ryokans in tokyo
Feb 14th, 2004, 05:12 PM
#3
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I can also recommend the Ryokan Shigetsu (www.shigetsu.com)which is in an interesting area of Tokyo and close to the Asakusa subway station at the end of the Ginza line. On the top floor there is a traditional Japanese bath which you must try during your stay. The restaurant is good and inexpensive (for Tokyo)and the Japanese breakfast was pretty good too! There is also free internet access in the lobby area.
We stayed in a Western-style room and found it comfortable, although the bathroom was a bit small (but typical for Tokyo) with only a shower.
The only inconveniences are... 1. the curfew - they lock the doors at midnight (I think - you should check this if you plan to go out at night), 2. there is an older Japanese man (the manager/owner maybe) who may come across as a bit rude by Western standards. On our last stay, he yelled at a young girl who was eating an ice cream cone in the lobby and told her to get out because he didn't want her to make a mess. Her mother wasn't very happy and told him off. A Japanese-American businessman who witnessed the scene as I did told me that he was pretty rude even by Japanese standards. Later, when we were checking out, we asked if they could keep our bags for us during the day, since we had an evening flight and our bags were much too heavy to carry around. Basically, he didn't want to because they already had too many bags to keep. We managed to get him to agree to keep them for 3 hours or so, but ended up having to leave for the airport much earlier than we had to. We thought his attitude was a bit "you're not guests here anymore so I don't really care if you have nowhere to keep your bags, just get them out of my ryokan!" The other staff members were very polite though, and this man seemd to be around only in the mornings. I never saw him in the evenings. 3. It's not possible to sleep in. Even if you're staying several nights, they will throw you out of your room at 10 AM sharp for housekeeping. And don't think of coming back before 1 PM. Not even to drop off some of the things you bought on the shopping street just near the ryokan.
So, if you are traveling light or will be taking your bags with you when you leave, don't mind the curfew and having no access to your room from 10-1, and think you can tolerate or avoid the manager, the Shigetsu is really a nice, clean and affordable ryokan and you should enjoy your stay. In spite of the few small problems I've had, I would go back myself.
We stayed in a Western-style room and found it comfortable, although the bathroom was a bit small (but typical for Tokyo) with only a shower.
The only inconveniences are... 1. the curfew - they lock the doors at midnight (I think - you should check this if you plan to go out at night), 2. there is an older Japanese man (the manager/owner maybe) who may come across as a bit rude by Western standards. On our last stay, he yelled at a young girl who was eating an ice cream cone in the lobby and told her to get out because he didn't want her to make a mess. Her mother wasn't very happy and told him off. A Japanese-American businessman who witnessed the scene as I did told me that he was pretty rude even by Japanese standards. Later, when we were checking out, we asked if they could keep our bags for us during the day, since we had an evening flight and our bags were much too heavy to carry around. Basically, he didn't want to because they already had too many bags to keep. We managed to get him to agree to keep them for 3 hours or so, but ended up having to leave for the airport much earlier than we had to. We thought his attitude was a bit "you're not guests here anymore so I don't really care if you have nowhere to keep your bags, just get them out of my ryokan!" The other staff members were very polite though, and this man seemd to be around only in the mornings. I never saw him in the evenings. 3. It's not possible to sleep in. Even if you're staying several nights, they will throw you out of your room at 10 AM sharp for housekeeping. And don't think of coming back before 1 PM. Not even to drop off some of the things you bought on the shopping street just near the ryokan.
So, if you are traveling light or will be taking your bags with you when you leave, don't mind the curfew and having no access to your room from 10-1, and think you can tolerate or avoid the manager, the Shigetsu is really a nice, clean and affordable ryokan and you should enjoy your stay. In spite of the few small problems I've had, I would go back myself.
Feb 17th, 2004, 06:51 AM
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We stayed at the Shigetsu in October and really liked it. We didn't run into this manager at all. The only workers we saw were Japanese women who were incredibly friendly. I agree that it's tough to sleep late there, but that's true of almost all Japanese inns. Plus, we were somewhat jet lagged and were ready to get up and about. I would recommend the Shigetsu as well for Japanese style accomodations in a good location in Tokyo.
Feb 17th, 2004, 09:12 AM
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We stayed at the Ryokan Shigetsu for 5 days last November. Location was great - charming area. Staff was exceptionally helpful with restaurants in the area, subway help, getting back to Narita etc. Also, the hot tub on top is great. Did not personally have the problems mentioned by other posters.
Dec 7th, 2004, 09:38 PM
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Hi,
The Japanese bath in Ryokan Shigetsu is open during the following hours.
07-09 and 16-23.
It's open to the guests in the Ryokan. However, it's not only for individual use. It's definitely not for the shy.
And beware of the grumpy old man. He is the owner and manager of the inn. He is sooo unfriendly. Limit your questions, or rather, ask the attendants in the evenings (which are usually younger females). They are very helpful otherwise.
We had a really good stay in Nov04 and will definitely recommend this place to anyone. Choose the Japanese style rooms tho.
Good luck!
We had a blast in Japan......
The Japanese bath in Ryokan Shigetsu is open during the following hours.
07-09 and 16-23.
It's open to the guests in the Ryokan. However, it's not only for individual use. It's definitely not for the shy.
And beware of the grumpy old man. He is the owner and manager of the inn. He is sooo unfriendly. Limit your questions, or rather, ask the attendants in the evenings (which are usually younger females). They are very helpful otherwise.
We had a really good stay in Nov04 and will definitely recommend this place to anyone. Choose the Japanese style rooms tho.
Good luck!
We had a blast in Japan......
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Dec 7th, 2004, 11:26 PM
#8
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Bonjour Lolipop,
We stayed twice (Apr 2003 and May 2004) Just next street at the
Ryokan Mikawaya Honten 111-0032
1-30-12, Asakusa,Taito-ku, Tokyo - Phone:+81-3-3844-8807, Fax:+81-3-3844-7830
http://www4.famille.ne.jp/~tyo-stay/...anMikawaya.htm
or through Welcome Inns http://www.itcj.or.jp/facility/3/facil/313129.html
We paid Yen 10'000 + taxes for two in a room with bathroom. Most rooms, although small, have been recently renovated, the owners are extremely nice (although they speak almost no English), and the place is as convenient at the Shigetsu. Of course, they don't have such a nice top floor bath as the Shigetsu ...
We stayed twice (Apr 2003 and May 2004) Just next street at the
Ryokan Mikawaya Honten 111-0032
1-30-12, Asakusa,Taito-ku, Tokyo - Phone:+81-3-3844-8807, Fax:+81-3-3844-7830
http://www4.famille.ne.jp/~tyo-stay/...anMikawaya.htm
or through Welcome Inns http://www.itcj.or.jp/facility/3/facil/313129.html
We paid Yen 10'000 + taxes for two in a room with bathroom. Most rooms, although small, have been recently renovated, the owners are extremely nice (although they speak almost no English), and the place is as convenient at the Shigetsu. Of course, they don't have such a nice top floor bath as the Shigetsu ...
