YANAKA SOW - Cultural Boutique Hotel

Previous visit

Can’t open windows in room

Everything was automated and well explained

In the room, the light in the entry space is automatic. It switches on each time you move in the room. It’s quite frustrating especially at night. Also, the room is quite dark. You cannot open the window, and the window is not transparent. Finally, you need to pay for a cleaning service. When you stay one week, it’s not great that this is not included.

Everything.

The pillows and the fact the rooms 403 did not have shades like the rooms at the 1st floor (103) where some other family members were staying and they had automated shaded curtains which helped to sleep.

It was conveniently located close to Nippori and Sendagi stations. Yanaka is a beautiful quiet little area, we loved it. The beds were comfortable and room was spacious for Tokyo standards although not much bench or storage area.

It felt was extremely cold (lack of a welcoming atmosphere). No staff on site plus lots of strict rules was unpleasant. The dark interior and lighting also made it feel a little eerie at night. We stayed 3 nights on the top floor but every single night there were loud knocking or banging kind of sounds that vibrates the floor and wakes us up. It is also in the middle of one of the largest cemeteries in Tokyo. Though beautiful during the day, if you don’t like to be in and amongst tombstones, this is not the place to be. I would not book again due to the darkness, loud noises at night and spooky feeling at night.