Heisei Hotel

It was okay.

The place was clean, and the room seemed to have been renovated fairly recently. It was a reasonable deal given how much accommodation prices have gone up, though there are a lot of limitations. There's no closet, just a couple of wall hooks and hangers, and the TV is small, around 16 inches. The desk is cramped, so putting a computer there leaves little room to eat. There was just one outlet shared with other appliances such as the TV, which made me uneasy about running a hair dryer and kettle together. The toilet had no bidet seat, and there was no unit bath. The faucet has two separate controls, so getting the temperature right may be tricky. Internet was slow enough that 4K video was difficult to watch. Kawashima Station is nearby. The closest 7-Eleven is about 700 meters away, and Tairaya supermarket is around the same distance. Walk a little farther and you'll reach a road with shops, including electronics stores.

After several nights here for work, I can't recommend the hotel. The room had black mold on the bathroom wall and insects in it, and the shower was uncomfortable: the rinse-in shampoo left my hair squeaky, while water sprayed from the shower head in different directions. The only microwave was on the first floor, and there was only a bare minimum of amenities, so bring what you need. I borrowed a charger, though I can't say whether it would work separately, since that's how it was at some hotels. The entrance felt unbearably hot as soon as I came in, with a vending machine there. The parking area was awkward, with slanted spaces like at a highway rest stop and an uneven surface. It was easy to trip, so you had to watch your step. Walking from the station is fine, though. Breakfast has to be booked ahead. I didn't feel like eating there, and the sample photo outside the dining room didn't make it look appealing. There was so much stuff piled on the table that I couldn't work calmly. I don't mind alcohol vending machines on certain floors, but the other issues added up. This was the worst meal-free hotel I've stayed in. I'd rather stay by a station in the city and travel over, or even sleep in an internet cafe, manga cafe, or super bathhouse where you can nap. It was a huge disappointment, even if you're broke.

The room was clean and had enough space that another bed could probably fit alongside the desk and single bed. I was glad to find complimentary coffee by the first-floor elevator, and there were several pillow types downstairs that guests could take up to their rooms. The price was affordable, which I appreciated. I had booked a smoking room despite not smoking. The cigarette smell was so strong that my throat hurt the next morning.