IRORI Nihonbashi Hostel and Kitchen

A good spot for backpackers, close to the station. The staff were very friendly and helpful, and their English was good to great. Free tea and coffee, plus a big kitchen you can use to get ready in the morning. The showers were good too!

We had a barbecue with friends on the rooftop, which fits almost a dozen people. They provide the food and silverware, so all you need to bring is whatever drinks you want. At about 4500 Japanese Yen, it was an affordable way to host a party in the middle of Tokyo. Finding a place for a barbecue in central Tokyo is really hard, so this is a hidden gem.

A comfy, pleasant hostel with clean bathrooms, a nice kitchen, and a great location. The rooms are a bit small, but that's Tokyo, and for the price it's a good budget option. The staff were awesome too, really warm people who'll help with whatever you need.

The rooms are small private cubes separated by walls, boards, and curtains. They feel comfortable, though you can still hear some noise from other guests. The bathrooms are clean and practical, and the shared kitchen has what you need. A small, cozy hostel, with facilities that feel like the generally high standard I've found elsewhere in Japan. What I keep thinking about is how much travel depends on being open to other people. You're a guest wherever you go, and what you get out of it depends on your own openness, initiative, and positive attitude. Sometimes you have to go out and find the happiness; sometimes it's right beside you from the start. With Japan's values and the staff's kindness, IRORI gives you a great foundation for getting into Japan's fascinating culture. The staff feel like a big family, full of interesting, hilarious characters. Take the chance to talk and connect as much as you can. They'll appreciate it, and you'll get a lot out of it too.