Going to Japan soon and want to stay in a cheap hotel in Tokyo near train stations?
Smile Hotel Asagaya is your best bet.
In this Smile Hotel Asagaya, you’ll find out if this affordable hotel in Tokyo is worth your money. Or if you’re better off booking cheap hostels in Tokyo instead.
Let’s dive right in.
Smile Hotel Asagaya Review
For my first solo trip to Japan in my early 20s, I wanted to go to Tokyo. You see, I’ve loved anime ever since I saw Kenshin, Rukawa and Tamahome when I was younger. 😀
After looking for cheap hostels in Tokyo, I decided I want hotels instead because they offer the level of privacy and comfort that I need.
In the end, I settled on Smile Hotel Asagaya because of 3 reasons:
- Because it’s near the station, Smile Hotel Asagaya is also near a lot of shops, supermarket, restaurants, convenience stores and even vending machines.
- Room size may be small, but that’s normal in Japan. Besides, it’s already complete toiletries and a private bathroom and that’s all I needed.
- It’s a cheap hotel in Tokyo near the train station! Honestly, it’s a 1-minute walk from Asagaya station, where you can take the train to Shinjuku, so it’s easier for me to go out and explore the city by train. And even though the hotel’s super near to the station, I didn’t have any problem with noise pollution. Sarap matulog.
Actually, it was cheaper when I booked Smile Hotel Asagaya in Agoda, too!
I saved up to $60 (₱3,400) for a 3-night stay.
Read more below to see how you can book it for a more affordable price as well.
Is It The Best Cheap Hotel in Tokyo?
When I booked my stay via Agoda, my booking at Smile Hotel Asagaya for 3 nights totaled to ₱10,806.
It’s super affordable, considering that the hotel already has a private room with bathroom, complete with nearby shops and a 1-minute walk to JR train station.
If you book directly with the hotel, a 3-night stay will cost you ₱14,258 — it’s more expensive.
That’s why we recommend that you book via Agoda instead to save money. Agoda usually has affordable Japan hotels available that let you get huge discounts when you book with them.
👉 Click here to save up to ₱3,400 your Smile Hotel Asagaya Tokyo booking!
Smile Hotel Asagaya Location
Upon arriving at Narita Airport, you can easily get the ticket to board the Narita Express going to Ikebukuro. This train would also stop by Shinjuku station, where you would go. The train ride is about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
After you go to Shinjuku station, take the JR Chuo Line which would take you to Asagaya station.
Once you reach Asagaya station, exit the South side and turn immediately right. Keep calm and breathe deeply. You’ll smell the aroma of coffee. This’ll lead you to Starbucks.
Upon seeing Starbucks, don’t go inside the cafe! No, resist the temptation. 😀
Instead, walk straight for one minute. Once you reach the end of the train station, you’ll immediately see what you’re looking for – Smile Hotel Asagaya.
See how easy it is to go to this hotel? It’s one of the reasons I love it.
What if you’re not sure where to go? Just say this:
“Anou… Sumimasen. Donna ressha ga Asagaya ni ikou suru ka?” (Um, excuse me. What train goes to Asagaya?”)
Japanese people are superbly nice, I tell you. One girl I asked almost missed her train just so she could comprehensively explain to me all the stops between Shinjuku station and Asagaya station!
You want a tip if you can’t speak Japanese? Just say, “Sumimasen. Asagaya ressha ka?” and then use your most confused expression. They’d get the hint either way.
👉 Click here to save up to ₱3,400 your Smile Hotel Asagaya Tokyo booking!
Nearby Places
There are tons of restaurants nearby — also, convenient stores such as Lawson and a mini mall where there’s a French bake shop.
The area near Smile Hotel Asagaya also has Burger King, McDonald’s, Starbucks, Uniqlo and others. Here are nearby establishments you can visit from this hotel:
- Asagaya Anime Street – 190 m
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building observation room – 5.4 km
- Meiji Jingu – 6.6 km
- Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden – 7.1 km
Check-in and Room
At first, I scoffed at the name and logo of the hotel. It looked tacky – I mean, really, a smiley for a logo?
After staying in the hotel, though, I couldn’t help but fall in love with it. The staff were hospitable and smiling. My room was charming and relaxing. The free wifi was reassuring.
Upon checking in at Smile Hotel Asagaya, I simply smiled at the receptionist, greeted her “Konnichiwa” and handed my Agoda voucher.
She simply asked me to fill out my name and other pertinent info. Finally, she gave me my key and smiled at me once again.
Personally, I felt welcome and safe in this hotel. The neighborhood around the hotel was refreshing.
My cheap hotel room in Tokyo included the following amenities:
- Telephone
- Television with remote control
- Air conditioner / heater
- A small fridge
- Cup and water boiler
- Complimentary green tea sachet (refilled daily)
- A bath robe with disposable slippers
- Two towels
- Single bed with 1 pillow, a blanket and a comforter
- Toilet with shower and bathtub
- Complimentary shampoo, conditioner and body soap (branded by Shiseido)
- Complimentary vanity pack (shower sponge, disposable razor, comb, toothbrush & toothpaste)
And did I mention free wi-fi? My room was at the 5th floor but I never had any problem with the connection.
Final Thoughts on Smile Hotel Asagaya Tokyo
Would I recommend Smile Hotel Asagaya?
Well, I wouldn’t go through the trouble of making this post if I didn’t like the hotel. So yes, I’d definitely recommend it to family and friends. It’s a cheap but nice hotel in Tokyo.
In fact, I’d book here again for our next trip to Tokyo next year, since they gave me a multiple-entry Japan tourist visa.
Is this cheap hotel in Tokyo near train station worth it?
It’s affordable, it’s convenient and it’s already a private room – definitely a value-for-money hotel in Japan.
Honestly, I tell all my family and friends to book hotels via Agoda because you actually save more (according to my friend who works in a 5-star hotel!) 🙂
And this is true.
As you saw above, it’s cheaper if you book Smile Hotel Asagaya Tokyo via Agoda instead of direct.
👉 Click here to save up to ₱3,400 your Smile Hotel Asagaya Tokyo booking!
Next time you’re in Tokyo, ditch the expensive 5-star hotels and stay here instead. Then, find better use for your saved money by eating scrumptious food and basking in the experience that you can only find in Japan.
Want more travel tips? This post on how to avoid getting offloaded can help.