This apartment is every bit as serene and comfortable as it appears.
The space is bright and clean, with large sliding doors that provide a view of the Sumida River and the Tokyo Sky Tree during the day, and the Sumida City skyline at night. There are rolling shades for privacy, and sleep masks and ear plugs were provided for those who might want to turn in early or sleep late. In addition to the two beds, futons are available to sleep additional guests, and all were made with comfortable bedding. The kitchen and bath appliances are all new and easy to use, especially with the addition of English labels and printed instructions posted nearby. The in-room washer/dryer was especially helpful, as was the fully stocked bathroom of personal care/hygiene items and hair dryer.
The apartment is located in a quiet part of Taito City, with a post office on one side and a police station on the other. There are a few restaurants on the block; however, the street itself is quiet with little traffic. The local streets of Kuramae are far from crowded, and there are many places to eat within a couple blocks, along with several convenience stores. A 10–15 minute walk north along the riverside path will take travellers to Asakusa, home to Senso-ji, Tokyo's oldest temple, and countless shops and restaurant options. Just across the river is the Tokyo Sky Tree, with Tokyo Solamachi and the Sumida Aquarium at its base. Greater Tokyo is easily reachable by subway from nearby Kuramae Station, which provides access to both the Oedo ("E") and Asakusa ("A") Lines—Narita Airport can be reached from Ueno Station via the Oedo Line, and the Asakusa Line is a direct path to Haneda Airport.
Communication with the host was excellent from the moment we booked. More than anything else, Harumi's quick and thorough responses made us confident we would have a smooth experience. In addition to discussing the details of our trip, Harumi sent us a comprehensive welcome guide that included directions from every possible approach. Check-in was smooth, and Harumi responded quickly to messages during our stay. In the apartment, we found organized folders with sections for sight-seeing, neighborhood highlights, food, and more. When it came time to check out, we left the key in the keybox and were out the door to our early morning flight without any delay.
This apartment provides both a convenient starting point for daily trips to any part of the city and a relaxing place to come home to at the end of the night.