STREETSMART - Top 10 Tokyo - page 128

Left Homeikan Honkan Center Sawanoya Ryokan Right Ryokan Shigetsu

Ryokan

! Sukeroku no

player. Showers on all
floors and a communal
Jacuzzi. English-speaking
staff. d Map H1 • 2-34-10
Nihonzutsumi, Taito-ku
• 3873-8611 • www.andon.
co.jp • ¥¥
% Sawanoya Ryokan

ambience exudes
refinement, though
bordering a little on the
ostentatious. Both
Western and Japanese
rooms. d Map C2 • 1-8-1
Shimo Meguro, Meguro-ku
• 3491-4111 • www.
megurogajoen.co.jp • ¥¥¥¥
* Sansuiso Ryokan

Yado Sadachiyo
A sophisticated, modern
Japanese inn located just
five minutes from the
Senso-ji Temple (see
pp10-11) . Japanese-style
rooms come in different
sizes. The staff are help-
ful, but not very fluent in
English. Excellent com-
munal Japanese bath.
d Map R1 • 2-20-1 Asakusa,
Taito-ku • 3842-6431
• www.sadachiyo.co.jp • ¥¥
@ Ryokan Katsutaro

A great place to meet
fellow travelers, this
long-established ryokan
is popular with foreign
guests. Rooms are small,
but comfortable. There's
a communal tub, though
some rooms have en-
suite baths. Situated
in the interesting old
quarter of Yanaka. Credit
cards are not accepted.
d Map F1 • 2-3-11 Yanaka,
Taito-ku • 3822-2251
• www.tctv.ne.jp/sawanoya
• ¥
^ Suzuki Ryokan

An affordable choice
in a rather expensive
district. Some of the
Japanese rooms have
baths, others have com-
munal facilities. Close to
Gotanda Station. Note
that there is a midnight
curfew and credit cards
are not accepted. d Map
C2 • 2-9-5 Higashi-Gotanda,
Shinagawa-ku • 3441-7475
• www.sansuiso.net • ¥¥

Seven Japanese-style
rooms are provided at
this friendly, family-run
ryokan , situated in a
quiet, traditional district
near Ueno Park (see
pp16-17) . Free Internet
access available. d Map
F1 • 4-16-8 Ikenohata,
Taito-ku • 3821-9808
• www.katsutaro.com • ¥

( Homeikan Honkan Designated as an

“important cultural pro-
perty” is this atmospheric
old wooden ryokan with
a Japanese garden. The
inn's location in Hongo, a
traditional neighborhood,
enhances its charm.
Communal bath. Credit
cards are not accepted.
d Map F2 • 5-10-5 Hongo,
Bunkyo-ku • 3811-1181
• www.homeikan.com • ¥¥
) Kimi Ryokan

Situated on the edge
of Yanaka's romantic
graveyard (see pp26-7) ,
this simple inn is run by
elderly women who are
very hospitable. They
don't speak a word of
English and the building
is a bit rickety, but the
pleasant surroundings
more than make up for
the inconvenience.
d Map F1 • 7-15-23 Yanaka,
Taito-ku • 3821-4944
• www.itcj.jp • ¥

£ Ryokan Shigetsu This beautifully

maintained ryokan is
adorned with paper
screen windows and
tatami mats. The two
traditional baths here are
a highlight, with views
respectively of Senso-ji
Temple and the city itself.
d Map R2 • 1-31-1 Asakusa,
Taito-ku • 3843-2345
• www.shigetsu.com • ¥¥ Favored by budget

travelers, this inn offers
small, but immaculate,
Japanese rooms. Bathing
is communal. Friendly
staff. Great value, so it's
best to book ahead. d
Map C1 • 2-36-8 Ikebukuro,
Toshima-ku • 3971-3766
• www.kimi-ryokan.jp • ¥

$ Andon Ryokan & Meguro Gajoen Enjoy the free tea

and coffee here while
taking in the compact
design of this ultra-
modern ryokan . Every
room has Internet access,
as well as a TV and DVD

A cross between a
high-end ryokan and
luxury hotel, this place
has walls and lounges
all covered in original
Japanese paintings and
woodcarvings. The

132

Unless otherwise stated, all hotels accept credit cards and
have en-suite bathrooms and air conditioning.