Old Tokyo Vibe at Wired Hotel Asakusa

Drenched in rainwater, we scrambled through the complex Tokyo Subway to catch the last train to Asakusa. A train staff motioned that we should run faster as it will be leaving in seconds. And we did it, in Amazing Raceish style. We traced the steps going to the famous Sensoji Temple and decided to chill a bit on this deserted Buddhist temple (which will be flocked with tourists in a few hours). We then strolled along the narrow side streets going back to our hotel and felt a vibe that you’d only see now in the movies—old Tokyo vibe. Our quaint neighborhood had this charming ambiance that you wouldn’t feel in other areas. We arrived back home at Wired Hotel Asakusa and continued our fun tales at the comfort of our fluffy pillows and warm duvet on our four-bed mixed dorm.

The group was soaked for four days because of the incessant drizzle. Well, you may plan all specific details of your trip but not the weather. A super typhoon coincided with our trip which drenched the whole of Tokyo. It was an impulse trip that we booked because of a promo fare for a roundtrip Manila to Tokyo flight. Honestly, I wasn’t keen on exploring highly urbanized cities but my three travel buddies shared their Japan tales from the past which convinced me to give it a try. Plus, when I’m with these guys, regardless of the place, I know that I’d be having a great time that I don't need any Tokyo Travel Guide for first-timers.

Woke up a li'l more cheery today in spite of the gloomy weather. I dunno if it's just me but I love drizzly mornings. Kinda romantic noh? ☔ Photo by @lakadpilipinas @wiredhotel #wiredhotelasakusa #wiredhotel

A post shared by blissfulguro (@blissfulguro) on Oct 19, 2017 at 5:15pm PDT

Moving on, we didn’t have a particular itinerary that we followed. It was our thing—playing by the ear as long as we have booked flights and accommodation. As for this trip, I decided to be in charge of looking for our accommodation right after being approved on our application for Japan Tourist Visa in the Philippines.

I had no idea where to start. When I started my search for the perfect location in Tokyo, I was astounded on how huge the city is. I then sought a well-known travel website where I usually read reviews from actual guests (whether or not it’s good or not). To cut it short, I was drawn into Wired Hotel Asakusa and didn’t even consult my buddies about it (check here for discounted tours, transportation and activities in Tokyo).

Modern yet Funky

Coming from Narita International Airport, we scored a good deal on Skyliner Express Train that brought us to Downtown Tokyo in exactly 41 minutes. We got off at the terminus station, Ueno, and transferred to Tokyo Metro Subway then we boarded the train going to our intended destination. Asakusa is located three stations away from Ueno and we got there in just five minutes. Very convenient considering the time you’d spent on other areas before you could settle down in your room.

Arts and Crafts by Local Artists

With the help of our ever-reliable online maps, we found Wired Hotel Asakusa and were gladly welcomed by the staff.

The neighborhood evoked a feeling of Old Tokyo I’ve seen in the movies (reminiscent of the location of my guesthouse in Seoul). It was quiet, people seemed to know each other, and old school shops brightened up the community. It was drizzling at that time which I find romantic and charming.

Zakbaran Cafe Bar

We entered an all-brick structure and felt like we were transported inside a gallery; posters of art exhibits by local artists, schedule of theater performances which are actually staged on the second level of Wired Hotel, locally-made leather products for sale, bamboo bicycles that are free-for-use for in-house guests, and other trivial stuff.

Leather. Metal. Wood. Concrete.

The modernist space was pumped up with funky stuff that were mostly produced by local artists. I sat on a zabuton pillow and removed my overcoat. And as I did that, a zen-like feeling came into me that even if I haven’t had an hour of decent sleep, I felt relieved.

We were too early for checking in but the staff accommodated us and offered stowage for our luggage. We then wandered around the neighborhood, had an early lunch somewhere, got those cutesy transparent umbrellas, had a bento meal for lunch, and then headed back to Wired Hotel Asakusa.

D-I-Y Asakusa Guide

We did the standard guest registration process and were immediately given our individual key cards. On our first two nights, the four of us were divided into two room types—the Standard Room and the Standard Compact Hollywood Twin. On the last night, on the other hand, we decided to transfer on Standard Bunk Bed B (check here for discounted room rates).

Lounge Area

Billeted on a Standard Room (Room 601), me and my buddy unlocked the door to our space and were overwhelmed with the minimalist yet trendy approach. The unfinished concrete walls and parquet wood flooring are a playful mix on modern and classic materials.

A double size bed rested on a textured black and grey wall. On the opposite sides were simple end tables with night lamps and centralized lighting system switch. The mattress and the beddings were utterly snuggly. It felt like my body instantly molded to it that getting up would be such a disgrace.

Standard Room (601)

Next to it was a huge glass window that opened up to a pocket garden and a view of Asakusa neighborhood. Metal and leather were utilized at the coffee nook cum sitting area.

A wooden entertainment rack housed the flat screen TV with local Japanese channels. It also functioned as a work station with its ergonomic chair. A mini fridge and bottles of complimentary drinking water were also available.

Open-Type Closet

An open-type closet was also employed with wooden rod and hangers. A leather luggage rack (that I used as a chair) rested beside a full-length mirror. An individually-powered AC was also in sight but the chilly early autumn wind sufficed just fine.

The compact-sized bathroom and toilet was surprisingly practical. There was no space that was useless. The automatic Japanese toilet for starter was heavenly. Bathroom toiletries were all provided for and were replenished every day. The hot and cold shower on the other hand, as well as the organic eco-friendly shampoo set made our nightly shower a bliss.

Japanese Toilet!

The nippy dusk air brushed against my cheek as I pushed the glass windows aside. The drizzle didn’t seem to tire and we had no plans on where-to-go and what-to-do (which was our kind of trip).

Pocket Garden from the Window

The cycle of waking up each morning, going out for another rainy adventure in Tokyo and then going back home at Wired Hotel happened for four days. On our last night, after we went crazily overboard on gadget-shopping at Akihabara, we went home in our new dorm room.

We wanted to stay all night and chitchat some more at the comforts of our own room so we decided to transfer in the secret floor (you have to check it out by yourself).

Standard Bunk Bed B

The same comfort that we had on our previous rooms greeted us on our new space. The bunk beds were spacious and not cramped at all. Each bunk had its own drape, night lamp, and charging dock. The room also had its own toilet and bath.

My favorite part of the room, aside from the fact that we were in one room together, was my uber comfy bed and warm duvet. It was so good that I overslept that night.

Time is never wasted. Missin' the cold weather and the efficiency of public transportation in Tokyo 👘 Photo by @lakadpilipinas #WPierceTimePiece #PierceThroughLife

A post shared by blissfulguro (@blissfulguro) on Oct 30, 2017 at 6:28am PDT

I could enumerate more about how I love Wired Hotel Asakusa but it would definitely ruin the little surprises that they provide. But what the heck, I wanna tell you for the last time how convenient the location is, how they support local artists by featuring it on their public spaces, how the furniture and furnishings are tastefully done, and how the old Tokyo vibe of Asakusa echoed through it. There’s no better home for my first ever Japan trip than in Wired Hotel Asakusa.

Wired Hotel Asakusa (check here for discounted room rates)

Asakusa Kokono Club, 2-16-2 Asakusa, Taito-ku,

Tokyo, 111-0032 Japan

Contact Number: (+81) 03-5830-7931

Email Address: info@wiredhotel.com

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