Like a shining temple, I round the corner of a quiet Tokyo street to view the entrance of the Mimaru in Tokyo where we’ll be staying. It’s my first trip to Tokyo, and one aspect I didn’t consider was how much walking I was going to do and how confused I’d be about using Tokyo’s train system.
I have lost track of how many times I have walked the wrong way to the Mimaru Suites Tokyo Nihombashi, after boasting that I knew exactly how to get there. By wife smiles and says, “Three times,” as we continue searching for our accommodation. Once we get there, I can’t believe that I managed to get so lost. It is actually very, very easy to find!
The Mimaru Suites Tokyo Nihombashi is a modern apartment complex perfect for families or friends wanting a cost-effective and comfortable Tokyo hotel. Researching Tokyo hotels, we had already seen the vast array of options from sparkling 5-star to budget, most of them micro shoe box sized and very expensive. Our Mimaru Tokyo hotel had been recommended to us as the apartments have a kitchen and a washing machine and are really large by Tokyo standards. They were right, it was a winner!
This is where the various Mimaru Tokyo accommodation options take a lot of stress away by making your stay a seamless and pleasant experience. There were also a few surprising and great extras we discovered that will have you saying, “Take my money!” and being happy you booked an apartment hotel in Tokyo.
Arriving at the hotel after the short (ahem, very long) detour, we find the entrance of gleaming gold doors that lead to a lift that takes us to the second-floor reception. Stepping into the reception and lobby area, we are greeted by the reception desk and multiple breakout areas.
The reception has to our delight, many bilingual staff fluent in English and a few other languages too, as some of them are from Europe. In fact, most of them can probably chat in more languages than I could ever dream of speaking. During our stay, they are unfailingly kind, helpful, and patient when it comes to demystifying some of Tokyo’s transport logistics.
Within moments, we have our keys and are informed about a complimentary daily Sake tasting in the lobby and options for dining, coffee and even a supermarket nearby. I note the luggage by the desk and see that this is from an airport luggage delivery service available when booking the hotel, or if you’re moving on, available to be delivered onwards to your next accommodation.
For our stay, we have a Two Bedroom Family Suite, which is a little overkill as we are just travelling as a couple this time, but it was all that was available when we booked last minute. That said, we do love having all the room in the suite which is huge by Tokyo standards at 57 square metres. There are other room options if you don’t leave it so late to book like we did.
Guests at Mimaru Suites Nihombashi can opt for a Two-Bedroom Suite with a capacity for four adults or two adults and two children. Or there’s a Two Bedroom Family Suite, which can accommodate 6 adults, or two adults with a combination of children. The larger suites have bunk beds for four people in the kitchen/living area, and these have a weight limit. Not an issue if you are travelling with kids or smaller adults, but four large guys or gals wouldn’t fit.
Speaking of this lounge area, there is a large light here that we couldn’t get to turn off on our first night. We tried everything with no luck and eventually just closed the door to our bedroom, fell into bed and went to sleep. If you’re wondering how to turn this off, there is a little white remote control on the table in the kitchen. This remote is for that big light!
Both types of suites come with a twin bathroom and two toilets, a kitchen with fridge, microwave and twin hotplates. An assortment of kitchen accessories is provided, and you also have the option of borrowing from a collection of beautiful Japanese plates and bowls from the lobby library. We chose the perfect size bowls for our breakfast from here. One thing worth noting is nothing is provided when you check in, not even a small carton of milk for tea and coffee. There are complimentary tea bags and coffee sachets at reception but you need to go down to collect them.
Also, another blessing is the washing machine and air conditioning, but a word of warning, these can be tricky to operate properly. After using washing machines around the world (and a lot of Google translate in the process), even we couldn’t work out some of our machine’s quirks. Call for help if you run into trouble as the lovely staff on reception will sort out any confusion in minutes.
For dining, you can self-cater as there is a large shopping centre just 5 minutes’ walk away, or there is a Family Mart is next door for sandwiches and chocolates, etc. If you’re wanting restaurants, you might have a problem choosing, as there are so many options near the hotel. I have provided a few we loved below, but you can also ask for a recommendation from the staff, who are always happy to help.
For coffee addicts, don’t miss Passage Café next to reception. This small coffee shop is operated by Shuichi Sasaki, the first Japanese person to win the World AeroPress Championship. I ordered double shot lattes and was impressed every time. This small cafe also has a small collection of pastries, cookies and snacks available if you’re hungry.
A few extra points to note about Mimaru Suites Tokyo Nihombashi is the large lobby area, which is a great chillout space. We saw a lot of people relaxing here before or after they checked out, or working on their laptops as it’s very quiet during the day. Another quirky idea is there is a wall filled with art works in the reception near the coffee shop that can be borrowed and placed in your room for your stay. I was drooling over the Japanese armour, but sadly, this is for display only.
Transport via metro (provided you walk in the right direction) is very close with Ningyōchō Station only 5 minutes’ walk away. This station also provided direct access to Narita Airport on the Red Line. We took this to the airport on the morning we flew out and it was seamless. If you’re going in the other direction, the main Tokyo Station is only a few stops away with Shinkansen services ready to whisk you to multiple destinations throughout Japan. Our Mimaru Tokyo apartment had the perfect location!
Recommended Dining Near Our Mimaru Tokyo Accommodation
Kyokaro Ningyocho Chinese restaurant: This incredibly affordable restaurant is directly across the road from the hotel. We dined here twice and loved the stir-fry dishes and fried rice. A good choice if you’d like a break from Japanese food. Cash only.
Sumibi Yakitori Hoteison: This well-priced restaurant was a highlight of our stay in Tokyo. It’s a traditional izakaya and yakitori restaurant and is our top pick. But be warned, it has limited seating and fills up fast with dedicated locals. Book a table, one visit isn’t enough!
Family Mart Convenience Store: There’s a decent sized Family Mart two doors up from the hotel. Stock up on Japan’s famous egg sandwiches, KitKats, gummies and more.
OK Store Nihonbashi-Hisamatsucho Supermarket: This big supermarket is just up the road and has all you could want and more. Try to avoid school pickup time as there’s a crazy amount of people in here. This supermarket has a good selection of KitKats if you’re after souvenirs.
Disclosure: The writers paid for their stay at Mimaru Suites Tokyo Nihombashi. They highly recommend Mimaru Tokyo apartments, especially this one for its great location and staff.
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