsen Hotel stay.
Klook.comđźš„Taking the TRAIN to Yuen Shinjuku
JR Chūō Line: Commonly known as the JR Central line. Taking this line from Shinjuku Station connects you to the key destinations in Tokyo like Akihabara, Shibuya and Tokyo station.
These routes are covered under the JAPAN RAIL PASS (JR PASS)
Normal one-way fares cost around 220 yen.
Metro Musashino Line: You can also use the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line or Oedo Line.
This is NOT covered by the JR pass. Instead, I highly recommend purchasing a Tokyo Subway Ticket on Klook (24hr, 48hrs or 72hrs of unlimited Metro Travel).
You can also top up a Suica Card in your Apple wallet to simply tap to pay on your phone.
đźšť WALKING to Yuen Shinjuku
This one really depends on where you are coming from/to. Even if you are arriving at Shinjuku Station, there is a good chance you will end up lost at least once and have a very different route from whatever exit you finally escape from.
We actually walked when swapping hotels between the Godzilla Hotel and Yuen Shinjuku. All routes are easy to navigate with only one main road hill to wander up while he rest is relatively flat.
🚏Taking the BUS to Yuen Shinjuku
With both the Expressway Terminal Bus Station and the Shinjuku Bus Terminal only 10 minutes away, it opens up many more routes and opportunities.
With a range of regular bus lines around Tokyo, shuttle buses and even the Limousine Bus to/from Narita or Haneda Airport
đźš• Taking a TAXI to Yuen Shinjuku
The Hotel can help you arrange Taxi services by simply contacting online or at the front desk.
Overall this is the most expensive option. However, it is worth noting that due to it being in the heart of Shinjuku, the Private Airport Transfer options are easy and cheaper to book than in other areas of Tokyo.
What is an Onsen Hotel?
Firstly, we should probably define Onsen; These are traditional Japanese hot spring baths, often found in picturesque settings and famous for their healing powers and relaxing properties.
In this case, you will find these baths in Hotels, or better known as an onsen ryokan.
These are traditional Japanese inns or hotels that feature natural hot springs as a key part of their experience. Offering guests the opportunity to soak in the therapeutic benefits of the hot spring waters.
Commonly, onsens in these Hotels will be shared spaces split into Male and Female as naked bathing is the standard across Japan. However, you can find options with Private baths and hot springs even at Yuen Shinjuku!
Traditional Ryokans vs Tokyo Onsen Hotel
A traditional ryokan typically embraces old-school culture, with tatami mats, futons, and communal onsen baths. These run more like a guesthouse with full board offerings and traditional hospitality.
On the other hand, Yuen Shinjuku blends modern luxury with the classic onsen experience. Its sleek design and western comforts bring a more contemporary twist to Onsen stays.
And while Yuen Shinjuku may be called a Ryokan, I would not necessarily add it into the category. This Tokyo Onsen Hotel leans more on the side of a Western-style hotel that provides a unique opportunity to dip your toes into the Japanese onsen culture.
What to know before booking Yuen Shinjuku
Like most things I share across my blog and social media, I made the mistakes so you don’t have to.
Now I know you must be itching to book your dream stay here already but please give me a couple more minutes of your time to save you much more of your time, money and stress in the long run…
Best Season to Book your Tokyo Onsen Hotel stay
One of the biggest things to note is that season MATTERS when booking almost anything in Japan. With many hotels jumping between hundreds of dollars to thousands of dollars in only a matter of weeks.
Not to mention that with the high demand, things tend to book out months in advance.
So while I will be taking you though all of the different room types and varied budget options, you are probably best to check what is available for your intended dates and plan around that.
Again, this is going to drastically vary pending the time of year. For example, you may want to avoid or at least prepare yourselves very early for the chaos of:
- Sakura Cherry Blossom Season (March-May): You must have been living under a rock if you haven’t heard of the cherry blossom season in Japan. Where people flock from around the world to see the iconic pink blooms, paying a premium to do so.
- Golden Week (late April to early May): With 4 national holidays in one week, these festivities almost shut the entire country down. You’ll find many local stores closed down and increased travel around the country.
- Autumn Foliage: With the oversaturation of cherry blossom season, the Autumn/Fall foliage is booming as a colourful alternative with crowds increasing every year.
- Silver Week (mid-September): Like us, you may have been warned of Golden Week but you may not know about Silver Week later in the year… Another series of public holidays to watch out for.
While I recommend the shoulder season, late May to August and late November to December.
Ultimately, the BEST season to book will come down to your goals ahead of your dream Japan trip. Just make sure you do your research and give yourself plenty of time to book ahead!
Klook.comYuen Shinjuku Room Types
Okay, now we can finally get into the good stuff!
