Hotel Indigo Shibuya and Late-Night Don Quijote Shopping

We just landed at Haneda and made it to Shibuya for our second trip to Japan, this time a winter trip in December. Hotel Indigo is right in the thick of it, steps from the Shibuya Crossing area and sitting directly above Mega Don Quijote.

Hotel Indigo Shibuya Check-In

The reception area is on the 12th floor, which threw me off at first. You walk in at street level, take the elevator up, and suddenly you’re checking in with a panoramic view of the Shibuya skyline behind the front desk.

There’s a small outdoor terrace area between the 11th and 12th floors where you can sit and take in the view. They also have a brewery/pub called Shib Brewya on the third floor, the name alone earned my respect.

From up here you can see Tower Records in the distance. I had to wonder if it’s still an actual store, apparently in Japan, it is. You can also spot the Mega Don Quijote sign right below the hotel. Which, as it turns out, was our first stop.

Mega Don Quijote, 24-Hour Shopping in Shibuya

The primary reason we came back to Japan: Abby and Mina, our business partner, had some serious shopping to do. I was there to eat and carry bags. That’s the deal.

Don Quijote, or “Donki” as locals call it, is a multi-floor discount store that sells everything: clothes, accessories, cosmetics, snacks, electronics, souvenirs. The Shibuya location is massive. And the best part? They’re open 24 hours. None of the other shops around the hotel were open when we arrived, but Donki was ready to go.

At the time, the exchange rate was about 149-150 yen to the dollar. If you’re using a card with no foreign transaction fees like the Chase Sapphire, you’re getting charged in yen with no conversion markup, which makes a real difference on a shopping-heavy trip.

The Room, 15th Floor

After a few hours of shopping (suitcases doubling as shopping carts, that’s how we roll), we finally headed up to the room on the 15th floor.

First impression: I really liked the decor. Hotel Indigo does this thing where each location has locally-inspired design elements, and Shibuya’s version has these bold blue accent walls, colorful textiles, and framed artwork that actually feels curated instead of generic hotel art.

The room came with complimentary water bottles, an espresso machine, and proper glassware. Slippers at the door. Pajamas in the closet. Little touches that remind you this is Japan and hospitality actually means something here.

The Bathroom Surprise

The bathroom was hiding behind what I was convinced was a closet door. Opened it up and it’s a full bathroom. Bidet toilet (standard in Japan), sink, and a deep soaking tub. Japanese bathtubs are deeper than what you’re used to in the US. They’re built for actual soaking, not just showering with a drain plug in.

Chargers and Electrical

One detail worth mentioning for anyone planning a trip: Japan runs on 100V, same plug type as the United States. No transformer needed, no adapter needed. The bedside at Hotel Indigo had both USB-A and USB-C ports built in. Plug your phone in, go to sleep, done.

Yoshinoya for Dinner

After settling in, we walked over to Yoshinoya, the beef bowl chain. If you’re from the US, you might think of it as fast food and write it off. Don’t. Yoshinoya in Japan is a completely different experience. The quality is noticeably better.

The drink options tell you everything you need to know: water or Sapporo. That’s it. No soda. No fountain drinks. Just water or beer. I respect the simplicity.

Practical Tips

• Hotel Indigo Shibuya is an IHG property, if you collect IHG points, this is a solid redemption in a prime Shibuya location
• Mega Don Quijote is open 24 hours and literally attached to the hotel building, perfect for late-night shopping runs
• No adapter needed in Japan if you’re coming from the US, same plug, similar voltage
• The exchange rate fluctuates, but at roughly 150 yen to the dollar, Japan is still very reasonable compared to Europe

Day one in Tokyo, and we’re already shopping, eating beef bowls, and loving every minute of it. Next up: thrifting secondhand luxury in Harajuku.