Kimi Ryokan

The staff were really nice, and the toilet was clean. The room was good enough, and the hotel was easy to find near Ikebukuro Station. For a reasonable price, it felt like good value for the two nights I stayed. I also liked that they had yukata to wear around the hotel. I'd recommend it.

For the price and the atmosphere, I honestly can't think of a better place. The room had a lovely cypress scent that gave it a traditional Japanese feel, and I booked one with a shared bathroom. I'm not sure whether they have rooms with private bathrooms, though I think they do. I only stayed one night and wish I'd booked more time. I didn't get to try the hot tub everyone talks about, so hopefully I can stay longer next time I'm back in Tokyo.

We found the rooms clean and comfortable, with a nice mix of traditional Japanese style and modern touches. The location made getting around easy: convenience stores and supermarkets were close by, and it was about a 10-minute walk to the station. Even late-night snack runs were simple. The staff were great with our luggage from Narita and arranged to have it sent straight to our next stop in Kyoto, which made traveling much easier. The traditional bath was a treat, though it's reserved by room, so we had to book it on separate nights to use it. We also really liked the café. The food was delicious, the drinks were great, and the matcha latte was a favorite. We did wish it came in a larger size, and a wider menu would be nice. Kimi Ryokan is a solid choice for comfort, convenience, good food and drinks, and a taste of Japanese tradition.

I stopped in for morning coffee three days running. The coffee was excellent, and they had milk alternatives. The staff were kind and polite, and spoke good English too. Hope I can come back soon!