APA Hotel Asakusa-Kuramae
by the TopOfHotel team
A real APA business hotel with one upgrade that punches well above its price — a free public rooftop onsen with Tokyo Skytree views, a short walk from Kaminarimon and Kuramae station.
A real APA business hotel with one upgrade that punches well above its price — a free public rooftop onsen with Tokyo Skytree views, a short walk from Kaminarimon and Kuramae station.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
If you've stayed at an APA before, you know the deal: rooms run around 11-13 square metres, the bed fills most of the floor, and the flat-screen is mounted on the wall to save space. The bathroom is a Japanese unit with a full Washlet, the free Wi-Fi is fast, every room is non-smoking, and there's a small desk that's just big enough to work at. The one thing to plan for is luggage — a big suitcase eats a real share of the room, so pack tight and you'll be comfortable.
Food and amenities
The headline amenity is the one that sets this place apart from every other business hotel in its price bracket: a free public rooftop onsen. The hot-spring baths are split by gender, with a sauna and a full wash station, and sinking in at the end of a long day on your feet — with Tokyo Skytree floating over the rooflines — takes the edge off the fatigue. Breakfast is charged separately rather than bundled in, which is the trade-off for the low room rate; the craft cafes a few doors down in Kuramae more than cover the gap.
Location and getting there
The hotel is just 3 minutes on foot from Kuramae station. Take the Toei Asakusa Line and you're at Haneda Airport in about 50 minutes, or at Asakusa station in two stops. On foot, the Kaminarimon Gate and Senso-ji Temple are a 13-14 minute walk away, and the route takes you past craft-coffee roasters, notebook shops, and local restaurants the mainstream crowds haven't found yet.
Things to know before booking
Three honest caveats. Rooms are small at 11-13 sqm, so a large suitcase will crowd the floor. Breakfast costs extra and isn't part of the room rate. And the shared onsen does not admit guests with visible tattoos — a standard Japanese rule, but one that catches some travelers off guard, so factor it in if it applies to you.
Our take
APA Hotel Asakusa-Kuramae fits solo travelers, business guests, and couples who want a cheap, well-run base in Asakusa but would happily take a rooftop onsen to unwind after a full day out. We recommend it with a clear conscience — it's an APA that's a little more special than usual, in one of Tokyo's quietly rising neighbourhoods.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- A free public onsen on the rooftop, split by gender with a sauna and a full wash station — almost unheard of at this price tier, and a genuine reason to pick this over other budget hotels nearby.
- Run to the consistent APA chain standard that Japanese travelers rely on, so you know exactly what you are getting: clean, predictable, no surprises.
- Just 3 minutes (250 m) on foot to Kuramae station on the Toei Asakusa Line, which runs direct to Haneda Airport in about 50 minutes and to Asakusa station in two stops.
- Strong value, with rates starting around $60 a night before factoring in the onsen, which would normally be a paid extra at a sento elsewhere.
- The Kaminarimon Gate and Senso-ji Temple are a 13-minute walk away, through Kuramae's craft cafes and stationery shops rather than the tourist crush.
- Rooms are small in the usual APA style, roughly 11-13 sqm, so a large suitcase will eat a real chunk of the floor space — pack light and you'll be fine.
- Breakfast is not included in the room rate and costs extra; if you'd rather skip it, the Kuramae cafes a few doors down are a better bet anyway.
- The shared onsen does not admit guests with visible tattoos, a standard Japanese rule that catches some travelers out — worth knowing before you book if that affects you.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Insider Tips
- Soak in the rooftop onsen in the evening — you can watch the sun drop over the Sumida River and catch Tokyo Skytree lit up over the rooflines.
- Spend an unhurried morning in Kuramae itself; the streets are full of craft coffee roasters and handmade-notebook shops that mainstream tourists miss.
- Take the Toei Asakusa Line straight from Kuramae station to Haneda Airport in about 50 minutes — no transfers needed on your way out.