7 Charming Ryokans & Unique Hotels in Asakusa, Tokyo

On my most recent Japan trip we stayed in two different Asakusa hotels—a tranquil budget-friendly ryokan with views of Sensō-ji Temple’s pagoda from our room, and an even more budget-friendly hostel room with a private balcony overlooking the Sumida River!

We absolutely loved being based in Asakusa and would rebook either of these stays again in a heartbeat. We were always steps away from cute neighborhood bars and artisan shops, a block or two from a train station entrance, and a short walk from the stunning Sensō-ji Temple and Sumida River.

In this article I’m sharing the exact places we stayed at in Asakusa, plus a few other exceptional Asakusa ryokans and hotels we considered booking! These include a modern hotel with unlimited Japanese sake and rooftop foot soaks, luxurious award-winning traditional inns, and several budget-friendly options with plenty of perks, too!

Bookmark for later: The Perfect 3 Day Tokyo Itinerary: Traditional & Modern

Pouring Sake at Sake Bar Hotel in Asakusa, Tokyo

Lantern at Senoji Temple in Asakusa, Taito City

Quick Guide – Top Boutique Hotels & Ryokans in Asakusa, Taito City:

Best Budget-Friendly Ryokan in Asakusa: Ryokan Asakusa Shigetsu
Most Luxurious Traditional Ryokan in Asakusa: Cyashitsu Ryokan Asakusa
Asakusa Hotel with Best Onsen Facilities: Onyado Nono Asakusa
Asakusa Boutique Hotel with Free Sake & Beer: SAKE Bar Hotel Asakusa
Best Budget Asakusa Hotel with Kitchenettes & Laundry: B:CONTE Asakusa

☀️🌺🌿 Article Outline (Jump Ahead)

The Best Places to Stay in Asakusa, Tokyo

My goal with this article is to help you narrow down your options to one perfect hotel (or ryokan) that works within your budget, and has an excellent location in Asakusa!

Every single hotel on this list is rated over 9/10 by past travelers, which is the minimum I look for when booking a hotel anywhere in the world. You truly cannot go wrong!

But as you discern where to stay in Asakusa, here’s a few considerations to think about:

Should you stay at a Ryokan in Tokyo? Ryokans are traditional Japanese inns that typically offer a higher level of service, traditional tatami floor rooms, and amenities like onsens (baths), Japanese breakfast, and more. We stayed at Ryokan Asakusa Shigetsu and though we were busy sightseeing, we really enjoyed the traditional experience! Even if you’re staying at another ryokan elsewhere in Japan, I wouldn’t write off staying in one in Tokyo, especially since some are fairly affordable.
Do you need a Western bed? Although many tourists specifically look for hotels with Western-style beds, I challenge you to give Japanese futon beds a try! I may be biased (I actually sleep on a Japanese bed at home) but I slept very well in Japan, and hotels with traditional beds tend to be a little cheaper!
How far in advance should you a stay in Asakusa? In all honesty, as soon as possible! Japan is a travel hotspot right now, and even though we were visiting in the ‘off season,’ I was shocked by how many hotels were sold out 6+ months in advance. If you see a place that interests you, book it on Booking.com today—most offer free cancellations if you change your plans and its better to have something reserved now!

1. Ryokan Asakusa Shigetsu (Where I Stayed!)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 9.3/10 on Booking.com | 9/10 on Expedia | $150+/night | Check current nightly rates

Although we stayed at some lovely places throughout Japan (including an entire traditional house in the countryside and a $700 room in a Buddhist temple), this cozy budget-friendly room with a view of Sensō-ji Temple’s pagoda just might be my favorite!

Sure, the rooms are small, but we found them to be practical—with a small table for eating in your room, a mini fridge (our first in-room fridge Japan!), comfy traditional bed with fluffy bedding, and a window directly facing that gorgeous pagoda.

Ryokan Asakusa Shigetsu is one of the best ryokans in Asakusa

View of Tokyo Skytree from Asakusa ryokan

Photos via Ryokan Asakusa Shigetsu

Plus, the ryokan has small shared traditional baths (with views, too!) and is just steps from Asakusa’s famous Nakamise Dori street and the temple. There is an entrance to Asakusa train station a few blocks away, so its a super convenient location, too.

Other perks: Free Japanese snacks, coffee, tea, and other treats always in the lobby

2. Kaminarimon Ryokan

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 9.6/10 on Booking.com | 9.6/10 on Expedia | $255+/night | Check current nightly rates

This is the Asakusa ryokan we would booked in an instant if it had availability! It’s about a hundred dollars more per night than where we stayed, but with more spacious rooms and apparently, more of a luxurious feel that reviewers say is worth every penny!

Like Ryokan Asakusa Shigetsu, Kaminarimon Ryokan is located right in the heart of Asakusa, a few steps from the giant Kaminari mon lantern which marks the beginning of Nakamise Dori street.

