Sakura Hostel, Tokyo Japan

[joe7f]

The Sakura Youth Hostel is in the Asakusa (Ah-sock-sa) part of Tokyo. It is conveniently located to the sites and is on the end of a main subway line (the Ginza). It only costs 2900 Yen so roughly 25 bucks, 17 euros, 12 GBP at the time of writing. The staff is friendly and helpful. There is a phone in the room, vending machines (stocked with Gatorade, Soda and beer) in the lobby, along with about 12 pay computers (you only pay for internet access though, so you can upload your photos from your camera and then put in your code to send them for example)

The rooms are a little on the cramped side (welcome to Tokyo) and it is a little tricky to find. All in all a great pick. Not only would I stay here again, I did (at the beginning and end of my trip)

Definitely Recommended.

--Joey

[voyd]

How hard/far is this to get to from Narita Airport (Tokyo)?

I will have 2 overnight stopovers at Narita and will need a place to stay.

The Marks Inn Nishi Kawaguchi on the main page is 25 min out of town by train, so nix that. I need something in or near the airport so I can be sure to catch my connecting flights the next mornings.

After reading this site, I'm considering sleeping somewhere in the airport for cheaper cost & convenience.

It seems a local hotel will run $80-$100. Plus, I'll have to get there and back...

Whereas the airport has various benches, chairs and even small rent-a-rooms with showers at a rest area.

The rooms at Narita are rented by the hour, for 500 yen (about $5.00USD for sleeping room with shower) or 300 yen ($3.00USD for shower only). They DO take US currency, in addition to Japanese. They have facilities in both terminals 1 and 2, in the secured area of the airport (all international connecting passengers at Narita must go through security regardless of whether you want to leave the gate areas). If you are on an international connecting flight, you don't need to go through immigration or passport control to get to this facility.

there is a secure and free area where u can leave your baggage

Although it seems you must stay in the "international area," or they won't let you re-enter. Well, this sounds doable.

So, has anyone stayed in or near Narita? If so, what's your suggestions for the closest, cheapest, overnight accommodations?

[joanofarc]

Where you goin, Baby?

[joe7f]

Originally Posted by voyd

How hard/far is this to get to from Narita Airport (Tokyo)?

I will have 2 overnight stopovers at Narita and will need a place to stay.
[...]
So, has anyone stayed in or near Narita? If so, what's your suggestions for the closest, cheapest, overnight accommodations?

It isn't TOO difficult to get to. From the airport, I would take the Keisei Skyliner to Ueno station (costs about 10 bucks more but it is faster and easier to use) for 1940 yen and an hour each way. From Ueno station, I believe the Ginza line will take you to Asakusa. From there you can easily find the Sensoji Temple. At this point you can follow their directions.

I can post a series of pictures (or email you this) that show how to find the hostel from the temple (it is a little tricky but not too bad) just let me know.

All that said, if you are short on time, I think there is a reasonable Holiday Inn near Narita.You will spend 30 bucks just commuting to and from Tokyo and 25 bucks on the hostel. If you are traveling with someone else, it will almost certainly be cheaper to stay in Narita but it won't be as much fun.

Besides being next to the "Old" part of Tokyo, the Asakusa location makes it convenient to get to Shibuya and Ginza by metro or Akihabara by foot.

--Joey

[voyd]

Joansy - my old haunt, China!

Originally Posted by joe7f

It isn't TOO difficult to get to. From the airport, I would take the Keisei Skyliner to Ueno station (costs about 10 bucks more but it is faster and easier to use) for 1940 yen and an hour each way. From Ueno station, I believe the Ginza line will take you to Asakusa. From there you can easily find the Sensoji Temple. At this point you can follow their directions.

I can post a series of pictures (or email you this) that show how to find the hostel from the temple (it is a little tricky but not too bad) just let me know.

All that said, if you are short on time, I think there is a reasonable Holiday Inn near Narita.You will spend 30 bucks just commuting to and from Tokyo and 25 bucks on the hostel. If you are traveling with someone else, it will almost certainly be cheaper to stay in Narita but it won't be as much fun.

