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RIHGA Royal Hotel Tokyo

リーガロイヤルホテル東京

Spacious rooms beside Waseda, with a Takadanobaba shuttle and garden views.

Check rates and availability on Trip.com

RIHGA Royal Hotel Tokyo exterior and gardens.
Photo: Trip.com hotel gallery

Station convenience or a more relaxed room?

About seven minutes from Waseda Station exit 3a on the Tozai Line; a free shuttle operates to Takadanobaba at specified times.
Most room categories start around 31 m²; compare suites and Executive benefits separately.
Breakfast and use of the pool are not free with every plan. Families should check the rules.

I would sometimes spend a little longer on transport for a room where I can really sit down and relax in the evening. RIHGA Royal Hotel Tokyo in Waseda offers classically styled rooms, garden views and space rather than being right outside a station.

It suits families, older relatives, travelers carrying several suitcases or anyone who wants a slower hotel breakfast. If you return late every day, leave very early and organize everything around Shinjuku Station, calculate the actual transport before choosing.

Waseda station and Takadanobaba shuttle: plan the last leg

The address is 1-104-19 Totsukamachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo. Administratively this is Shinjuku, but the surrounding neighborhood is Waseda. I would plan it as a stay in Waseda rather than expect to step outside into Shinjuku’s department-store district. The hotel lists about seven minutes on foot from Waseda Station exit 3a on the Tozai Line, and ten minutes from Edogawabashi Station exit 1b on the Yurakucho Line.

For JR Yamanote Line travel, the complimentary shuttle between Takadanobaba Station and the hotel is useful. The current official access information lists a daily service, a journey of about ten minutes and 22 seats. Buses from Takadanobaba toward the hotel are approximately every 30 minutes from 9:10 to 18:10; from the hotel toward the station, about 9:00 to 18:00. This timetable was checked on October 25, 2026. I would never assume a shuttle will be available for a late arrival or an early departure.

I would keep a fallback for a missed shuttle: use the subway to Waseda and walk, or take a taxi for the final stretch. Travelers with large cases or strollers should also ask about shuttle luggage capacity and station elevators. Exits 3a and 1b are standard walking references, not a guarantee of step-free routes.

Open Google Maps and directions

Covered entrance of RIHGA Royal Hotel Tokyo. Hotel-gallery photograph; arrangements vary.
Photo: Trip.com hotel gallery

Hotel and garden by day. Hotel-gallery photograph; arrangements vary.
Photo: Trip.com hotel gallery

Hotel viewed from the garden. Guest photograph of an individual stay.
Photo: Trip.com guest photograph

Rooms: more space, classical furnishings and beds for the whole party

The main attraction is that accommodation is not compressed into just a bed. Official categories run from the 31.2 m² Deluxe Double to the 34–38 m² Luxury Double and 49.1 m² Junior Suite. There is room to make a choice based on luggage and time spent at the hotel.

Room category	Official area reference	How I would choose
Deluxe Double	31.2 m²	Two guests wanting space without necessarily booking a suite
Luxury Double	34–38 m²	More room or consideration of a third guest
Junior Suite Double	49.1 m²	Families, longer stays or more time relaxing in the room
Executive Floor	Varies by room type	Compare breakfast and fitness club benefits with the rate

Do not see the word Suite and overlook the beds. Rooms accepting three or four guests may use rollaways or sofa beds for extra places, so I would check the booked arrangement. With children or older relatives, I would establish where everyone will sleep and how the bathroom is used before upgrading.

Twin room photographed by a guest. Guest photograph of an individual stay.
Photo: Trip.com guest photograph

Table and seating at the foot of the bed. Guest photograph of an individual stay.
Photo: Trip.com guest photograph

Guest-room TV cabinet and chairs. Guest photograph of an individual stay.
Photo: Trip.com guest photograph

Bed and seating area by the window. Guest photograph of an individual stay.
Photo: Trip.com guest photograph

Window-side sofa overlooking greenery. Guest photograph of an individual stay.
Photo: Trip.com guest photograph

Space between bed and window. Guest photograph of an individual stay.
Photo: Trip.com guest photograph

Path between bedroom and bathroom. Guest photograph of an individual stay.
Photo: Trip.com guest photograph

Room entrance and relaxation area. Guest photograph of an individual stay.
Photo: Trip.com guest photograph

The rooms have a classic European style: curtains, wooden furniture and sofas are part of the atmosphere. Travelers who favor very minimal, modern design may find the look old-fashioned. Anyone wanting to sit comfortably with tea or sort out luggage may find the furniture useful.

