We prefer longer swaps for our central Tokyo flat

“We had beautiful time at Celia's place. it is greatly located in a quiet but central area just in front of a park with a great view. The apartment is very spacious and comfortable and Celia was taking care of us on every details. Very close to one of the main subway line, it was a perfect spot to live Tokyo as Japanese people do!”

“We were doing a 10-week simultaneous exchange with Celia and Satoshi, but had booked flights to maximise our 3-month visa for Japan, so we decided to add-on a points exchange to remain in their apartment once the classic exchange was finished - that's an indication of how much we enjoyed our stay. Please read our earlier review for more info.”

“WOW. Celia and Satoshi's apartment is a spacious haven in a wonderfully central location. We had a fabulous three months stay in Bunkyo, overlooking the park. The apartment is lovely and light and airy, and the pictures don't really depict it to be as big as it is. All the facilities are excellent - particularly the rice cooker (we've never had one before) and the ferocity of the gas cooker. We're a larger couple, so found the standard Japanese double-sized bed a bit 'neat', but found it comfortable to sleep on futons (of which there are loads) instead. The 12 mat tatami room just off the kitchen/dining area, was great for our guests - and it's at the other end of the long, narrow, apartment from the bedroom, so provides privacy. The location is perfect - the metro is 5 minutes walk up a slight hill, and from there it's a 10-minute ride, or 6 stops, to Tokyo Central station. GoogleMaps are brilliant in Japan, and make it an absolute breeze to get around (gives you the price of the metro journey and the exit to leave the station by) There are little 7/11's, Family Marts, Lawsons everywhere, and the supermarkets by the metro station are great, so shopping is a breeze. Oh, and Lawsons are the best places to withdraw cash as they all have money machines that accept Western debit cards. We loved our time in Tokyo - and highly recommend staying in Spring (March to May), but not summer as it rains a lot.”

“We had an amazing time at Celia's and Satoshi's wonderful place. The apartment is very comfortable and big compared to Japan standards and it is very close to both subway and supermarkets + a beautiful park, very convenient to explore this amazing city. Celia was a perfect guest, too, and we happily got to meet, which made this exchange even more successful! Thanks Celia and Satoshi, hope to see you soon again!”

“Celia's apartment was top notch. Located in a beautiful neighborhood just in front of a park it is huge for Japanese standards. The living area and the bedroom were cozy so was the tatami room. The balconies were stunning! The apartment is equipped with pretty much everything and Celia was a great host. She was always there for us whenever we had any questions. Our stay in Tokyo was awesome thanks to Celia and Satoshi. See you next year!”

“We feel very privileged to have stayed in Celia and Satoshi’s apartment. There were just two of us staying, but the apartment would work very well for two couples because the bedrooms are at either end of the apartment, which as others have said is very spacious for Japan. Originally two apartments, it has been delightfully and comfortably modernised and converted into one long apartment with tree views all along its main side. It is full of light and so quiet it was hard to believe we were so close to the centre of one of the largest capital cities in the world. We went everywhere we wanted using the incredibly clean and efficient metros and trains - and were just starting to work out where to make the best (ie. shortest!) connections between the many different lines when we had to leave. Someone should write a book on that! We enjoyed exploring the area surrounding the apartment and Myogadani station including trying to order food at several of the local restaurants, only one of which had a menu we could understand, but all of which had their own unique, local character with staff who wanted to help us enjoy our meal. And that is what made our stay so charming - it’s a completely local area and we seemed to be the only tourists around, yet all the sights were so easily accessible. Thank you so much, Satoshi and Celia, and particular thanks to Celia for being so helpful as we set up the swap. ”

“This was our first home swap and it was great. Celia was terrific to talk and communicate with and made sure that we had everything we needed; clear instructions on how to get there; offered suggestions of things to do; and answered all our questions. It was a very special experience to be able to stay in a residential area of Tokyo and see how families live away from the high energy tourist areas. The apartment is really well located to be able to explore Tokyo on the metro. and we were able to explore easily all the districts. Thank you for a wonderful stay.”

