Aiki House

We got no check-in details until we reached out on the day, then found the lockbox empty when we arrived. They told us our accommodation had been arranged in Nishi-Takashimadaira instead, so we had to move there late at night with no real alternative. It was a standalone house that wasn't even on Google Maps. The place was old, with the outside cleaned up but signs of leaks left unrepaired. Inside, the bathroom and toilet were dirty, dust was everywhere, and the floor felt slimy. The futon smelled bad, and there was frozen food and ice cream in the fridge, probably left by the previous guest. Reviews on other sites suggest other people have had similar experiences, including being sent to Koenji. If you're up for a gamble, maybe this is the place for you. Otherwise, I'd look elsewhere.

We stayed in room 301. The quiet nights and good value were a plus, and the room had a fairly large bed, a mirror, and a table and chairs for meals. Slippers, toothbrushes, toiletries, towels, a microwave, and a hairdryer were provided. The room had internet, and it was generally clean. Bathroom fixtures looked new, and there was a doorbell and a camera to check who was outside. Getting there is convenient: Nishi-Sugamo station is about a five-minute walk, with bus stops nearby. A 7-Eleven, Lawson, and FamilyMart are right along the walk to the subway. The roads to the guesthouse are narrow and poorly lit at night, though, so I wouldn't recommend a woman staying alone for safety reasons. It's better to go with a group. There aren't many restaurants close by, so I'd eat before returning to rest. The host was very nice, and you can contact him about a late check-out. Customer service is also available through Line or WeChat after check-in. One caution: the small bathroom has a bathtub, but the open-air stairs are narrow and can be dangerous in the rain, and hauling suitcases up and down is awkward. After booking, we received an email asking for guest details, and the booking wasn't complete until we filled them in. Save that email. Its "Check-in" link brings up the guide with the room key code and Wi-Fi password.

Things started going wrong when we had to ask for the key code ourselves. We had booked Aikihouse in Nishi-Sugamo, but when we got there, there was no key for the room. They then told us they had arranged a place for us in Nishi-Takashimadaira instead. The reservation app they used to confirm things wasn't the one we booked through, which seemed odd. They said they'd emailed us, but that message only came a few hours before we arrived. It also seemed strange that they translated our Japanese inquiry into English. We enjoyed Tokyo and eventually reached the other place, but by then it was too late to find anywhere else, so we carried our luggage 30 minutes away. It was extremely dirty. The walls looked like they'd had leaks, the toilet seemed badly installed, and the bath was so grimy I didn't want to use it. The futons smelled bad and were very dusty. I don't think I'd stay there again, though people looking at the price for a longer stay might still go. If you do, be prepared. If you can accept that whatever happens is part of the journey, you might be okay with this place. But if you want to avoid a bad experience on an important trip to Japan, be careful.

The neighborhood is pleasant, with some good restaurants nearby. The apartment is compact but has what you need for a comfortable city visit. It's a little removed from the main sights, though the nearby metro gets you to points of interest in less than 30 minutes. Our only real problem was the extra futons for our children, aged 16 and 13. They were far too thin, and the kids slept badly.