Tokyo Guest House Toco is a pleasant backpackers’ hostel located in a traditional townhouse to the north of JR Ueno Station. This guest house is a hundred years old with beautiful wooden interiors and a traditional Japanese garden. However, the building was fully renovated in 2010, and now offers clean, comfortable accommodation with modern amenities and all the charm of old Tokyo. The multilingual staff are very friendly here, and the facilities include a self-service laundry, self-catering kitchen, café and bar. This is a great place to stay and connect with fellow travelers while in Tokyo.
The entrance to Tokyo Guest House Toco
Dormitories and Rooms
Sleeping options at this guest house are a bunk bed in one of the mixed or female-only dormitories, or a private room with a queen-sized double bed. All sleeping areas are non-smoking. Dormitory beds each have their own power outlets and reading lamps. Lockers are available for baggage but keys cost extra.
Dormitory room
Private double room
The Queen Room sleeps a maximum of two people and comes with a writing desk, chair, and a private terrace with a garden view. All shower rooms and lavatories are shared. Shampoo, body wash and hair dryers are provided for free. Towels can be rented, and tooth brushes bought from reception.
Check Room Rates and Availability
Tokyo Guest House Toco
Breakfast & Dining
Breakfast is available between 8.00 and 10.00 each morning, but it should be pre-booked by 23.00 the previous day. For 300 yen you get a simple but healthy breakfast of two kinds of onigiri rice ball with all the miso soup and tea you can drink. The rice ball fillings are changed daily.
The café area
This guest house also has a fully stocked kitchen for self-catering with a refrigerator, stove, microwave oven, rice cooker, toaster, sink, and cooking utensils. Free seasoning is also provided.
The café’s smoothies are highly recommended
On the 1st floor there is a common area which has plenty of seating and includes a café. The café menu includes tasty toasted sandwiches, French toast, a healthy curry with plenty of vegetables, and a great selection of customizable smoothies. The café also functions as a bar between 19.00 and 23.50 (with last orders at 23.30) and between these hours sells beer, shochu, sake, whisky, umeshu, and non-alcoholic beverages. Both the café and bar are open to the general public so this is a great place to meet some local people.
The guest house garden
Other Services & Facilities
Check-in time is between 16.00 and 23.00 and check-out time is by 11.00. Luggage can be stored at reception before checking in and after checking out.
Free Wi-Fi internet access is available throughout the building.
Self-service laundry facilities are available.
Bicycles are available to rent for a fee.
A street view of the guest house
Location
Tokyo Guest House Toco is located in the Iriya district to the north of Ueno. It is a 3 minute walk from Iriya Station on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line, 8 minutes from Uguisudani Station on the JR Keihintohoku and Yamanote Lines, and 15 minutes from the Iriya Exit of JR Ueno Station. Here is a map showing the guest house’s location.
Article and original photos by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved.
