Kimi Ryokan

The staff were very friendly and helpful and - contrary to some other comments that made us wonder - were present the whole time. Kimi Ryokan was one of the cheapest places to stay in Tokyo we found, was quiet and good value. The location is in an area of Tokyo that is not necessarily suitable for children, but we found it kind of interesting and always felt safe. There are many cafes and restaurants in this area, including excellent and very reasonably priced sushi places where we met mostly locals.

In a city as vast as Tokyo, it's hard for anything to be truly "centrally" located, but this place is near a useful train station (Ikebukuro) with access to many train lines. Ikebukuro is not quite as crazy as Shinjuku or Shibuya for those new to Tokyo, but there's still a lot going on (and it's very close to those places - only a few stops away). There are plenty of restaurants within easy walking distance, yet it's also on a quiet street, so noise is not an issue. There is a cafe and a common area, but really, this is a "business" ryokan - small, clean, no-nonsense rooms, 50/50 Japanese/foreign guests. Shared bathrooms were fine, hot water was good.

We had a really good stay at this hotel. The room was small but cozy, with tatami mats on the floor and traditional Japanese beds that were surprisingly comfortable. The Japanese bathrobes provided were a nice touch and made the experience feel more authentic. The staff were friendly and helpful, even with our late check-in. The shared bathroom and shower were very clean and well-kept. The overall atmosphere was quiet and peaceful, great for relaxing after a day out. It’s also conveniently located just a short walk from the train station, which made getting around easy.

I really like the ambience of the place. I slept well on the comfy futon and tatami mat for the first time. The shared amenities were all kept tidy and ready to use anytime. I wasn't able to try the bath since you have to book in advance, but I would like to try it next time. The cafe within the hotel serves good coffee too that I didn't bother looking for another cafe in the mornings. The staff has been very nice and accommodating despite the language barrier at times. Will definitely book the place again whenever I go on a solo trip again.

Clean, comfortable bedding. Walking distance to train station, convenience stores like Family Mart and 7eleven, and lots of dining options nearby. Although toilet and shower were communal, it still felt private as the property is quiet. Good value for money. We stayed in the room for 3 people and are very happy with it. Coffee downstairs is really good and the natural baked goods are very yummy especially the scones and muffins. This property looks so much better in real life. Photos don't do justice.