With my arrival at Narita International Airport around 10 in the evening, I decided to book an accommodation within Asakusa. When I checked accommodations on Traveloka app, one of the cheapest was Hostel East57. Rates were affordable plus I was able to get a discount to slash the total cost because of Traveloka’s promo codes. Hostel EAST57 is near Asakusabashi Station. Its location is perfect because most of the destinations on my first two days in Tokyo are within Asakusa and Ueno area.
The hostel has two properties, a block away from each other, and I was billeted on the recent one. The bar and restaurant on the main building were still open on my arrival. A guy on the front-desk asked for my passport for the check-in process. Another traveler was also checking in when I arrived at the front office. After photocopying our passports, he asked us to follow him to their annex building.
A block away, we arrived at the other building with some part of the ground floor crowded with laundry facilities. The first guy handed over our check-in forms to his mates who gave us set of house rules and our keycard. Starving, I asked for assistance on operating the microwave, labels are in Japanese characters, to heat the food I got from Family Mart at the airport. The meal was my dinner for that day.
My request for a lower bunk was granted but I was disappointed to find out that the bunk I was assigned to has the worst location. It’s not a capsule bed but the layout of the bunks made my bed look like one. Tight space going inside the bed.
Bed has one pillow, a soft sheet, and on it are two towels; bath and face. A safe, that can accommodate only those tiny stuff of yours, is available overhead, near the light source. There are also two power sources for charging your gadgets. Since the lockers available are only about 6x12inches, most backpacks and luggage of guests block the walkways.
It was good to know though that all floors have a toilet facility so no more need to go to the sixth floor when you need to pee. Shower facilities are on the topmost floor complete with hot and cold shower and essentials like shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel. Hairdryers are also provided.
Common area is on one corner of the ground floor, bordered by the laundry facilities and the front office. It can get noisy at times as the laundry facilities are open for non-guests. A microwave and hot water dispenser are available near the front-desk. A coffee machine, dispensing basic hot and cold coffee beverages, will be your friend for your coffee fix. Not for free though.
One of their staff on the annex building can’t speak English that well. This made him unhelpful at times because he just answers no if he doesn’t understand you. I think it’s his way of cutting the conversation short. My card-reader was not working and I asked him if I could try it on their laptop to check if the reader was really the problem. He mentioned that the laptop is only for the staff. I was fine with it but when I asked him where can I buy one (pointing to my card reader), he just ignored me with his hand gesturing a ‘no’ sign.
The only downside of the hotel being near to the subway rail is that you can hear the screeching metals. You can also feel the quivers when a train swifts by the area. Nonetheless, Hostel East57 is still a good and affordable place to stay when you’re in Tokyo. Asakusa is a hot spot for tourists and waiting for late afternoon on these attractions will allow you to enjoy them sans the crowd. This makes Hostel East57 a good option.
DIY ITINERARY AND TRAVEL GUIDE: TWO WEEKS IN JAPAN FOR PHP37,000
HOSTEL EAST57
11-0052 Tōkyō-to, Taitō-ku,
Yanagibashi, 1 Chome-15
I am keen..Which station do you get off and what exit do you take when you get there? How long is the walk from the station?
The hostel is near Asakusabashi Station. Around 3 minutes if I remembered it right. Just drop the hostel location on your Google map for easier navigation.
Thank you so much. I have one last question. I hope you don’t mind. We are actually staying for 4 nights. Places we are visiting include Shibuya, Odaiba, Imperial Palace, Tokyo Tower, Ueno Park, Asakusa and Metropolitan bldg. Should we purchase a Tokyo-wide JR Pass or just the unlimited subway pass?
I think the Tokyo Subway pass in enough. Drop all your destinations on Google map and check all nearby stations covered by the pass. If you plan to book for the passes, you can check Klook here: http://bit.ly/2wHsZyC.
Thank you so much! 🙂
Hi, can you leave your things like backpacks, etc. at the hostel while visiting places outside?
Yes 🙂