One of Tokyo's most popular districts for visitors, Asakusa has the full range of accommodation, from high-end hotels to backpacker hostels and capsule hotels. Falling squarely in the midrange, Hotel MYSTAYS Asakusa is welcoming, comfortable, convenient and affordable.

Like a number of other MYSTAYS hotels in Tokyo such as those in Kanda, Kameido and Gotanda, it seems to be a former company dormitory, of the kind in which large companies routinely house their staff. My 'semi-double' room was done out in the chain's stylish modern design and colour scheme, fairly compact, but with space for a little chair at the end of the bed. As well as the usual business hotel fittings of fridge and TV there was a little kitchenette with sink and microwave, a hotplate and pan in the cupboard, and there are other appliances and utensils available to borrow from reception.

 

Despite having one of the 'outside' rooms - my door opened to the outside world, not the building interior - there was little noise from the street. And with the sliding blinds effectively covering the windows, I had a good, comfortable night's sleep.

There's plenty of assistance provided for English speakers: one of the staff could speak very capable English, there are bilingual maps available at reception, and lots of room information is provided in English, right down to the details of how to use the remote controls for the TV and air conditioner.

 

There aren't many sights in the immediate vicinity, other than a nice little temple next to Oedo Kuramae subway station. However, ten or fifteen minutes' walk north there's the grand temple complex of Senso-ji, and an equal distance south you have the Ryogoku Kokugikan sumo arena and the Edo-Tokyo Museum.

What you do have nearby is a good range of cafes, restaurants and neighbourhood stores (handy, since there's no breakfast at the hotel).

There's a convenience store just round the corner, a supermarket just a couple of minutes away, and a Thai/Indian restaurant on the ground floor which has discounts for guests.

 

The closest subway station is Kuramae, on the Toei Oedo line, four minutes' walk away, whicle the closest JR station is Ryogoku on the Sobu line, fifteen minutes south of the hotel. Also within reasonable distance are Kuramae (Toei Asakusa line) and Asakusa (Metro Ginza line and Toei Asakusa line).

Rooms come in semi-double and triple varieties, some with views of Tokyo Skytree. The rates seem to depend on what kind of room you want and how far in advance you book; it's possible to check and reserve in advance on the English-language website.


By Peter Sidell