Where to Stay in Asakusa Tokyo: Our Top 5 Hotel Picks (2026)
- Last Updated On August 21, 2026
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Out of all the areas of Tokyo we have stayed in, Asakusa might just be our favourite.
We spent 10 months living in Japan on a working holiday visa with 3 of those months in Tokyo alone. It’s given us a unique perspective of what each area in Tokyo has to offer and what it’s really like to live in one of the biggest cities in the world. Asakusa sits high on our list as somewhere that we think seasoned Tokyo veterans and first-timers alike shouldn’t only visit but actually stay in.
In this guide we’ll walk you through why we think Asakusa is a great place to stay, why you might choose it over Shinjuku and Shibuya, as well as where to stay in Asakusa.
In a Rush? Here Are Our Favourite Hotels in Tokyo
Why You Should Stay in Asakusa Tokyo - Our Experience
Asakusa might not be everyone’s first thought for where to stay in Tokyo. In fact, it goes against what we normally recommend for staying in Tokyo. It’s out of the way of some of the city’s major attractions and isn’t located on the Yamanote line. In fact, it doesn’t even have a JR station. But there’s no denying that Asakusa is the cultural heart of the city.
It might not have the flashy neon lights of Shinjuku or Shibuya, but it has so much else going for it.
Asakusa is home to the oldest temple in all of Tokyo, Senso-Ji. If you’re researching a trip to Tokyo, there’s a 100% chance you’re going to come across this place on every itinerary. We even included it on our 5-day Tokyo itinerary.
One of our favourite things to do when staying in Asakusa is get up early in the morning and explore Senso-Ji before all the crowds arrive.
For a more in-depth look check out our mini guide on Senso-Ji temple. 👈
With only a few metro lines servicing the area, being able to wake up and walk to the temple, without having to deal with the crowded trains makes the whole experience better.
But staying in Asakusa isn’t all about Senso-Ji. There’s Sumida Park and the Sumida River Walk that takes you towards Tokyo Skytree, our favourite place to enjoy the cherry blossom in Tokyo.
If you want to do some truly unique shopping you can head to Kappabashi street, also known as kitchen street. A street full of every kitchen ware you could ever need and a great place to pick up a souvenir Japanese knife.
For food, there’s all the classic Japanese chains in the area like Kura Sushi, Coco-Ichibanya, Matsuya and one of our favourite curry places that we can’t find anywhere else, Happy Beef Curry.
But if you’re after a truly Japanese izakaya experience then head to Hoppy Street. Located west of Senso-Ji, it’s a street full of outdoor seating and Izakaya’s selling stew and ‘Hoppy’, a drink where you mix low alcohol beer with Japanese Shochu. It’s bustling and busy in the evening and one of our favourite things to do in Asakusa.
Our Favourite Hotels in Asakusa Tokyo
Ryokan Asakusa Shigetsu (Our Choice)
If you’re going to stay in the cultural heart of Tokyo, then you should have an authentic Japanese experience. Staying in a ryokan is an experience like no other. If this is your first time hearing this word, a ryokan is a traditional style Japanese inn with tatami mat rooms and Japanese hot spring baths (onsens). Our first Ryokan experience was actually around Mt.Fuji for Sarah’s birthday! It’s an experience we’ll never forget and something we recommend you do when you’re in Tokyo.
Ryokan Asakusa Shigetsu is located right next to Senso-Ji, you can literally stumble out of your hotel in the morning, walk around the corner and the temple will be right in front of you. We couldn’t think of a better way to experience the temple than in the early morning before the crowds get there.
Book Here: Ryokan Asakusa Shigetsu
OMO3 Asakusa by Hoshino Resorts
This place has long been on our list of places we want to stay in Asakusa, we just haven’t gotten around to it yet. The rooms look super modern, the rooftop bar overlooking Senso-Ji looks phenomenal, and it doesn’t actually cost an arm and a leg. Whilst we do think a traditional ryokan experience is the way to go in Asakusa, if you’re looking for a modern hotel instead, this is the one.
Book Here: OMO3 Asakusa by Hoshino Resorts
Hotel Keihan Asakusa
This is the practical, no-nonsense option on this list, and there’s nothing wrong with that! It’s two minutes from Tsukuba Express Asakusa Station, which gives you easy access to Akihabara station and therefore the Yamanote line. You also won’t have to drag your luggage through the crowds of Senso-Ji to get to the hotel, something we have become all too familiar with.
