Tokyo's Hidden Gem: Uncover the Secret Mejiro BNB!
Tokyo's Best-Kept Secret? Mejiro BNB: A Messy, Honest Review (and is it really a gem?)
Alright, buckle up, because I just got back from a whirlwind trip to Tokyo, and my brain is still trying to sort through the sensory overload. But one thing's for sure: My stay at the "Secret Mejiro BNB" – or whatever it was called – was an experience. And I’m here to spill the tea, warts and all. Forget those polished travel brochures. This is real life, folks.
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag (Like Me in the Morning)
Let's start with the basics. "Accessible” is always a critical question for me (and for a LOT of us, right?). Website said "facilities for disabled guests," but… yeah, the reality was a bit more… Japanese. (Which can be code for "we think it's accessible, maybe"). Elevator? Check. But maneuverability inside the rooms? Let's just say I’ve seen tighter spaces in a sardine can. So, accessibility? Kinda-sorta. Definitely call ahead and thoroughly quiz them if this is a HUGE priority.
First Impressions: Charm…and Confusion.
Finding the place was already a mini-adventure. Remember that "secret" part? Yeah, it's legit. Nestled in a quiet Mejiro neighborhood, it's a world away from the neon chaos. The exterior? Cute, traditional, almost…storybook-ish. Then you walk in and it hits you: a lobby that’s trying really hard to be minimalist, but feels more like a lightly-furnished waiting room. (Where's the cozy armchairs they promised?!).
COVID-Era Concerns: The Sanitization Tango
Alright, I'm a germaphobe at the best of times, and post-pandemic travel has me on high alert. The BNB was, at least on the surface, trying. They had sanitizer galore (everywhere!), and the staff seemed genuinely concerned. Daily disinfection in common areas? Check. Room sanitization between stays? Seemed plausible. Individually-wrapped food options? Mostly, but there were some…questionable exceptions (more on that later). They even had a hygiene certification on display, which felt oddly reassuring in these crazy times. Honestly, even if they WERE slacking, the effort was there. I give them points for trying.
The Room: My Tiny Tokyo Sanctuary (and occasional prison cell)
My room was…well, it was compact. But in a good way! It was a masterclass in space-saving (thank you, Japanese design gods!). The bed? Comfortable. Air conditioning? Perfect. Blackout curtains? Essential for combating jet lag (and Tokyo's bright lights!). The best part? Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! HUGE win. Did I mention the complimentary tea? Crucial for my morning sanity. Everything was clean, well-maintained, and actually quite charming, even if it was a little too… organized. Seriously, my socks had dedicated drawers.
Okay, I gotta admit, I was a little underwhelmed by the bathroom setup. It was the usual Japanese combo situation (toilet and shower in the same teeny space), which is fine, mostly, until you've taken a long shower and the humidity has settled in, but really, that's just how it is with this design philosophy.
Speaking of Amenities: The "Spa" (Let's Be Real, It’s a Sauna)
Let's talk about the "spa," shall we? The website promised a dazzling array of pampering experiences, including a "pool with a view." My expectations were high. My disappointment? Epic. The "pool with a view" turned out to be…a small outdoor pool, mostly shaded, and the "view" was of a rather unspectacular brick wall. The sauna? Tiny and functional. The body scrub and body wrap? Nowhere to be seen. The gym? Utterly non-existent. I'm still trying to figure out where they got their marketing material. This was a big letdown.
But on the other hand the Foot bath was actually a very useful little thing.
Food, Glorious Food (and Some Questionable Choices)
Breakfast was included. Score! But… here's where things got tricky. The "Asian breakfast" touted on the website turned out to be a rather dry onigiri and some questionable miso soup. Every. Single. Day. The "Western breakfast" was slightly better, but mostly just…bread and jam. And I'd like to add here that the breakfast takeaway service was a lifesaver, due to jet leg and early meeting.
But hey, there's a coffee shop! Which, to be fair, served a decent cup of joe. But the “restaurants” advertised? I only ever saw a tiny snack bar. A bar? Please! I'd have killed for a proper cocktail. The alternative meal arrangement was just more of the same.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: a few hits and a lot of misses.
The bottle of water, always in the room. That was good. But there was no room service except a "limited" 24 hour.
The Staff: Bless Their Hearts
The staff were lovely. Seriously, they were the highlight of the experience. Friendly, helpful, and genuinely trying to be accommodating. The concierge was surprisingly knowledgeable, and the daily housekeeping was impeccable. They all seemed a little…overwhelmed, but their enthusiasm was infectious. They were also impressively trained in safety protocol.
