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A note from Ryokan Sawanoya
Updated 19/04/22
About
#1 of 3 in Yanaka
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Value
If you’re looking for a quaint ryokan in Taito, look no further than Ryokan Sawanoya. For those interested in checking out popular landmarks while visiting Taito, Ryokan Sawanoya is located a short distance from Kyu Kaneiji Five-Storied Pagoda (0.4 mi) and Toshogu Shrine (0.5 mi). Rooms at Ryokan Sawanoya provide air conditioning, and guests can stay connected with free wifi. You can also enjoy a hot tub while staying at Ryokan Sawanoya. While you’re here, be sure to check out some of the Japanese restaurants, including Soba(Japanese noodle), ramen, and Yakitori, all of which are a short distance from Ryokan Sawanoya. There is no shortage of things to do in the area: explore popular parks such as Ueno Park, Nezu shrine, and Tenshin Okakura Memorial Park. The staff at Ryokan Sawanoya looks forward to serving you during your upcoming visit.
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Property amenities
Paid public parking nearby
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Hot bath
Breakfast available
Bicycle rental
Kids stay free
Highchairs available
Taxi service
Wifi
Complimentary Instant Coffee
Complimentary tea
Vending machine
Baggage storage
Newspaper
Non-smoking hotel
Shared bathroom
Umbrella
Clothes dryer
Laundry service
Self-serve laundry
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Room features
Blackout curtains
Air conditioning
Safe
Telephone
Wardrobe / wardrobe
Microwave
Bath / shower
Hair dryer
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Family
Languages Spoken
English, Japanese
Location
Full view
100Great for walkers
Grade: 100 out of 100
314Restaurantswithin 0.3 miles
99Attractionswithin 0.3 miles
Contact
2-3-11, Yanaka, Taito 110-0001 Tokyo Prefecture
Name/address in local language
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702Reviews34Q+A82Room tips
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the Sawanoya is peaceful, clean, well organized and, especially, has great character. Live in traditional Japanese rooms, take a bath while gazing out at a beautiful garden, and base yourself in a great location. Near Nezu station, you are in one of the last really traditional Tokyo neighborhoods, with strong community spirit and little alleyways too small for cars, but perfect for cafes and restaurants where people are so friendly that even if you don't speak a word of Japanese you'll find yourself being looked after royally. From the area you can metro to anywhere in Tokyo within 30-45 minutes. You can also walk through the characterful streets to completely different areas -- parks, an outdoor market or the anime district. The family running the Sawanoya are kind, courteous and honest. The price is unbeatable for a major city.…
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Date of stay: May 2022
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Helpful
Response from Sawa Arata, オーナー at Ryokan Sawanoya
Responded 4 weeks ago
Dear sebastiansM8157FW sama Thank you very much for staying with us. We are happy when you enjoy staying with us and the neighborhood. And we are grateful for your stay while there are few customers due to the influence of COVID-19. The Sawanoya family hopes to continue offering comfortable lodging for visitors to Japan for a long time. We look forward to having you and your family during your future visit to Japan. Sincerely, Sawa family
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+1
For almost 20 years Sawanoya Ryokan has been my home away from home when I travel to Japan. I’ve sometimes tried other guesthouses but for my money I’ve not found one that’s better. The location, in a charming, residential part of old fashioned Yanaka, is fantastic. Not only does it feel like I’ve stepped back in time (in the best way possible) but it’s a short walk to Nezu metro that can get me anywhere quickly and easily. It’s also a few minutes to lovely Nezu Shrine and a longer but pleasant walk to Tokyo’s massive Ueno Park which houses the zoo and great museums. If you stay at Sawanoya, please take all the back streets because they’re so lovely and photogenic. Make sure you visit Yanaka Ginza too, which is really fun! I’ve only ever rented Japanese style rooms and they’ve been extremely comfortable and immaculate, with plenty of out of sight storage and hangers for my bags and clothes. (All of Sawanoya is incredibly well kept.) To save money I prefer a room with a shared bathroom but my room still had a sink, which is so handy. (By the way, I’ve never felt I was sharing the bathroom even though I was. And bonus: the toilet seat is heated!) The futon and memory foam pillow were warm and comfy and on arriving to my room each night I’d find someone had folded my yukuta (light cotton robe) and made my small room look better than I left it. The hallways are very wide and accessible if you’re travelling with large luggage (which you shouldn’t