The only traveller's hostel in Adachi ward, Emblem isn't quite in central Tokyo, but it definitely makes up for the out-of-the-way location with cleanliness, friendly staff and well-equipped facilities. Dormitory-style rooms start at ¥3,000 per night: each bed is in its own pod, sort of like at a capsule hotel but much more spacious, and comes with a comfy mattress, personal reading light, outlet and USB plug. Every dorm floor has shared showers and bathrooms in the hallway.
The twins, meanwhile, are personal rooms with bunk beds for two, whereas the doubles can host up to three people with an additional bed. Both start at ¥10,300 and come with a personal TV, bathroom and shower. All stays include breakfast at the hostel's The Round Cafe & Bar, located on the second floor right by the reception. The café is laptop-friendly, providing outlets and free wi-fi access for customers, and holds numerous events every week, including the 'local meets traveler' party where locals come in and mingle with tourists staying at Emblem. These events tend to get pretty big: around 200 people get together with beers in hand while local bands and DJs play live music.
Up on the third floor is a lounge where visitors can relax, chat with friends and socialise with fellow travellers, while you'll also find a Japanese-style garden, a shared kitchen and a coin laundry (¥300 for washing and drying). The list of facilities is rounded out by the ground-floor fitness gym, open around the clock and accessible for ¥500 per two hours. Another calorie-burning option comes in the form of the hostel's rental bike service – ¥700 gets you a ride for the day, while a four-hour rental costs ¥500. All in all, Emblem is much more than your average hostel: it's clean, has all the essential services, and even provides opportunities to meet locals and fellow travellers. You probably won't even want to leave.