JAPANKURU: [Where to Stay in Tokyo / Accommodation] Best Price Hostel near Akihabara Tokyo "GRIDS TOKYO ASAKUSABASHI"

We love checking out some of the newly opened
hotels/hostels/ryokans, etc. here in Japan.
Month by month it seems like Tokyo alone is opening all these new accommodation places to get ready for the Olympics.
With the newly updated goal/estimate of 40 million foreigner visitors by 2020,
it's easy to understand why all these hotels are popping up.
That being said,
we want to see these places and give people the best info
to make their lives easier when they come visit★

This time we went to a hotel and hostel in Asakusabashi.

~Asakusa....bashi?~

Asakusabashi is a district in Taito ward, east Tokyo.
Asakusabashi is famous for its traditional Japanese doll shops,
conveniently located budget accommodation for travelers,
and its accessory stores selling sewing and
hobby goods and apparel decorations.

Asakusabashi is between Akihabara, one stop west, and Ryogoku, one stop east, on the JR Sobu line. Asakusabashi is flanked on its south side by the Kanda River, which flows into the Sumida River just a few hundred meters further east.

~Asakusabashi History~

Asakusabashi means "Asakusa Bridge," and refers to the bridge where Edo-dori Avenue running in front of Asakusabashi station crosses the Kanda River, about 150 meters south of the station. Asakusabashi was a very heavily used bridge in the Edo period, as it was on and shared by the Nikko Kaido and Oshu Kaido, which were two of Tokyo's five main highways.

Asakusabashi is often confused with the more famous, similar-sounding, tourist area of Asakusa, two stops north of Asakusabashi on the Asakusa Subway Line. But the name comes from this bridge having been the "bridge before the gate" of Sensoji Temple in Asakusa, showing how radically Sensoji Temple's scale has shrunk over three or four centuries.

From the late 18th to the mid-19th century, Asakusabashi was the site of Japan's most advanced scientific facility, an astronomical observatory called the Asakusa-tenmondai which stood near the south-west corner of Kuramae 1-chome intersection - now a designated smoking area.

🏨GRIDS TOKYO ASAKUSABASHI HOTEL+HOSTEL

4-11-6 Asakusabashi, Taito-ku, Tokyo

Google Maps

⏰: Check-in time is from 4pm

Check-out is at 11am

📞: (+81)03-5687-7131

Free WIFI available

🖳GRIDS TOKYO ASAKUSABASHI official website (ENG)

🏩Make reservations HERE!

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GRIDS TOKYO ASAKUSABASHI HOTEL+HOSTEL
Access:
Best way is from JR Asakusabashi's West Exit!

⇩If coming from the Airport or Tokyo Station⇩

Photo source: GRIDS TOKYO ASAKUSABASHI official site

✪ 3 min walk from JR Asakusabashi West Exit

✪ 9 min walk from JK Akihabara Station
*or Hibiya Line Akihabara Station Exit 1

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GRIDS TOKYO ASAKUSABASHI HOTEL+HOSTEL

Room Types

The rooms at GRIDS TOKYO ASAKUSABASHI are divided into two major types.

1. DORMITORY TYPE
(rent one bed)
2. PRIVATE & GROUP TYPE
(rents the whole room)

DORMITORY

The dormitory system really pretty simple and cost efficient
if you are just looking for a place to crash.
You basically sleep in bunk beds in a room with other people,
and assigned a specific bed number.

There are curtains to each bed giving you privacy when you want it
while still giving you such a confided feeling.

And of course these rooms have lockers for you to store your belongings
that won't fit in you bed.

DORMITORY ROOM

★4 Persons Room ～￥2,700/Person

★6 Persons Room ～￥2,500/Room

**more info here!**

PRIVATE & GROUP TYPE

Renting a Private or Group Room is basically like renting a room at a hotel.
You get all expected toiletries and such as you would at a hotel,
the only difference is renting a room here at GRIDS is WAY cheaper
than renting one at a hotel.
ESPECIALLY in this area.
You can expect most hotels this close to major tourist spots to be pricy.

Something also really important to mention is when staying in a hostel,
normally you would be asked to be quiet.
However if you were to stay in a private/group room,
there aren't really any limitations!

So you get a price of a hostel and the freedom of a hotel!

There are different types of rooms for those that want to rent one.

PRIVATE ROOM (2 PERSONS ROOM)

This room is a good sized room for 2,
and includes extra things like a kettle, towels, shavers
that you would be charged for if you were to stay in the dormitory style rooms.

Like at a hotel,
the Private Rooms have their own shower and bathroom
that is only for those staying in that room.

PRIVATE ROOM (4 PERSONS ROOM)
TYPE 1

There are 2 different types of a 4 person Private Room.
Type 1 is where like the Dormitory Room,
where you each get a bunk bed.
The only difference of course is you are paying for the room.

TYPE 2

Type 2 is like the 2 persons room,
where each person has a very fluffy and comfy bed.

PRIVATE ROOM (6 PERSONS ROOM)

Finally,
the 6 persons room has 6 beds total,
however 4 of those are bunk beds.
The other 2 beds are on Japanese tatami!

**more info here!**

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GRIDS TOKYO ASAKUSABASHI HOTEL+HOSTEL

A Little Something Extra

24HR FRONT DESK

CAFE & BAR

We were VERY impressed with the atmosphere of their cafe area.
It was like they were going for a somewhat rustic design
fused with their own image for the establishment.
We did feel it was super easy place to relax and chill.
Probably the only place in Japan that really gave us that feeling.
Most places are pretty stiff.

⏰CAFE & BAR
- Breakfast time: 07:00 to 10:00
- Cafe time: 11:00 to 3:00pm
- Bar Time: 5: 00pm ~ 10: 00pm (Last order at 9:30pm)
※There are nuts included in some breakfast items,
so if you are allergic please tell them in advance.

COIN LAUNDRY

There are even multilingual instructions!!!

SHOWER ROOM

Actual bottles of shampoo, conditioner, body soap
none of these little bottle business.
There are also hair dryers.

The women's floors are equipped with extra nice hair dryers
that are said to be "anti-damage" dryers.

IN CASE YOU FORGOT YOURS~

*If you rent a private/group room,
most of these items come free of charge!

RESTROOM AND TRASH

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GRIDS TOKYO ASAKUSABASHI HOTEL+HOSTEL

What's around Asakusabashi?

The electronics and otaku culture, gaming, manga and cosplay mecca of Akihabara is one stop west of Asakusabashi on the JR Chuo-Sobu line, and sumo town Ryogoku is one stop east.

The Tawaramachi district with its Buddhist goods street and Kappabashi kitchenware street is about 15 minutes' walk north of Asakusabashi.

AKIHABARA