Hotel Asakusa & Capsule

For a budget stay, it’s not bad. The sheets were clean, the bathroom was pretty cool, and there’s a sauna. Staff were friendly too. You get what you pay for, and the hotel is close to some cool bars, right by the Asakusa stop.

This is a local kind of place, used by people who work in the city and head home on weekends. It’s basic, with no glamour, but there’s plenty of atmosphere and lots of regulars. It’s cheap, so as another reviewer put it, “you get what you paid for.” If you’re young, traveling on a budget, smoke, and don’t mind an adventure, it could be just right. Remember it caters to locals, so don’t get on your high horse about the language. I’m traveling with a troupe of performance artists from all over the world, so we had each other. The capsules and bedding were generally clean. I don’t mind cracked mirrors or missing bath tiles, but I really hate the smoking. They’re strict about checking out by 9:30 am. You can spend time in the communal area, though that’s a smoker’s paradise too. It’s close to temples, the river, and train stations into Tokyo. There’s a Seven Eleven opposite, and the view from the toilet balcony is amazing if you need some air. The capsule has free Wi-Fi.

It’s a nice, cheap option if you need somewhere affordable and well located to sleep. The place is old and small, but clean, and both the room and bathroom are on the small side. You can also use the hotel onsen, which was a nice experience.

There is some English spoken here, but you’re in Japan. Looking for a cheap place? You’ve come to the right spot, if you plan ahead. Need English? Try another country. GREAT JOINT! I left a few ash trays on the second floor. There’s free Wi-Fi there too.