do anyway :-). Ahhh the Japanese bath! When they renovated a few years ago Sawanoya put in 2 gorgeous Japanese bath rooms on the 1st floor. Unless you suffer from real germophobia, I can’t recommend enough this wonderful way to end a busy day! Each room is for personal use and can accommodate up to 2 people. You set the sign to Occupied and enter a lovely, soothing space where you undress before stepping into the steamy shower and bath room. Here there’s soap, shampoo and everything you need to become squeaky clean. Through a small window you’ll see a fountain and sculpture in the tiny private yard that’s there only for your viewing pleasure! Once you’re clean you remove the wood panels covering the deep wooden or ceramic tub beside the washing area and slip into the very hot water. Yes, the bath water is shared (you don’t fill it or drain it) which is why washing well before is so essential. The effect of being in the steamy bath is like a cross between a sauna and a Japanese-style hot tub. I can’t think of a better reason to choose Sawanoya than this fantastic bedtime ritual that feels like a gift. Sawanoya Ryokan is family run and the service is warm and patient. You want to know where to go, what to do, in Japan? They’ll hook you up! They also offer good breakfasts if you don’t want to wing it like I do. The lounge has a wall of pamphlets and maps covering many regions of Japan, a great resource if you’re travelling through the country. Don’t miss an opportunity to see a part of Tokyo most never do and to experience budget Japanese hospitality and comfort at its finest!…
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Date of stay: March 2020Trip type: Travelled
2 Helpful votes
Helpful
Response from Sawanoya, Sawa family at Ryokan Sawanoya
Responded 31 Mar 2020
Dear idv8 sama Thank you very much for staying with us for almost 20 years and writing a review. We are happy when you enjoy staying with us and the neighborhood. The Sawanoya family hopes to continue offering comfortable lodging for visitors to Japan for a long time. We look forward to having you and your family during your future visit to Japan. Sincerely, Sawa family
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While staying at the Ryokan Sawanoya, I stayed at two rooms: both beautiful, with the futon made up and an origami crane on the pillow (which I loved!) and a water boiler and tea sets ready to make tea. And when I needed to change the room, the Ryokan also transferred my luggage, so I did not have to drag it down and leave it at the reception for one day. My rooms were also quiet and with good airco, so I slept well. I also enjoyed the public spaces of the rest of the Ryokan: the common room where I could chat with other travelers, the small exhibition of 'girls day' dolls, and most of all, soaking in the bath in the evening, with a view on the lantern-lit garden. The only thing of the Ryokan that I did not consider great was the breakfast, as the offering seemed limited to Japanse-style white bread possibly with (somewhat runny) eggs, which I personally do not greatly enjoy, but to be fair Sawanoya at the first day of arrival handed me a map of nearby places where Japanese and other alternative breakfasts can be found, and I do appreciate Sawanoya's option to at least order some (and very affordable, especially for hotel terms!) breakfast in cases that I was a bit lazy or time-strapped. And definitely, the price of the rooms was very good, especially given their quality; I've also been to a 'cabin hotel' which was only barely cheaper, but the experience at Sawanoya was for me infinitely better. In summary: while I'd warn my taller friends to be mindful of Ryokan Sawanoya being an old-style Japanese building, I definitely would recommend it for anyone who wants to stay in Tokyo. It may not be spectacular, but I found it to be great and very enjoyable, not the most luxurious place I visited, but likely the lodging where I felt happiest.…
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Date of stay: March 2020
Location
Cleanliness
Service
2 Helpful votes
Helpful
Response from Sawanoya, Sawa family at Ryokan Sawanoya
Responded 16 Mar 2020
Dear ericwubbol sama Thank you very much for 3rd staying with us and writing a review. We are happy when you enjoy staying. The Sawanoya family hopes to continue offering comfortable lodging for visitors to Japan for a long time. We look forward to having you and your family during your future visit to Japan. Sincerely, Sawa family
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This was my third stay at Sawanoya and this time I brought my mother with me. Everything is always lovely from the check-in, to the baths, to further exploring the adorable surrounding neighborhood. I cannot express enough how special this place is, and how much I enjoy staying here. It is an oasis within the craziness that is Tokyo and perfect for travelers looking for an authentic experience a bit off the beaten path and away from the craziness of Shinjuku and Shibuya. Thank you again!
