A-gate Hotel Asahikawa

The rooms are large, clean and the staff are helpful, so it works fine for a one-night stop. The hotel feels more like a hostel, and it’s a bit dated and eccentric. It’s family friendly, with a Japanese-style breakfast buffet. There aren’t any restaurants within walking distance, and the hotel only has pot noodles, so plan ahead for dinner. I wouldn’t want to stay longer.

We had a great time here, and I’d recommend it to families. We’re a family of five with a two-year-old, and the room was roomy. Two floors were full of toys, which was a lovely surprise. There’s also a vending machine open from 3 to 10 pm.

The room had three separate little compartments for beds, each with its own TV and plugs. The bathroom was huge, with a bathtub and a separate sitting bath area, and the toilet was in its own room. It has more of a hostel feel than a hotel, with warm lighting, a low ceiling and a lobby full of things to do, including books, games, consoles and table tennis. I loved being able to pick from a whole range of shampoos. Snacks are free but only at certain times, drinks are available all day, and the paid breakfast was decent.

My parents picked a cute room with a tent inside. You can choose your own pajamas and shampoo too.