Ikebukuro vs Asakusa

[cpuer]

Guys, need your advice on Tokyo lodging location. I have shortlisted 2 places. One at Ikebukuro another is at Asakusa. The Ikebukuro one is about 10min away from the nearest train station, and Asakusa is 2 min away.

What would you choose? if both have the similar pricing and similar good reviews? Kind of stuck now. Any insights where one is better than another or both locations are equally good and unique in their own?

TIA

 

[lapucelle]

Guys, need your advice on Tokyo lodging. This time is lodging location. I have shortlisted 2 places. One at Ikebukuro another is at Asakusa. The Ikebukuro one is about 10min away, and Asakusa is 2 min away.

What would you choose? if both have the similar pricing and similar good reviews? Kind of stuck now. Any insights where one is better than another or both locations are equally good and unique in their own?

TIA

I would say... Asakusa. But it depends on your priorities.

Depending on which part of Asakusa, you may be within walking distance to several other places such as Ueno, Akiba, Sky Tree, Kappabashi etc... Ikebukuro is pretty, erm, isolated in comparison. Transport-wise though, Ikebukuro will be more convenient

Environment-wise, Asakusa is probably more shady cos its part of the ****amachi but Ikebukuro has its fair share of underworld activities. Asakusa is a more traditional/cultural area and Ikebukuro is more modern I guess.

End of the day, central Tokyo is pretty small and its easy to get around to various places so don't worry too much about your decision.

 

[cpuer]

I would say... Asakusa. But it depends on your priorities.

Depending on which part of Asakusa, you may be within walking distance to several other places such as Ueno, Akiba, Sky Tree, Kappabashi etc... Ikebukuro is pretty, erm, isolated in comparison. Transport-wise though, Ikebukuro will be more convenient

Environment-wise, Asakusa is probably more shady cos its part of the ****amachi but Ikebukuro has its fair share of underworld activities. Asakusa is a more traditional/cultural area and Ikebukuro is more modern I guess.

End of the day, central Tokyo is pretty small and its easy to get around to various places so don't worry too much about your decision.

ICIC, looks like i have to consult the fellow ladies travelers liao. I actually prefer history and culture more. But ladies like shopping....

 

[feryl]

Guys, need your advice on Tokyo lodging location. I have shortlisted 2 places. One at Ikebukuro another is at Asakusa. The Ikebukuro one is about 10min away from the nearest train station, and Asakusa is 2 min away.

What would you choose? if both have the similar pricing and similar good reviews? Kind of stuck now. Any insights where one is better than another or both locations are equally good and unique in their own?

TIA

Which Asakusa station is it? Ikebukuro can be a pain to navigate with luggage. Maybe you can say which is the 2 hotels, maybe you can get more advice?

Also depends (slightly) on which airport train you are using. Keisei lines are better for Asakusa, whereas NEX is better for Ikebukuro.

ps. You don't really need to stay right at the shopping centre in order to shop right?

 

[beanstalk6]

Asakusa. As mentioned in the previous post, some of the places of interest are already in the district, so you save time and money on transport. I stayed there when I visited Tokyo. Asakusa also has residential areas which are more typical of local Tokyoite life.

 

[snap99]

I assume its a metro/subway station at Asakusa ? Yes i will always stay nearer a station.

 

[cpuer]

Which Asakusa station is it? Ikebukuro can be a pain to navigate with luggage. Maybe you can say which is the 2 hotels, maybe you can get more advice?

Also depends (slightly) on which airport train you are using. Keisei lines are better for Asakusa, whereas NEX is better for Ikebukuro.

ps. You don't really need to stay right at the shopping centre in order to shop right?

House Ikebukuro and Khaosan Kabuki(Asakusa). Ikebukuro has curfew at 12midnight till 7am

 

[feryl]

House Ikebukuro and Khaosan Kabuki(Asakusa). Ikebukuro has curfew at 12midnight till 7am

I think the Asakusa one is just better..

 

[cpuer]

I think the Asakusa one is just better..

bro, any particular reason?

to others that contributed your suggestions, thanks.

 

[GetaBlue]

I'm gona stay at khaosan kabuki for one day during my June trip. Walking distance to sensoji temple.

 

[panDaz]

I stay at House ikebukuro all the time. It is actually super near the ikebukuro fukutoshin station, and very convenient to get around. Not exactly very far. Fukutoshin station goes to shinjuku, omotesando, meiji shrine, shibuya.

 

[darkmatt]

asakusa is a good place. my hotel was 5 mins walk from station. lol

 

[cpuer]

wah headache man. you guys all give very convincing arguments. Need to throw coin liao.