Hey, thanks for the info!!!

Well, I haven't confirmed my tickets yet, but right now I will be arriving in at 4 PM and leaving at 9:35 AM the next morning...and when departing getting in at 11:30 AM and leaving the next day at 11:25 AM.

So I think on arrival, I may stay at the Holiday Inn Tobu Narita, since it will be so much closer and basically the same price overall. I can book that with my ticket for $54. Or should I squat at the airport...hmmm? Naw, I'll probably need a good night's sleep.

I'll have a little more time to spare on my return leg...so I could possibly stay at Sakura/Asakusa. Which does sound a lot cooler and more fun! I'd like to see more than just the airport...but don't want to cut it close with long commutes and international flights, either. What time do those trains start running in the morning?

Well, go ahead and post some pics on how to get to Sakura if you got 'em! I'll have to decide soon on where I'm going to stay and book my tickets!

[joe7f]

Given your window on arrival, I recommend just doing that. I think Narita has a temple you can visit (I was originally scheduled for the Narita Holiday Inn and canceled it to stay in a Capsule hotel)

I just checked out Google Earth and they do a better job of this now that I could possibly do with my photos (with one landmarking exception) so I suggest you take a look at their marks. (you have the GPS coordinates in the left hand corner)



The building in the lower left hand corner is where the green line ends. You will be walking on a "street" or "sidewalk" that is incredibly narrow. At the end of it you hit that love hotel and hang a left. Despite the name, it isn't a seedy area of town.

Have fun, Tokyo is a blast!

--Joey

[voyd]

Well, I just reserved a room at Tobu for the arriving night...still undecided on the departing night.

Where is the capsule hotel, btw? Near the airport? And how much was it?

Wow, thanks for that map! That is awesome! Did you photoshop the route and blow-up into it...or did they show up as a function of Google Earth?

Yea, I don't think I could have found that zig-zag path on my own! Sheesh!

[joe7f]

Originally Posted by voyd

...still undecided on the departing night.

Where is the capsule hotel, btw? Near the airport? And how much was it?

At the very least, go into Tokyo for the day and come back to the same holiday inn at night. It would be a shame not to experience Tokyo, it really is a wonderful city!

Originally Posted by voyd

Wow, thanks for that map! That is awesome! Did you photoshop the route and blow-up into it...or did they show up as a function of Google Earth?

Yea, I don't think I could have found that zig-zag path on my own! Sheesh!

I paintbrushed in the zigzag but I made a slight mistake (it will still get you there); the last "right" can actually go straight. That is where you see narrow sidewalk/street and the love hotel I have in the lower left hand corner.

The capsule hotel was right across the street from the Asakusa station. It was more than the Sakura hostel so I am not sure I really recommend that unless you

1) think you will get a better night's sleep without anyone else in the room
2) want to experience a uniquely Japanese accomodation

--Joey

[joanofarc]

Well, have a great trip, honey - and enjoy Tokyo!

I'm jealous

[voyd]

Thanks babe!

Originally Posted by joe7f

At the very least, go into Tokyo for the day and come back to the same holiday inn at night. It would be a shame not to experience Tokyo, it really is a wonderful city!

The capsule hotel was right across the street from the Asakusa station. It was more than the Sakura hostel so I am not sure I really recommend that unless you

Ya, I think I will at least try to make it into town on my return leg. And screw the capsule hotel then!

Now, I have another question... I recently heard a rumor where a lady went to Greece and got in fine, but wasn't allowed out because her passport didn't have the new barcode on it? I don't know the details...but does anyone know if Japan or China has some such policy? I thought US passports are all good for 10 years, regardless (barcode, RFID chip or not)?

[joe7f]

Not sure, my passport is from 00 and I had no problems.

--Joey

[fanlaw]

The information is so useful and i will keep for future use.

[joe7f]

Glad to hear it

Welcome to the boards

--Joey