Your stay — Appt Ikebukuro
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The Property — Appt Ikebukuro
Appt Ikebukuro is a no-frills, functional base in Tokyo's northwest commercial hub. The lobby is compact and efficient, more akin to a serviced apartment block than a traditional hotel. It suits budget-conscious travellers who prioritise location and practicality over luxury — you're getting a clean room, a key, and direct access to one of the city's busiest transport interchanges.
Chronicles of Tokyo
Tokyo began as the fishing village of Edo, growing into the de facto capital under the Tokugawa shogunate in the early 17th century. After the Meiji Restoration in 1868, it was renamed Tokyo ('Eastern Capital') and rapidly industrialised. The Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 and US firebombing in WWII levelled much of the old wooden city, leading to its post-war rebuild as a concrete, neon-lit metropolis. Today Tokyo is a global centre for technology, pop culture and finance, known for its blend of ultramodern skyscrapers and historic temples.
Best Time to Visit
Full Tokyo guide →Best months
October and November: mild temperatures (15-20°C), low humidity, autumn foliage in parks like Shinjuku Gyoen. March to early April: cherry blossom season, though crowds spike.
Peak / festival surge
Late March to early April (cherry blossom) and late April to early May (Golden Week). Hotels routinely double in price, and public transport becomes sardine-tight. The main driver is domestic holidays and international tourism around sakura.
Budget shoulder season
May (after Golden Week) and September: decent weather (20-28°C), fewer tourists, hotel rates drop 20-30% from peak. June is rainy but still cheap.
Weather & packing
Tokyo in early July is hot (28-32°C) with 70-80% humidity, plus a lingering rainy season that often extends into mid-July—expect sudden downpours. Pack a lightweight waterproof jacket, breathable clothes, a small folding umbrella, and comfortable walking shoes for wet pavements.
Live City Briefing — Tokyo
- JR Ikebukuro Station is undergoing platform renumbering and passageway renovations through 2026; check station maps for temporary exits near the east gate to avoid confusion.
- The Sunshine 60 observatory (2 min walk from the hotel) reopened its 60th-floor Sky Circus in 2025 after COVID-era renovations, now including a digital art experience.
- July is the start of typhoon season; Japan's JMA issued early warnings for 2026—monitor the 'Navi Time' app for real-time rail suspensions.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Appt Ikebukuro, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request rooms on floors 5 to 8 facing away from the main street. These mid-level floors are high enough to avoid street-level noise but still within the serviceable lift range, and the rear side typically overlooks quieter residential blocks or inner courtyards.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the 1st and 2nd floors, especially those facing the street – street-level noise from traffic and pedestrians will be intrusive. Also skip rooms directly adjacent to the lift shaft; the lift is a single car, so you’ll hear it passing all hours.
Best views
The best view is a rear-facing room on floor 7 or 8, looking over low-rise housing or a small park. Side views westwards catch the sunset but also pick up some train line noise if nearby.
Quietest floors
Floors 5–8 are the quietest, away from both street noise and any rooftop equipment, with the rear orientation being the calmest.
🔊 Noise notes
Main street outside is busy with traffic until late evening. There’s a karaoke bar on the ground floor of the next building – bass carries on quiet nights. The lift door closes with a distinct clunk.
