This post contains affiliate links, which means that at no additional cost to you, if you click on one of the product links, we may earn a commission.

On our latest trip to Tokyo, we decided to stay in a different neighborhood and booked a room at MIMARU Tokyo Akasaka. We had already stayed at a MIMARU property in Osaka before and liked the concept, so we were curious to see how the Akasaka location would compare.

MIMARU hotels are known for their larger rooms, apartment-style layouts, and family-friendly setup. Since we were traveling with three people, we wanted a hotel room that gave us more space than the typical compact Tokyo hotel room. We also wanted to explore Akasaka, which has a more relaxed, local feel compared to areas like Shibuya and Shinjuku.

Overall, we enjoyed our stay, but there were definitely a few things we would do differently next time. Here is our honest review of MIMARU Tokyo Akasaka, including the room, location, amenities, and whether we would stay here again.

Why We Chose MIMARU Tokyo Akasaka

The biggest reason we chose MIMARU Tokyo Akasaka was the room size. Tokyo hotel rooms can be very small, especially if you are traveling with more than two people. MIMARU is designed more for families and groups, so their rooms usually feel more spacious and practical.

Akasaka Neighborhood Yokocho — A Side Street near our hotel

Akasaka Neighborhood Nightlife — Nightlife in Akasaka

We also liked that this property was in Akasaka. We have stayed in other Tokyo neighborhoods before, including busier areas like Ginza and Shinjuku, but this time we wanted to experience a slightly quieter side of Tokyo.

Akasaka has more of a business district feel, but it still has plenty of restaurants, cafes, convenience stores, and subway access. It felt less touristy than some of the more famous Tokyo neighborhoods, which made it a nice change of pace.

The Room We Booked

For this stay, we booked the Japanese-style room with a tatami area. There was also a regular apartment-style room available, but we thought the Japanese-style room would be more fun and maybe more comfortable since it came with futon bedding instead of sofa beds.

Mimaru Akasaka 430 Square Feet Room — 430 Square Feet Room

The room was about 430 square feet, which is very spacious for Tokyo. It had two twin beds pushed together on one side, a tatami room in the middle, a small kitchen, a separate toilet room, and a Japanese-style shower and bath area.

TV Console and desk — TV Console and Desk Corner

At first glance, the layout looked great for a group of three. There was enough room for us to spread out, do our makeup, and relax after being out all day. But after staying in the room, we realized the tatami layout had a few drawbacks.

The Tatami Room: Nice Idea, But We Would Skip It Next Time

We loved the idea of having a tatami room, especially since we grew up in Japan and are familiar with traditional tatami spaces. However, this tatami area did not feel as authentic or comfortable as we expected.

The flooring felt very hard and did not have the soft, natural feel we usually associate with tatami. It also did not have that fresh tatami scent, which made it feel less traditional.

Setting up a futon — Getting the futon ready

The futon bedding was stored in the closet area, and each night we had to take it out, move the coffee table, and set up the sleeping area ourselves. That is not a huge deal if you are used to it, but it does require a little extra effort.

Laying in a bed and futon — Ready for Bedtime

The tatami area also took up a lot of valuable room space. Because of the layout, we did not have as much space for luggage as we expected. Our suitcases had to stay on the floor near the beds, which made it a little tricky to walk around at night or early in the morning.

If we stayed here again, we would probably book the regular apartment-style room instead of the tatami room.

The Beds and Comfort Level

The two twin beds were pushed together, so they looked almost like one larger bed, but they were still two separate mattresses.

Two twin beds pushed together — TWo Twin beds pushed together

The beds were not the most comfortable. The mattresses were very firm with almost no bounce, and the pillows were just okay. After walking around Tokyo all day, we still slept, but this was not one of those hotel beds we looked forward to getting into at night.

Mimaru Akasaka Hotel Bedroom — Twin Beds facing the Tatami room

If you like a firm mattress, you might be fine. But if you have back issues or prefer a softer bed, this is something to keep in mind.

Mimaru Akasaka Hotel Twin Beds — Two TWin Beds

The twin beds were also on the smaller side, which is common in Japan. One of us is 5’9” and fit comfortably lengthwise, but someone around six feet tall might feel like the bed is too short or narrow.

What We Liked About the Room

One thing we really appreciated was how convenient the room was for charging devices and controlling the lights. There were outlets and USB ports by the bed, and the light switches were easy to reach from the sleeping area.

Air purifier in a hotel room — Air Purifier

Bedroom Light Panel — USB ports and light control on the bed

The room also had a full-length mirror, which we used for outfit checks, and there was an outlet nearby that made it easy to do hair. There was also an air purifier and humidifier, which was especially nice during the colder months.

