Under Railway Hotel Akihabara

The rooms are under a railway line, so trains can be heard overhead. We sleep with ambient sounds, and it didn’t bother us, but it may not suit someone who needs silence. The place had what we needed and was spacious enough for us. The location is convenient, near stations, shops, and restaurants. It wasn’t as spacious as the other places we stayed in Japan, though we knew that when we booked. We came with our children, aged 8 and 6. The smaller space mattered to them, but not to us adults.

We were six adults over 65 staying in room 20, and it suited us very well. The room was very clean, and check-in was quick and easy. We stayed in a bunk room and used the QR code we were given to enter the building after hours and access our room. The train noise didn’t bother us, perhaps because we’d just arrived in Tokyo after a 13-hour flight from the USA. We’d stay again and recommend Under the Railway Hotel in Akihabara. Ask for room 20 and see how quiet it can be.

Akihabara is the main draw here. There’s plenty of access to transit, attractions, food, and shopping. The staff were excellent and helpful. Rooms are small but functional, and we had no problems with ours. The bathrooms are a bit cramped but usable. The downside is the rail noise, though you get used to it, and earplugs are provided. I’d definitely come back.

I was travelling alone and wanted somewhere clean and convenient for the night, so I tried this unusual hotel. The service was friendly, the location handy, and I liked the distinctive room design. I hadn’t realised how loud the trains would be. I got only about five hours of sleep and woke up with the first train in the morning. The earplugs didn’t help much, so light sleepers should bear that in mind.