Things to Do (Besides Wondering Where the Promised Amenities Were)
The BNB itself didn't offer much in the way of "things to do." But that's fine! You're in Tokyo! There's a whole world of exploration waiting outside. I ended up spending most of my time exploring the Mejiro and Ikebukuro neighborhoods, which were easily accessible, with the free car park and the taxi service (expensive, but reliable!).
The Big Question: Is It a Hidden Gem?
Honestly? Maybe. The Mejiro BNB is not perfect. It has its flaws, its shortcomings, its moments of genuine confusion. But is it worth it? In the end, I think so. It has a certain charm, a certain…authenticity. It's affordable, clean, and in an excellent location. The staff are amazing, and the rooms are comfortable and well-equipped. Just go in with realistic expectations, and maybe skip the "spa" fantasies.
Final Verdict:
Pros: Fantastic staff, Great location, Clean rooms with reliable Wi-Fi, reasonable prices in a city where hotels are otherwise expensive, and an elevator that can handle guests with limited mobility
Cons: False advertising on the spa and amenities. Breakfast could be better. Lack of a pool.
Would I go back? Probably. But next time, I’m packing my own face scrub (and maybe a bottle of something stronger than complimentary tea). Also, I need to verify the bathroom situation. And if they promise me a pool with a view again, I'm going to demand a photo before I book. This BNB might not be perfect, but it's got heart, and in Tokyo, that's a pretty good start.
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- Title: Tokyo's Hidden Gem: Uncover the Secret Mejiro BNB! (A Messy Review)
- Meta Description: A brutally honest review of the Mejiro BNB in Tokyo. Find out if it lives up to the hype (and what the "spa" is really like). Learn about accessibility, cleanliness, and the staff who make it all worthwhile.
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Itinerary: Tokyo Mishap-venturing (and hopefully Triumphing) from BNB + Secret Base Mejiro
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because here we go. This isn't your sanitized Instagram reel of a trip. This is the real, messy, glorious, slightly panicky adventure I'm supposedly embarking on in Tokyo. Home base: The oh-so-mysterious "BNB + Secret Base Mejiro." Sounds like a Bond villain's lair, right? Fingers crossed I'm not sleeping next to a rocket launcher.
Day 1: Sensory Overload & Existential Ramen Crisis
- Morning (ish): Touchdown at Narita (NRT). The second I stepped off that blessedly air-conditioned plane, I was hit with a wall of humidity and a thousand competing smells. Like, is that sushi? Incense? And what is that…deep-fried mystery? Taxi into the city was a blur. Everything's so…dense. Buildings jammed together, neon signs screaming for attention, a symphony of car horns that sound like a particularly disgruntled orchestra.
- Afternoon: Arrival at "Secret Base." Praying I've interpreted the instructions correctly. Finding the place. Actually seeing the place. It's… well, it’s charming, in a slightly chaotic way. The air conditioning works (phew!). First impression: Okay, this is actually kinda cool. The little details: art scattered everywhere. It might just do.
- Late Afternoon/Evening: Okay, hunger is a beast. Mission: Find ramen. Armed with Google Maps and a desperate hope, I wandered into the Mejiro neighborhood. Found a place. Queued up (because that’s what you do in Tokyo, apparently). Ordered ramen. It was… divine. I mean, I thought I knew ramen, but this… this was an experience. The broth! The noodles! The pork! I might have actually shed a tear. It was a moment of pure, unadulterated joy, followed by a brief but intense existential crisis about how I'd ever go back to instant noodles.
- Evening (aka "Post-Ramen Coma"): Stumbled back to the BNB. Exhausted from… existing. Maybe a tiny sake and some serious people-watching from the balcony? The neighborhood is humming with life even now. Feels like a scene from a movie.
Day 2: Fish Market Fiasco & Shibuya Scramble Spectacle
- Early Morning (aka "My Body Hates Me"): Tsukiji Outer Market. The legendary fish auction? Totally missed it. Woke up late. Spent an hour feeling like I’d failed before I even started. Ate some incredibly fresh, ridiculously delicious sushi anyway. The raw tuna was, like, melt-in-my-mouth butter. I think I'm already addicted.
- Morning: Wandered the market. So. Many. People. So. Much. Fish. The energy is unreal. Bought a weird Japanese knife I'll definitely never use for anything other than opening Amazon packages.
