APA HOTEL YAMANOTE OTSUKA EKIMAE TOWER, Tokyo

The hotel is a 2-minute walk from Otsuka Station, which sits on the JR Yamanote loop line. Shinjuku is 11 minutes direct, Ikebukuro 3 minutes, Shibuya 21 minutes and Akihabara 17 minutes. The neighbourhood around the hotel is a quieter residential area with numerous restaurants, convenience stores (Lawson, 7-Eleven), a Don Quijote discount store and Otsuka Mosque within a few minutes' walk. From Narita Airport, take the Keisei Skyliner to Nippori, then the Yamanote Line to Otsuka (total about 80 minutes, ¥2,700). From Haneda, the journey takes roughly 70 minutes via train. Taxis can be arranged quickly by the front desk.

All rooms measure 11 m² and are fitted with a private bathroom including a bath, shower, bidet, hairdryer, slippers and free toiletries. Each room has air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels (mirroring available for smartphones, but no HDMI connection), a tea and coffee maker, fridge, electric kettle, desk and a carpeted floor. Single and double rooms have one bed; twin rooms have two. Storage is limited - suitcases fit under the bed, and there is no wardrobe. The windows can be opened slightly for ventilation, but train noise may be audible from lower floors. Centralized air conditioning means the hotel sets the mode (heating or cooling) based on the season, and in-room adjustment is not available. The rooms are best for solo travellers or short stays; for two people the compact size requires careful luggage management.

Breakfast is a buffet-style meal in the on-site restaurant CAFE TORA, available for ¥2000 per person. The restaurant is open from 6:00 to 22:00 daily and serves American and Asian cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner in a modern, family-friendly setting. Given the compact breakfast hours, the surrounding area offers many cafés, convenience stores and fast-food options such as Yoshinoya and Mos Burger within a few minutes' walk.

Guests can use the public bath and open-air bath at no extra cost. The spa area includes a hot tub and a range of massage treatments (back, neck, head, foot, full body, couples) available for an additional charge. Occupancy of the spa can be checked on the in-room TV. Tattoo cover stickers are provided at reception - up to two per person per day - so guests with small tattoos can use the facilities. The coin laundry with washing machines and dryers is also located on the 20th floor (¥500 per 30 min for washing, ¥100 per 30 min for drying). A microwave is available for guest use on the same floor.

Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. The 24-hour front desk offers express check-in/check-out, luggage storage free of charge on the day of check-in and check-out, and can assist with courier luggage forwarding (slip provided in the room). There is a drink vending machine and a coffee house on site. Safety features include 24-hour security, CCTV, smoke alarms and key card access. The hotel does not allow pets. Payment can be made with major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, JCB, Diners, UnionPay and others). Coin laundry is on the 20th floor (¥500 per 30 min wash, ¥100 per 30 min dryer). The hotel has a lift and accessible parking. Air conditioning is centralised and cannot be adjusted individually.