Asakusa is one of the most popular places for tourists to stay in Tokyo—and there are good reasons for this. For one thing, the area’s got history. Not the dull, textbook kind of history—the colorful stuff of pleasure houses (geisha central), trade and wild tradition. Still a renowned entertainment district, good food abounds in Asakusa (the noodles are particularly nom-worthy), as do shopping and sightseeing opportunities.
The area is a dense tangle of old-meets-new on the banks of the Sumida River, and in the midst of its sprawl of homes, stores and sacred spots you’ll find reasonably priced accommodation aplenty. An Asakusa hotel can range from capsule to swanky, all just a 15-minute train ride from Tokyo Station. Read on to see what’s available.
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Capsule hotels in Asakusa
Despite the fact that “capsules” resemble something you’d be placed in for cryogenic freezing, they remain a firm favorite among tourists in search of that “authentic Japanese experience”. Yes, we’re talking to you. If you’re determined to get a bad night’s sleep, here are our top picks for capsule hotels in Asakusa. Note that it’s barebones accommodation, with no meals included.
Khaosan Tokyo Samurai
One of the cooler and newer capsule hotels in Tokyo, this one is a fun option. The bunks are colorful and there is free wifi and luggage storage. Private rooms are available for groups of travelers. The whole place is designed to look like a traditional Japanese tea house and is fully geared towards foreigners. It’s a few minutes from Asakusa Station.
Bookings: Khaosan Tokyo Samurai
Price range: A night here will set you back between ¥3,000 and ¥4,000 (depending on whether you want a standard or deluxe pod).
Backpackers and hostels in Asakusa
The next step up from capsule hotels (and sometimes cheaper), you’ll find a number of backpackers and hostels in Asakusa. You can choose dorms or private rooms, either Western-style (bunk beds or regular beds) or Japanese-style (tatami mats and futons). Comfortable, clean and affordable, this type of budget accommodation is by far the most popular among cheapo travelers to the area. If you’re a young ‘un or cool staying with/near young ‘uns, go for one of the options below.
Pro tip: Pack your own towel to save on rental fees.
Sakura Hostel
The popular Sakura Hostel chain has a branch five minutes away from Asakusa Station. The staff speak various languages, English included, and are always willing to help with tour advice. A bottomless breakfast is available for ¥325 (that’s a good deal), and there is free wifi.
Bookings: Sakura Hostel Asakusa
Price range: You can get a private room or a bed in a dorm—rates range from ¥3,000 to ¥5,000 per person per night, depending on what you’re after.
Khaosan World Asakusa Hostel
Part of the big Khaosan brand, this ultra-popular hostel is a notch above their capsule hotel option. The rooms are really bright and colorful, with some funky pop decor. There is free wifi and a full kitchen, but no meals are provided. Fun fact: the building used to be a love hotel.
Bookings: Khaosan World Asakusa Hostel
Price range: You can choose a dorm, private or family room—rates start from just ¥3,300 a night and go up from there.
Nui. Hostel and Bar Lounge
Another head-resting spot that gets good reviews, Nui. Hostel and Bar Lounge is set apart by two things: it’s housed in an old toy factory, and it features a fully-functional bar/cafe (a great place to mingle with other backpackers and locals). There is free wifi and a communal kitchen. Nui is a four-minute walk from Kurumae Station—that’s the next stop over from Asakusa.
Bookings: Nui. Hostel and Bar Lounge
Price range: There are dorms and private rooms available, with rates starting at around ¥2,500 per night.
K’s House Tokyo
Also in Kurumae, K’s House Tokyo is seven minutes from Asakusa Station. The wifi is reported to be excellent. Like the other hostels, K’s has a shared kitchen you can use to whip up a quick meal. There’s a nice little rooftop garden where you can have a cup of tea and soak in the surroundings.
Bookings: K’s House Tokyo
Price range: There are a range of dorms, private and family rooms, with rates starting at ¥3,000.
Asakusa Ryokan Toukaisou
For more of an old-school Japanese experience, you could book in at Asakusa Ryokan Toukaisou—somewhere between a hostel and a hotel. The rooms are small but sufficient, and many of them are tatami. Wifi is free, and there is a small kitchenette for guests to use. Towels are included.
Bookings: Asakusa Ryokan Toukaisou
Price range: There are private rooms and dorms, with rates from ¥4,000 per night.