Insider tips
Earplugs are essential for light sleepers – the walls aren’t soundproofed. Check in after 3pm to avoid queuing; lobby is tiny. Request a rear-facing room at booking; they’re not always on the system.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Appt Ikebukuro
Free WiFi throughout; speeds around 30 Mbps down, 10 Mbps up; no login or time limit, just accept terms on first connection each day
One passenger lift serving all 8 floors; no stairs-only sections
No physical newspapers; free digital access to The Japan Times via QR code at reception; no premium press apps
Standard check-in from 15:00; early bag drop from 10:00 (free, no guarantee of immediate room); late check-out until 12:00 for ¥2,000, subject to availability
Free luggage storage at reception on check-in day and after check-out; no time limit but must collect by 22:00 same day
Step-free main entrance with ramp; lift door width 80 cm suits most wheelchairs; no accessible guest rooms designated; bathrooms are standard tub/shower combos with no grab bars
No on-site parking; nearest public car park is Times Parking Ikebukuro, 5 min walk, ¥1,200 per night (20:00-08:00); no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (Tokyo accommodation tax applies only to stays over ¥10,000/night per person; this 3-star property is normally under the threshold)
Deposit & card hold: Prepayment via credit card required at booking; a ¥5,000 incidental hold taken at check-in, refunded at check-out if no extras used
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Place of worship: 三社神社 (535 m · ~7 min walk)
- Church: 日本基督教団 東京池袋教会 (586 m · ~7 min walk)
- Place of worship: 立正佼成会 豊島教会 (595 m · ~7 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: 洞雲寺 (606 m · ~8 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Tobu Hope Center — 392 m · ~5 min walk
上り屋敷公園 — 884 m · ~11 min walk
池袋防災館 — 628 m · ~8 min walk
池袋演芸場 — 347 m · ~4 min walk
長崎二丁目児童遊園 — 1.7 km · ~22 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 449 m · ~6 min walk
一二三堂薬局 — 202 m · ~3 min walk
セブン-イレブン — 150 m · ~2 min walk
池袋 — 267 m · ~3 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Japanese Yen, JPY
Use ATMs at 7-Eleven, Japan Post Bank, or Mizuho Bank for fair rates; avoid airport and hotel exchange desks which give poor rates.
Visa/Mastercard widely accepted in stores, restaurants, and hotels; Amex less common; mobile pay (Suica, Pasmo, Apple Pay) is common at convenience stores and transit.
No tipping—service charge is included; just pay the bill. Leave coins in taxis or hotel staff if you feel generous, but it's not expected.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Filter coffee from a convenience store (e.g., FamilyMart) costs about ¥100–150.
A set meal at a conveyor-belt sushi or ramen shop costs around ¥800–1,200.
A bowl of ramen or curry rice in a casual chain restaurant runs about ¥800–1,200 for a main.
Look for food stalls around Ueno Park, Ameya-Yokochō market, or Asakusa Nakamise-dori for yakitori, takoyaki, or okonomiyaki at ¥300–600 per item.
Budget chains include Life, Maruetsu, and My Basket; also check 100-yen shops like Daiso for snacks.
UNIQLO and GU are affordable for basics; second-hand shops like Book Off or Mode Off in Shibuya or Shimokitazawa for bargains.
Get a Pasmo/Suica IC card (¥500 refundable deposit) for pay-as-you-go; a Tokyo Subway Ticket (24h ¥800, 48h ¥1,200, 72h ¥1,500) covers Metro and Toei lines. From Narita, take the Keisei Skyliner (¥2,570) or airport bus (¥1,300–3,100); from Haneda, Keikyu Line (¥300–500) or Limousine Bus (¥1,200–1,500) is cheaper than taxi.
1) Buy bento boxes (¥400–700) from supermarkets or convenience stores after 7pm for half-off. 2) Use free attractions like Meiji Jingu, Ueno Park, and government building observatories. 3) Walk between nearby stations (e.g., Shinjuku to Harajuku) rather than paying for single rides.
Good to know — Tokyo
Type A/B · 100V
safe
$1 ≈ ¥161.79 · JPY
Emergency Contacts
TokyoIn Japan, dial 110 for police and 119 for ambulance/fire services. English-speaking operators may be available. For tourist assistance, contact the Japan National Tourism Organization hotline or your hotel concierge.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Tokyo, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Appt Ikebukuro
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 449 m · ~6 min walk — pharmacy · 一二三堂薬局 — 202 m · ~3 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Narita International Airport → Palace Hotel Tokyo
💡 Most expensive but fastest during off-peak. Use Nihongo taxi counters or pre-book via hotel for best rates.
