Hotel Diamond

I only spent one night here after a late flight, so I can't say how a longer stay would feel. For that night, the room was tiny, with space basically for a bed and a standing suitcase. The bathrooms were okay until someone peed on part of the seat. I skipped the showers and went to a local sento down the street instead. The place may attract a lot of homeless guests because it's so cheap, but nobody bothered me. The walls are very thin, so expect to hear a neighbor snoring. The light and appliance switch is outside the room, which means you have to peek out to turn it on or off, and can't charge your phone with the light off. Oddly, the elevator only goes to every other floor. It may be the cheapest hotel I've stayed in, around $7. There's a 1000 yen key deposit, returned at checkout. If you know what you're getting, the savings are huge, even compared with capsule hotels.

The receptionist was very nice, and the subway isn't far, but the area felt a little creepy. Our room had three single mattresses and some blankets, beside a bicycle parking lot. Dogs barked a lot whenever someone went to the lot. There was a toilet in the room, but the showers were elsewhere. The men's shower was an open shared space, so you bathe alongside other men. The women's shower was private, but I saw an older man sitting and working in front of it, which felt uncomfortable. The mattress and blanket were moldy, and the room was so dusty it set off my asthma. There was no Wi-Fi in the room, only in the lobby. For me, this place only makes sense on an extremely tight budget, if you just need somewhere to sleep for a few hours before moving on. Otherwise, look for a more proper hotel. Don't underestimate Google user reviews.

You just get a room with a bed, plus a public bath and toilet. You'll need to bring or sort out everything else yourself. The room's air conditioning does get pretty cold.

For the price, it was a good deal. I booked the cheapest room, which was basically just a bed, a tiny table, and a TV. The mattress and sheets were clean, and the room was mostly clean too, though the walls weren't. Just don't expect anything luxurious. I also didn't like that smoking was allowed in rooms and shared areas, including the reception, kitchen, hallways, and stairs.