Andon Ryokan

Andon Ryokan is one of Tokyo’s most celebrated and architecturally distinctive budget accommodations, a family-run designer ryokan located at 2-34-10 Nihonzutsumi in Taito Ward, five minutes’ walk from Minowa Station on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line. Designed by proprietor Toshiko Ishii and recognized by the Architectural Institute of Japan for its award-winning design, the ryokan blends traditional Japanese interiors with contemporary art sensibilities in a building concept inspired by the Japanese andon lantern. The 22 rooms include both traditional tatami-floored rooms with futon bedding and Western-style rooms, each individually styled with carefully curated antiques collected by the owner from markets across Japan. A private jacuzzi tiled entirely with hand-painted Arita-yaki ceramic tiles featuring auspicious imagery is available to guests. The first-floor Fuku Andon café and bar serves seasonal Japanese home-cooking breakfast and à la carte dinner menus in an antique-filled dining space described as deeply personal and warmly Japanese. Free Wi-Fi, bicycle rental, cultural workshops including Ikebana flower arrangement and tea ceremony, and sake tasting are all offered. The ryokan is within a 20-minute scenic stroll of Asakusa and has direct subway access to Ueno, Ginza, and Roppongi. A truly unique budget accommodation offering authentic local neighborhood living in one of Tokyo’s last traditional shitamachi downtown districts.