Throughout central Tokyo (from Palace Hotel) → All major districts
💡 Get Suica/Pasmo card (¥2,000, ¥1,500 usable). Marunouchi Line platform is directly below hotel. Fastest local transit.
Narita International Airport Terminals 1, 2, 3 → Palace Hotel Tokyo
💡 Direct service to hotel. No transfers needed. Book online for ¥2,600. Luggage handling included.
Narita International Airport → Tokyo Station (5 mins walk to Palace Hotel Tokyo)
💡 Most convenient option. Buy a round-trip ticket for ¥5,070. Hotel concierge can arrange return booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Appt Ikebukuro?
Request rooms on floors 5 to 8 facing away from the main street. These mid-level floors are high enough to avoid street-level noise but still within the serviceable lift range, and the rear side typically overlooks quieter residential blocks or inner courtyards.
Which rooms should I avoid at Appt Ikebukuro?
Avoid rooms on the 1st and 2nd floors, especially those facing the street – street-level noise from traffic and pedestrians will be intrusive. Also skip rooms directly adjacent to the lift shaft; the lift is a single car, so you’ll hear it passing all hours.
Is Appt Ikebukuro noisy?
Main street outside is busy with traffic until late evening. There’s a karaoke bar on the ground floor of the next building – bass carries on quiet nights. The lift door closes with a distinct clunk.
Which rooms have the best views at Appt Ikebukuro?
The best view is a rear-facing room on floor 7 or 8, looking over low-rise housing or a small park. Side views westwards catch the sunset but also pick up some train line noise if nearby.
What are insider tips for staying at Appt Ikebukuro?
Earplugs are essential for light sleepers – the walls aren’t soundproofed. Check in after 3pm to avoid queuing; lobby is tiny. Request a rear-facing room at booking; they’re not always on the system.
What time is check-in at Appt Ikebukuro?
Check-in at Appt Ikebukuro is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Appt Ikebukuro have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi throughout; speeds around 30 Mbps down, 10 Mbps up; no login or time limit, just accept terms on first connection each day
Is there a city or tourist tax at Appt Ikebukuro?
None (Tokyo accommodation tax applies only to stays over ¥10,000/night per person; this 3-star property is normally under the threshold)
Where can I eat cheaply near Appt Ikebukuro?
A set meal at a conveyor-belt sushi or ramen shop costs around ¥800–1,200.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Appt Ikebukuro?
Get a Pasmo/Suica IC card (¥500 refundable deposit) for pay-as-you-go; a Tokyo Subway Ticket (24h ¥800, 48h ¥1,200, 72h ¥1,500) covers Metro and Toei lines. From Narita, take the Keisei Skyliner (¥2,570) or airport bus (¥1,300–3,100); from Haneda, Keikyu Line (¥300–500) or Limousine Bus (¥1,200–1,500) is cheaper than taxi.
When is the best time to visit Tokyo?
October and November: mild temperatures (15-20°C), low humidity, autumn foliage in parks like Shinjuku Gyoen. March to early April: cherry blossom season, though crowds spike.
Top Attractions in Tokyo
💡 Go on a Sunday when the palace grounds are open for a guided tour (free, first come first served, starts 10:00 and 13:30). Otherwise the gardens are quiet on weekday mornings.
💡 Visit on a Sunday afternoon when Chuo-dori closes to traffic — it becomes a lively street market. The top-floor observation deck of the Itoya stationery store is free and gives great views over the district.
💡 Bring a picnic and sit by Shinobazu Pond. The lotus flowers in July-August are stunning. Free entry to the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum on the first Monday of the month.
💡 Skip the main gate queues. Enter through the side streets off Nakamise-dori for a more local feel. The temple is at its calmest just after sunrise.
💡 Go just before sunset on a weekday. Fewer crowds and the torii gates look fantastic as the light fades. Watch for wedding processions on weekend mornings.
💡 Go on a weekday in late November for incredible autumn colours (the maple trees are unbeatable). The greenhouse is free and often overlooked.