View of Nakamise Dori street from a ryokan in Asakusa, Tokyo

Traditional bath in a room at Kaminarimon Ryokan in Tokyo's Asakusa neighborhood

Photos via Kaminarimon Ryokan

Kaminarimon Ryokan offers both western style rooms and Japanese rooms, but if you stay here, be sure to book one of the Japanese rooms for a luxurious yet traditional experience—with steaming baths and view over Nakamise Dori, Sensō-ji Temple, and Skytree tower.

Other perks: Self-service laundry machines, optional Japanese breakfast.

3. Cyashitsu Ryokan Asakusa

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 9.6/10 on Booking.com | 9.8/10 on Expedia | $400+/night | Check current nightly rates

If you have a little more room in your budget and want to stay somewhere even more special and serene, Cyashitsu Ryokan Asakusa has my vote! This ryokan is tucked a little further outside of the busy shopping streets of Asakusa, but is still only a few blocks from the temple.

The highlight of staying here is getting to reserve private use of the rooftop onsen (hot tub) with views of Skytree tower and the skyline.

Open air bath at Cyashitsu Ryokan Asakusa, one of the best ryokans in Asakusa

Photos via Cyashitsu Ryokan Asakusa

Although this ryokan was a little out of my budget, I feel confident recommending it becuase of the hundreds of raving reviewers, many of which claim its the best place they’ve ever stayed—with the kindness hospitable staff, thoughtful small details, and a true luxurious traditional experience.

Other perks: Daily dinner and breakfast included, all floors accessible by elevator

4. SAKE Bar Hotel Asakusa

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 9/10 on Booking.com | $180+/night | Check current nightly rates

If you’re looking for an Asakusa hotel with western style beds that still has some unique Japanese charm, check out SAKE Bar Hotel! Guests get access to all-you-can-drink sake and beer throughout their stay, plus Japanese snacks.

You also get a one-hour reservation for the open-air onsen, and access to the rooftop footbath to soothe your tried feet after days of walking with sipping some sake—with views of Skytree tower!

Sake bar at SAKE Bar Hotel Asakusa, one of the best hotels in Asakusa

Photos via SAKE Bar Hotel Asakusa

The hotel is located a 7-minute walk from Sensō-ji Temple and a few blocks from a train station entrance. It’s a little bit further away from the busy shopping streets compared to the other Asakusa hotels, but still conveniently close!

Other perks: Option to borrow yukata and happi (traditional clothes) to try on and take photos! Plus, laundry facilities.

5. Onyado Nono Asakusa

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 9.6/10 on Booking.com | 9.4/10 on Expedia | $215+/night | Check current nightly rates

Out of all of the Asakusa hotels on this list, this is the one I’d book if you’re wanting a traditional onsen (spa) experience with daily access to shared mineral baths, a sauna, and cold plunge pools! Unlike many of the baths at hotels in Tokyo, the giant baths here are heated with real mineral water.

And since the bath area is quite large (and separated by gender), you should be able to use the baths more often throughout your stay. However, the baths at this hotel are not tattoo friendly.

Photos via Onyado Nono Asakusa

The hotel is located in the heart of Asakusa, a few blocks from the temple and all the neighborhood’s best restaurants, izakayas, and shopping!

Other perks: Free noodles and ice cream, laundry facilities, optional breakfast.

6. Hostel Chapter Two Tokyo (Where I Stayed!)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 9.1/10 on Booking.com | 9.4/10 on Expedia | $100+/night | Check current nightly rates

I rarely stay at hostels, but our private room here had a private balcony overlooking the Sumida River, plus access to the hostel’s rooftop and bar… and it was only a block from Asakusa Station!

If you’re on a strict budget but still want to stay in a good location somewhere clean and safe, I can’t recommend this place enough!

Private room at Hostel Chapter Two Tokyo

Photos via Hostel Chapter Two Tokyo

Our room indeed was tiny, but bigger than I expected—and we had our own little balcony. The only con was the while we had a toilet and sink in our room, we had to use the shared showers.

Other perks: Onsite bar, rooftop seating area, optional breakfast.

7. B:CONTE Asakusa

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 9.3/10 on Booking.com | 9.6/10 on Expedia | $140+/night | Check current nightly rates

If you like to have the freedom to prepare food (and do laundry) throughout your travels, B:CONTE Asakusa is an excellent option—every room features a small but well equipped kitchen plus laundry machines.

The hotel is located right along one of the busier streets in Asakusa, lined with izakayas and situated between the temple and shopping areas.

Photos via B:CONTE Asakusa

All of the beds are western-style, so if that’s a priority for you, this hotel is a good option, in an accessible, convenient area! Oh, and the rooms also have televisions, which is actually a bit uncommon in many Japanese hotels.