&AND HOSTEL ASAKUSA KAPPABASHI
by the TopOfHotel team
&AND HOSTEL is a smart-home hostel where an app runs the lights, AC and curtains — a genuinely new toy in the Kappabashi district.
&AND HOSTEL is a smart-home hostel where an app runs the lights, AC and curtains — a genuinely new toy in the Kappabashi district.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
The 4-bed dorm runs $30 a night and gives you a wooden capsule-block bed 90cm wide with a sliding curtain that closes it off completely. Each one has a dimmable LED you set from the tablet, two outlets, two USB ports and a small mirror. The locker is electronic — you set your own 4-digit code, so there's no key to carry. Cleanliness scores 9.1/10, and the shared bathrooms have brand-new TOTO Washlet toilets and constant-pressure showers.
Food and amenities
The shared kitchen has a big fridge, a microwave and a free Nespresso machine, so you can put together breakfast or a late meal without leaving. Laundry runs about $6 a load. Wi-Fi is free throughout.
Location and getting there
This is the reason a lot of people love the spot — Kappabashi-dori is the 800-metre, 170-plus-shop kitchenware street, the largest in Japan. You can buy Sakai Takayuki chef's knives (about 30% cheaper than department stores), fake sample food, and Japanese-pattern chopsticks. It's an 8-minute walk to Tawaramachi Station (Ginza Line), 10 minutes to Asakusa, and 12 minutes by train to Ueno.
Things to know before booking
The IoT system is the draw, but it can confuse guests who aren't tech-minded — there's a short learning curve to running everything from a tablet. The location leans more Asakusa than Ueno, a 12-minute train from Ueno proper. Front-desk English is functional rather than fluent.
Our take
&AND HOSTEL ASAKUSA KAPPABASHI suits tech-minded travelers, anyone who cooks (you're right by Kappabashi-dori), and solo travelers who want to try a different kind of hostel on a $30-a-night budget. The 8.7 score reflects a real innovation — worth a night or two for the experience.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- A smart-home hostel — you control the lights, AC and curtains from an in-room tablet and app, with Sleep and Wake modes that dim the room up or down on a timer.
- Right by Kappabashi-dori, the 800-metre kitchenware street with 170-plus shops selling chef's knives, fake sample food and Japanese-pattern chopsticks.
- A high 9.1 cleanliness score, with brand-new TOTO Washlet toilets and constant-pressure showers in the shared bathrooms.
- Shared kitchen with a big fridge, microwave and a free Nespresso machine, plus laundry at about $6 a load.
- Part of the &AND HOSTEL chain, which runs several branches across Japan.
- The IoT setup can confuse guests who aren't tech-minded — there's a learning curve to running your room from a tablet.
- It's 12 minutes by train from Ueno proper, so it leans more Asakusa than Ueno.
- Front-desk English is functional rather than fluent.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Insider Tips
- Walk Kappabashi-dori in the morning — it's the largest kitchenware street in Japan and quieter early on.
- Download the &AND app before you check in so the IoT controls are ready to use.
- Book a private room over a dorm — the smart-home setup is more worth it with the space to yourself.