The windows had shoji-style sliding panels and blinds, so we were able to make the room very dark at night.

The Kitchen Was Very Convenient

The small kitchen is one of the best features of MIMARU hotels, especially for families or longer stays.

Mimaru Akasaka Hotel Trash Bins — Trash bins

Our room had an induction stove, microwave, refrigerator, freezer, kettle, plates, bowls, mugs, silverware, chopsticks, cooking utensils, pots, pans, and even knives. There was also a child lock for the drawer with knives, which was a thoughtful safety feature for families traveling with younger kids.

We did not cook full meals during our stay, but it was still helpful to have the refrigerator, kettle, dishes, and extra space. Our sister used the kettle for tea in the morning and evening, and there were complimentary tea bags available downstairs in the lobby.

Mimaru Akasaka Hotel Kitchen — Drawer filled with Dishware

There were also convenience stores nearby, including a 7-Eleven and Lawson, so it would be easy to grab food and eat in the room if you did not want to go out for every meal.

The Bathroom Setup

The bathroom setup was very typical for Japan, with the toilet separate from the sink and shower area. We always appreciate this layout when traveling with multiple people because it makes getting ready easier.

Mimaru Akasaka Hotel Tokyo Toilet — Toilet

Mimaru Akasaka Hotel Toilet Control Panel — Toilet Control Panel

The toilet room featured a modern Japanese toilet with built-in bidet functions. The sink area was on the smaller side, offering limited counter space for our toiletries and everyday items, and towels were replenished daily. This is exactly where those hanging toiletry bags prove so handy.

Mimaru Akasaka Hotel Tokyo Shower — Shower entrance

Mimaru Akasaka Hotel Room Sink Area — Sink area

The shower and bath area was Japanese-style, which means you shower first and then use the bathtub for soaking. The bathtub was deep, which made it nice for relaxing at the end of the day.

The shower pressure and water temperature were good, but the shower head was a little annoying because it was hard to adjust and did not stay in place easily. It kept turning in a direction we did not want, which made washing hair more frustrating than it should have been.

Mimaru Akasaka Hotel Toiletries — Shampoo, Conditioner, and soap

Mimaru Akasaka Hotel Room Bathtub — Bath and Shower

The shampoo, conditioner, and body wash were provided, but they were not our favorite hotel products. They worked fine, but they did not feel especially high quality.

A Few Things Felt Lower Quality

Even though the room was spacious and well-designed, some of the smaller details felt lower quality than expected.

Mimaru Akasaka Hotel Tokyo Kitchen — Kitchen

The trash cans were one example. The main trash can in the kitchen area felt flimsy and had to be opened by hand. The bathroom trash can was also extremely small, which was inconvenient for three people sharing a room.

The tatami flooring also felt like a lower-quality version of what we were expecting. The overall design of the room looked nice, but some of the materials and finishes did not feel as nice as the design made them appear.

Mimaru Akasaka Hotel Tatami Room — tatami Room

Mimaru Akasaka Hallway Closet — Hallway Closet

None of these things ruined our stay, but they were noticeable, especially since this hotel is not exactly a budget hotel.

Check-In and Staff

Check-in was one of the best parts of our stay. We arrived around 12:30 p.m., and check-in was officially at 3:00 p.m. In Japan, hotels are usually very strict about check-in times, so we were fully expecting to leave our luggage and come back later.

To our surprise, our room was already ready, and they let us check in early without us even asking. Since it was raining that day, this was such a nice surprise.

Mimaru Akasaka Hotel Tokyo Lobby — Lobby

The staff also spoke English very well, which could be a big plus for travelers who are worried about the language barrier. We speak Japanese, so it is not something we personally need, but we noticed that the English level here was much stronger than at many other hotels we have stayed at in Japan.

The staff were also very helpful with recommendations. There was a cute board in the lobby with staff picks for places to eat and things to do nearby. Each staff member had a little illustrated character, which made it feel personal and fun. There was also a QR code and a recommendation book with cafes, restaurants, and sightseeing ideas.

Mimaru Akasaka Hotel Staff Recommendations — Staff Recommendations

One of their breakfast recommendations ended up being really helpful because it can be hard to find dine-in cafes open early in Japan. They suggested a nearby coffee shop that opened around 6:30 a.m., and we ended up going there twice.

Amenities and Laundry

Amenities are not placed in the room automatically. Instead, you can grab what you need from the lobby area or request items at check-in.

