The Ryogoku Pearl Hotel is located across the street from the JR Train Line "Ryogoku" station... it has no English language exterior signage, but look for a row of bright red, round paper lanterns adjacent to the main door (and ask a stranger if you're really stuck... that's what I did!) This hotel is an excellent value for those trying to be budget-conscious in this exceedingly expensive city. The rooms, though small, are kind of cute, with fluffy pillow and crisp, fresh bed linens. You are also provided with a freshly pressed kimono for room wear every morning, a nice touch. If you are tall (say, 6' and over) or overweight, you will not love the extremely compact "pod" bathroom... while innovative in design, it's really intended for someone of typical Japanese proportions (that is to say, on the short side and slim). That said, it does feature a nifty little soaking tub: you do need to sit in it with your knees bent, but even so the water comes up to your shoulders. Very warming on a chilly night. Also, if you have copious amounts of luggage, you may find it hard to find a place to stow it: The rooms are so small that there is really not a single iota of extra space for more than one large suitcase and perhaps a backpack. The desk staff speak very little English, and there is no ATM that accepts American cards within a country mile of the place, so make sure you have plenty of cash. It's on the Oeno subway line which connects you with all underground trains in Tokyo as well as the JR line, which runs to and from Narita Airport (extremely convenient!) It's located in north east Tokyo, and in a neighborhood that is synonymous with Sumo! Across the street from the hotel are two Tokyo landmarks, the famous Edo Tokyo Museum (Edo being the original name of the city) which shows life in Tokyo over hundreds of years, and the big Sumo "stadium" where all the major sumo wrestling matches take place. I even saw a sumo wrestler-in-training walking down the street! On the road that runs along side the train tracks, there are lots of little local restaurants serving noodles, tempura, tonkatsu and the usual... these are very reasonably priced and tasty (just point to what you want). There's also a European-style bakery on the corner for coffee and croissants if you prefer. Convenience and "100 Yen" stores abound, so the neighborhood does really have most everything a tourist would need (except that pesky ATM). The hotel restaurant is good and straightforward, although seems to have somewhat erratic hours. There is free high-speed Internet in the lobby, which is really a wonderful thing. All in all, I'd stay here again. No frills, but a good value and an interesting neighborhood.
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