Experience Traditional Japanese Accommodation Without Hurting Your Purse At Business Hotel Yamamoto, Shinjuku

Very affordable Ryokan suites

Ryokans are traditional Japanese homes wherein you would sleep on bamboo mats or tatami. Staying in a ryokan, let alone a ryokan in Tokyo, can be very expensive. High end ryokans can cost around 100,000 yen (1120 USD).

Highly recommended for couples and groups, Business Hotel Yamamoto offers affordable ryokan suites, which only cost 16,000 yen (128 USD). The ryokan has a private onsen-style bathroom. The toilet and vanity are also separated from the bathroom, which is a huge bonus if you are travelling with other people.

Each room is complete with duvets, a mini refrigerator (perfect for budget travellers who buys their own food and water), a small tv, a four-seater table set, and lots of storage space.

The ryokan suite in Business Hotel Yamamoto features a beautiful mix of past and future, much like Japan’s character as a tourist destination.

Well-informed and friendly concierge

Travelling in Tokyo can be very intimidating, especially for someone who does not speak Nihongo (official Japanese language). However, you need not worry as the staff at Business Hotel Yamamoto is very knowledgeable when it comes to advising which train to catch, where to eat the freshest sashimi or what activities there are to do.

The concierge is more than ready to accommodate guest’s requests and concerns. They attended to my trivial needs such as asking for disposable toothbrushes and major needs such as using their printer and phone. One night, they even called a taxi and directed the taxi driver for me.

Most importantly, the staff at Business Hotel Yamamoto is very honest. Once, I dropped 100 JPY and when I returned that night, they left a note saying that they found it under the table! Little gestures such as this really gives you a taste of Japanese culture and the hospitality that Business Hotel Yamamoto provides.

Zen amid Shinjuku’s busy streets

Tokyo is known for being a city that never sleeps as you can see in the photo. Business Hotel Yamamoto is located in a ‘red light district’, which means that there are a lot of clubs and bars around. However, I was very surprised to find the rooms to actually be very quiet. Walking to and from the hotel is also quite safe as the roads are well lit and there are always many people around to keep you company and the neighbourhood in check. Therefore, I find this hotel to be a gem amidst the chaos. It was like an escape from all the eccentricity and energy that Tokyo gives.