I’d checked in really late to Red Planet Tokyo Asakusa as I’d had a full day of Web In Travel conference followed by meeting Mike (fellow gym staff) at Shibuya (and had my patience run thin from trying to find a familiar face in a sea of people for 15 minutes) for dinner. Mike is in Japan for his international exchange for the semester.
And if you’re still piecing together the rest of your Japan trip, I’ve covered everything else, cities, seasons, budgeting, getting around, in my complete Japan travel guide.
Mental note: Never meet in Shibuya if you don’t have any form of communication during your visit to Tokyo because the crowd is insane. Better yet, get a pocket WiFi!
We finally decided on the famous Harajuku Gyoza for dinner, which I realise I’d visited on my first trip to Japan!
We then walked to Shinjuku to catch the “Red Light District” in action, and I was crumbling in my heels by the time I got to Red Planet Tokyo Asakusa.
Checking in to Red Planet Tokyo Asakusa
Checking in was simple and swift without much hassle. The reception is open 24 hours.
There is a rest area at the reception with seats, as well as a booth with Apple Mac desktop computers for guests’ use.
There are 13 floors in the building, with 12 units on each floor. My room was on the 11th floor.
The lift is operable only with your hotel guest card.
Red Planet Tokyo Asakusa’s Room
While the room is small, all the furniture were tightly snug, so comfort is not compromised. You’ve got a King-sized bed, a desk with space for work, heater for during winter in Japan, a wall-mounted TV and full-length mirror.
I also appreciated the provision of two sets of pyjamas and disposable slippers to make my stay an even more comfortable one.
Hotel pyjamas provided!
I like the bright lights and the mirrors behind the head-board to give the illusion of space.
The TV channels were all in Japanese, so I didn’t use it much.
With the morning sun shining brightly into my room window, it revealed the building that towers above every other – the Skytree. Only 4 units out of 12 on each level have this beautiful view of the Skytree and it sure is quite a sight, against the shophouses below.
It’s pleasant to be working from the desk with this view and a cup of complimentary green tea.
The toilet space offers just enough space to fit everything – the bathroom shower flushed in the corner allows just enough space to shower. They have the option of a handheld shower or rain shower. The water heats up quick and the jets are really powerful.
The W/C’s automatic bidet also lives up to the Japanese’s reputation – the seat warmer and strong jets make running to the loo a pleasant experience.
Bathing supplies are replenished daily, and the daily cleaning made sure I always went back to my room as if it’s the first day I’d checked in.
Red Planet Tokyo Asakusa’s Amenities & Services
Wi-Fi is available free on all areas of the property.
Breakfast is not provided during the stay, but a Japanese buffet breakfast is available for an additional fee.
The hotel’s amenities and services are kept to a minimal, which is what makes the stay affordable in a bustling tourist district of Asakusa. Hostels are another option if you want to keep your Tokyo costs down.
Book your stay here!
Red Planet Tokyo Asakusa’s Location
Senso-Ji Temple
Asakusa is of course, famous for the Senso-ji Temple and the shopping street, Nakamise-dori, where you can find delicious street food and tourists in kimonos roaming around trying to keep cool.
Nakamise Dori
Never a day goes by where there will not be crowds of people surrounding the attractions.
Crowded by day and quiet by night, Asakusa transforms into a quiet area come 6pm as most stores close and the spotlight is cast on the izakaya food stalls in the narrow alleys.
The nearby Don Quijote is an indoor marketplace where you can find everything from late-night snacking to fish-shaped slippers or cowboy hats over several floors.
The property is really distinct, as it’s along the main street of Asakusa and close to two subway stations, Tawaramachi Station and Askausa Station.
Ueno Park
Ueno, another happening district whether by day or by night, is also a mere 1.7km walkable distance away. You can find Ueno Park, plenty of food and shopping as well as countless of izakaya food stalls under the train tracks.
Red Planet Tokyo Asakusa is a modern, no-frills, affordable hotel set in a really prime location, which is a good choice especially if you enjoy the cultural area of Asakusa.
Red Planet Tokyo Asakusa 〒111-0032 Tōkyō-to, Taitō-ku, Asakusa, 1 Chome−11, 浅草１丁目１１−６ asakusa@redplanethotels.com
Special thanks to Red Planet Tokyo Asakusa for making this stay possible! All opinions remain my own.
Looks like an awesome location. Been there done that with meeting folks in crowded spots sans communication. Gets maddening. I often travel with phone off – spend enough time online or dialed in while working – so I pick a very public landmark, then, well, I tend to stand out in a crowd for whatever reason. Tweeted for you.
Ryan
Thanks for sharing Ryan!