KOKO HOTEL Korakuen

For the price, the room wasn’t good, and the service was poor. When we checked in, a bad body odor smell from the hallway was coming into our room. We told the staff, but they replied, “So what do you want me to do?” I asked them to air out the area, and nothing happened. Another day, our used towels were taken without replacements. When we went downstairs for fresh ones, the same employee blamed our “Do Not Disturb” sign, even though there was a separate “No New Towels” sign. The area wasn’t great either. The cost felt high for what we got, and the room quality fell below expectations. I wouldn’t recommend it.

For the price, I thought the hotel was really good, and I’d rate it 4.5 out of 5. The rooms are a little dated, though I was happy with the stay overall. More plugs in the room would’ve been nice. There’s a coin-operated laundromat, plus vending machines for drinks and meals. I especially appreciated the free breakfast, drinks, and coffee machine.

We loved that the hotel was next to Tokyo Dome and a Don Quijote store, with reasonably priced entertainment, food, and groceries nearby. It’s in a part of the city where we got to see the everyday lives of local Japanese workers, families, and students, instead of being surrounded by tourists. Other parts of Tokyo were about 30 minutes away by train in either direction. The standout for us was the staff. We arrived late, exhausted and hungry after a dreadful flight, and the two receptionists got us into our rooms quickly and greeted us warmly. When we asked where to eat, they shared a list of spots in and around Bunkyo City and showed us their own favorites. Dinner at a nearby ramen restaurant lifted our spirits. During the stay, clean towels were left in a bag outside our door after our daily outings. The small lounge by the lobby was tidy and had free snacks and drinks, plus a machine that made fresh pancakes. You could tell the staff cared about our wellbeing and wanted us to have a good experience. The room was small, with just enough space for a double bed and a small desk, and it felt cramped at times. The bathroom had a high step up to get in, but once inside there was room for a sink, vanity, and bathtub. The water temperature was easy to adjust. It was simple, clean, and tidy, and we made the space work. This is a practical Japanese style of room, not a luxury or shopping spree stay. We booked seven nights and eight days, and had a great time at Hotel Wing International Korakuen. I’d consider coming back someday.

My first solo trip to Japan, and staying here made me feel really comfortable! The room was clean, the receptionist was nice, and the location was good, just a walk from the train station. Highly recommend!