Kyoka House, Tokyo — Hotel in Tokyo

Worst accommodation ever – do NOT stay here!

This was, without a doubt, the worst accommodation we’ve ever experienced. The pictures on Booking seemed fine, the location looked decent, but when we arrived, it was far from what we expected – it was disgusting.

First of all, the smell of cooking hit us as soon as we entered. It was overwhelming and made us feel sick. It wasn’t just a passing smell – it lingered and filled the whole space. We later found out that we were staying on the same floor as the owner's son, and his room was right next to ours. The walls were paper-thin, and we could hear everything – conversations, coughing, showers. No privacy at all.

The bathroom was shared with the host's family, and there was no sink in the toilet. To wash your hands, you had to leave the toilet and do it in the hallway, right outside our room. The bathroom area was completely inappropriate for guest use.

One morning, I walked out of the toilet and was shocked to find the owner's son standing in front of our door in his underwear, freshly showered. It was beyond awkward, and honestly, it felt uncomfortable and disrespectful.

This place was grossly overpriced for what it offered. The walls were old and thin, the room was dark and depressing, and we could hear everything around us. The so-called "amenities" were a couple of sad toothbrushes. When I asked for slippers, I was given a judgmental stare.

Check-out time was 10 AM, which we already knew, but instead of saying it in person, the host messaged us, acting like we might overstay. She could have easily said it face-to-face, but instead, she hid away. Honestly, I would have loved to have a word with her.

To top it off, one morning before 8 AM, the host decided to clean the shower and sink area right outside our room, making noise and singing, which woke us up. The lack of consideration was absolutely shocking.

The only thing going for this place is the neighborhood. Once inside, everything falls apart. As soon as we entered, the light went out, and we realized we made a huge mistake.

Do yourself a favor and...

Worst accommodation ever – avoid this place!

This was hands down the most uncomfortable and unpleasant stay we’ve ever had. The photos online were misleading, and although the location seemed okay, everything else was a disaster.

The moment we walked in, we were hit by an intense, awful cooking smell. It was so strong it made us feel sick – and it didn’t go away. The smell lingered in the air constantly.

We were shocked to find out that our room was right next to the owner's son’s room, on the same floor. The walls were paper-thin, and we could hear everything – talking, coughing, showers – zero privacy.

The bathroom was shared with the host’s family, and the toilet didn’t even have a sink. You had to go out into the hallway to wash your hands at a small sink right outside our door. The whole layout was awkward and uncomfortable.

The place was hugely overpriced for what it offered. The room was small, dark, the walls old and wooden, and everything could be heard. There were barely any amenities – just some sad little toothbrushes. When we politely asked for slippers, we were met with a cold, unpleasant attitude.

We knew that check-out was at 10 AM, but the host still sent a message to remind us – even though we were literally in the same house. She clearly wanted to avoid face-to-face contact. Considering how bad everything was, we would have appreciated the chance to give some direct feedback.

One morning, before 8 AM, the host started cleaning the shared sink and shower area, right in front of our room. She was making noise and singing loudly, waking us up. It showed a total lack of respect for her guests.

The only good thing about this place was the neighborhood – but once inside, everything fell apart. The whole experience was disappointing, uncomfortable, and not worth the price.

We strongly recommend avoiding this place....

The owner speaks good Japanese, some English, and fluent Chinese. Because Kyoka, who was very helpful to me, is such a nice person, I would like to be able to give a higher rating to Kyoka House. However, the integrity with which I offer my reviews prevents me from doing that just to be nice. I have rated this accommodation as average because the location of the place offers no benefits at all to make it attractive, yet the owner is very kind and available to help in any way she can. There is nothing in Nerima at all, and you are not conveniently close to any of the three closest stations. However, it's not crazy far, either, about a 12 minute walk to Heiwadai Station on the F Line subway- which I was puzzled to discover that hardly anyone I asked about it had any idea it even exists, even though it was quite used by other passengers every time I got on, and of course there are F line signs at many other stations. Somehow it's a mystery line that's right in front of them and they don't know it, I guess.||||I stayed in a Japanese room, not a Western room, and it was just fine. Wifi works fine. The bathroom & shower are separate and both outside of the rooms, but there was never any issue. The only thing I will say, and I beg this, is that I wish so much that all humanity would elevate their consciousness enough to realize the invaluable worth of learning how to silently shut a door like a ninja. ||||Bottom Line: there is no decisive reason to stay or not to stay here. The location is a nothing, but the owner is quite kind and the rates are more reasonable than many others which have better locations. So let time be a factor in...