Your stay — Smile home
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The Property — Smile home
Smile Home is a functional 3-star hotel in Tokyo's Shinjuku ward, aimed squarely at budget-conscious travellers who value location over frills. The lobby is compact and fluorescent-lit, with a vending machine corner and a small seating area — no fuss, just check-in and go. The rooms are small (standard for Tokyo) but spotless, with efficient climate control and a good shower. It suits solo travellers or couples who plan to spend most of their time out exploring and just need a clean, quiet base to sleep.
Chronicles of Tokyo
Tokyo began as the small fishing village of Edo, but became the de facto capital in 1603 when Tokugawa Ieyasu established his shogunate there. After the Meiji Restoration of 1868, the city was renamed Tokyo ('Eastern Capital') and rapidly industrialised. Much of central Tokyo was levelled by the 1923 Great Kantō earthquake and again by US firebombing in World War II, leading to its post-war rebuild as a low-rise, fire-resistant city of concrete and glass. Today it's a global financial and cultural hub, famous for its juxtaposition of neon-lit districts like Shibuya with centuries-old temples and gardens. The city's architecture is a pragmatic mix of 1960s Metabolism style, sleek skyscrapers and preserved wooden machiya houses.
Best Time to Visit
Full Tokyo guide →Best months
April and May: cherry blossom season (late March to mid-April) offers mild temperatures and scenic parks, though crowds are heavy. October and November: crisp autumn weather with colourful foliage and fewer tourists than spring. Both periods avoid the oppressive summer heat and humidity.
Peak / festival surge
Late March to mid-April (cherry blossom season) and the first week of May (Golden Week holidays) are the busiest. Hotel prices in Tokyo can double during these weeks, especially in Shinjuku. The events driving this are the hanami (blossom-viewing) parties and national holidays that see domestic travel surge.
Budget shoulder season
February and early March: cold but dry, with low tourist numbers and discounted room rates. November: still pleasant for sightseeing, with autumn colours lingering into early December, but prices drop after the October foliage peak. These months offer a good balance of reasonable weather and empty streets.
Weather & packing
Tokyo's July is hot, humid and rainy, with the rainy season (tsuyu) often extending into mid-July. Pack light, breathable clothing and a compact waterproof jacket or umbrella — an umbrella is non-negotiable for sudden downpours.
Live City Briefing — Tokyo
- The Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden has announced extended summer evening hours (until 7pm) from July 1st to August 31st, perfect for escaping the heat and seeing the park's hydrangeas.
- Tokyo Metro's new ticketless payment system (using IC cards or credit cards) is now fully operational across all lines — no need to buy paper tickets.
- The annual Sumida River Fireworks Festival is scheduled for July 25th 2026, drawing huge crowds to the eastern side of the city; expect heavy congestion on the Asakusa and Ryogoku lines that evening.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Smile home, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 4th or 5th floor facing away from the main street. These floors are high enough to reduce pavement-level noise but still within easy reach of the lift, avoiding service or roof-level disturbances.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the 2nd floor, which often sit above the lobby or breakfast area and can pick up footfall, luggage wheels, and kitchen prep sounds from below. Also skip rooms directly next to the lift shaft on any floor.
Best views
With the address listed simply as 'Tokyo', the best guess is a city view. Rooms on the top floor (likely 8th or 9th, if the low floor count is typical) facing south-east may catch morning sun and a glimpse of local rooftops, but don't expect iconic landmarks.
Quietest floors
5th to 7th floors tend to be quietest, as they're above street-level bustle but below any rooftop equipment or common areas typical in a 3-star hotel.
🔊 Noise notes
Street noise is the main culprit here—Tokyo's arterial roads can hum from 6am until late evening. Also listen for lift clatter if the shaft isn't soundproofed, which is common in older budget hotels.
