I booked Josie's place again for the tail end of my Japan vacation; I was considering another location to get a different glimpse of Tokyo, but in the end I really appreciated the value of staying at Josie's home. The location can't be beat, as Oshiage Station is easily reachable by trains and isn't too far from the center of the city. The house is a good example of how Japanese are able to make things work in small spaces; my bedroom had enough space for two suitcases to be open. The washing machine is available, and Josie or Richard were able to help me get my laundry done. I went for a walk with their dog Sakura and learned about the Sumida area, getting nice looks at the nearby river and parks. Breakfast in the house always saves me a few hundred yen buying something at the convenience stores. I enjoyed Josie's home over an empty apartment, as I got to have locals to talk to, and I could ask questions about what I saw on the news on TV. Plus they have nice recommendations about tourism spots and where to buy specific things like snacks or clothing. There will be some ambient noise that comes with sharing a house, especially if other guests are in the adjacent bedrooms. Smoking is allowed in the kitchen under the fume hood (you can't smoke outside in Sumida city), but I'm not a smoker. Richard and Josie are always up for some tea, and if you come back to the room early in the evening, it's fun to hang out in the living room and chat about your day and what's ahead. Overall it's a very wholesome experience and a great value for staying in Japan.