Citadines Shinjuku Tokyo — Ascott's budget aparthotel in the heart of Shinjuku
Picture this: you need to stay in Tokyo for more than a week, you want a kitchen to cook for yourself, an in-unit washing machine, and a door that opens directly onto Koreatown — without paying a fortune. Citadines Shinjuku Tokyo answers that brief exactly. As an Ascott Group aparthotel focused on studio rooms with kitchenette and in-room washer/dryer, it starts at around ¥12,800/night — and switch to a monthly rate and that drops by roughly 30%.
Citadines Shinjuku Tokyo sits at 1-28-13 Hyakunincho, Shinjuku-ku — a 7-minute walk from Shin-Okubo JR Station and 4 minutes from Higashi-Shinjuku Metro. Having two stations nearby is a genuine convenience: you can hop on the JR Yamanote Line to loop the city, or take the Metro south depending on where you're headed. Within the Ascott family this is known as the "budget sibling" of Citadines Central Shinjuku — the nightly rate runs about ¥1,700 lower, while the location and service standards stay broadly the same.
"The studio is compact but the kitchenette actually works for daily cooking, and having the washer in the room is incredibly convenient — many guests say staying here noticeably cuts their daily living costs in Tokyo."
What separates Citadines Shinjuku from a regular hotel in the same price bracket is the kitchenette and in-unit washer/dryer in every room. The kitchenette comes with a single induction burner, microwave and mini-fridge — enough for easy meals, reheating takeout or boiling eggs in the morning. For longer stays this meaningfully reduces food costs. The in-room washing machine is even more appreciated: no hauling luggage to a coin laundry, no lost time. Guests who've done extended stays in Tokyo repeatedly say it's the feature that "makes life here feel manageable."
Being close to Shin-Okubo Koreatown is a bonus many guests don't anticipate but end up loving. Korean Plaza supermarket is a 5-minute walk with affordable fresh produce and ready-to-cook ingredients. Korean BBQ restaurants are plentiful and reasonably priced. And 7-Eleven or FamilyMart appears roughly every 50 metres, open 24 hours. If you plan to use that kitchenette regularly, the shopping situation here is close, affordable and completely effortless.
The monthly rate runs around ¥268,000 — approximately 30% less than the equivalent nightly rate multiplied out. If you're planning a Tokyo stay of more than three weeks, that figure is worth taking seriously. It means a studio with kitchenette and washer in the heart of Shinjuku at a cost that works for digital nomads budgeting in the ¥80,000–100,000 per week range — Citadines Shinjuku hits that window on location, price and basic amenities.
Here's the honest picture before you book: the studio measures 20 square metres, which is the smallest in the Tokyo aparthotel quality tier. One person or a couple who mainly sleeps and works there will be fine. But if you need a separate living area, a wide desk or room to spread out, it can feel tight. The workspace desk is 1.2 metres — adequate for light work but not dual-monitor setups. If that matters, it's worth comparing with the Studio Deluxe at 24 sqm, which costs around ¥2,700 more per night and gives roughly 20% more floor space.
It's also worth knowing that Shin-Okubo is not a scenic tourist neighbourhood in the way Akasaka or Shibuya are. It's a lived-in, working-class area with easy transport, varied and affordable food, and a quieter feel than western Shinjuku. If you're coming to Tokyo to work or live for a stretch rather than browse boutiques from your hotel steps, that's actually a reasonable trade-off in your favour.
The honest summary is this: Citadines Shinjuku Tokyo is the smartest option for anyone staying in Shinjuku for more than a week on a controlled budget. You get a kitchenette and washer as standard, Ascott's consistent service quality, and a monthly rate that genuinely saves money. If you want more space or you're only passing through for two or three nights, it's worth comparing Citadines Central first. But for workation stays or extended visits where value matters — the answer here is straightforward.
Summary from Booking & Agoda
- ✓ Studio + kitchenette + in-unit washer/dryer from ¥12,800
- ✓ Ascott Group brand — consistent standards and clean rooms
- ✓ Shin-Okubo Koreatown 7 min walk — cheap groceries and dining
- ✓ Monthly rate ¥268,000 — around 30% off nightly equivalent
- ! Studio at 20 sqm is the smallest in this tier — can feel tight for longer stays
- ! Single-burner kitchenette only — not suitable for serious cooking
- ! Shin-Okubo area lacks the atmosphere of Akasaka or Shibuya
- ✓ In-unit washer/dryer — no coin laundry runs, saves time and effort
- ✓ Higashi-Shinjuku Metro 4 min + Shin-Okubo JR 7 min — two station options
- ✓ Wi-Fi 150 Mbps — sufficient for working from the room
- ✓ Consistent Ascott service — reliable throughout the stay
- ! Workspace desk at 1.2 m is smaller than Citadines Central by 0.3 m
- ! No pool or gym in the building
- ! Check-in at 15:00 — early arrivals need to store bags at front desk
- 💡If you need more space or a bigger desk — the 20-sqm studio is the smallest in this tier → ask for Studio Deluxe at 24 sqm for around ¥2,700 more per night, gaining roughly 20% more floor space.
- 💡If you want to cook seriously — the kitchenette has only a single induction burner and microwave → good for simple meals and reheating, not for multi-course cooking. Full kitchen options require a larger serviced apartment.
- 💡If you want a scenic or lively neighbourhood — Shin-Okubo is a lived-in working area, not a tourist strip → compare Citadines Central Shinjuku or a Shibuya hotel for a more atmospheric setting.