Cyashitsu Ryokan Asakusa

They even took complimentary Polaroid photos of us, which was a lovely touch. The staff were so kind throughout our stay, and they were happy to practice their English with us. They helped with my boyfriend’s physical disability by carrying our things to the room and making up the beds while we were out for the evening. We only spent one night there, but felt like family. Our room’s onsen bath was a real plus, and the bedrooms had an impeccable atmosphere, though they could feel a little dark. We also enjoyed the breakfast.

I’d definitely recommend adding the dinner package. The multi-course meal was a great experience, even though the package description didn’t seem to mention that it included one. The place has lovely rooms, a nice bathroom, and spacious walk-in showers. Its gorgeous bath looks out toward the Sky Tree. The building has been used really well to create a calm, immersive feel, even in Tokyo. A serene stay, and an easy 10/10 recommendation.

The hosts made us feel like family while we were there, and that’s what made this such a special part of our time in Japan. We stayed at the ryokan during the Sanja Matsuri, and it was easily our best moment in the country. The room, breakfast, and onsen were all perfect. We’ll definitely come back. Thank you again, cyashitsu ryokan!

The staff were kind and professional, but the property didn’t live up to the way it was presented online. I also contacted them privately before posting this review and never heard back. After reading other reviews, our experience seems to match concerns other guests have raised, so I can’t recommend staying here. My wife and I booked it for the end of our three-week trip through Japan, hoping for an authentic ryokan stay. Instead, it was our most disappointing stay in the country. The room was much smaller than advertised, barely bigger than the bed, and the doorway was so low we had to duck. The private “onsen” was cramped even for one person and used tap water, not the mineral water we expected from an onsen experience. Our room was on the same floor as the public bath, so there was constant traffic in the hallway. Thin walls made it hard to relax or feel any privacy. At about ¥90,000 ($750 CAD) per night, it was also the most expensive place we stayed, even though we had far better experiences elsewhere in Japan for less than half the price.