Hotels in Asakusa
If you’re slightly older (30-35+) or have more yen to spare, you can book into a regular hotel or a Japanese inn (ryokan) for a bit more privacy and peace. You’ll find everything from simple family-run affairs to luxury 5-star joints (get out, non-cheapo!) in Asakusa. We’ve kept our focus on the lower and mid-range options. Unless otherwise specified, all of the hotels below offer free wifi. You’ll need to check with the establishment about meal options.
Taito Ryokan
If you’ve been wanting to experience a night in a traditional Japanese house, Taito Ryokan is your chance to do that. This small hotel, built in 1950 and refurbished in 2011, offers tatami rooms (with futons). Note that it’s closer to Tawaramachi Station than Asakusa Station.
Bookings: Taito Ryokan
Price range: From ¥3,000 per night (with reduced rates for longer stays).
More info: You can read our full write-up here.
HOTEL MYSTAYS Asakusa
This is a three-star hotel five minutes from Kurumae Station. Rooms feature a mini kitchenette and en-suite bathrooms. It’s a modern, Western-style joint that is well appointed and comfortable, if a little on the, well, little side (unless you specifically book a large room).
Bookings: HOTEL MYSTAYS Asakusa
Price range: Rates start at approximately ¥6,000 a night (you can sometimes get double rooms at that rate—meaning two people sharing pay just ¥3,000 each).
Kangaroo Hotel
For a reasonable sum per night, you can stay at the boutique Kangaroo Hotel or its annex, the cleverly named Kangaroo Hotel Side B. Compared to some of the other hotels, this place is a little further away from Asakusa proper, with the closest station being Minami-Senju (10 minutes from the hotel). However, you can rent a bike from the reception, which makes getting around easy.
Bookings: Kangaroo Hotel
Price range: From ¥3,600 a night.
Ryokan Asakusa Mikawaya Honten
Two minutes from Asakusa Station you’ll find this Japanese ryokan. The service is said to be very good, and the experience too. It’s all tatami and tradition, with a healthy dose of class.
Bookings: Ryokan Asakusa Mikawaya Honten
Price range: The rates are a little higher than many of the other hotels on our list, starting at ¥7,500 for a single room.
Asakusa Hotel Hatago
Also just a couple of minutes from Asakusa Station, Hotel Hatago is like a ryokan with (seriously) comfortable Western beds instead of futons, in typical tatami rooms. The place is small and well run, with decent views over the river.
Bookings: Asakusa Hotel Hatago
Price info: Room rates start at around ¥6,500, and breakfast is included.
Soho Asakusa
If you’d like to have a weekly or monthly set-up as an option at a regular hotel, Soho Asakusa is the place to go. They will rent you a room or even mini apartment, complete with a tiny kitchenette. The hotel is by no means luxurious, but it’s comfortable enough and includes all the basics. One drawback is that Soho Asakusa is 15 minutes away from Iriya Station, which is a little far from Asakusa (it’s about 15 minutes from the hotel to Sensoji Temple).
Bookings: Soho Asakusa
Price range: Rates for the apartments start at ¥6,000 a night for one person (it’s around ¥8,000 in total for two people). Weekly stays go up from ¥42,500. Regular hotel rooms start at ¥5,100 per person per night (add about ¥2,000 to that for a second person).
Asakusa Central Hotel
The priciest option on this list, Asakusa Central Hotel consistently gets rave reviews. It’s fairly fancy, with Western-style bedrooms and all the necessary bits and pieces. It’s just three minutes from Asakusa Station. If you’re a mature traveler with yen to spare, this is a good place to stay.
Bookings: Asakusa Central Hotel
Price range: Upwards of ¥9,000.
Other accommodation in Asakusa
Of course, there are always vacation rentals. You can usually find some good deals on private rooms, especially if you bypass the platforms and book with some of the more sophisticated operators directly such as Tokyo Family Stays.
Alternative ideas for rest places include love hotels, karaoke booths and internet cafes—though we can really only recommend the first one of those.
Things to do in Asakusa
Looking for stuff to see and things to do in Asakusa? Make Sensoji Temple your first stop, then try these other free activities. You can also take a walking tour that includes Tsukiji and Akihabara, or try your luck at a real escape room. Skytree is just across the way, if you’re interested in seeing Tokyo’s tallest tourist trap. See how to save money at Skytree.
Pro tip: Book a local guide to show you the best spots in Asakusa.
Think you’d prefer to stay somewhere else? Check out our full accommodation guide or our where to stay in Tokyo article on all the best neighborhoods.
This article was first published in January, 2017, and last updated in March, 2019. While we strive to make sure that our information is accurate, details may vary.
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