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Ryokan Sawanoya Frommer's Very Highly Recommended

Address
2-3-11 Yanaka
Location Taito-ku, Ueno
Transportation Station: Nezu (exit 1, 7 min.)
Phone 03/3822-2251
Fax 03/3822-2252
Web site www.sawanoya.com
Room Information 12 units (2 with bathroom)
Prices ¥5,040-¥5,355 ($42-$44/£21-£22) single without bathroom; ¥9,450 ($78/£40) double without bathroom, ¥10,080 ($84/£42) double with bathroom; ¥12,915 ($107/£54) triple without bathroom, ¥14,490 ($120/£61) triple with bathroom. Breakfast of toast and fried eggs ¥315 ($2.60/£1.30) extra, Japanese breakfast ¥945 ($7.85/£3.95) extra
Credit Cards AE, MC, V
In Room Amenities A/C, TV, free dataport, hot-water pot w/tea, hair dryer
Season Closed Dec 29-Jan 3

Frommer's Review

Although this family-run, smoke-free ryokan, open since 1949, looks relatively unexciting, it's delightfully located in a wonderful residential area of old Tokyo, northwest of Ueno Park and within walking distance of the park's attractions and Nezu Shrine. Upon your arrival, the owner, English-speaking Sawa-san (usually with his 30-year-old cockatiel, Leon, perched on his shoulder), gives a short tour of the establishment before taking you to your tatami room; throughout the ryokan are written explanations to help the novice. The owner also gives you a map outlining places of interest in the vicinity. Several times a month, Sawa-san's son provides guests with a special treat -- a traditional Japanese lion dance, free of charge. His daughter-in-law sometimes gives demonstrations of the tea ceremony. The nice public bath has a view of a small garden. This is a great place to stay thanks to Sawa-san's enthusiastic devotion to his neighborhood, which he readily imparts to his guests (he's even written a book about his years as an innkeeper). Highly recommended.

Facilities:
2 rental bikes (¥200/$1.65/85p for 1 day); computer w/Internet access free for guest use; coin-op washers and dryers (free laundry detergent); ironing board, iron, and trouser press (on 3rd floor); free coffee/tea service; public fridge

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.


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Home > Destinations > Asia > Japan > Tokyo > Hotels > Ryokan Sawanoya

Frommer's Star Ratings

Frommer's Recommended 0 stars Frommer's Recommended
Frommer's Highly Recommended 1 stars Frommer's Highly Recommended
Frommer's Very Highly Recommended 2 stars Frommer's Very Highly Recommended
Frommer's Exceptional 3 stars Frommer's Exceptional

About Our System

Frommer's ranks every hotel, restaurant, attraction, shop, and nightlife establishment it reviews for quality, value, service, amenities, and special features using a star-rating scale, an expression of the strong compare-and-contrast opinions that are a brand hallmark.

Other ratings provide stars based primarily on price and amenities; the Frommer's star rating is meant to quantify the kind of intangible, experiential elements that help travelers make informed decisions.

The "baseline" recommendation is zero stars--every hotel, restaurant, attraction, shop, and nightlife establishment that Frommer's chooses to review is recommended; otherwise, we simply wouldn't include it.

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