Akabane TK Building 103

The neighborhood was a real highlight for us, with Japanese-style houses all designed differently, narrow hilly streets, and steps down the hill just a few meters from the apartment. I also loved sitting on the small balcony and taking in the view. When we stayed, the tree right outside was the only one we saw with sakura blossoms, which felt like a welcome, or maybe a goodbye, as we left. There’s a halal food vendor midway between the station and the apartment, called "Halal Food & Kebab (Omotenashi Halal Mart&Kebab)." The food was tasty and cheaper than options in central Tokyo. Shops are handy too, with a few supermarkets and small malls nearby, and the apartment is close to a main station. The cooking stove had an unusual design, but was easy to use. Getting to the apartment from Akabane station isn’t too far, though the route goes uphill after a junction. That could be a struggle with kids and heavy luggage on check-in day. If you’re traveling with older people or anyone with disabilities, there’s a taxi stand just outside the station. We took a taxi when checking out. There’s no elevator, and the stairs to the third floor are narrow and steep, though there aren’t many of them. We packed our largest bag only halfway, carried it downstairs, then finished packing on the ground floor. I’d suggest doing the same for safety, so a heavy bag doesn’t put you at risk on the stairs. The apartment looks like it does in the booking app. The toilet issue mentioned in another review was real when we stayed, though I’m not sure whether it has been fixed since. The toilet bowl nozzle didn’t work, and customer service responded quickly to our other questions but didn’t seem to believe me about that problem. The control panel looked more complicated than any I’d seen in Japan, but the fancy buttons weren’t much use.

Make sure the host sends you the room code before you check in.

Thanks for the service.

We’ve been here seven days of a planned three-week stay, and the quiet neighborhood has made it easy to sleep. The room is small but works fine for two. The host or manager has been attentive, checking in through the system both the day before we arrived and on arrival day. Keep a way to contact him handy once you get to Japan in case you need help. There’s a detailed set of house rules on the table, so read it when you arrive. The uphill walk from the west exit of Akabane Station takes about 10 minutes. We arranged airport pickup online, which spared us from navigating with luggage after customs. My family and I are in pretty good shape, and the hill after sightseeing felt like a chance to work our core muscles. It could be tiring with suitcases, heavy items, children, or older people, so bear that in mind when booking. The station area has a popular izakaya district, along with plenty of restaurants, convenience stores, and supermarkets, so it’s easy to find food even after a late return. Cooking at home now and then has been a nice option. You can make food lighter and suit your own taste, which we appreciate since Japanese cuisine can be quite salty. The kitchenette has a stove with an oven, rice cooker, fridge, microwave, kettle, and hair dryer. There’s a nearby supermarket for groceries. The bathroom and toilet are separate, and both were very clean. In winter, heating and air conditioning help warm the room on chilly mornings and evenings. The washing machine is on the balcony, with 10 hangers provided. We hung clothes on the curtain rod under the air conditioner vent, and they could dry in the sun even indoors. This is my second stay, and the balcony is still handy for drying things. This time we could see Tokyo Skytree in the distance, and there were lots of stars at night. I could even make out Orion. Cleaning supplies, including a vacuum, brooms, and garbage bags, are kept in the common area. Sorting rubbish is a little different from Taiwan, but there are signs. If you don’t understand Japanese, you can check the items in the bins and sort yours accordingly. There’s also a large open-top bin near the entrance for disposing of trash.