Tasuki Smart Ikebukuro1

The area was quiet, with a convenience store nearby, but this was the worst place I've ever stayed. Dust mites were infesting the inside of the house, and the stairs were steep and very narrow. There was no elevator, so I had to climb to the fifth floor even though more than 80 percent of the floors below were vacant. I also had no idea how to check out. I left messages and emails without getting a reply, so I told Agoda Customer Center I was checking out. Communication was good before booking, but afterward I couldn't reach the host at all. I nearly couldn't get in because no check-in instructions arrived. They said communication had to be by Japanese phone, but I couldn't get through on the Agoda app or email either. No toothbrush or toothpaste was provided. Towels were supposed to be provided by default, but they didn't give me any until I asked. I contacted Agoda instead of the host and got new towels that evening.

The room was so tight I couldn't open my 28-inch suitcase and move around, and there was no cookware or elevator. It's about a 10-minute walk from the subway. I booked on Agoda, but the host was very slow to respond and still hadn't sent the access code the night before I arrived. I had to remind them before I got it.