Nui. Hostel & Bar Lounge

Nui. is a hostel in Kuramae, a low-key neighbourhood of workshops, craft shops and coffee bars just south of Asakusa, and it suits travellers who want a sociable budget base with character. It is run by Backpackers' Japan, a company known for design-conscious hostels in Tokyo and Kyoto, and it occupies a former warehouse building that has been converted with a lot of care and handmade detail.

The upstairs rooms are simple and natural, finished in wood with a mostly white palette and earthy accents, and they range from dormitory beds to private rooms, which makes the hostel practical for solo travellers, couples and small groups on a budget. The atmosphere is relaxed rather than party-focused, and staff are happy to give tips on the neighbourhood.

The large ground-floor lounge is the heart of the place. Built with reclaimed timber and a long bar counter, it operates as a café during the day, serving coffee, light meals and sweets, and becomes a bar and dining space in the evening, with beer, sours, cocktails and food. It draws in locals as well as guests, so it is a good place to meet people. Business hours have changed in recent years, so check the official website's notices for current times.

Nui. suits backpackers, solo travellers, creative types and anyone who prefers character over luxury. The hostel has warned of suspicious messages impersonating it, so make bookings and payments only through the official website or its listed phone number, or contact the hostel by email using the address on its website. Earplugs are useful in dormitories, as in any hostel, and the bar can be busy at weekends. Check-in details and house rules are set out on the official website, which is worth reading before arrival.

The hostel is at 2-14-13 Kuramae in Taito-ku, a few minutes' walk from Kuramae Station on the Toei Asakusa and Oedo lines. The Asakusa Line runs direct to Haneda and Narita airports, and Asakusa and Senso-ji are about fifteen minutes on foot. The Sumida River promenade is a short stroll away, and the neighbourhood's small leather workshops, stationery shops and cafés make Kuramae a pleasant place to wander.