According to the Japan Tourism Agency's Survey of Foreign Visitor Consumer Trends in Japan (2019), about a quarter of all inbound tourists are traveling alone. Just like families and people traveling in groups, solo travelers are often interested in experiencing tatami-matted flooring and other aspects of traditional Japanese accommodations they can't usually experience at home. Although things are changing, for various reasons, many traditional Japanese inns still list a minimum requirement of two people per room. This means that solo travelers often end up staying in hotels and never get to experience it even though they've come to Japan.
Fortunately for the solo foreign traveler, there's a new hotel that just opened in November 2022, conveniently located in the heart of the exciting Shibuya neighborhood, where you can experience tatami flooring and Japanese beds: The OneFive Tokyo Shibuya.
Three types of single 和室 washitsu (Japanese-style rooms) are available:
Japanese Style Single A (Tatami)
These washitsu feature Japanese futon bedding on a tatami-matted floor. Although compact, the rooms also have a shower booth for convenience, providing a pleasant Japanese-style lodging experience.
Japanese Style Single B (Bench)
This compact washitsu has a small raised tatami-matted platform with Japanese futon bedding laid on it. Just like a fold-out bed, it can also be used as a bench by removing the futon. Underneath the platform, you'll find storage space for suitcases.
Japanese Style Single C (Wooden Floor)
Although it doesn't have tatami mats, this room is still described as a washitsu due to the traditional Japanese parquetry flooring and the fact that you're expected to remove your shoes at the entrance just as you would with a tatami-matted room. Storage space is also provided for long-term stays.
Although there are no Japanese-style rooms for those who aren't traveling solo, you'll find accommodations in the hotel's comfortable Hollywood Twin or Double rooms (see below).
Community Lounge
The community lounge next to the front desk is an open space for guests to get together. The espresso machine with freshly ground coffee is free to use during your stay, and Wi-Fi is also available. 24 hours a day, it's a popular place to socialize and you'll hear many different languages spoken here.
Enjoy local events and Shibuya culture
Below the balcony is Kitaya Park, which reopened in April 2021 as Shibuya Ward's first Park-PFI (Private Finance Initiative). Art and fashion events are frequently held. Fashionable coffee shops and mobile food stalls are also just a short walk away. It's easy to experience Shibuya culture from this conveniently-located hotel.
Cafe the Knot
At this spacious and casual café, you can enjoy an "afternoon tea" set for lunch as it features both savory dishes and sweets arranged by the pastry chef, a side salad, and a freshly baked panini. A variety of teas to match the selection of sweets are also served. The cafe also has its own entrance which you can access from the street without going through the lobby entrance.
Hotel Information
Address: 1-8-11 Jinnan, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0041
Customer Inquiries TEL: 0570-085-015
Check-in 15:00, Check-out 10:00
Rooms
17 Double rooms: 17 rooms, 13 square meters, 1 bed 140 cm wide, 1 room with balcony
19 Twin rooms: 13 square meters, 2 beds 110 cm wide, 1 room with balcony
6 Single Japanese-style rooms (tatami mat): 9 square meters, futon bedding width 100 cm
12 Single Japanese-style rooms (tatami mat): 9 square meters, futon bedding width 100 cm
18 Single Japanese-style rooms (wooden flooring): 9 square meters, futon bedding width 100 cm
All rooms have a shower booth (no bathtub)
Price range
Single Japanese-style rooms: 9,030 - 27,720 yen (incl. tax)
Twin/double rooms: 5,535 - 17,190 yen, per person based on double occupancy (incl. tax)
Rates vary depending on the day.
Services
Freshly ground coffee service at the lobby lounge
Hours: 24 hours
Fee: Free of charge
Other information
Children up to elementary school age can sleep with their parents free of charge.
Free Wi-Fi in all guest rooms and the lobby lounge
Coin laundry available
There is a convenience store across the street from the hotel.
Breakfast and dinner are not provided in the accommodation price by default, although some plans feature lunch at Cafe the Knot.
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- External Link
- https://grapee.jp/en/
6 Comments
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JeffLee
I walk past that place from time to time. It used to be Hotel Emit. It's odd that with a decent sized restaurant, it doesn't serve breakfast. But that's the Japanese travel industry for you.
Moonraker
It will seem bizarre enough for foreigners to put up with the claustrophobia and unreasonable check-in/check-out times for a night or two. But the tolerance limit for me might be the lack of soundproofing.
kohakuebisu
Twenty-five years ago, I used to go on dates to the Twinings Tea Room in Umeda, Osaka for afternoon tea. Sandwiches and cakes on the three layer plate, which is always a bit hit with ladies who are interested in the UK. So seeing it here got me curious about the price. It's 5000 yen, about double what I used to pay.
https://hotel-the-knot.jp/en/cafe
It didn't last long, but my favourite ever cafe in Japan was a Haagen Daaz shop that was by Doutombori in the late 1990s. It was all themed like Alice in Wonderland inside.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5XmQusOlAE&t=8s
wallace
In our London house, we had tatami mats and futons. Many people including my relatives in New York have them too.
yakyak
I stayed there......Meh
Strangerland
I like hotels like this in Japan. They are small, but usually impeccably clean, with a decent breakfast, and all sorts of amenities, for a reasonable price.