My home away from home in Tokyo (I've stayed 7 or 8 times since 2002 ... I had to choose Feb2010 because there were no applicable choices for me). Convenient location, but tucked away from the rush. It's Japanese and very nice, quiet and simple. Perfect for travellers who need a place to rest after exploring a wonderful, very beautiful city. And the people who host you, they're really nice. Those are some of the reasons I like the Fukudaya.

My friend and I stayed inside a Western style standard room with twin beds. We took a limousine bus from Haneda airport to Shibuya station and took a taxi from there because it was late at night but it was very closeby. The name of the hotel is a bit misleading as it is more like a nice inn run by a family rather than a hotel. An old man helped us check in and we paid with credit card even though they prefer cash payment. The restrooms and shower are public so it felt like we were in a co-ed college dorm. The room itself was decent for the price. It had a tv, free wi-fi internet, clean towels, Japanese style bathrobes and a tea set. Sleep quality wasn't great because the walls are a bit thin and the beds themselves weren't all that comfortable but for the price, I didn't expect anything stellar. The hotel is about a 10-15 minute walk from Shibuya station so it was in a fairly convenient location. We stayed out until late at night and ended up taking taxis from wherever we were to the hotel but I would highly recommend public transportation because taxis are very expensive (710 yen or about $8 is the base price for taxis). Overall, I would stay at this hotel for its price and location. It wasn't amazing but it was clean and affordable.

My wife and i stayed at Hotel Fukudaya in August 2010, the hottest August on record in Japan (literally). We were sight-seeing and attending a conference at the University of Tokyo, Komaba Campus.

For access to Shibuya and/or the University of Tokyo, the location is great (not too close and not too far). The Shinsen Station on the Keio Line, which goes to the University, is within easy walking distance, even in the oppressive heat of 2010. In normal temperatures, walking to Shibuya would be feasible. However, dragging luggage up the hill from Shibuya Station would be difficult, and people unfamiliar with the area will be hard-pressed to find their way.

No cab drivers will be able to find the hotel using the address, but many will know it by name. Notably few taxi drivers speak English (or even read Romaji characters), so try to have the name and neighborhood (Aobadai) in Kanji and/or Katakana/Hiragana (consult your guidebook). If you insist on taking a bus with all your luggage, go to the West Bus Terminal and hop the 21, or any bus stopping at Dogenzaka and get off at the second stop.

The staff at the hotel was incredibly welcoming and friendly. At least one staff member speaks English (most do not), but all are willing to work with whatever Japanese you have to offer.

This was our first hotel in Japan and we were somewhat unsure of what to expect. We had read warnings regarding tiny rooms, Japanese-style toilets and baths, etc. Naturally, the rooms in Fukudaya are small, but perhaps larger than others in Tokyo. The rooms (we stayed in two because we unexpectedly extended our stay) were very clean and comfortable. Both were Japanese style with tatami floors. The first room (111) had an ensuite bath, which was clean and not particularly unusual by Western standards. The second room (221) had a lavatory, but shared shower right outside the door. The shared shower was clean and quite large. Notably, the first room (111) shared a wall with the lobby and a wall and window with the street. We never noted any significant noise.

All of our subsequent hotels in Japan are now compared in relation to the high bar set by Fukudaya and none are better.

Have stayed at Fukudaya three times. It is reasonably priced and reasonably close to the Shibuya transportation hub. Friendly staff. Good food shops and restaurants in the neighborhood. Rooms are comfortable and well air conditioned.