Interview with Asakusa Kokono Club Hotel, a great place to stay in Tokyo

If you’re looking for somewhere to stay in Tokyo where you can feel like you’ve been transported back in time, then Asakusa Kokono Club is the place for you! It’s the only hotel in Japan combined with a theatre, where you can connect with locals and really experience the “Watch, eat, stay, and enjoy” culture. Our team loves to introduce you to places that we like and recommend, and we’re really excited to write about the wonderful Asakusa Kokono Club.

Welcome to our blog! Can you please introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about yourself and your job position at the Asakusa Kokono Club Hotel?

My name is Fujiwara and I am a part of the front staff at the Asakusa Kokono Club Hotel.

Can you please share a bit about your hotel?

The Asakusa Kokono Club opened its doors, one year ago, on August 1st, 2020. It was a time when the Covid-19 pandemic was raging in Japan and some people seemed to abhor the idea of going on a trip or even going out at all. Nevertheless, our employees did their best to open the hotel and bring a little bit of life into this tourist town. 

The nearest station to the hotel is Asakusa, well known as one of the most famous tourist spots in Japan. Within a 10-minute walk from the station, people can also find Kaminarimon, Nakamise Street, Senso-ji Temple, and Hanayashiki. 

One feature of our hotel that I want to highlight is the variety of room types that we offer. Each of our 22 rooms are different, even if they are of the same grade. So, not only do the size of the windows and the shape of the rooms differ, but no two rooms have the same interior design. This means that no matter how many times you stay at our hotel, your stay will always feel fresh and new. And you are sure to find something you like among the many rooms available!

We provide all guests with water (juice and tea may be available depending on the room type), toothbrushes, hairbrushes, cotton pads, and cotton swabs as amenities. In addition, all guest rooms are equipped with shampoo, conditioner, body soap, and hand soap that is selected by the hotel. There are skin care sets that include cosmetics, milky lotion, and cleansing products which are available for purchase and we also provide a wide variety of free rental items such as hair irons, smartphone chargers, and Bluetooth speakers. 

Your rooms have different styles which blend well with Japan’s historical surroundings. Which rooms would you say are most popular with travelers? Japanese style rooms or modern ones? What are the special points of both styles?

Our most popular rooms are among the 6 rooms that have terraces. In these rooms, guests can sit in a comfortable chair on an open-air terrace which allows them to enjoy the Asakusa view to its fullest. Furthermore, by utilizing the hotel’s services of in-room breakfast and room service, guests can indulge in the extraordinary experience of dining on the terrace while enjoying the morning breeze. 

A common feature of all our rooms is the use of “Duxiana” mattresses, which are used by many luxury hotels both in Japan and abroad — these mattresses are very popular with guests and people have reported that using them makes them feel as if they are sleeping on clouds. 

As for the special characteristics of each room, it is difficult to summarize them because each room has a different layout. We could say things like “this room has a great interior design! “This room has a terrace!” “Pay attention to the wallpaper in this room!” but that would just be some of the characteristics. Because of this, I suppose the only answer I can give is that each room has its own special features and characteristics. 

You have a Theatre and an Entertainment Club, what kind of shows can guests watch when visiting your hotel? Are there different shows for locals versus foreign travelers? 

The Asakusa Kyugeki Theater, located on the second floor, has a variety of performances depending on the season. Different troupes are invited for varying periods of time and conduct themed performances ranging from plays to musicals. Due to the impact of Covid-19, there was a time when people could not gather in the small space, so we have had a wide range of distributed performances. Some of the performances are hosted by Asakusa Kyugeki, while others are just renting the stage to other theater companies. In the past, there have been plays with the “Ninja” theme that some foreign audiences tend to associate with “Japan”. Since only one or two plays are performed at a time, we aim for both locals and tourists to be able to enjoy the same performances.

Let’s talk about food now. What kind of delicacies can guests savor when dining at your restaurant? 

9COFFEE/LOUNGE, the restaurant attached to the hotel, offers a different menu for each time of day. During breakfast time, you can enjoy authentic Western plates like French toast and açaí bowls or Japanese set meals like  Ochazuke and Dashimaki omlettes— among other things. The lunch menu is also very popular, with different special lunch sets being offered for a limited amount of time throughout the year. The menu may be different depending on the time of year, but whether you are served something like pasta or a sandwich, each dish is elaborately prepared. Alcohol and other drinks are served throughout the day; however, at dinner, when the demand is particularly high, we also offer a variety of simple dishes to enjoy with your alcohol such as tapas, colorful vegetables, and our original chicken. At dinner time, you can also choose from an array of main dishes such as Tagliata with Japanese black beef or a meuniere of white fish and mushrooms. The restaurant is located on the first floor, so you can enjoy your meal while interacting with our staff and other locals . Please note: if you are a guest, you can also enjoy the restaurant’s cuisine in your room!

If you had to recommend one of your rooms, one of your dishes, and one of your shows to travelers coming to stay, which ones would they be? 

Each room has its own charm, and I’m sure every staff member would have their own opinions, but, personally, I would recommend room 803. It is a spacious room with a large open window and terrace, which gives you the best features offered by the hotel. The price is also more reasonable than that of the 10th floor, making it easier for guests to afford during their travels. As for food, we recommend the hotel’s original chicken, which comes in three types: original, Japanese and kaminari (which means lightning in Japanese and is spicy in taste).  With this dish, you can enjoy flavors from orthodox fried chicken to hot and spicy chicken.

Are there any sightseeing spots in Asakusa that are less well known but you would recommend are worth visiting? (hidden gems) 

When you think of Asakusa, most people probably think of Kaminarimon (Thunder Gate), Sensoji Temple, or the Tokyo Sky Tree. Of course, those are all undoubtedly good options, but there is also another great observation spot at the Asakusa Culture and Tourism Center, located not far from the Tokyo Metro Asakusa Station. On the eighth floor of the building, there is a spacious observation deck and because it is not very well known, typically only a few people are there, making it a very open and comfortable place to spend time in. The terrace also has a great view and is lined with chairs where you can rest your feet after a long day of walking. Moreover, since this is a “culture and tourism center,” it has plenty of information about surrounding facilities and tourist spots, including pamphlets for international visitors. It is a great place to take a break, enjoy the view, and have a chat about where to go next!

Thank you for your time and we are looking forward to coming back to your hotel! 

Follow Asakusa Kokono Club Hotel on:

Website：https://asakusakokonoclub.com

Instagram: @asakusa_kokono_club

Twitter: @kokonoclub

 

Want to book a stay at this hotel? You can do so here!

Planning a stay at Asakusa Kokono Club Hotel and looking to discover more about the area? Make sure to book our delicious food tour in the area!

 

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