- Afternoon: Shibuya Crossing. Okay, I've seen the pictures. I thought I was prepared. I was not. It's insane. Pure organized chaos. Felt the giddy realization that I'm no longer a stranger there. I was moving with the flow. So many people, so many flashing lights. I felt like I was swimming in a sea of humanity.
- Late Afternoon/Evening: Hachiko Statue. Then, as the sun dips? The perfect chance to sit on a bench at the Starbucks, get a coffee, and gaze at the chaos.
- Evening (aka "Pride & Procrastination"): Lost in the labyrinthine Shibuya streets. Got slightly terrified. Okay, very terrified. Managed to find the hotel. Probably gonna re-watch Lost in Translation to calm myself.
Day 3: Temple Tranquility, Arcade Annihilation, and Karaoke Catastrophe.
- Morning: Meiji Jingu Shrine. Needed a dose of calm after the Shibuya maelstrom. Found it. The forest surrounding the shrine is magical. The air feels different. Quiet, even. Made me feel like I could breathe.
- Afternoon: Harajuku. The colors! The outfits! The… questionable fashion choices. People-watching heaven. Saw a girl with cotton candy that looked like a cloud. Almost fainted from the cuteness overload.
- Late Afternoon: Arcade Time. Did I mention I'm a sucker for video games? Spent an embarrassing amount of money on claw machines, failing miserably to win a giant Pikachu. Moral of the story: don't bet against the machine. Or, maybe I'm just bad at these things.
- Evening: Karaoke. Okay, this is where it gets messy. Went with some other travelers I met. Picked some absolute bangers. My voice? Let's just say it's better suited to the shower. Let's also say that the sake kicked in. There were tears (mostly from laughter, hopefully). There were off-key notes. There was dancing. There was a shared sense of camaraderie born from collective embarrassment. The best.
Day 4: Day-trip to Hakone, Nature's Embrace, and a Sense of Wonder
- Morning: Train to Hakone. This is a day trip. I need the break. And nature is calling.
- Day-Trip (Hakone): Lake Ashi. The boat ride, with views of Mount Fuji…assuming she decides to grace us with her presence. Hot Springs, Open-Air Museum.
- Late Afternoon: Back to Mejiro. Exhausted but rejuvenated. Feeling grateful for a full day away from the urban pulse.
- Evening: Packing. The dreaded thought of leaving. Is it too late to extend my stay?
Day 5: The Last Ramen, Goodbye Tokyo, and the Aftermath
- Morning: One last ramen. Sayonara, Tokyo.
- Afternoon: Airport. The long journey home.
- Evening: Remembering Tokyo. I can't believe I'm leaving. The vibrant energy, the kind people, the incredible food… I can't believe I am actually returning home.
Post-Trip Ramblings:
- Okay, Tokyo, you truly broke me. In the best way possible. I came with expectations. I left with a head full of memories, a slightly bruised ego, and a serious ramen addiction. I survived. I made friends. I saw the world and did it alone.
- And that "Secret Base"? Turns out, it was pretty darn awesome. The art on the walls, the little balcony, the comfy beds. It was a good place to start and have the journey.
- Tokyo, you've stolen a piece of my heart. And I'll be back. I have to. I need to go back and get that Pikachu.
- P.S. Still haven't figured out what that deep-fried mystery food was. But I'm not ruling out a return trip just to find out.
Mejiro BNB: Frequently Asked...ish Questions (Because Let's Be Real, I'm Still Processing)
Okay, spill it. Is the Mejiro BNB actually a "hidden gem"? And is it worth the hype (and the Instagram photos)?
Okay, okay, let's unpack this. "Hidden gem"? Yes, in the way a diamond is hidden...in a vault, guarded by laser grids and a surprisingly chatty security guard. Mejiro itself is off the beaten tourist path, which automatically helps the "hidden" vibe. And the BNB? Well, it *felt* hidden. You're walking through this posh, quiet residential area, suddenly you're like, "Wait, *this* humble-looking house is *it*?" The suspense was killer!
Worth the hype? That depends. Are you looking for pristine perfection? Then, probably not. (More on that later – the bathroom situation was... character-building). Are you looking for an experience? Absolutely. The genuine warmth of the hosts, the quirky details (think mismatched teacups, a cat that judges your breakfast choices), the feeling of being invited into someone's actual life... yeah, that's worth a lot. I spent way too much time taking pictures of the garden.
