Tokyo House Ikebukuro

{Note: Air Asia is having BIG SALE currently and the fare is incredible cheap for just as low as RM0.10. Did you manage get the ticket you want? As for me, after trying for 7 hours and 10 minutes, I just managed get 1 while one of my friend within 2 hours after the sales start, he managed to book to 3 places. I wonder how he get through the irritating waiting room}

Tokyo is well-known to be one of the most expensive city and finding an affordable and cheap accomodation is not an easy task. So for those who are going to Tokyo soon after bought the most cheapest ticket I ever knew (imagine just RM330 for return ticket), here I would like to share the place where I stayed during my last year autumn trip to Japan in an affordable price that would not burn a hole in your pocket during your trip there.

Tokyo House Ikebukuro is conveniently located in the heart of Tokyo area, Ikebukuro. Its located 5 minutes from the Ikebukuro Station and if you take the C1 exit of the station, it just take less than 2 minutes walk to this guest house (we only realised about this on the last 2 days of our stay =="). Not to worry about the language barriers as this guest house are managed by the Taiwanese.

There are two types of room;

1) Japanese-Style - 16 japanese-style rooms featuring Japanese tatami and matress. No bathroom or toilet attached but there are 4 separate public bathrooms with shampoo, conditioners and shower gel. It is so damn clean and sometimes I almost fall in love with their toilets. Inside the room, there are heater or air-con, TV, alarm clock, hair dryer and closet.

2) Annex Suites - 6 suites with private bathroom/toilets. There even has a mini living room, refrigerator, water boiler and microwave oven inside the suites.

Nicole and I opt for Japanese-style room to experience the living style of the Japanese.

Cosy and warm room for two guests cost ¥6,000 per night.

Ignore the messy things and bag.

The super duperb clean bathroom.

There's even an open kitchen for you to cook your food and enjoy your meals.

THREE MAIN REASONS I love this guest house are:

1) Free breakfast provided (bread, fruits jam, butter) at 7 a.m. But the lady is so kind when she heard that we are leaving as early as 4.30 to the Tsukiji Fish Market (click here), she prepared and put on the table for us.

2) Free 3 minutes call to call back home - During our 8 days trip in Japan, we were unable to call back home. Don't know what is the problem with Digi and Maxis line (not sure for Celcom). The only way to connect back home is through net. But thanks God! The lady told us that we can use the phone which located at the front desk for free. So, immediately call my mother and told her I am OK.

3) Not only free wireless Internet in the room, but they even allow us to use the Internet PC for free. I almost need to pay ¥50 for the usage of half hour of Internet PC during the stay in J-Hoppers (click here) but luckily I hold on my plan to do so. The reason why I need PC is to transfer all the photo from our camera to the external hardisk which I brought to there. You know how life could be miserable while you are taking photo during travelling and your camera is showing this, "MEMORY FULL"! Gosh.

The free PC which I conquered most of the time.

I'm almost forgot. There are coin-operated washers and dryers available. But the lady (the management of the guest house which I refer to) told us that we could use the washing machine which located at the back of the guest house for free. I guess there are more than three reasons I love this guest house.


Highly recommended guest house for those who travel with budget that comes with good amenities and facilities and great location. There are two 24 hours convenience store such as 7-11 and even McDonald nearby the guest house.

For more details, check their website www.housejp.com.tw/englishindex.htm.