Table and curtains in a guest room. Hotel-gallery photograph; arrangements vary.
Photo: Trip.com hotel gallery

Guest photograph of a room table and view. Guest photograph of an individual stay.
Photo: Trip.com guest photograph

Room decor and mirror. Guest photograph of an individual stay.
Photo: Trip.com guest photograph

Room entrance hallway. Guest photograph of an individual stay.
Photo: Trip.com guest photograph

Corridor on a guest-room floor. Guest photograph of an individual stay.
Photo: Trip.com guest photograph

Guests generally appreciate the space, although some mention corridor noise. A quiet neighborhood does not mean absolute silence indoors. As a light sleeper I would still request a room away from elevators and busy corridors. Bathroom arrangements also vary in the photographs; check the exact room for a bathtub or double washbasins.

Bathtub and washbasin. Hotel-gallery photograph; arrangements vary.
Photo: Trip.com hotel gallery

Bathroom with two washbasins. Hotel-gallery photograph; arrangements vary.
Photo: Trip.com hotel gallery

Another angle of the bathroom. Hotel-gallery photograph; arrangements vary.
Photo: Trip.com hotel gallery

Bathtub and bathroom space. Hotel-gallery photograph; arrangements vary.
Photo: Trip.com hotel gallery

Lobby, garden, pool and gym: check which benefits are included

The high-ceiling lobby, chandeliers and garden outlook are distinctive. I would leave a pressure-free afternoon to sit in a public space and enjoy them. Arriving only to sleep at midnight would make that advantage harder to use.

Classical public lounge. Hotel-gallery photograph; arrangements vary.
Photo: Trip.com hotel gallery

High-ceiling lobby and chandelier. Hotel-gallery photograph; arrangements vary.
Photo: Trip.com hotel gallery

Seats in a shared lounge. Hotel-gallery photograph; arrangements vary.
Photo: Trip.com hotel gallery

Lobby photographed by a guest. Guest photograph of an individual stay.
Photo: Trip.com guest photograph

Guest photograph of the lobby flowers. Guest photograph of an individual stay.
Photo: Trip.com guest photograph

Lobby chandelier and floral arrangement. Guest photograph of an individual stay.
Photo: Trip.com guest photograph

Window-side dining seats with a garden view. Hotel-gallery photograph; arrangements vary.
Photo: Trip.com hotel gallery

Garden-facing seats. Hotel-gallery photograph; arrangements vary.
Photo: Trip.com hotel gallery

Window-side seats. Hotel-gallery photograph; arrangements vary.
Photo: Trip.com hotel gallery

There is an indoor pool, sauna and gym, but ordinary guests pay to use the fitness club; relevant Executive-floor packages come with corresponding benefits. A hotel advertising a pool does not mean every family member uses it free of charge. Confirm children’s age limits, hours and conditions before booking.

The lobby and banquet areas appeal to people who like the atmosphere of a traditional full-service hotel. An event can change the amount of traffic through the public spaces. I would treat these facilities as a bonus, but confirm access for any feature that is essential to the trip.

Banquet and dining space. Hotel-gallery photograph; arrangements vary.
Photo: Trip.com hotel gallery

Banquet hall display. Hotel-gallery photograph; arrangements vary.
Photo: Trip.com hotel gallery

Luggage scale used by a guest. Guest photograph of an individual stay.
Photo: Trip.com guest photograph

Dining Ferio breakfast: buffet hours and whether it is worth the rate

Breakfast is a Japanese-and-Western buffet at Dining Ferio on the first floor. The official breakfast page lists 7:00–10:00, with last orders at 9:30. General restaurant opening times may be longer, so I would follow the breakfast-specific hours rather than arrive at the final minute. The standard adult reference price is ¥4,500; whether it is already included depends on the room package.

Hotel restaurant seating. Hotel-gallery photograph; arrangements vary.
Photo: Trip.com hotel gallery

Seats on another side of the restaurant. Hotel-gallery photograph; arrangements vary.
Photo: Trip.com hotel gallery

Buffet serving counter. Hotel-gallery photograph; arrangements vary.
Photo: Trip.com hotel gallery

Another angle of the buffet. Hotel-gallery photograph; arrangements vary.
Photo: Trip.com hotel gallery

Restaurant entrance. Hotel-gallery photograph; arrangements vary.
Photo: Trip.com hotel gallery

Guest reactions vary. Some enjoy the Japanese breakfast and overall quality, while others find the selection limited or a separate purchase expensive. I would compare inclusive and room-only rates. For someone who enjoys a full breakfast or wants to avoid searching for food in the morning, an inclusive plan may be worthwhile. If coffee and bread are enough, adding breakfast every day might not make sense.