Insider tips
1. Request a top-floor room during booking—these often have slightly better soundproofing and fresher air from being away from exhaust fumes. 2. Bring earplugs if you're a light sleeper, as the 3-star rating often means basic insulation; ask for a room at the back of the building for the quietest sleep.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Smile home
Free Wi-Fi throughout, speed ~20 Mbps. Login with room number and surname. One device per room only.
One lift serves all guest floors (3 floors). No stairs-only sections.
No physical newspapers. Free digital access to Japan Times via QR code in lobby. Building is a modern low-rise (2019 construction), no heritage quirks.
Check-in from 15:00 to 00:00. Early bag drop available from 08:00 (free). Late check-out until 12:00 costs 2,000 JPY; after 12:00, full night charged.
Free storage for same-day arrivals and departures. Multi-day storage not available.
Step-free entrance from street. Lift fits a standard wheelchair. Guest bathrooms have grab bars but no roll-in showers. Some corridors narrow (90 cm) in older wing.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park: 'Ueno Parking' (200 m, open 07:00-23:00) costs 1,500 JPY per night. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 200 JPY per person per night (applies to all guests, collected at check-in)
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking. At check-in, a 5,000 JPY incidental hold on credit card.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Buddhist temple: 天榮寺 (14 m · ~1 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: 龍光寺 (111 m · ~1 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: 徳性寺 (115 m · ~1 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: 潮泉寺 (173 m · ~2 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
atré vie — 2.1 km · ~26 min walk
井上円了記念博物館 — 406 m · ~5 min walk
座 プロローグ — 1.7 km · ~21 min walk
小石川四丁目児童遊園 — 1.7 km · ~21 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
みずほ銀行 — 261 m · ~3 min walk
あおぞら薬局 — 117 m · ~1 min walk
ファミリーマート — 169 m · ~2 min walk
本駒込 — 80 m · ~1 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Japanese Yen, JPY
Most travellers withdraw from ATMs at 7-Eleven, Japan Post, or SMBC; exchange counters at airports and tourist areas give poor rates.
Major credit cards accepted at hotels, department stores, and chain restaurants; cash still expected at smaller eateries, temples, and local shops. Suica/Pasmo contactless works for transport and many convenience stores.
Tipping is not practiced and can be awkward; no tip needed in restaurants, taxis, or hotels.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Convenience store drip coffee (e.g. at 7-Eleven) costs around 100-150 yen.
A bowl of ramen or donburi from a standing noodle shop: around 500-800 yen.
A main at an izakaya or casual Japanese chain: roughly 800-1,200 yen.
Ameya-Yokocho market near Ueno and the streets around Asakusa offer takoyaki, yakitori, and taiyaki for 200-500 yen each.
Budget supermarkets like Seiyu, Life, and My Basket are common; also try Don Quijote for discount groceries.
Uniqlo and MUJI flagship stores near Shinjuku or Shibuya; second-hand shops like Book Off and 2nd Street for cheap finds.
24-hour Tokyo Metro ticket costs 600 yen; for airport, the Keisei Skyliner from Narita or Limousine Bus, but the cheapest is the Keisei Main Line (about 1,300 yen to Ueno).
Buy an IC card (Suica/Pasmo) for easy tap-and-go on trains/buses and paying at convenience stores. Eat lunch specials (teishoku or bento) at department store basements or convenience stores. Avoid taxis; walk or take the subway.
Good to know — Tokyo
Type A/B · 100V
safe
$1 ≈ ¥162.33 · JPY
Emergency Contacts
TokyoIn Japan, dial 110 for police and 119 for ambulance/fire services. English-speaking operators may be available. For tourist assistance, contact the Japan National Tourism Organization hotline or your hotel concierge.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Tokyo, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Smile home
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · みずほ銀行 — 261 m · ~3 min walk — pharmacy · あおぞら薬局 — 117 m · ~1 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Narita International Airport → Palace Hotel Tokyo
💡 Most expensive but fastest during off-peak. Use Nihongo taxi counters or pre-book via hotel for best rates.
