Hotels near Yoyogi National Gymnasium

Yoyogi National Gymnasium Hotels

Located in one of Tokyo’s lushest and largest parks, Yoyogi National Gymnasium was designed by pioneering architect Kenzo Tage to host aquatic events in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. It swiftly became a bona fide architectural icon, thanks largely to its incredible suspended roof, which at the time of construction was the largest in the world. Today it plays host to international ice hockey and basketball games, and high profile concerts, and is one of innumerable spectacular sights to be found in sprawling Yoyogi Park.

Things to see

If you’ve even a passing interest in architecture or design, Yoyogi National Gymnasium is a must. Its mesmerising sloped exterior looks a little like a cross between a twisted pagoda and a snail shell, so it’s certainly worth a photo stop. You’ll only get inside with a ticket to an event – top international performers regularly play here, so be sure to check local listings before you arrive. You could easily while away a whole day in and around Yoyogi Park. If you’re visiting in spring, it’s a prime spot for the time-honoured tradition of hanami, or cherry blossom viewing, while in autumn the gingko trees turn a gorgeous golden yellow. At any time of year, it serves as a giant back garden for apartment-dwelling Tokyoites, and can often be found full of rehearsing musicians and theatre groups, training athletes, and all manner of eccentrically dressed characters, making it one of the city’s prime spots for people-watching.

Hotels in Yoyogi National Gymnasium

There’s an incredible array of hotels near Yoyogi National Gymnasium, which sits in the middle of Tokyo’s thrilling, neon-soaked Shibuya district. You’ll find internationally renowned 4-5 star hotels such as Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel, occupying prime city centre locations, which boast incredible facilities such as full service health spas, heated indoor swimming pools, and glamorous rooftop cocktail bars with awe-inspiring views of the sparkling city skyline.

You’ll also find plenty of pristine, competitively priced mid-range hotels such as SHIBUYA HOTEL EN, where you can enjoy great amenities like bubbling spa tubs, flat-screen TVs, free WiFi, and an irresistible hotel buffet to set you up each morning.

Where to stay

Shibuya is one of Tokyo’s most dynamic and spectacular central neighbourhoods, so it’s a fantastic base from which to explore the city. It’s a foodie paradise, with an overwhelming number of irresistible eateries to try out. Splash your cash at impossibly chic Michelin star restaurants, or chow down on tasty staples like succulent Yakitori chicken in laid-back, family-run izakaya bars. Nightlife is second to none, with everything from late-night amusement arcades and raucous karaoke bars, to exclusive cocktail lounges and sleek, minimalist superclubs. It’s also a shopping hotspot, with everything from quirky fashion boutiques to 24-hour pet shops.

How to get to Yoyogi National Gymnasium

If you’re travelling from overseas, you’ll most likely arrive in Tokyo via either Narita International Airport or Haneda Airport. From Haneda, you can reach your hotel near Yoyogi National Gymnasium by train in around an hour – jump on the Tokyo Monorail to Hamamatsucho Station, then change onto the Yamanote line to Yoyogi station. Alternatively, an Airport Limousine Bus should take around 80 minutes, while a taxi may take between 30 and 50 minutes. From Narita, the train journey should take about 80 minutes - take the Skyliner to Nippori station, then hop on the Yamanote line to Yoyogi. A taxi should take around 70 minutes during off peak times, but may take over 2 hours in rush hour traffic.