Komatsu Ryokan

The room was clean, though tiny, and the mattresses didn't fit next to each other. What made the stay unpleasant was the service after checkout. We asked to sit in the shared area and charge our phone, but they kicked us out very abruptly and wouldn't let us wait even the five minutes we'd asked for. That sums up how we felt about staying there.

The location is really good, but the room is tiny and there's almost no soundproofing. Hope you get quiet neighbors, otherwise people talking or a phone ringing can wake you early. The aircon smelled bad, too. We never met the friendly host mentioned in other reviews. An uncle told us to leave the common area, and he was pretty impolite about it. In general, I wouldn't recommend this place unless you're really on a budget.

The neighborhood is quiet and the location is good, close to Ueno Station, but I didn't enjoy the stay otherwise. It needs more cleaning. The amenities are nice, though standard for Japan. This feels more like a hostel, and the walls are thinner than in regular business hotels. If other guests aren't considerate, you won't sleep. I wonder who the friendly owner from other reviews is, because it definitely wasn't the person who greeted us.

The owner was friendly and accommodating, and the price was excellent for what you get. I stayed two nights with my partner, and that length of stay felt just right. The rooms are small but cozy, and you have to lay out your own futon. It's very comfortable, though, and I slept well. There’s a shared kitchen with a toaster, microwave, and fridge. Be aware that there’s just one shower room downstairs, although each floor has toilets for men and women, four in all, plus two hallway sinks with mirrors on each floor. The building has two floors connected by a narrow staircase, which could be difficult with big luggage, mobility issues, or weak knees. The walls are thin and don't block much sound, but everyone seemed aware of that, so the hotel was wonderfully quiet. It’s in a fantastic spot with easy access to Ueno and Asakusa, JR Yamanote and Shinkansen lines, and Tokyo and Toei metro stations. I’d absolutely recommend this authentic Japanese-style inn to solo travelers and couples.