Ryokan Asakusa Shigetsu

Nice and cozy traditional Japanese hotel close to the busy shopping street. The communal bath on the 6/F has a nice view of the tower. Only one is available and the other is out of service so wziting time could be an issue. Despite clearly printed on the voucher that breakfast is included, the hotel refused to provide saying not possible at that price. Not being honest.

My partner and I recently stayed at this wonderful and intimate ryokan while seeing Asakusa as part of our first trip to Japan. Right from the minute we arrived we felt welcomed and transported to another time. The family who runs the ryokan were so friendly and attentive to us during our stay. We asked about the hot bath and reserving breakfast for the following morning and the host was more than willing to answer all our questions. Our rooms, we booking individually as it allowed us space to unwind and two bathrooms, were clean, spacious, and very comfortable. I’m somebody who usually needs more than 1 pillow to sleep but was able to sleep extremely well (with the one pillow provided). The hot bath was amazing! We had a view of Tokyo Skytree and the bath could easily accommodate up to four guests. While I’m sure my partner would have liked the water a little hotter I thought it was perfection! Sensō-ji temple was a two minute walk away from the ryokan and it was wonderful to be able to visit the local shops or shrines and then run back to the room with ease! Our breakfast was on another level. We both chose to have a traditional Japanese breakfast and we were blown away. Be aware that the window for breakfast is 8:00-9:00 AM so punctuality is key. The food tasted amazing and you knew it was fresh ingredients. This has quickly became one of my best experiences in Japan. My only regret is we didn’t stay longer.

We booked two traditional rooms. The couples room was a little smaller than expected for comfort and the bathroom was tiny. However the location was fabulous - so central yet peaceful. I unfortunately got food poisoning in Tokyo (nothing to do with this ryokan) and I was violently ill with diarrhoea and vomiting. I couldn’t manage the clean up of linen etc myself so had to call the front desk for help. They were so kind and efficient. I was terribly embarrassed and upset but everything was managed calmly and efficiently. I remain very grateful.

Beautiful hotel. Staff was so polite and helpful. Would stay here again!

Our time in this Ryokan turned out to be an extremely terrible affair, owing primarily to the heinous behavior of the hotel owner. Not only was he extremely unpleasant and abrasive, but his opinions appeared to be contaminated with bigotry, particularly against anyone of non-Caucasian or Japanese origin. After reading some of the reviews, It became clear that evaluations from persons belonging to these certain groups had favorable things to say, whilst others did not. Our problems began with a *********** reservation for two rooms that could accommodate six people. However, when we arrived, the owner flatly refused to honor our reservation. As a result, we were forced to pay an expensive Y10,000 for a tiny and subpar room for my son. To make matters worse, when we attempted to return the room keys in the evening, the hotel employees flatly refused. These keys are unusually fastened to a long wooden pole, making them difficult to carry in a standard pocket. Not unexpectedly, we misplaced one of the keys. When we notified the owner of the tragic situation, he went on a rant in a language we didn't understand, punishing us for a remarkable fifteen minutes. In addition, he asked Y5,000 for the replacement of a cheaply produced and badly designed key. To make matters worse, the room for which we had to pay an extra Y10,000, Room 306, was labelled as a "western-style" accommodation. However, it quickly became clear that the establishment's conception of what constitutes appropriate accommodation for non-Japanese persons was fundamentally incorrect. They appeared to feel that, while foreigners may be able to fit into capsule-style cabins, which seems to be popular here, they do not deserve the same degree of cleanliness and sanitary standards for which this country is recognized across the world. The a**osphere in the room was oppressive, and it was far from clean or odor-free. It was just 8-10 square metres in size, 1.5 metres broad, and 3 metres long. It was difficult for me to believe my own eyes. The filthy and worn-out carpet further added to the dismal a**osphere, while the two tiny windows provided a glimpse of a concrete wall less than a metre away. In conclusion, our stay at this institution was an utterly horrible experience, marred by the proprietor's impolite and dismissive demeanor, as well as an unsettling display of discriminating tendencies. It's upsetting to witness such views in a country known for its generous welcome. We really hope that our testimony serves as an illuminating warning tale for individuals seeking accommodations within this jurisdiction.

Authenticity of Japanese style rooms with bamboo mats and floor beds. Ability to fit 4 adults in one large room at a reasonable price. Authentic Japanese-style breakfast was very good. Private onsen was a plus for the experience. Location is close to train station and sightseeing. Best shopping area within walking distance from hotel.

I wish I read the 1 star rating reviews before I booked. I agree that the service is terrible. We arrived at 12:00 noon obviously early and the elderly lady behind the reception asked us gruffly to return at 3:00. When we were back at 2:00, no one answered the door and it was locked! So we had coffee nearby and returned to be welcomed by a fairly stark traditional room. No tea bags, no creams, no glasses, no extra pillows, no face towels (limited to 1 bath and 1 hand towel p/p). And it’s not cheap either. The only good thing about it is that is right next to the Senso-ji temple.

Great location and very convenient, particularly for tourists or first-timers to Tokyo. Easy walk to the Asakusa station, Sensō-ji temple, and many shops to buy souvenirs. Very happy we stayed in this area. Also, the breakfast is quite good. However, be aware that the rooms here are very basic, with plastic tubs and cheap toilets compared to most places in Japan. This is more of a two star "budget" type accommodation, best suited for those who were considering a hostel, or travelers who are flexible, self-sufficient, or with a sense of humor. Not for those who expect concierge service! People in our group had several problematic encounters at the front desk, being snapped at, and turned away for requests like helping with a restaurant reservation or calling for a taxi. For example, I was told a taxi would be "impossible on this road", so I had to hike a few blocks to hail a taxi in person, and then ask the driver to come to the front door to pick everyone else up. In other words, not impossible at all. These could have been miscommunications due to the language barrier, but the overall feeling was that any question was considered a nuisance, like the mean soup guy in Seinfeld. It left a bad impression. However, we still enjoyed our trip and we coped by making jokes about it.