Very clean ryokan within 10 mins walk on a straight path to Asakusa temple, plenty of food place. Nearby Ginza, Asakusa and Tobu line -and off to Haneda airport. Very helpful and friendly owner. Futon on tatami mat, with 'rice' pillow. Overall, we are satisfied with the accomodation and service provided. Would stay here again in we visit Tokyo in the future.
This is a great way to experience the way Japan used to be, futons and tatami. It is also just a surreal place, so simple, clean, quiet. Epitome of Japan. A wonderful couple runs it. They are fluent in English and extremely helpful in assisting you on your adventures. Kenichi has tons of good suggestions and advice about travel in Japan.
Also- it is in a great neighborhood, near a few streets where you can see how locals really live, quaint stores, a huge temple, schools and a park. But it is also very close to the huge shopping/more touristy area of Asakusa.
If you are looking for the experience of a traditionnal and authentic japanese bedroom, try this ryokan in the Asakusa area, well described by MrThrill.
It is run by Kenichi and Fusako who live on the 2nd floor. They are very helpful and give precious pieces of advice.
The booking and payment in advance process might be awkward but safe and it is worthy. You won't fall from your bed.
Let's support traditionnal family value small businesses on a cultural mission.
that was my first visit to Japan and my friend who lived in Japan told me aboutn this place and Im so glad I did come as I enjoyed this elegant Japanese Hospitality. The place was clean and close to everything you would need. This Hotel told me about trip advisor and now Im writting reviews on trip advisor. Thank you staff for assisting me and for your greast hospitality. The place is so clean
My wife and I stayed here for 7 nights in October 2011. We were originally going to Japan in May 2011 but due to the tsunamai in March and subsequent travel warnings we decided to postpone until September. Unfortunately the ryokan requires you to pay in advance and doesn't offer a refund if you vary your dates unless they are able to rebook the room. I'm not complaining, I knew the fine print when we first booked but you need to be aware of it.
Okay,the nuts and bolts. The ryokan is in Asakusa, a not too touristy part of Tokyo. The local metro station, Tewaramachi, is about a 10 minute walk away. The ryokan is on a quiet street but is also a 2 minute walk from Kappabashi-dori, a kitchen-ware, restaurant supplies street about 1 km long and full of great stuff for your home or as souvenirs. The ryokan is run by Kenichi-san and Fusako-san. They are nice people who speak good English. Kenichi appears reserved at first but once you get to know him and he,you the laughs flowed. Fusako is a bit shy but very friendly.
The room we stayed in was small with little space for our mountain of baggage and souvenirs. The futons are a bit thin and the pillows small but probably authentic. The bathroom facilities are shared between 3 rooms. Upstairs where the bedrooms are is a toilet, urinal and handbasin. Downstairs is a communal room for eating or whatever, a shower and 2 handbasins. The shower is a push-button type which you need to keep pushing if you want.There is no running hot water in the handbasins. There isn't coffee/tea making facilities or a fridge which would both be assets.
Anyway, we liked staying there very much. The hosts, the location, Kappabashi-dori and numerous eating places made it feel very comfortable for us in a city that we struggled to keep up with. Any criticism is minor.