Akasaka Mimaru Hotel Lobby Shelf — Shelf with a selection of tea, pajamas, and hotel information

They had things like pajamas, Q-tips, lotion, face wash, and tea bags available. We actually like this system because you only take what you need.

There is also a laundry room, which we utilized. The washer was ¥400, and detergent was automatically dispensed by the machine, so we did not have to buy any separately.

Mimaru Akasaka Hotel Laundry Room — Laundry Room

We did not use the dryer because we prefer to hang dry certain clothes. After washing, we brought everything back to the room and hung it in the bathroom, where there was a long rod in the shower area. Everything dried within about a day.

Rooftop Terrace

The hotel advertises its rooftop terrace, but in reality this turned out to be the most underwhelming part of our stay.

We went up to check it out, but there was not much to see. There were only a couple of basic outdoor furniture pieces, and the space was not decorated in a way that made us want to hang out there.

Mimaru Akasaka Rooftop Terrace — Sat down for a second to take a pic

The view was okay, but the railings blocked a lot of the photo potential. It was fine for a quick look, but we would not choose this hotel for the rooftop terrace.

Luggage Delivery Service

One of the most convenient services at this hotel was luggage delivery. The hotel can help ship your luggage to your next destination, whether that is another hotel, a residence, or the airport.

This is especially helpful if you are traveling with larger suitcases and do not want to deal with carrying them through train stations.

Inside Akasaka Station — Akasaka Station

walking down stairs with luggage — There were no escalators at this exit

You do need to plan ahead, especially if you want same-day delivery. The hotel seemed to advertise same-day service mostly for other hotels or airports. For residential addresses, it may take longer, but the staff explained everything clearly.

Private Airport Shuttle Option

We also noticed that the hotel offered a private airport shuttle service for groups. There were options for Haneda and Narita, with different pricing depending on the number of passengers.

Mimaru Akasaka Tokyo Hotel Closet — Luggage in our room

Akasaka streets with luggage — Street leading to our hotel

For families or groups with a lot of luggage, this could be worth looking into. It is not included in the room rate, but the prices looked reasonable when split between several people.

This is another example of how MIMARU really seems to cater to families and groups.

The Location in Akasaka

The location was one of the highlights of our stay.

Akasaka has a calmer feel, but it still has a lot going on. There are tons of restaurants, cafes, izakayas, and convenience stores nearby. We never felt like we had to go far to find something to eat.

Akasaka Fox Shrine — Toyokawa Inari Betsuin

The subway station was also nearby, which made it easy to get around Tokyo.

Akasaka is a business district, so you will see a lot of office workers, especially during the morning and evening commute. But we liked that. It made the area feel more local and less touristy.

Akasaka Tokyo Little House Coffee — Tokyo Little House Coffee SHop

If you are a Harry Potter fan, Akasaka is also a fun place to stay because the nearby station area has a whole Harry Potter theme. There is a Harry Potter store, cafe, theater area, and themed decor around the station. We are not huge Harry Potter fans, but it was still fun to see.

Akasaka Harry Potter Witches Hat — Fun Harry POtter Photo Spots

Akasaka Harry Potter Station — Akasaka Train Station

What we liked most was that Akasaka felt more relaxed. We were not constantly fighting through crowds, and we did not see the same level of tourist congestion that you get in popular Tokyo destinations.

Who This Hotel Is Best For

MIMARU Tokyo Akasaka is a good choice if you are traveling with:

Families with kids
Groups of three or more
Travelers who want more space
People who want a kitchen in the room
Visitors who prefer a quieter Tokyo neighborhood
Travelers who want strong English-speaking support from hotel staff

Would We Stay at MIMARU Tokyo Akasaka Again?

Overall, we had a good stay at MIMARU Tokyo Akasaka. The staff were wonderful, the location was convenient, and the room had a lot of practical features for a group.

That said, we would not book the tatami room again. The idea was nice, but the tatami area did not feel as authentic or comfortable as we hoped, and it took up space that could have been used more efficiently.

MIMARU Akasaka Hotel Entrance — MIMARU Hotel Entrance

Akasaka Mimaru Hotel Tatami Room — tea time in the tatami room

Next time, we would choose the regular apartment-style room instead.

We would consider staying at this hotel again if we were traveling with a group or family and wanted to stay in Akasaka. It is not a luxury hotel, and a few details felt lower quality, but the space, service, and location made it a solid option for Tokyo.

If you are looking for a spacious hotel room in a calmer Tokyo neighborhood, MIMARU Tokyo Akasaka is worth considering, especially if you are traveling with more than two people.