The breakfast buffet is highly talked about. Built around their own “Asakusa Onigiri” using rice from a local rice shop that’s been running for generations, it gives the place a nice touch of neighbourhood specificity which we think is great for a small hotel.
Rooms are straightforward but comfortable, with the kind of amenities you come to expect from Japanese hotels (looking at you, heated toilet seat of dreams).
Book Here: Hotel Keihan Asakusa
Hotel Asakusa KANNONURA
KANNONURA is a great budget friendly option for those that have visited Asakusa before. It’s set a few streets away from the temple in a nice quiet residential neighbourhood, away from the busy crowds of Senso-Ji. The communal kitchen is a standout feature for us. We love to shop in local supermarkets whenever we can and cook our own meals. It’s a great way to experience local life in a country and takes some of the strain off the bank account.
Rooms are a good size by Japanese standards, making them ideal for couples who need the floor space to spread out all their suitcases. There’s nothing worse than coming back from a souvenir shopping spree and struggling to fill your suitcase.
Book Here: Hotel Asakusa KANNONURA
Cyashitsu Ryokan Asakusa
We always like to throw in an aspirational hotel in these guides and for Asakusa, this is it. Cyashitsu Ryokan in Asakusa offers incredible Japanese luxury with a traditional twist. This is the kind of place you book for a special occasion or if you’re just wanting to treat yourself. Staying in a ryokan like this isn’t like staying in any old hotel. It truly is a whole experience, from the professionalism of the staff to the exceptional dining experience. Everyone should stay somewhere like this at least once on their trip to Japan.
They have everything you should come to expect from a ryokan at this price point. Detailed tatami mat rooms, private open-air bath, and private dining.
Cyashitsu Ryokan is located just a few streets behind Senso-Ji in Asakusa, giving the hotel a quieter feel with plenty of privacy, but still being only a short walk to the main attractions. We know from staying near here that there’s a Lawson on the way to Senso-Ji, perfect for grabbing a morning konbini coffee.
Book Here: Cyashitsu Ryokan Asakusa
Best Backpacker Option in Asakusa: Sakura Hostel Asakusa
Apart from our staff house in Nozawa onsen and the back of a 2009 kei van, Sakura Hostel Asakusa is probably where we’ve spent the most nights in the whole of Japan! Almost every day we’ve travelled through Tokyo has ended in Sakura hostel, and we love it! One thing that has been consistent with every visit is just how lovely the staff are. They love to meet and interact with people from all over the world!
The hostel even runs an event where they’ll buy all the necessary ingredients and a guest can cook a meal from their home country to share with the hostel. Well, Sarah’s love of food and the fact she had family bring out gravy granules resulted in a hostel shepherd’s pie and Sarah’s face plastered all over the hostel promo material.
Sakura Hostel Asakusa is ideally located a short walk behind Senso-Ji temple. That means every morning when you want to go out and explore the city you get to pass through the quiet temple grounds on your way to Asakusa station. Something we always love to do with a Lawson coffee in hand.
The main reason we always stay here is because it only costs us £16 a night, each! And as a couple that don’t mind staying in a shared dorm, we think it’s worth the savings. That way we have more money for activities!
Book Here: Sakura Hostel Asakusa
Things to Know Before Visiting Tokyo
How to Get Around Tokyo
Getting around Tokyo is going to heavily rely on using the vast rail network. When staying in Asakusa you're going to be using the Ginza & Asakusa line a lot! To make getting around Tokyo easier, you should absolutely get a Suica card. Fortunately, we've written a whole guide on what a Suica card is and how to set one up!
Get an eSIM
Staying connected in Tokyo is going to massively improve your trip. Having reliable access to Google Maps and Google Translate makes navigating the streets and restaurants 1,000 times easier. Even after living in Japan for 10 months, we still relied heavily on Google Maps to get around! Check out our guide on the best eSIM options in Japan.
Cash is Still King
Sort of. A lot of places in Japan accept cards now, and even some vending machines accept Suica. But having cash can still be useful for certain shops and stalls. We always recommend taking a debit card that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees. For us, that's Chase or Revolut. Then, when you get to Japan, withdraw cash at the first 7-Eleven ATM you find. It's free and you generally get a good exchange rate.
