ANDON RYOKAN, Tokyo

The hotel sits in a calm neighbourhood 10 minutes by train from Ueno and within easy reach of Asakusa's temples, markets and riverfront. Minowa Station (Hibiya Line) provides direct connections to central Tokyo, including Roppongi and Ginza. Several convenience stores, a Daiso and a number of local restaurants and izakayas are within a short walk. The area is well suited for exploring northern Tokyo on foot or by bicycle, with bicycle rentals available at the hotel. For airport access, take the Keisei line from Aoto Station or a bus from Asakusa; detailed transit information is provided at the front desk.

Each guest room features tatami (woven straw) flooring, a futon bed, air conditioning, heating, a flat-screen TV and a DVD player. Rooms are intentionally small - after the futon is laid out, luggage space becomes limited. There are no private bathrooms; toilets and showers are shared on each floor (two showers in total for the property). Some rooms may have a musty scent due to humidity; opening windows is not possible as windows are sealed. Sound insulation is limited, with noise from hallways and adjacent rooms often audible. Rooms come with free yukata (Japanese bathrobe), tea-making facilities, and a hairdryer is available in the shared washroom. Guests must use stairs to reach rooms; a luggage elevator is provided for bags.

Breakfast (additional charge of 1650 JPY) must be reserved the day before and is served between 7:00 and 9:00. Options include a Western set or a traditional Japanese set with grilled fish, miso soup and rice. Dinner is served at Fuku Andon, open daily 07:00-22:00 (until 14:00 on Sundays), featuring Japanese and European cuisine. A 7-course kaiseki-style banquet dinner is offered, and vegetarian/vegan meals can be prepared with advance notice. Dinner last orders are by 19:00; reservations are essential. The restaurant also serves as a bar in the evening, and coffee, tea and snacks are available throughout the day. The shared kitchenette provides free tea, hot water, a microwave and a refrigerator.

The hotel's main leisure feature is the free-to-use jacuzzi, which can be reserved for private use in 40-minute time slots between 14:30 and 21:55. Tattoos are permitted. The rooftop terrace is open until 22:00 and provides a pleasant outdoor space. Bicycle rentals are available for exploring the neighbourhood. There is no swimming pool, fitness centre or spa. Guided cultural activities such as tea ceremony and flower arrangement are not currently offered.

The hotel offers complimentary Wi-Fi throughout. Luggage storage is free on the day of arrival and departure; storage beyond that costs 500 JPY per day. A coin laundry (washing and drying) is available for an additional fee, and daily housekeeping is included. The shared lounge/TV area has a bar and a selection of books. Safety features include CCTV, smoke alarms and key card/ key access. The front desk can assist with fax/photocopying and ironing. Pets are not allowed. Accepted payment methods: Visa and MasterCard.