Yuen Shinjuku offers 7 varied room types. Giving options for those looking for a boujee on a budget, Tokyo Onsen Hotel experience all the way up to a big splurge on a private bath suite. Let me elaborate:
- Semi-double room (OUR ROOM!) – This 12m² is a standard-sized Japanese Hotel room with a few additional comforts and sleek design additions. Starting around $150 a night, it is a bargain for Shinjuku let a lone for a Tokyo Onsen Hotel!
- Twin Room – Slightly bigger room at 15m² but with two small beds. Offering an alternative for 2 people.
- Comfort Twin Room – Getting a little more spacious here at 20m². Utilising a different layout to maximise your space and provide extra desk space.
- Double Room – This was my preference with a cute little table area and way more space at 25m². Also, an ideal size if you have 3 people with you.
- Premium Double room – With space for 4 people at a big jump up to 33m², this sells out fast. Again, coming with a beautiful bigger table space and sweeping views.
- YUEN Suite Room – Starting from $600 or so a night, you can go all out on this luxe 51m² that feels more like an apartment. Well, I should say ‘looks’, I wish I had the chance to stay here!
- Universal Room – A 20m² accessible room only available for booking directly with with Hotel.
Where to Book Yuen Shinjuku – and how to save $$$
Speaking of booking platforms, there are several sites you can book your stay at Onsen Ryokan Yuen Shinjuku.
The best part about Yuen Shinjuku being bookable on multiple platforms is the increased ability to score an even better deal.
In this case, I am usually a booking.com girl with level 3 Genius benefits that give me big deals and add-ons.
HOWEVER, we had Klook credit to spend and were able to get a bonus discount with my code.
Highlights of a Yuen Shinjuku Onsen Stay
The Rooftop Onsen (duh!)
For obvious (naked reasons) I could not take photos of the rooftop onsen but trust me when I say no photo could do this experince justice anyway!
We found during breakfast and dinner was the best time to sneak in for a soak as everyone else was busy eating or exploring the city, which left me the onsen to myself.
Its a smaller bathing area than many others like Toyosu Manyo Club Tokyo. Instead split into an indoor pool and outdoor pool (my fave) overlooking the Tokyo skyline. Mirrored for the Male and Female sides – as in split not actual mirrors btw haha
Benefits：Nerve pains, muscle soreness, joint pains, stiff shoulders, stiff joints, bruises, sprains, chronic digestive diseases, diabetes, hemorrhoids, cold intolerance, recovery from illnesses, recovery from exhaustion, health enhancement
Onsen Ryokan Yuen Shinjuku
FREE post-soak popsicles in the onsen lounge
The ice cream freezer is stocked and served daily between 3:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.
With multiple flavours to choose from, this is the perfect cool down after a hot rooftop bath soak.
Or simply a sweet treat to enjoy in the lounge.
Nightly unlimited snacks and sake hour
Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better after free ice cream, you stumble across the unlimited late-night snack and sake hour in the main restaurant KAKA TOJO!
I have to be honest with you, I am not entirely sure if this was a seasonal special, maybe there are variations throughout the year.
But I have had no recent comments or reviews that I have stalked that say otherwise so it remains in the highlights.
Once I collected my mix of snacks, handmade tofu and sweet Japanese sake, we found a quiet spot by the window overlooking the garden.
I say quiet, but that does not mean it wasn’t busy. If you can’t find a table, you are welcome to take snacks back to your room to enjoy.
Relax in your Yukata
Not to be confused with a kimono which are are considered more formalwear, often made of silk, and saved for special occasions.
Yukata are casual, typically made of cotton or linen, and most Ryokans provide a variation of this in your room for you to wear during your stay.
So you can look part as much as Yuen Shinjuku will make you feel the part.
Having Tokyo (and 7-Eleven) at your doorstep
Shinjuku is one of the most famous and accessible parts of Tokyo, and your stay at Yuen Shinjuku sets you up in the heart of it all.
From the bars of Golden Gai around the corner to watching Godzilla roar every night on Godzilla Road (Yes, I also can not believe that is a real thing haha), you will not be short on things to do, see, eat, shop and explore. Or more likely get lost in.
The perfect base to walk, train, bus or even Go-Kart around the city from!
Klook.comAlternate Ryokan and Onsen hotels in Tokyo
To find the best and most traditional Ryokans in Japan, you will need to escape the big cities.
Yet that does not mean there aren’t a few hidden gems to be discovered in Tokyo, like Yuen Shinjuku.
Whether you are looking for a tattoo-friendly alternative, a more authentic Japanese experience or wanting to splurge on next-level luxury, you have options:
Tokyo, Japan
Asakusa, Japan
Tokyo, Japan
24-hour, 9 storey onsen experience with 360 rooftop foot spa: Toyosu Manyo Club Tokyo Day Pass is the most affordable onsen experience in Tokyo with passes starting from $20 for the day! If you need a day of recovery and relaxation, this is the place to come. You do not want to miss their insane all-you-can-eat dining options too!