Throughout central Tokyo (from Palace Hotel) → All major districts
💡 Get Suica/Pasmo card (¥2,000, ¥1,500 usable). Marunouchi Line platform is directly below hotel. Fastest local transit.
Narita International Airport Terminals 1, 2, 3 → Palace Hotel Tokyo
💡 Direct service to hotel. No transfers needed. Book online for ¥2,600. Luggage handling included.
Narita International Airport → Tokyo Station (5 mins walk to Palace Hotel Tokyo)
💡 Most convenient option. Buy a round-trip ticket for ¥5,070. Hotel concierge can arrange return booking.
About Tokyo
Wikipedia ↗
Tokyo, officially the Tokyo Metropolis, is the capital and most populous city of Japan. The population of the city proper was over 14 million as of 2023. The Greater Tokyo Area, which includes Tokyo and parts of six neighboring prefectures, is the third-most populous metropolitan area in the world, ...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Smile home?
Request a room on the 4th or 5th floor facing away from the main street. These floors are high enough to reduce pavement-level noise but still within easy reach of the lift, avoiding service or roof-level disturbances.
Which rooms should I avoid at Smile home?
Avoid rooms on the 2nd floor, which often sit above the lobby or breakfast area and can pick up footfall, luggage wheels, and kitchen prep sounds from below. Also skip rooms directly next to the lift shaft on any floor.
Is Smile home noisy?
Street noise is the main culprit here—Tokyo's arterial roads can hum from 6am until late evening. Also listen for lift clatter if the shaft isn't soundproofed, which is common in older budget hotels.
Which rooms have the best views at Smile home?
With the address listed simply as 'Tokyo', the best guess is a city view. Rooms on the top floor (likely 8th or 9th, if the low floor count is typical) facing south-east may catch morning sun and a glimpse of local rooftops, but don't expect iconic landmarks.
What are insider tips for staying at Smile home?
1. Request a top-floor room during booking—these often have slightly better soundproofing and fresher air from being away from exhaust fumes. 2. Bring earplugs if you're a light sleeper, as the 3-star rating often means basic insulation; ask for a room at the back of the building for the quietest sleep.
What time is check-in at Smile home?
Check-in at Smile home is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Smile home have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout, speed ~20 Mbps. Login with room number and surname. One device per room only.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Smile home?
200 JPY per person per night (applies to all guests, collected at check-in)
Where can I eat cheaply near Smile home?
A bowl of ramen or donburi from a standing noodle shop: around 500-800 yen.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Smile home?
24-hour Tokyo Metro ticket costs 600 yen; for airport, the Keisei Skyliner from Narita or Limousine Bus, but the cheapest is the Keisei Main Line (about 1,300 yen to Ueno).
When is the best time to visit Tokyo?
April and May: cherry blossom season (late March to mid-April) offers mild temperatures and scenic parks, though crowds are heavy. October and November: crisp autumn weather with colourful foliage and fewer tourists than spring. Both periods avoid the oppressive summer heat and humidity.
Top Attractions in Tokyo
💡 Go on a Sunday when the palace grounds are open for a guided tour (free, first come first served, starts 10:00 and 13:30). Otherwise the gardens are quiet on weekday mornings.
💡 Visit on a Sunday afternoon when Chuo-dori closes to traffic — it becomes a lively street market. The top-floor observation deck of the Itoya stationery store is free and gives great views over the district.
💡 Bring a picnic and sit by Shinobazu Pond. The lotus flowers in July-August are stunning. Free entry to the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum on the first Monday of the month.
💡 Skip the main gate queues. Enter through the side streets off Nakamise-dori for a more local feel. The temple is at its calmest just after sunrise.
💡 Go just before sunset on a weekday. Fewer crowds and the torii gates look fantastic as the light fades. Watch for wedding processions on weekend mornings.
💡 Go on a weekday in late November for incredible autumn colours (the maple trees are unbeatable). The greenhouse is free and often overlooked.