“The flat is exactly as described in the listing. It is spacious - plenty of room for 4 adults - and very well equipped. The location is wonderful - very quiet, looking over a park, but only 5 minutes walk to the train station (with a train every 3 minutes each way), so a short, easy trip everywhere...for example, Disney in less than an hour from leaving home. We had some wonderful experiences in Tokyo and were very lucky to have a lovely comfortable base to start from. Celia corresponded extremely well throughout, in person, via email and written information left in the flat for us.”

“This was my first home swap and I couldn't be happier. After years of travelling - happily staying at backpackers, relatives', dusty Airbnb's, and hosting couch surfers - I had an expectation that a free flat in Tokyo would be rather tiny, perhaps cluttered, and basic. Instead, our family of 6 were delighted to fine a designer, luxury, double size apartment in a gorgeous neighbourhood, overlooking a leafy park. No comfort was spared: air conditioning, European appliances, spookily clever toilet seats, fluffy quilts and towels, etc etc. Little touches such boxes of free toiletries and the loan of an iPad were the icing on the cake. The apartment was spotless and kept so by Celia's housekeeper in between guests. We did wash and clean before we left, out of courtesy, but knew the final touches would be done for us. Celia was an enthusiastic and eternally positive host and guest. She and Satoshi fitted into my home like locals and celebrated living in this crazy, noisy, artistic neighbourhood. And they offered to mind my dog for the full three weeks so he could stay in his home and get lots of love and attention. In fact I think he was a little disappointed when they left ... Our trip to Japan was a dream, in great part due to our wonderful home swap. ”

“We had such a fabulous time in Japan, what an amazing place and people are so nice. We enjoyed our stay at Celia's & Satoshi's apartment, it is very comfortable, close to everything you need and has the coolest toilet ever!! We hope to stay again as it was memorable especially seeing the Autumn leaves fall in the park opposite, thanks Satoshi it was perfect to see, we made it just in time.”

“The apartment is very spacious indeed - rare in Tokyo! Celia was very kind and obliging with information and advice at all times. We loved the location and really came to appreciate being right opposite a small park which gave us a lovely outlook of trees. Supermarkets and the metro are very close. ”

“This apartment is really well situated to access the Tokyo metro, just a short walk away, and there are supermarkets and convenience stores close by. Its leafy outlook opposite a park made it a very pleasant place to stay. Celia is a great communicator and arranged everything perfectly - including giving us useful information about how to get from the airport to the apartment. The apartment was exactly as described and is nice and spacious. We spent a wonderful three weeks enjoying the sights of Tokyo as well as other parts of Japan. We'd highly recommend this apartment and look forward to visiting again in the future!”

“Celia's property is modern and spacious. We loved spending time here, and its proximity to a major subway line is fantastic. But what we were really surprised about was how gorgeous the neighbourhood is, being right across the street from a lovely, green park as well as the area being so peacefully quiet! It left us very pleasantly surprised as to how people-focused the largest city in the world is.”

“It is a lovely property, very comfortable an cosy and good location. The metro stop is only 5 mins walk. Celia and Toshi are very nice couple and was always responding to all our emails very quickly. The apartment is a pretty good size for a Tokyo apt and has all the amenities. I will highly recommend it to other fellow love home swappers.”

“Celia & Satoshi were wonderful hosts, we couldn’t have been more impressed with their hospitality. Celia’s communication was excellent and the swap ran so smoothly. Their apartment was in a lovely neighbourhood, very quiet and peaceful and so well located close to the train station. Everything you want to do just a short train ride away. By Tokyo standards the apartment was super spacious with a beautiful view from each room across the treelined park. Super clean, well maintained and presented ready for guests. We couldn’t have been happier. I would highly recommend a stay at Celia & Satoshi’s place and we hope we can return again. We are forever grateful to them.”

“Celia's home was just charming. Lovely Japanese apartment close to the station and easy to get around. We too were greeted by the lovely housekeeper who showed us around and made us feel at home straight away. Celia was fantastic through out the whole process and we really enjoyed staying in her home. We hope to return in the summer and enjoy Japan in a whole new light!”

“Celia has been extremely nice and helpful. The house is a gem, neat and comfortable: a contemporary traditional japanese house. Quiet, overlooking a beautiful park, literally five minutes to the metro station. I felt immediately at home with Lorna the friendly house keeper that greeted me at my arrival and explained how everything works, which is simple and easy, how the perfect house should be. Hope to be back one day. Thank you Celia and Satoshi.”