Asakusa Diary - The Staff Blog

Eating cheap at Sakura Hostel Asakusa [ Budget Advice ] Long Stay Discount ! Biggest Hostel in Tokyo

2013-05-21T00:00:00Z

Every traveler has a budget and food is one thing you may enjoy spending money on or NOT! If not let me introduce you to a cheap bento box we have in Asakusa.

It's called Delica Paku Paku located right on top of the Asakusa (Tsukuba Express) station only 5 minutes on foot from Sakura Hostel Asakusa

You may be familiar with these styles of bento box's that cost double the price at the local convenience store and made in a factory somewhere far away.

But here everything is all freshly made in the kitchen right behind the counter and placed outside on a table for you to pick!

Open 24 hours this is the perfect place for any backpackers or budget travelers to indulge in some Japanese food while saving money.

Biggest Hostel in Tokyo

Sakura Hostel Asakusa

【EVENT】SANJYA FESTIVAL 2013!!We joined with our guest:D -International hostel in Tokyo-

2013-05-20T06:49:06Z

Sanjya matsuri festival is finished yeaterday.

This festival is also known as Asakusa matsuri, and it is one of the biggest festival in Tokyo with a history of almost 700 years.

This festival is held every year in mid of May at Asakusa Shrine in Asakusa.

As most Japanese festival, participants carried the "Omikoshi(portable shrine)" around Asakusa area .

If you stay SAKURA HOSTEL ASAKUSA in these 2month,

you might met him .
Mr Martin is from UK and has travelled the world since August 2011.

He has been so many country (Mexico,Guatemala,Costarica,Ecuador,Peru,Bolivia,

Chile,Argentina,Thailand, New Zealand,Australia,India,Myanmar,Cambodia,Laos,Vietnam,Japan) .

He is very active, brimming with curiosity and joke-loving.

He loves Beer,,

and kids :D

We had a great time with him.

Mr Martin left our hostel this morning and heading to north Japan and China,

I hope his safety and great journey and come back one day :D

Ayumi Nukui

NEXT EVENT INFORMATION IS HERE

Big Group From South America [ Uruguay Introduction ] Sanja Matsuri Near Sakura Hostel Asakusa

2013-05-19T00:00:00Z

What a busy weekend it's has been at Sakura Hostel Asakusa, first we had all the attendees from all over Tokyo staying with us over the weekend for the Sanja Matsuri and today we will be greeting our lovely guests from Uruguay.

Recently we've had a few small groups come through from the same school in Uruguay but today's guests will be arriving all together and staying together <3

To celebrate we are holding a party at our hostel for Sakura House / Hotel guests! We will be eating all sorts of crazy food from Japan and Uruguay.

Please ask a staff member to find out more details about the events above and if you would like to sign up.

You can also make a booking as a group at any of our hotels, please have a look here. Our largest rooms at Sakura Hostel Asakusa are 8 bed room, perfect for school groups!

Biggest Hostel in Tokyo

Asakusa!

Sanja Matsuri [ Asakusa Guide ] Best and Biggest Hostel in Tokyo, Budget Travel Japan

2013-05-18T00:00:00Z

Heya! Japan is warming up and with every passing day it feels like summer is getting closer. For today's blog let me introduce you to a crazy matsuri that's happening right next door to Sakura Hostel Asakusa.

Called the Sanja Masturi held every third weekend in May to honor the founders of the Sensoji Temple.

The festival is so big that it attracts over a million people!!!

Weighing over a ton, these individual portable shrines cost over 300,000US dollar to make and require roughly 40 people to carry around!!

Do you like tattoos? Well if you do this is the perfect place to see Japanese ink done right!

If you're staying at Sakura Hostel Asakusa over this weekend, you must check it out!

Biggest Hostel in Japan!

Near Tokyo Sky Tree, Next to Sensoji Temple.

African Festival at Yokohama!!! Biggest Hostel in Tokyo @ Sakura Hostel Asakusa

2013-05-16T15:35:23Z

Hi! It's Manuel!

