Oak Hostel Sakura

We stayed here twice while in Japan and loved the place. The rooms are small, as you'd expect, but quiet, and we slept really well. Everything was exceptionally clean and the staff were so friendly. The common area had everything we needed to make a simple meal and relax. We were pleasantly surprised to have a free phone that let us find our way around the city without paying for roaming.

We booked at the last minute when we got stuck in Tokyo, and got an amazing price. The hostel is close to the subway, with a really lovely restaurant downstairs. Our room, with two bunk beds, was a decent size and had room for our bags and shopping. It even had a mini fridge, which was a nice bonus. The toilets and showers were very clean, and the staff were lovely and welcoming. I'd come back!

The main downsides for me were being far from central Tokyo's tourist areas, paying to use towels, and having to check out by 10am. Still, it's under a minute from a supermarket and 7/11, and the shared bathrooms were absolutely immaculate. The hostel was very clean, with lovely facilities, useful local information, and great staff. They helped my friend get to a doctor when she needed one and even helped her post a letter. Having a ‘handy’ phone in the deluxe rooms was a great bonus, since it provided a free WiFi hotspot while out and about.

You can see Tokyo Skytree from the room window, and there's a shopping mall near the Sky tree station. The place isn't in the city center, but there is a metro station nearby, a convenience store just opposite, and shops selling fruit and vegetables in the area. It was hard to find in the evening because the sign wasn't clear or bright, and the building doesn't line up with its neighbor. The room was clean but small, and I couldn't lay my luggage fully open on the floor. The single room had a small flat screen TV and hair dryer. The shared toilets and shower room were clean and had basic toiletries. The common area was comfortable, there was a kitchen for cooking, and the staff were friendly.