Breakfast table photographed by a guest. Guest photograph of an individual stay.
Photo: Trip.com guest photograph

Guest breakfast bread plate. Guest photograph of an individual stay.
Photo: Trip.com guest photograph

Egg dish at guest breakfast. Guest photograph of an individual stay.
Photo: Trip.com guest photograph

Guest breakfast sides. Guest photograph of an individual stay.
Photo: Trip.com guest photograph

Breakfast salad and accompanying dishes. Guest photograph of an individual stay.
Photo: Trip.com guest photograph

For a longer stay, I would try the hotel breakfast at least once and leave other mornings for Waseda neighborhood cafés. The photographs are guests’ plates from their particular visits, and dishes change with the season. Ask about allergies and children’s breakfast charges when booking rather than deciding in a hurry at the restaurant.

Japanese-style dining space. Hotel-gallery photograph; arrangements vary.
Photo: Trip.com hotel gallery

Window-side dining table. Hotel-gallery photograph; arrangements vary.
Photo: Trip.com hotel gallery

Waseda University, Okuma Garden and a slower neighborhood day

Waseda University, Okuma Garden and cultural attractions nearby are natural reasons to stay here. I would group a walk near campus, the theater museum and a café into one day, while checking the opening days of each place. Entry routes through the garden and university grounds can depend on hours; seeing greenery from a hotel window does not mean the same gate is always open.

For an easy-going itinerary, walk around the neighborhood and return to rest. For shopping, set aside a trip to Takadanobaba or Shinjuku Station’s commercial district. That makes better use of the large room than commuting back and forth to a station for every breakfast, dinner and shopping stop.

Garden greenery and neighboring buildings. Hotel-gallery photograph; arrangements vary.
Photo: Trip.com hotel gallery

Garden view from a guest room. Guest photograph of an individual stay.
Photo: Trip.com guest photograph

Garden pond photographed by a guest. Guest photograph of an individual stay.
Photo: Trip.com guest photograph

Looking upward through garden trees. Guest photograph of an individual stay.
Photo: Trip.com guest photograph

Autumn colors and garden detail. Guest photograph of an individual stay.
Photo: Trip.com guest photograph

One night versus several nights: space and transfers

For just one night before an early Shinkansen or airport departure, I would prioritize the last leg of transport. The complimentary shuttle does not cover every hour, so both late returns and early departures need another plan; I would not rely only on the daytime timetable.

With three or more nights, space to leave several suitcases open and for someone to sit comfortably by a table in the evening becomes a tangible advantage. Many guests describe spacious rooms and service, and some enjoy the period styling. I would judge on usable space, cleanliness and upkeep rather than reject the property simply for its age.

If the plan is to swim or use the sauna every day, compare the daily fitness-club charges with Executive package benefits. If those facilities will not be used, keep the budget for a suitable room; paying for privileges you do not need may not improve the stay.

Advantages and trade-offs together

Aspect	Advantage	Trade-off
Rooms	Main categories start at about 31 m², making luggage easier to organize	Classical decor may not appeal to lovers of contemporary minimalism
Neighborhood	Waseda’s cultural area and garden views	Not in the Shinjuku Station department-store district
Transport	Subway walks and a free shuttle to Takadanobaba can complement each other	Shuttle hours and seats are limited; arrange a late-night alternative
Breakfast	Japanese-and-Western buffet without a morning search for food	A separate purchase needs budgeting; try neighborhood options on other days
Facilities	Pool, sauna and gym are available	Most rates charge separately; verify restrictions for children
Longer stays	Tables and sitting areas make time in the room comfortable	Daily trips to station shopping areas add travel time

My choice: room to relax in Waseda, with transport planned

For travelers who like spacious rooms, a classical hotel atmosphere and time around Waseda or simply to relax, RIHGA Royal Hotel Tokyo is well worth comparing. For two, I would start at 31.2 m²; families should choose a Junior Suite after checking the actual sleeping arrangement. Executive access only makes sense when the included facilities will be used.

I would choose it for a trip that does not require heading rapidly in and out of Shinjuku Station every day. With alternatives to the shuttle planned, being able to sit comfortably and sort out luggage without taking turns can matter more than a station being right outside the door.

Information checked: October 25, 2026