I'm back to Sakura Hostel Asakusa.^^

This past weekend I was go to Yokohama,

Every year takes place on Yokohama the African Festival.

You can try to eat food of differents parts of Africa,

Really very spicy and delicious!

There were many people of Africa, and many musicals performances!

Near the Festival place there is a coffee shop that I think is very curious.

On the roof there is a elephant trunk.

Hope that you have a nice weekend!

See you soon!!

[Staff] Making Uruguayan Gyouza! [Friendship Party]

2013-05-16T07:22:49Z

Today I made more than 100 of Gyouza with Ayumi :)

It's for SAKURA HOUSE & HOTEL Friendship Party on May 23.

But actually the fillings are different from Japanese Gyouza.

We made the Gyouza with these fillings!

Ham & Cheese!

That is because we'll welcome lots of Uruguayan guests to the party

and in South American countries people eat the snack like Gyouza.

The name of the food is Empanada and it's made with Ham & Cheese.

Once I made the small empanada (=Empanadita) with the past guest from Argentine.

At the party, the guests can enjoy this type of Gyouza & Japanese Gyouza :)

We are looking forward to the party !!

* Sorry, but this event is ONLY for SAKURA HOUSE & HOTEL'S GUESTS.

*こちらのイベントはサクラハウス契約者及びサクラホテル宿泊者の方のみ

ご参加が可能となっております。ご了承くださいませ。

Norway Guest Introduction!! [ Volume 1 ] Biggest Hostel in Tokyo @ Sakura Hostel Asakusa

2013-05-15T00:00:00Z

For today's blog I'll be introducing you to our lovely guest from Norway Pia M Johansen, she's 24 and already a music composer! Travelling around Japan to be inspired by the beautiful landscape and deep culture of this land.

She has participated in many of our events which include the Yomodakai ( Cooking Event ), Kimono dress up event and Temaki sushi party.

Tonight was her last night at Sakura Hostel Asakusa so I asked her a few questions regarding her time in Japan.

What was your favorite thing about Japan!?

Everything from green tea to the people! they are so pretty and respectful and they take care of each other.

What did you like about your stay at Sakura Hostel Asakusa?

The staff are great and made me feel at home and they are open to crazy ideas and I like that.

What was your best experience in Japan?

Chatting with old Japanese ladies at the Sukiya Onsen in Aomori and eating Yaki Imo late at night.

Seeing the Kabuki and Sumo for the first time in my life took my breadth away.

In total she stayed with us for over a month and is heading back home today!

We look forward to having her stay with us in the near future.

No.1 Hostel in Tokyo

Biggest and Best Priced in Japan

[Event] SAKURA HOTELS & HOUSE Friendship Party [ May 23, 2013 ]

2013-05-14T00:39:20Z

We, Sakura Hotel & Hostel welcome people from more than 100 countries every year.

And our sister company Sakura House also have the residents from all over the world.

Sakura Hostel Asakusa will hold the party for them to know each other!

[Date & Time] May 23 (Thu), 2013 6PM-8PM

[Location] SAKURA HOSTEL ASAKUSA's Lobby [MAP]

[Fee] 1,000 YEN (All you can Eat & Drink!)

This party will be organized to have an opportunity for Sakura House & Hotel guests

to meet new people and broaden the network.

Also we'll welcome a students' group from Uruguay to this party.

The ambassador of Uruguay will join the party as a special guest!

In the party, we'll serve these foods and drinks!

Gyouza (Japanese style & Uruguayan style), Temaki Sushi,

Youkan (small jelly of Japanese sweat beans),

Japanese beers, Wines, Pimms cocktail, Yerba Mate(Uruguayan popular tea) and so on :)

Let's make new network with other Sakura customers

and share fun time!

*This event is ONLY for SAKURA HOTELS' GUESTS

& SAKURA HOUSE'S RESIDENT.

こちらのイベントはサクラハウス契約者及び、

サクラホテル＆ホステル宿泊者のみ参加を受け付けております。

ご了承くださいませ。

-----------------------------------------------

International Guesthouse in Tokyo!

