CITAN - Hostel

I only got to stay one night, and there was a heavy snorer in my room, so I can’t remember how comfortable the beds were. The rest of the experience was wonderful: great staff and atmosphere, plus a coffee shop, outdoor space, and breakfast that I really enjoyed. It’s about three blocks’ walk from the train. I’d definitely come back next time I’m in Tokyo, and I recommend it.

The latte was seriously good coffee, and breakfast was delicious too. The staff were great, and the place was clean and convenient, with a lot of character and thoughtful touches. I liked the industrial furniture, and there’s a wide range of room types, so pick the one that suits what you want. Make use of the extras and other offerings.

We stayed six nights in a private room. It wasn’t the cheapest, but that’s Tokyo, and I was happy with the staff service, how clean the room was, and the feel of the place. My partner especially liked the cafe coffee downstairs. The toilets and showers were spotless and cleaned every day. It’s an easy walk to Lawson, 7-11, and family mart. We actually preferred the quieter suburb, even though it’s farther from the city center than some other places. Train stations are very close, and Ueno station is about 12-14 minutes away, with a direct route to the airport. We’d happily recommend it.

The nightly noise made it hard to sleep early. There’s a restaurant and bar on the first floor and in the basement, and their music carried clearly into our room until almost midnight. For what we paid during peak season, I didn’t think this hostel was worth it. We could have booked a much nicer hotel for the same price. We had a private room with bunk beds, but no private bathroom, and the listing was very vague about that. The bare concrete floor looked a bit dirty, there were exposed pipes throughout, and the sleeping area had a stuffy smell, as if ventilation was poor. The room WiFi was awful, constantly dropping or failing to connect, so I wouldn’t count on working or watching videos smoothly. The sleeping area is mixed-gender, which means you may run into guys on the way to the bathroom or shower. The shower stalls lock and the wet-dry separation was okay, but cleanliness was only average, below what I expect in Japan. There’s also a strict check-in cutoff: you have to arrive before 11 PM or you lose the night and the payment. I’ve never encountered that rule at a hotel or hostel. I honestly don’t understand the 4.5 rating. For sleep, reliable WiFi, a social atmosphere, or a good bar, it didn’t work for me. If you want a clean, quiet stay at a fair price, I’d look elsewhere.