Family Inn Saiko

Family Inn Saiko is a three-story corner house on a quiet residential street. Despite being in a residential area, the property does not have any green spaces such as a yard or garden, though this is typical of urban Japan. The interiors are clean and tidy, but have a functional and almost institutional look due to a lack of decoration. The reception area is made up of a few mismatched tables and chairs, and doubles as the breakfast room. Guests check in at a small window and counter-top. A bulletin board on one wall is covered with photos of past guests, and below that a stand offers free tourist brochures and copies of "Time Out" magazine. A makeshift gift shop is crammed on a desk in a corner. The atmosphere here is one of a friendly family-run bed and breakfast, which attracts many young travelers and families visiting Tokyo as tourists. The Japanese-style rooms also appeal to Western travelers keen to experience something different. 

Family Inn Saiko is located in Toshima, a residential area of Tokyo. Shiinamachi subway station is just a nine-minute walk away, giving easy access to other parts of the city. In the immediate vicinity there are a few small shops, local restaurants, and convenience stores.

• Nine-minute walk to Shiinamachi Subway Station
• 31 minutes to Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden by public transit
• 31-minute drive to Tokyo Haneda International Airport
• 33 minutes to Tokyo station by public transit
• 38 minutes to Meiji Shrine by public transit
• 41 minutes to Yoyogi Park by public transit
• 41 minutes to Tokyo Imperial Palace by public transit
• 45 minutes to Tsukiji Fish Market by public transit
• 47 minutes to Edo-Tokyo Museum by public transit
• 50 minutes to Senso-ji temple by public transit
• 53 minutes to Hamarikyu Japanese Garden by public transit
• 54 minutes to Hara Museum of Contemporary Art by train

The simple guest rooms at Family Inn Saiko are minimalist but charming, with traditional Japanese style. The floors are lined with tatami mats (shoes must be left at the door), and rooms have futon-style bedding. Apart from shelves and small, low tables, there is no other furniture. Rooms are small, often not much bigger than the futons themselves. A cupboard in each room is used to store the bedding during the day and free up floor space. All rooms are equipped with small flat-screen TVs, electric kettles, alarm clocks, and other useful amenities such as Japanese-style robes (yukatas), hairdryers, and flashlights. The Economy Triple Rooms look especially cramped because the beds are laid side by side. Family Rooms are made up of two adjoining bedrooms -- each with two beds -- and sleep a maximum of four people. The attached bathrooms are basic but clean, fitted with Japanese-style electronic toilets, and small shower rooms with free toiletries. Some of the Single Rooms have bathroom sinks located in the hallway. 

For a simple budget property, Family Inn Saiko has a fair amount of little extras that add to its appeal. Breakfast is included in the room rates, but it's quite basic consisting of little more than toast, coffee, and tea. A Japanese-style hot tub located on the top floor under skylight windows is available for guest use free of charge. The hotel also has a washing machine that can be used by guests for free, and a vending machine with soft drinks. Guests who book for more than three nights via the hotel website receive a reimbursement of 1,000 yen on taxi fare. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.