BOOK AND BED TOKYO

"How did it strike you on arrival?In the fray of Ikebukuro's bright bustle, with fan-favorite manga shops in the neon shadows of shopping complexes, Book and Bed Tokyo isn't the easiest to spot. But you shouldn't need to look far: It's a short walk from the subway station (so long as you take the right exit, C8). Inside the seventh-floor hostel, the vibe immediately turns into a hushed haven. What’s the crowd like?Young, bookish types. The good stuff: Tell us about your room.Cozily set beneath a ceiling of pendent bulbs and suspended hardback books (in no alphabetical order) are pine bookshelves, plush royal-blue daybeds, and smooth concrete floors. The room itself, long and narrow, is cluttered in all the right ways, considering that a stocked wooden bookshelf within and alcove is the very definition of cozy nooks. We’re craving some deep, restorative sleep. They got us?The cheapest of 52 bunks are in separate rooms, but guests booking the Bookshelf bunks are literally tucking themselves into the bookshelf. The variations are limited, all constructed like large pine boxes, but it's worth the extra penny to book the Standard bunk for some extra square footage. An overhead reading light, electrical outlets, and safety boxes are the only features, while there's also luggage storage underneath the bookshelf. How about the little things, like mini bar, or shower goodies. Any of that find its way into your suitcase?The books (around 3,200 titles, both English and Japanese) are a permanent collection (read: not for sale). But there's certainly a page or two we'd steal from the storied shelves if we could. Please tell us the bathroom won’t let us down.Communal bathrooms are all clean and orderly with a handful of private showers and a full lineup of sinks. What it lacks, however, are towels and toiletries, which the hostel sells in packs for a few dollars. Maybe the most important topic of all: Wi-Fi. What’s the word?Don't leave your e-reader at home: There's free Wi-Fi. Room service: Worth it?There's a vending machine for drinks, but you'll need to head out into the buzzy neighborhood for grub. What was most memorable—or heartbreaking—about your stay?The hostel doubles as a reading lounge, allowing avid readers to book day rates without staying the night. However, this also means that guests in the Bookshelf bunks are in plain view for any non-guests who are just there for the day. Luckily, the crowd tends to be one of those well-read, keep-to-themselves variety. Bottom line: worth it, and why?There aren’t a ton of amenities at this hostel, but if access to literature is your version of getting lit, it could very well be paradise." - Keith Flanagan