Tosei Hotel Cocone Ueno

It’s across from Ameyoko Market, in a quiet area not too far from the train station. Free coffee, tea, and snacks are available, and the coffee tasted good, so I had some every day. My double room was clean but very small. The bed felt queen-sized, suitable for a couple or a parent with a child, but I wouldn’t recommend this room type for friends sharing. I was surprised by the cleaning service. I left at 9am with the tag asking for the room to be cleaned, then came back around 3.30pm and it still hadn’t been done. Maybe I should have notified reception before leaving, but is 3.30pm really too late?

The room and bed were tiny, and the room didn’t feel appropriate for two people. We asked for a second duvet, but they refused, saying it was impossible. Service was terrible, and staff had barely any English, which might be fine elsewhere but not in Tokyo, especially so close to Ueno Station. The amenities didn’t justify a three-star rating either. If it were cheaper and rated two stars, I might recommend it, but as things stand I don’t recommend it at all.

The little book corner in the lobby was a lovely touch. Travelers could leave short messages there, which made the place feel personal. Being near Ueno Station was handy for day trips, and the staff seemed kind and well intentioned. Even so, this was the weakest hotel of our trip. The area around it felt uncomfortable and unpleasant to walk through. The room was extremely small even by Japanese standards, and the bathroom was almost comically tiny. I’m only 1m65, but my knees touched the door when I sat on the toilet. Communication with the staff was difficult because their English was very limited. It didn’t measure up to the other places we stayed in Japan.

The room was so small that anyone with claustrophobia might want to skip it. Still, it was clean and okay overall. We got it at a discounted price, and it was much cheaper than the other hotels here in Tokyo.