Katie D.
Yelp
Ryokan Asakusa Shigetsu was a really great place to stay during my first visit back to Japan after living there over a decade ago. I wanted to stay somewhere during my short trip that felt like the Japan I had come to love during the time I lived there, and this ryokan delivered.
I loved how clean everything was, even when it wasn't the most stylish of hotels. The tatami was fresh and clean, and while the bathroom amenities were likely Showa-era, I felt comfortable, as though coming home after a long time away. I could have stayed in a western-style hotel, but I had the sneaking suspicion that a western-style bed would have been less comfortable than the futon rolled out on the floor when I arrived.
Each day I was there, the room was cleaned meticulously, and everything put back perfectly into place.
The ryokan staff were *incredibly* helpful, providing directions and advice in English when I needed suggestions. They were ready and able to provide advice when I needed transit help as well. Also, while the ryokan closes its desk around 11:00 pm, they provide a door code for visitors who need to come back in after a night out
If I were to ding them on score, my only complaint would be that guests aren't given the option of a "come back later" door tag for cleaners - you have to be out of there by around 10:00 AM, and you have to stay out till around 3:00. While this worked because of all the putzing around I wanted to do, I love sleeping in, so from that perspective, a more flexible cleaning time would have been appreciated. Overall, loved the space and definitely recommend it for people wanting something more traditional in the Japanese sense.