Akita Castle Hotel

I liked how friendly and attentive the staff were, and the hotel is well placed for seeing Akita, near the castle moat and other sights. The rooms feel modern, clean, and roomy, and there’s underground parking. I wasn’t keen on the restaurant, though. Its food and selection didn’t feel up to the rest of the hotel’s standard. Still, I’d recommend staying here in Akita.

The breakfast buffet has local specialties like KIritampo (rice dumpling stew), Inaniwa Udon, and Iburi Gakko, and the rice from Akita Prefecture is said to be especially good in Japan. I was surprised to find an original Pablo Picasso painting in the lobby, though photos aren’t allowed. The room was clean and comfortable, and the building has a convenience store. It’s beside a park and the art museum, so nights are quiet, though it’s about a 10-minute walk from the station.

The room was spacious, and the tabletop mirror meant I could use the study desk as a makeup spot. I had a quiet stay in Akita. The car park was handy, with access to the car at any time, but there’s no lift from the parking area to the hotel lobby.

Being right by an art museum and a few shops made it easy to find places to eat and browse, and the train station is only about a five-minute taxi ride away. The 7-Eleven is connected to the hotel, which came in handy when I missed lunch because the restaurants close between lunch and dinner. It also has an ATM, useful since some places outside Tokyo don’t take cards. The staff were helpful. They don’t speak much English, but I managed with the few words I know and Google Translate. The hotel feels dated and the rooms, though clean, were stuffy. The humidifier helped, but was too noisy to leave on overnight. The bathroom was small but practical, and the bath and shower together were slippery. It’s an older place, so don’t expect new amenities or a fresh, modern feel.