Apparently these 2 are popular with good reasons.

panDaz, how far to walk from House Ikebukuro(HI) to the nearest station? 10min? I do understand that most shopping places are all line up on the west side of Tokyo, Ikebukuro seems to be ideal for quick spin among those favorite spots. But HI's 12 midnight to 7am curfew is a bit restricting. Though I doubt we can tahan until that late to reach the hostel. Since we stay there more than a week, the daily chore of making a long walk is a bit worrisome.

so far thanks for everyone input and suggestions, please keep them coming, i need to make my decision really quick.

 

[panDaz]

It's just right above exit C of fukutoshin line. 3min? This line is linked underground to the main JR lines and the busier East ikebukuro, so it's pretty convenient.

Stay in the annex then there's no curfew. But must have bigger group of 4ppl..

I've not stayed at asakusa but it's a pretty nice place too, especially with the new skytree nearby. A lot of shops and good cafes and restaurants there. Convenience is an important factor I think. Second to cleanliness though. Ikebukuro is quite well kept imo. Not sure about the other one you are looking at.

 

[feryl]

I think everyone has their preferences.
Eg. I like taking Keisei Skyliner as compared to NEX, I prefer the slower and less neon lights atmosphere in Asakusa, ppl in Asakusa area are more traditional, whereas the city-folk in Ikebukuro/Shinjuku area are not much different from Singaporeans - walk very fast, less courteous, etc. As for shopping, after one or two times in Takashimaya or Seibu, there's nothing much else to look at, whereas there are smaller shopping centres and stores around east tokyo that have a different flavour. I also like walking along Sumida river, and there are better traditional Japanese food in the east, compared to better western food in the west.

I stayed once in Shinjuku during my first trip, and then Asakusa on my second trip. From then on, every trip, I stayed at Asakusa; that's my preference

 

[lapucelle]

wah headache man. you guys all give very convincing arguments. Need to throw coin liao.

Apparently these 2 are popular with good reasons.

panDaz, how far to walk from House Ikebukuro(HI) to the nearest station? 10min? I do understand that most shopping places are all line up on the west side of Tokyo, Ikebukuro seems to be ideal for quick spin among those favorite spots. But HI's 12 midnight to 7am curfew is a bit restricting. Though I doubt we can tahan until that late to reach the hostel. Since we stay there more than a week, the daily chore of making a long walk is a bit worrisome.

so far thanks for everyone input and suggestions, please keep them coming, i need to make my decision really quick.

My home is almost exactly between Asakusa and Ikebukuro and I think both are OK. But I have preference for Asakusa cos its more... Japan. Ikebukuro is similar to SG ba.

Put it this way, normally I would advise ppl to skip Ikebukuro if they spending only a few days in Tokyo and have no time.

 

[cpuer]

I think everyone has their preferences.
Eg. I like taking Keisei Skyliner as compared to NEX, I prefer the slower and less neon lights atmosphere in Asakusa, ppl in Asakusa area are more traditional, whereas the city-folk in Ikebukuro/Shinjuku area are not much different from Singaporeans - walk very fast, less courteous, etc. As for shopping, after one or two times in Takashimaya or Seibu, there's nothing much else to look at, whereas there are smaller shopping centres and stores around east tokyo that have a different flavour. I also like walking along Sumida river, and there are better traditional Japanese food in the east, compared to better western food in the west.

I stayed once in Shinjuku during my first trip, and then Asakusa on my second trip. From then on, every trip, I stayed at Asakusa; that's my preference

Frankly, if I am not travelling with 4 ladies, I would take Asakusa. Thanks bro, you guys are very helpful.

 

[cpuer]

My home is almost exactly between Asakusa and Ikebukuro and I think both are OK. But I have preference for Asakusa cos its more... Japan. Ikebukuro is similar to SG ba.

Put it this way, normally I would advise ppl to skip Ikebukuro if they spending only a few days in Tokyo and have no time.

Thanks bro, after these few threads, i think I know what I want now, next is to convince the rest to agree with me.

 

[feryl]

Thanks bro, after these few threads, i think I know what I want now, next is to convince the rest to agree with me.

look at it this way, Tokyo Skytree is the hottest shopping spot now; Ginza is also nearby. And Asakusa is just mins away from sumo-land, Ryogoku

 

[cpuer]

Guys, despite of my earlier decision of staying at Asakusa, we have finally decided on Hotel Empire at Shin-Okubo near Shinjuku station. The reason of choosing Hotel Empire is its proximity to Shinjuku station. Which we will be frequently using for our day trips. Thanks for the valuable input anyway.