Dormitory - 2,940 YEN (1 night)

-----------------------------------------------

[staff] The last day of my work

2013-05-13T12:00:00Z

Good day, readers. I'm Tomoyuki.

Today is a sad day for me, it's........................, my last working day at Sakura Hostel Asakusa.

I came this hostel almost 2 years ago, when a very big earthquake occurred.

I feel sad to leave this hostel and my great co-workers.

When I came here, I was just a trainee and couldn't any questions from the guests, but I can do thanks to my seniors.

The reason I applied for this job was that I wanted to communicate with a lot of guests all over the world.

As my wish above, I could achieve it.

Surrounded by nice and great guests and staff, it was a really enjoyable work.

Hanami party

Nabe (hot pot) party

Sumida river fireworks

I joined many seasonal events here and made many friends with other guests.

That was a great fascination of this hostel.

After leaving this hostel, I will go to Australia and experience farm stay, or work at a lodge.

If you come to Australia, you may see me.

Finally I do appreciate my great co-workers for everything these 2 years.

Naoto, Tomo, Kyoko, Johrel

Hiro

Kento, Manuel and Ayumi

Thank you so much for work with me !! You are all great !!

I had great times indeed with you

I hope to see you again someday. Until the day, bye bye :-)

Come and see us at a great hostel in Asakusa

【World cuisine】DOLMA is a wonderful dish from Turkey !! -international hotel in tokyo -

2013-05-12T07:14:04Z

Mr　Hairi who is a friend of our guest Mr Cetin taught me how to cook Turkish dish.

HAYRI is a professional chef of 22 years career and cooked wonderful cuisine us with big smile.

The name of the cuisine is Dolma.

Dolma means wrapping n Turkish.

Put a ingredients in the various vegetable.

The way of the cooking is simple but very interesting.

Hollowing out a inside of vegetable...

He is a friend of Mr Hayri.

Putting ingredients into vegetable..

Simmer about 30 minutes.

Decorating with sauce and spices..and done!

Today I saw many guys cooking their dishes.

They fed me :D

It was like a Potluck Party and had fun!

If you know your countries dish recipe, please let me know and let's cook together!

I cooked DOLMA at home for mothers day :D

[Event] Monthly Shodo Workshop [ May 12, 2013 ]

2013-05-10T23:30:00Z

Our popular monthly event, SHODO WORKSHOP will be held on May 12 (SUN)!

You can experience Japanese Calligraphy for FREE :)

Why don't you join us?

As usual we'll invite the volunteer staff from PEACE

and they'll teach how to write the participant's name in Kanji by the Japanese Calligraphy Style!

For seeing the photos of the last time, go to this link!

【Date】 May 12 (Sunday) 6PM

【Place】 SAKURA HOSTEL ASAKUSA's lobby

【Fee】 FREE!

* This event is ONLY for SAKURA HOUSE'S RESIDENTS or SAKURA HOTEL & HOSTEL'S CUSTOMERS.

Let's learn Japanese Calligraphy together <3

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Long Stay Discount is available all the year!

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Fun Day at Sakura Hostel Asakusa! [ Budget Accommodation ] Close to Sensoji Temple & Tokyo Sky Tree

2013-05-09T04:41:46Z

First hot hot day of the year, walking through Asakusa to work today reminded me of my first day at Sakura Hostel Asakusa!

If you've stayed at our hostel recently you would know that I've been mostly on night shifts, but today I'm finally doing a day shift!

Started the day off with Tom's dessert and a cup of tea, refreshing like a coffee in the morning but Japanese style XD

This is what it looked like if you didn't see the previous blog!

The finished product! How good does it look?

Next thing I know our staff Ayumi was cooking up a storm with our guest from Turkey. He brought some friends over to show us how to cook some tradtional dishes from his home country.

Our new guests from Canada, enjoying the fresh produce from the supermarket. Eating it Japanese style RAW!! They were loving it!!

First time trying out some raw Octopus! Epic moment caught on film, he liked the texture but not sure if his a fan XD

The lobby smelt like raw fish, turkish food and Korean bbq made by our guest Andrew from Canada.