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Date of stay: February 2020
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from Sawanoya, Sawa family at Ryokan Sawanoya
Responded 10 Mar 2020
Dear jooliecoolie sama Thank you very much for 3rd staying with us and writing a review. We are happy when you enjoy staying with us and the neighborhood. The Sawanoya family hopes to continue offering comfortable lodging for visitors to Japan for a long time. We look forward to having you and your family during your future visit to Japan. Sincerely, Sawa family
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Charming, quiet, comfortable, family run Ryokan. In a quiet neighbourhood, but close to transit. Loved it here: in fact we cancelled on another place to stay an extra night. Appreciated the fact that it is an LGBT friendly space. Japanese style rooms are lovely, and the hosts made us feel very welcome. The baths are small but nice and it was a nice perk to have them the morning we checked out. Highly recommend!
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Date of stay: January 2020
Rooms
Location
Service
Room Tip: Some rooms have a private toilet, others do not.
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1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from Sawanoya, Sawa family at Ryokan Sawanoya
Responded 19 Feb 2020
Dear username22222222222 sama Thank you very much for staying with us and writing a review. We are happy when you enjoy staying with us and the neighborhood. The Sawanoya family hopes to continue offering comfortable lodging for visitors to Japan for a long time. We look forward to having you and your family during your future visit to Japan. Sincerely, Sawa family
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There is a reason why SR continue to impress travellers who keep coming back. They are helpful, warm and friendly in a low key manner; the tatami rooms are lovely - clean and comfortable as are all the other amenities such as bathroom and common room. The bathroom is a traditional style with helpful instructions for first time users. The location is very convenient and nice walk from the subway through the backstreets; they also provide helpful maps and brochures as well as Subway passes. Also the neighbourhood is lovely and quiet which is surprising considering how close it is to the centre and the prices are very reasonable considering that it is Tokyo! I will return again next year and really appreciate the discreet efforts they make to ensure the comfort and convenience of their guests.…
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Date of stay: January 2020
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip: Most of the rooms face onto the street, but it is not noisy
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1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from Sawanoya, Sawa family at Ryokan Sawanoya
Responded 14 Feb 2020
Dear Mari2022 sama Thank you very much for staying with us and writing a review. We are happy when you enjoy staying with us and the neighborhood. The Sawanoya family hopes to continue offering comfortable lodging for visitors to Japan for a long time. We look forward to having you and your family during your future visit to Japan. Sincerely, Sawa family
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We stayed at Sawanoya in January of 2020. It is a lovely, quiet traditional japanese inn in a quiet residential area, but with great access to public transportation. It's great value for money and a perfect base from which to explore Tokyo. The hot bath downstairs was a great highlight and lovely at the end of a long and chilly day. The owners are very welcoming and helpful. Rooms are immaculately clean. There is tea in the room, free wifi, and a western breakfast downstairs (but we recommend going out for a japanese breakfast, there are so many options nearby!!!).
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Date of stay: January 2020
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: We chose a room with a private bathroom. Some rooms have shared bathrooms.
