Heiwadai Hotel Tenjin

A nice hotel definitely in need of a good revamp. Wi-fi is fairly unreliable and decor in need of an update. Located in a quiet part of the city but still accessible to restaurants and activities . . .

ROOM: I booked a single non-smoking room. The room was honestly kind of cramped and I had to move some stuff around in order to have space to open up my suitcase, but it was manageable. The shower was small as well but nothing out of the ordinary for these kinds of hotels in Japan. Everything in the room was clean, there was some dust in some places though like the top of the bed frame. AMENITIES: The best amenity was the daily breakfast (offered 7am - 9am). It was so yummy! Consisted of two rice balls (different flavors each day), skewer w/ sausage and egg, one piece of fried chicken, radish slices, a side dish (different every day), bowl of miso soup, and a small salad. Very yummy food and a great way to start the day if you are able to wake up early enough to get it. The room came with a mini fridge, TV (I didn't try to use it), kettle, hair dryer, and other toiletries. You have to choose between daily room cleaning or daily towel changing when you check in. If you need extra towels, it costs some money. There is a microwave on the same floor as the front desk. There is a coin laundry a floor below that which was useful. You can buy detergent from the front desk. STAFF: Staff were kind and helpful, but I did not really interact with them that much beyond checking in, giving my room key when I went out, and checking out. OTHER NOTES: You have to give your room key to the staff every time you leave the hotel, which I had never had to do before. They also had some sort of system where if you got back too late, there would be no staff members at the desk to give you back your key and you had to do something else. I don't know what you had to do since I never got back that late. To get your room key back, they ask you for your room number and your name, and check the file they have of your passport I believe. I thought it was a little strange and maybe not the most secure, but in the end there weren't any issues.

Heiwadai Hotel Tenjin is in a very convenient location, with easy access to both Akasaka Station and Tenjin Station. The breakfast is decent—simple but satisfying enough to keep you full until lunchtime. I especially appreciated the traditional touch of serving it wrapped in a leaf or corn husk. The front desk staff were warm and very accommodating, which made the stay even more pleasant. The room size is also quite reasonable, with enough space for your luggage and all the shopping haul you inevitably pick up while in Japan (you know how it goes!).

They lock the front door at night and you have to intercom to be let in, pretty annoying