What's the deal with the location? Is it easy to get around? Is Mejiro a good base for exploring Tokyo?
The location is... fine. Surprisingly, it's great. Mejiro is a genuinely lovely, leafy part of Tokyo. It's super close to (and this is HUGE) Mejiro Station. You could practically roll out of bed, grab a coffee from the 7-Eleven (essential!), and be on the Yamanote Line, Tokyo's circulatory system. From there, you're minutes from Shibuya, Shinjuku, everywhere! Which, trust me, when you're battling a sudden craving for ramen at midnight, or desperately trying to catch that last train, is a GODSEND. I actually got lost once... the city is so big!! But the station was so easy to use that I was back in a few minutes.
Mejiro itself has some fantastic shops and restaurants to poke around. It's not the flashy, neon-lit Tokyo experience, but it's got a charm of its own. And yes, I did get lost in a tiny ramen shop, and it was the best meal I've had in ages.
Let's talk about the living space. What can I expect? Is it cramped? Is it clean? Is it "Instagrammable"?
Okay, the living space. Expectations vs. Reality: buckle up. It's not a sprawling, modern penthouse. Think cozy, charming, and filled with character. Is it cramped? Kind of, but in a way that feels... inviting. The rooms are Japanese-traditional, the walls are thin. I could hear the host walking around at 6 AM. But, it's part of the experience!
Clean? Mostly. It wasn't clinically sterile, but it was tidy and well-cared for. The imperfections are part of the charm – a slightly chipped teacup here, a slightly worn tatami mat there. The bathroom... sigh. It's… small. And, like, REALLY small. (I'm 6'2", and I felt like I was folding myself into a crane every time I wanted to shower). But hey, you're in Japan! Embrace the minimalist lifestyle! (And maybe bring a small towel).
Instagrammable? Absolutely. The garden is a photographer's dream. Every corner is carefully considered. If you don't post at least a few pictures, are you even traveling? (I asked myself that question more than once).
How about the hosts? Are they friendly? Do they speak English? Are they, like, constantly hovering?
The hosts? Oh, the hosts! They were the absolute heart and soul of the experience. They were SO friendly, SO welcoming. The woman, I think she was the wife, she was making tea and cookies when I arrived! They both spoke *some* English, enough to get by and, importantly, to make you feel comfortable. They weren't hovering, but they were present. They gave you space, but they were also happy to chat, offer recommendations, and generally make you feel like you were staying at a friend's house (a friend with a ridiculously charming garden). They even shared their homemade jam with me! It was the most delicious jam I've ever had. I tried to buy some to take home, but she said it had already been used. I still dream about that jam. So good.
What's the best thing about the Mejiro BNB? And what's the worst? Be brutally honest.
Okay, brutally honest? Let's do it. The BEST thing? The atmosphere. The feeling of stepping out of the hustle and bustle of Tokyo and into a little pocket of tranquility. The hosts' genuine warmth and hospitality. The garden. The tea. It was magic. It really was. I think it was worth every penny.
The WORST? The bathroom size. Seriously. It was a challenge. And sometimes, I felt a little self-conscious about the noise I was making, especially early in the morning when I was trying not to wake anyone up. I had to learn to live with it, and it did make me feel more at home.
Bonus Worse: The lack of a proper kitchen. I like to cook and it would have been fantastic to have a place to cook. Well, I guess that's what the ramen shops are for.
Seriously, the bathroom. Give me the full breakdown. What did it feel like?
Alright, let's talk about the elephant (or rather, the tiny, cramped elephant) in the room: the bathroom. Look, I get it. Japan is all about maximizing space. But this… this was an experience. The first few times I walked in, I felt like I was playing a real-life game of Tetris. Every movement had to be carefully choreographed. You *could* shower, if you were willing to contort yourself into a position resembling a flamingo doing yoga. The water pressure was… adequate. The temperature was… manageable. The space, however, was not. But here's the thing: you get used to it. After a couple of days, it became a quirky sort of challenge. I'd try to see how efficiently I could navigate the cubicle. I even began to appreciate the cleverness of it all. It was definitely a character-building experience. It wasn't a deal-breaker. It was part of the story. And honestly, I'm still laughing about it.
Would you recommend the Mejiro BNB? And who is it for?
Would I recommend it? YES. (With the caveat about the bathroom, of course). But, it's not for everyone.
It's for travelers who appreciate authenticity over luxury. It's for people who want to experience Tokyo from a local's perspective. ItPersonalized Stays
