Kichijōji Tōkyū REI Hotel — Hotel in Tokyo

Stayed here for two nights and honestly? I wish more business hotels took notes from this one. You’re not going to get a butler named Hiroshi hand-delivering wagyu sliders, but what you do get is a clean, efficient, and quietly excellent stay that punches well above its weight.

Rooms are larger than the usual Tokyo shoebox. You know the kind — where if you breathe too deeply you risk knocking over the kettle and setting off the smoke alarm. Not here. There’s space to unpack and think about your life choices.

Beds were firm. Not brutal. Just honest. Like a coach who still makes you run suicides but also buys you ramen afterward. After a long day of walking, templeing, and eating your way through the side streets of Kichijōji, the bath was a glorious reprieve. Shout-out to Japanese plumbing for consistently outperforming Western standards.

The coin laundry was a huge plus. Wash your sweaty travel gear while grabbing a hot drink or Pocari Sweat from the vending machine next to it. Honestly, that little laundry-beverage setup might be one of the most underrated travel luxuries I’ve ever used.

Lobby on level 4 is a gem — free coffee every day, work-friendly tables, and staff who are polite without the fake “corporate smile” energy. Water dispensers near the elevators? Brilliant. Fill up your bottles before heading out and stop buying overpriced plastic from convenience stores like a rookie.

The vibe here is low-key, functional, and quietly thoughtful. It’s like staying with a friend who’s got their life together. If you’re in the Kichijōji area and want a smart base for exploring, this place...

So this is a Japanese business hotel and it is very typical for the type. What does that mean? Well, the rooms are small and the bathrooms are small (those little step up capsule type bathrooms). The room isn't really fancy but it is functional. But it is also very clean, like all Japanese hotels, and the location is awesome. Kichijoji is a lively area with lots of shopping and eating. It is close to the Ghibli Museum (15 minute walk or three minute bus ride). Inokashira park is close by with lots of activities. The hotel is more or less across the street from the station. Bus stops are all along the street in front of the hotel that can take you lots of places. Don Quixote...an absolutely fantastic, crazy store, is a block away. The department store Marui is next door. There really isn't any store you want to shop at that isn't within a couple of blocks. The staff were absolutely lovely. The breakfast, if you choose to get it is much cheaper than what the high end hotels charge and every bit as good. My kids love Japanese hotel breakfasts and you should try if you haven't. If you don't want to prepay and have it everyday you can pop in on the days you want for about 1500 yen I believe. We stayed on the 7th floor and there was a coin laundry. That is a great little benefit. Overall a really good option...but remember it is a Japanese hotel...not a western hotel, not a...

So this is a Japanese business hotel and it is very typical for the type. What does that mean? Well, the rooms are small and the bathrooms are small (those little step up capsule type bathrooms). The room isn't really fancy but it is functional. But it is also very clean, like all Japanese hotels, and the location is awesome. Kichijoji is a lively area with lots of shopping and eating. It is close to the Ghibli Museum (15 minute walk or three minute bus ride). Inokashira park is close by with lots of activities. The hotel is more or less across the street from the station. Bus stops are all along the street in front of the hotel that can take you lots of places. Don Quixote...an absolutely fantastic, crazy store, is a block away. The department store Marui is next door. There really isn't any store you want to shop at that isn't within a couple of blocks. The staff were absolutely lovely. The breakfast, if you choose to get it is much cheaper than what the high end hotels charge and every bit as good. My kids love Japanese hotel breakfasts and you should try if you haven't. If you don't want to prepay and have it everyday you can pop in on the days you want for about 1500 yen I believe. We stayed on the 7th floor and there was a coin laundry. That is a great little benefit. Overall a really good option...but remember it is a Japanese hotel...not a western hotel, not a...