I first know this dreadful lodging place from Lonely Planet guide book (surprisingly). I had no idea what was in the mind of the writer when he or she recommend this place as a traditional lodging. Traditional? Ancient or run down is more fitting word for this place.
I’ll be fair about the location. It’s right in the middle of Asakusa area, and not far from Tawaramachi station. Even though Taito Ryokan website failed to mention that this station (exit 3) has no elevator. Kaminarimon & Sensoji temple is within 5 minutes walk. Oh and there’s a big & flashy love hotel, Boston Club, right in front of Taito Ryokan. So for those who already booked Taito Ryokan, but change your mind right after seeing the ryokan with your own eyes, can right away change and stay in this love hotel instead.
The front door of Taito Ryokan is never locked even though the “front office” is only open between 10:00 – 20:00. After that, no one is watching over the main door and everybody (including thief) is welcomed.
The room door is not a “door”. It’s made of some kind of thick paper or board, and my there’s no proper lock for the room! Instead they are using tiny pad lock to lock the door.
The room smelled funny, some sort of mixture between old smell and fish. There’s only one bathroom / shower room and the toilets are so smelly. The water heater temperature can only be set at 22 degree at the lowest, which is so out of question for a bloody hot summer!
For 3,000 yen per night, K’s House Tokyo is 100 times better then this!
Dear C.L,
ReplyDeleteI am willing to stay on this ryokan at the next april 2015..
I was surprised after read your review..
Is it really bad ryokan? May i ask their toilet? Is it really smelly?? Kindly appreciate your response.. Thank you
Oh for goodness sake, this is the most stupid reviews I have ever read! Japan is one of the safest places I have ever travelled to and it is traditional, that an old inn may not have any locks. As for the rooms, you should be happy that they give you little padlocks as most Ryokan (whether be hostel or luxury) don't have locks at all.... again Japan is one of the safest places I have ever travelled to. The sliding paper doors/walls are called shoji I would not call a ryokan or Japanese house traditional without these... and honestly, it is not the hosts responsibility to tell you that there is a lift or not at the train station... are you that incapable of walking up stairs? what sort of human being that has two legs cannot use stairs? and now for perhaps the most stupidest complaint, the smell... I think you are talking about the tatami mats and all tatami mats smell like that. and really, love hotels are EVERYWHERE in japan, you honestly can't go too far without seeing one... who cares... they are not as seedy as most love hotels outside of japan...
ReplyDeletemy suggestion is to stay at a Novotel next time you travel or perhaps don't go to other countries that has a different culture than yours that you can't understand.
Anyway, besides the recent renovation, I am happy to hear that they still have Shoji doors/walls, the rooms don't lock, I am happy the common room is still small and it actually looks like a traditional ryokan.
My 6th time to Tokyo is going to be spent at Taito Ryokan and I am going to have the best time.