GRIDS Tokyo Shinjuku Hotel & Hostel
by the TopOfHotel team
GRIDS Shinjuku is the best design hostel in Shinjuku for backpackers — cheap dorm beds, private rooms if you want them, and a strong 8.0/10 score.
GRIDS Shinjuku is the best design hostel in Shinjuku for backpackers — cheap dorm beds, private rooms if you want them, and a strong 8.0/10 score.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
GRIDS Tokyo Shinjuku gives you two ways to stay. The dorms run 4 to 8 beds, and each bed comes with a privacy curtain, a reading light, a personal USB charger and a locker big enough for your valuables. The private rooms come as singles and doubles — pricier than a dorm bed, but still cheaper than the usual business hotels in the same neighborhood. Cleanliness is one of the things reviewers single out: housekeeping runs daily, which keeps standards above the typical hostel.
Food and amenities
The standout at every GRIDS branch is the common area — a designed lounge with sofas, work tables and inviting seating, plus drinks and vending machines. Plenty of guests mention leaving with new friends, because the open layout makes conversation easy. There's free Wi-Fi throughout, laundry, and the shared bathrooms are kept clean and come in enough stalls that you're not stuck waiting.
Location and getting there
You're in Shinjuku, an 8-to-10-minute walk from JR Shinjuku Station near the East Exit, and close to Kabukicho and Tokyo's nightlife. The streets around here are loud and alive — exactly what you want if you'd rather sit in the middle of everything than commute to it.
Things to know before booking
The cheap headline price is a dorm bed, so you'll be sharing a room with other travelers — worth knowing if you sleep lightly. A private room costs noticeably more. And the place can get busy and noisy in peak season when it fills up, so book early and set your expectations accordingly.
Our take
GRIDS Tokyo Shinjuku is the pick for younger solo backpackers who want the lowest price, good design and a real chance to meet travelers from around the world. A dorm bed from about $26 a night is a hard deal to beat anywhere in Shinjuku — if you're open to hostel life, this is the strongest budget option in the area.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- Dorm beds start at about $26 a night — the lowest price in Shinjuku for accommodation that's actually decent quality.
- The common area and lounge are nicely designed and genuinely good for meeting travelers from around the world.
- You get a choice — dorms or private singles and doubles — so you can pick what suits your budget.
- An 8.0/10 score is excellent for a hostel at this price point.
- Free Wi-Fi runs fast throughout the building.
- Dorm rooms mean sharing space with other travelers, so light sleepers should weigh that.
- Private rooms cost a good deal more than the dorms — the cheap headline price only applies to a shared bed.
- It can get busy and noisy during peak season when the place fills up.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Insider Tips
- Book a dorm bed 2+ weeks ahead — the $26 beds sell out fast in peak season.
- The common area stays open around the clock, so it works for remote work or just chatting with travelers from everywhere.
- If your budget stretches a little, a GRIDS private room still beats a typical business hotel on price.