APA Hotel Asakusa Kaminarimon
by the TopOfHotel team
APA is the chain Japan regulars reach for, small rooms packed smartly at a low price, and this branch lands you 250 metres from the Kaminarimon gate, ready to explore Asakusa the moment you drop your bag.
APA is the chain Japan regulars reach for, small rooms packed smartly at a low price, and this branch lands you 250 metres from the Kaminarimon gate, ready to explore Asakusa the moment you drop your bag.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
APA is a budget business chain spread right across Japan, and regular visitors know its style well: a compact room engineered to use every square metre. The bed is usually firmer and more comfortable than you would guess from the size, there is a big wall-mounted TV, and the unit bathroom is clean and easy to use. The real strength of APA is consistency, you know what you are getting and it is always tidy, which the 8.8 cleanliness score from guests backs up. This is a room built for travelers who are out all day and just want a dependable, well-kept place to sleep.
Food and amenities
Set your expectations correctly and you will be happy. The amenities are basic by design, covering the essentials for an overnight rather than extras, with free Wi-Fi, vending machines and luggage storage but no spa, gym or in-house restaurant. APA is not trying to offer those, because the whole model is built on value and cleanliness. For the price, that is a fair trade, and Asakusa is packed with cheap eats within a few minutes' walk anyway.
Location and getting there
This branch has a genuinely strong location, reflected in its standout 9.4 location score. The red Kaminarimon gate is about 250 metres away, with Sensoji Temple and Nakamise Street roughly 500 metres on, so you can wander into old-town Tokyo straight from the door. Asakusa Station is about a 4-minute walk for trains across the city, Tokyo Skytree sits around 1.3 km away, and the Sumida River is a 5-minute stroll. Narita Airport is roughly an hour out and Haneda about 50 minutes by train.
Things to know before booking
The rooms are small, very much in the Japanese business-hotel mould, so light packers do best and big suitcases will eat the floor space. Storage in the room is limited for the same reason. And the facilities are basic, geared to an overnight rather than a resort-style stay, so there is no gym, spa or restaurant on site. None of this is a surprise at this price, but it is worth knowing before you commit. Peak-season rates also climb toward $108, so book early to lock in the best deal.
Our take
APA Hotel Asakusa Kaminarimon is best for solo travelers, business trips and budget-minded couples who see a hotel as a clean, well-placed bed and would rather pour the savings into food and sightseeing. From around $70 a night, it does that job well: the rooms are tight but spotless, and the walk to the Kaminarimon gate is the kind of location that is hard to beat at this price anywhere in Asakusa.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- Strong Asakusa location, about 250 m from the Kaminarimon gate, so Sensoji Temple and Nakamise Street are a few minutes on foot and you can start sightseeing straight from the lobby.
- Genuinely cheap for the area, opening around $70 a night, which makes it the most budget-friendly stay in this roundup.
- Reliably clean to the APA chain standard, scoring 8.8 for cleanliness with guests, with a tidy unit bathroom and fresh linen.
- Every room has a big wall-mounted TV and a bed that is firmer and more comfortable than the compact size suggests.
- APA is a known quantity that travelers trust, so you know exactly what you are getting, and Asakusa Station is a 4-minute walk for easy trains to Skytree, Ueno and beyond.
- Rooms are small in the classic Japanese business-hotel way, fine for sleeping and showering but cramped the moment a large suitcase is open on the floor.
- In-room luggage and storage space is limited, so anyone travelling with big bags will feel the squeeze.
- Amenities are basic, covering the essentials for an overnight rather than offering a spa, gym or restaurant, which is the trade-off for the low rate.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Insider Tips
- Book directly on the APA website well ahead of time, the chain often posts its best rates for early reservations.
- Pack light or leave big suitcases in a coin locker at Asakusa Station, the rooms are small and floor space is tight.
- Walk to Sensoji first thing in the morning, you are right by the Kaminarimon gate and can see the temple before the crowds arrive.