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Helpful
Response from Sawanoya, Sawa family at Ryokan Sawanoya
Responded 14 Feb 2020
Dear Opalito sama Thank you very much for staying with us and writing a review. We are happy when you enjoy staying with us. The Sawanoya family hopes to continue offering comfortable lodging for visitors to Japan for a long time. We look forward to having you and your family during your future visit to Japan. Sincerely, Sawa family
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Ryokan Sawanoya is a traditional Japanese inn that's been run by the same family for many years. It's in a quiet neighbourhood a 5-minute walk from Nezu train station. The rooms are beautifully decorated - and if you're concerned about a futon mattress being too hard, then this is a good place to try one out as the owners put an extra mattress underneath for we Westerners who are used to more padding. There are toilets on each floor, with gorgeous traditional Japanese bathrooms (which look out on to a tranquil, private courtyard garden) on the ground floor (you can take a simple shower if you'd prefer). Each room has a small, low table with everything you need (including instructions) to make yourself some Japanese tea each morning. Mr Sawa and his family are lovely hosts, and you'll get a map of the local area on arrival which points out local temples, places to eat etc. This is a wonderfully warm, calm place to return to each day - there are no TVs (hooray!) but instead you come back to a soak in the amazing Japanese bath. Ryokan Sawanoya was by far our favourite place to stay during our two-week trip and we can't wait to return. Modern hotels seem soulless in comparison. Thank you for your wonderful hospitality.…
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Date of stay: January 2020
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Helpful
Response from Sawanoya, Sawa family at Ryokan Sawanoya
Responded 14 Feb 2020
Dear Hazofamily sama Thank you very much for staying with us and writing a review. We are happy when you enjoy staying with us. The Sawanoya family hopes to continue offering comfortable lodging for visitors to Japan for a long time. We look forward to having you and your family during your future visit to Japan. Sincerely, Sawa family
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We stayed six nights at this Ryokan and it has been our favourite accommodation during our stay in Japan. It is great value for money, peaceful and clean and offers a traditional stay in a quiet area of Tokyo. The staff are friendly and welcoming and this would be our first place to stay should we visit Tokyo again. We highly recommend this accommodation.
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Date of stay: December 2019Trip type: Travelled
Helpful
Response from Sawanoya, Sawa family at Ryokan Sawanoya
Responded 5 Jan 2020
Dear 357odettea sama Thank you very much for staying with us and writing a review. We are happy when you enjoy staying with us. The Sawanoya family hopes to continue offering comfortable lodging for visitors to Japan for a long time. We look forward to having you and your family during your future visit to Japan. Sincerely, Sawa family
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We stayed in Ryokan Sawanoya in early December. We loved the ryokan and the staff. Our room felt very authentic with tatami matting and futons. I was worried I wouldn't be comfortable on a futon, but it was amazingly comfy and cozy and I slept better than I normally do which was a big help with the jet lag! The ryokan is in a nice quiet area, but with easy links into central tokyo by metro and ueno and ueno zoo a short walk away. If you wander round the back streets there are lots of small temples you can visit. There was also a good variety of restaurants within easy walking distance and some lovely little bars - there is one just few metres from the hotel that does craft beer and good bar food, another one that did amazing gin and tonics and we found a little whisky bar in the back streets which we loved. If you're after something a little bit different from your standard western hotel then this is perfect…
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Date of stay: December 2019
Value
Rooms
Service
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from Sawanoya, Sawa family at Ryokan Sawanoya
Responded 31 Dec 2019
Dear denisetarant sama Thank you very much for staying with us and writing a review. We are happy when you enjoy staying with us and the neighborhood. The Sawanoya family hopes to continue offering comfortable lodging for visitors to Japan for a long time. We look forward to having you and your family during your future visit to Japan. Sincerely, Sawa family
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ALSO KNOWN AS
ryokan sawanoya hotel taito
LOCATION
JapanKantoTokyo PrefectureTokyoTaitoYanakaUeno / Asakusa / Ryogoku / Adachi / Ueno, Asakusa
NUMBER OF ROOMS
12
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Claim Your Listing Frequently Asked Questions about Ryokan Sawanoya
Which popular attractions are close to Ryokan Sawanoya?
Nearby attractions include Gallery Marusan (0.2 miles), Nezu Shrine (0.2 miles), and Otome Inari Shrine (0.3 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at Ryokan Sawanoya?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, a hot tub, and laundry service.
What food & drink options are available at Ryokan Sawanoya?
Guests can enjoy breakfast, complimentary tea, and free instant coffee during their stay.
Is parking available at Ryokan Sawanoya?
Yes, paid public parking nearby is available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Ryokan Sawanoya?
Conveniently located restaurants include Kamachiku, Hantei Nezu, and Sushinoike.
Is Ryokan Sawanoya located near the city centre?
Yes, it is 0.3 miles away from the centre of Yanaka.
Are any cleaning services offered at Ryokan Sawanoya?
Yes, laundry service and self serve laundry are offered to guests.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Ryokan Sawanoya?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Japanese.
Are there any historical sites close to Ryokan Sawanoya?
Many travellers enjoy visiting Hozomon (1.9 miles), Tokyo Central Railway Station (2.7 miles), and Nezu Shrine (0.2 miles).