Spend the Night at Toyosu Manyo Club Tokyo: Toyosu Manyo Club Hotel is the hotel side of the 24-hour, 9-storey onsen experience with 360 rooftop foot spa. With rooms spread across the many floors of nonsense, spas and dining, it lets you maximise your experience.
The highest rated Ryokan in Tokyo: Cyashitsu ryokan asakusa offers a similar experience to Yuen Shinjuku but in a different part of Tokyo (arguably a better area IMO). This highly rated stay has jumped to the top of my Tokyo bucketlist.
WTF: HOSHINOYA Tokyo invites you in for a next-level luxury Ryokan experience by the leading hotel brand Hoshino Resorts. Its 5-star rating doesn’t feel like enough.
Common questions about Yuen Shinjuku
Is Yuen Shinjuku Tattoo Friendly?
I thought I had a clear answer to this until my reel/TikTok about our stay went viral, and it seems things have updated in 2025!
My original answer: No
Updated answer as of 2025: YES!
During our stay back in late 2024, the signage and website noted that tattoos are prohibited in the onsens. However, recent commenters have said that the signs are clear and staff have given the green light for those with tattoos.
Now I should add here that just because tattoos were not allowed in the onsen, my partner with tattoos was not banished from the hotel. Still free to roam around and even make use of the onsen lounge space.
We found Toyosu Manyo Club in Tokyo to be the best tattoo-friendly alternative during our time in Tokyo (as mentioned above). Although it still came with cover up restrictions, which I know is not ideal for everyone.
Are there private onsens available in the hotel?
Yuen Shinjuku offer some room types with a private bath.
Although from the few photos online, it is not comparable to the full rooftop onsen. Unfortunately, this room was sold out during my dates so I can not give you a full review though.
Are meals included in your stay?
You can book certain packages for your stay with breakfast, lunch and dinner options. That based on the menu and photos we saw, looks incredible.
However, all of which were out of our budget, so we made use of the 7-Eleven directly across the road and the city full of delicious (and much more affordable options) around the corner.
The only ‘meal’ we had in the hotel was the free late-night snack and sake hour.
Do they speak English at the Tokyo Onsen Hotel?
Yes.
English is widely spoken in Tokyo; HOWEVER, I highly encourage you to learn the basics of Japanese. A simple hello, yes, no, please, and thankyou will go a long way.
How do I get the discount code to work for Yuen Shinjuku?
Firstly, you are going to want to book through Klook if you want to add on my cheeky discount code.
Yes, it is an affiliate link but it doesn’t cost you any extra. In fact, it saves you more $$$.
If the direct link to Yuen Shinjuku on Klook does not let you validate the promo code as part of your booking. You can try to CLICK HERE and it will automatically add the discount to your next booking.
This is not only for this Unique Tokyo Onsen Hotel by the way, you can save big across all of your Klook adventures in Japan, like Universal Studios or Tokyo DisneySea!
What is it really like to stay in a Tokyo Onsen hotel? My brutally honest Yuen Shinjuku Review.
Funnily enough our original plan was to splurge on a Ryokan expereince as part of our Mt Fuji Photo Spot Roadtrip. Dreaming of soaking in an onsen overlooking Mt Fuji.
The problem was that
1. It was well beyond what our ‘splurge’ budget was this trip
2. It was sold out of our preferred dates anyway
Looking back, I am so glad it made us pivot to this Tokyo stay!
What might be my most controversial opinion yet is that Tokyo is my least favourite place in Japan. It is too easy to get caught up in the overtourism problem, overcrowding and overpriced nature of this beast of a city.
However, this Unique Onsen Hotel experience was the perfect balance of being able to better understand and explore the chaos while also escaping from it.
Best of all, it gave us a totally different perspective on Tokyo and even surprised us with some of our favourite food from our trip. Like this little Ramen and Dumpling spot only a block down the road!
BUT would I stay again? Probably not.
There is no doubt that this is a surprisingly affordable option for Shinjuku with some impressive amenities. Made even more enticing with its updated tattoo policy (that I am sure Jedd would want to go back just to finally try out)
Personally, it comes down to not feeling the need to stay in Shinjuku again. I would rather spend my time in Tokyo at Disneyland or finding different, unique stays and experiences around Japan.
Don’t let that stop you from testing out your own dream onsen stay though!
Of course, if you have any questions, concerns or want to add an experience/review of your own from a stay at Yuen Shinjuku, I am only a message away! Just as your dream stay may only be a click away…