Sexy Food Photo Of The Day

First bite reaction caught on camera.

International Hostel in Tokyo

How to make Yokan (sweet redbean paste jelly)

2013-05-08T05:14:18Z

Good afternoon !

Do you like Japanese sweets such as yokan (red bean jelly), senbei (rice cracker) and so on ?

I (Tomoyuki) do like them !! They match green tea. You have experienced it haven't you ?

And I guess you buy them when you feel like eating.

But it costs money unfortunately.

Then don't you feel like cooking it by yourself ? Senbei is difficult, but Dango (rice dumpling) and Yokan are easy to make even by yourself.

Today I will introduce to you how to make Yokan.

We cooked it here at Sakura Hostel Asakusa.

Ingredients (for 10 people)

1: Anko (sweet redbean paste) 1 kg

2: Agar 8 g

3: Sugar as much as you like

4: Water 500 ml

Step

1: Pour water, put agar in it and mix

2: Put Anko in it

3: Blend it with heating

Stir

Mix !!

4: Taste the anko and feel you still need sugar, put some

5: Make sure to achieve this hardness, then pour into a mold

6: Cool it in a refrigerator and cut then eat !!

Enjoy your stay in Tokyo here with us !!

How to roll "TEMAKI SUSHI" -international hostel in tokyo-

2013-05-07T04:48:59Z

Do you know How to enjoy Sushi at home?

There are a few way to cook sushi by yourself.

Let me introduce how to roll TEMAKI SUSHI( handy roll sushi).

It is really simple and easy, so good to enjoy with many people.

http://www3.mizkan.co.jp/sapari/menu/cook/recipe/index.asp?id=2841

Wash your hand and dry them well.

Put a thin layer of rice on the seaweed.

Place the seaweed (shiny side down) on the palm of your hand.

Lay the ingredients, diagonally, in the middle of the rice.

The choice of ingredients is up to the person,

and there are many varieties of temaki that include vegetables and goodies, such as , cucumber, egg, cheese etc.

Roll the temaki by bending your hand so that it starts to fold in onto itself.

Tuck the end in and finish off by rolling it into a cone shape. To keep the cone together take one kernel of rice and squash it into the corner.

This will stick the end down, holding the Nori in position.

Roll the temaki by bending your hand so that it starts to fold in onto itself.

Tuck the end in and finish off by rolling it into a cone shape.

To keep the cone together take one kernel of rice and squash it into the corner.

This will stick the end down, holding the Nori in position.

and the point is......

・Put a thin layer of rice on the seaweed.
・Dip your fingers in water first to make the sticky rice easier to handle .
・Eat the Temaki as soon as it is prepared

We sometimes take place TEMAKI SUSHI PARTY EVENT at SAKURA HOSTEL ASAKUSA.
next event is SUMO & CHANKO PARTY.
2013/May/14
Sumo Tour & Chanko Lunch Party May 14th

Spots you May Miss in Asakusa [ Sakura Hostel Asakusa ] Long or Short Stay Biggest Hostel in Tokyo

2013-05-05T13:23:12Z

Asakusa being one of the most popular tourist spot in Tokyo, in today's blog I'll introduce you to three places which you may miss during your time here.

Obviously you all know about the Tokyo Sky Tree and Sensoji temple situated near our hostel but on this blog let me show you some places that you might not know about!

Demboin Garden

A 12,200 square meter garden which unfortunately isn't open to the public. But you can check it via

the walking path encircling the pond. The Demobin is the actual residence of the head priest of Senso-ji, commmonly

used for priests to offer prayers for the dead and where ceremonies are performed.

Chingodo Shrine

Supposedly a bunch of racoons moved into the area and made a mess of the temple grounds thus in 1872 they dedicated the shrine to them. The tanuki are regarded as being mischief makers and shape shifters! Believed to protect the shrine from fires and burglars also.

Hanayashiki Amusement Park

The oldest amusement park in Japan, it was first opened as a flower park back in 1853. If you've a few hours to kill, I suggest checking it out. Pictures can be taken from our hostel on the top floor even if you don't want to go inside.

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