Finding inexpensive, and convenient, accommodations in Tokyo can be quite a hassle. What’s more, at a certain point many travelers become weary of the whole backpacker hotel/youth hostel scene. Well, if you’re looking for a frugal yet very centrally located accommodations in a traditional, family environment, why not try Tama Ryokan?
Run by longtime foreign resident Michael Turner, the “Tama Ryokan provides basic accommodations for a reasonable price in a central Tokyo location.” Located three minutes on foot from the Yamanote Line Takadanobaba Station, and literally seconds from the Tozai Subway Line station of the same name – you really can’t get much closer to the action than this.
The neighborhood is also a great draw: “offer[ing] a splendid variety of cuisine: Indian, Thai, Italian, French, Cambodian, Nepali, Burmese, and others, with some very reasonable lunch-special prices.”
“Other neighborhood attractions include a movie theater (not too common in Tokyo), an English-language bookstore (the Blue Parrot), and several hangouts popular with the gaijin crowd, most notably The Fiddler, a British-style pub with live music and no cover charge most nights of the week, and Ben’s Cafe, a New York-style cafe and bistro, with free internet access.”
The ryokan itself has four Japanese-style rooms, with rates starting at 4,500 yen for one person. Payment should be made in cash, and reservations are a necessity, as the ryokan is often booked up. A refrigerator and 24-hour customer lounge (with one desktop PC for Internet surfing and email) are available.
For very thorough information about the ryokan (and pictures), please visit the website.
For both a frugal night’s stay and a chance to view a unique, old-style Japanese ryokan in a convenient Tokyo neighborhood, the Tama Ryokan is definitely worth a visit.
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