The bathroom is more of an alcove than an actual room, with a sliding door behind the vanity that can be opened to give it a more spacious feel. The shower and toilet don’t feel too small though, and the toilet has all the features you’d expect from a decent Japanese hotel, including a self-opening lid when you open the door (which never fails to delight me).
The food
Gallery 11: Mediterranean with Japanese influences.
The 11th floor is home to the hotel’s restaurant, suitably named Gallery 11. The menu is Mediterranean with Japanese influences, with dishes like sauteed squid with wasabi veloute and a salmon katsu burger. The breakfast features both buffet and a la carte options, with Western and Japanese-style dishes (they even have Vegemite). On the third floor, there’s a small cafe where you can grab a decent coffee or snack. If sushi is what you crave, the laneway behind the hotel is home to an Uobei restaurant, where you sit at a bench and order your dishes via a computer screen. They’re then delivered directly to your seat via a conveyor belt. It’s fun, cheap and damn tasty too.
Stepping out
Shibuya’s famous crossing is just a block away.Credit: iStock
Shibuya Crossing, one of the most famous sights in Japan, is just one block away. Renowned as the world’s busiest pedestrian crossing, it is a tourist attraction in itself, and it’s quite the sight to see literally thousands of people crossing the road every time the lights go green. Be sure to visit at night when the surrounding neon signs and giant video screens add to the atmosphere. One of the best places to watch is from the first floor of the Starbucks on the northern side of the crossing.
The verdict
If you’re looking for a place that reflects its location in Tokyo’s most vibrant district while still being relaxed enough to offer a break from the hustle and bustle, Hotel Indigo Tokyo Shibuya fits the bill.
The essentials
Rooms start from $A560 per night. Wheelchair-accessible rooms are available. See ihg.com
Our rating out of five
★★★½
Highlight
Being in the heart of Tokyo’s most exhilarating neighbourhood.
Lowlight
The Japanese love tea, so the lack of tea in the room is surprising.
The writer travelled as a guest of Virgin Australia.