Stand on the Left
When using the escalator in Tokyo, you stand on the left-hand side so people can walk up the right. In Osaka, it's the other way around. Don't ask us why!
Get Travel Insurance
We always recommend having travel insurance when you go away. Whilst Japan is an extremely safe country, travel insurance covers you for more than just accidents. Lost luggage, cancelled flights, theft. Make sure you have adequate insurance before you get to the airport. We've written a guide on the best travel insurance for long-term travel.
Learn a Little Japanese
You don't have to become fluent. But learning a few phrases such as hello (kon-ni-chi-wa), excuse me (su-mi-ma-sen), and thank you (a-ri-ga-to) will go a long way! If you really want to test yourself, try this one after a meal or as you leave the restaurant: gochisousamadeshita (go-chee-soh-sah-mah-deh-shee-tah). It means thank you for the meal!
Convenience Stores are Your Best Friend
Honestly, it should be one of the first things you do in Tokyo. Get off the plane and head straight to the konbini. Try all the snacks, try all the bentos, try everything you don't recognise. You'll soon learn what your favourite is and always be able to grab one when your energy levels are low.
Trains Stop Running Around Midnight
Trains in Tokyo stop running around midnight, so plan your nighttime activities accordingly! It's a rite of passage to miss the last train and spend your whole night in the club until the first train at 5am. This is why 24-hour ramen bars exist!
Final Thoughts About The Best Hotel in Asakusa Tokyo
Staying in Asakusa offers a different perspective of Tokyo compared to staying in Shinjuku or Shibuya. We think it’s the ideal place to stay in Tokyo if you’re not massively interested in, or worn out from, the crazy nightlife those areas have to offer.
Asakusa gives a slower pace of life in Tokyo whilst still having plenty of restaurants, shops, and attractions to visit. The rail connections might not be as good, but we think it’s a worthwhile sacrifice to see a different side of Tokyo.
If you’re still not sure Asakusa is the place for you then we’ve written similar guides for Shinjuku and Shibuya, as well as comparing where the best place is to stay in Tokyo.
Asakusa is somewhere we keep coming back to and we’re sure there will be plenty more stays here in our future.
If you’re in the early stages of planning your trip then check out our guide on the best time to visit Tokyo,and see what each season has to offer.
FAQs About Where to Stay in Asakusa
Is Asakusa a good area to stay in Tokyo?
Yes, especially if you want easy access to Senso-ji and a slower, more traditional side of the city. It's not as central or nightlife-heavy as Shinjuku or Shibuya, but for culture, food, and walkable sightseeing it's hard to beat.
Is Asakusa too far from Shinjuku and Shibuya?
It's doable but not instant. Asakusa isn't on the Yamanote Line and has no JR station, so getting across town takes a bit more planning than staying somewhere more central. Most visitors find it a fair trade-off for the neighbourhood itself.
Should I stay in a ryokan or a regular hotel in Asakusa?
Both work well. A ryokan like Ryokan Asakusa Shigetsu gives you a proper traditional Japanese stay with tatami rooms and communal baths, while hotels like OMO3 Asakusa or Hotel Keihan Asakusa offer a more familiar, modern setup. If it's your first time in Japan, we'd always recommend trying a ryokan at least once.
How close are these hotels to Senso-ji Temple?
Very close. Every hotel on this list is within a short walk of the temple, with most under 10 minutes on foot. Ryokan Asakusa Shigetsu and OMO3 Asakusa are among the closest.
What is the best hotel in Asakusa for a first-time visitor?
Ryokan Asakusa Shigetsu is our top pick for anyone wanting an authentic first stay in Tokyo, thanks to its location and traditional onsen-style baths. If you'd prefer something more modern, OMO3 Asakusa is a strong alternative.
What is the cheapest place to stay in Asakusa?
Sakura Hostel Asakusa is our budget pick, and where we stay ourselves whenever we're passing through Tokyo. Rooms range from shared dorms to private twins, so it suits both solo travellers and couples happy to share a room. If you want a private room without hostel pricing, Hotel Asakusa KANNONURA is a solid step up.
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Hi! We’re Mark & Sarah.
We’ve been travelling the world together for the past 4 years. Exploring destinations such as Europe, South America, South East Asia, Japan and Australia. Now we’re sharing everything we’ve learned on our travels, to help you get out there and have your own adventures!
