COFFEE HOTEL Soundwave

For a longer stay, having a washer and kitchenette makes a big difference. If you're here for two weeks or more, you can pack less; four to six outfits worked comfortably for me. The suite is large for the price. The stairs are a little intimidating at first if you're on an upper floor, but I got used to them quickly. The bathroom is modern Japanese style, and the shower pod can also dry clothes, which is a nice bonus. Fujisawa station is about a ten-minute walk, with lots of shops and restaurants. For inexpensive prepared meals beyond the convenience stores, the Summit grocery store near the station has plenty of bento and other ready-to-eat food. There are lots of places to reach from here. Yokohama station is three stops away, and the Enoden green train leaves from Fujisawa. Ofuna is one stop away, with a connecting monorail to Enoshima that was among the fastest I've ever ridden. Totsuka station is also worth a look, with a cozy department store and good souvenirs at “blue bluette”. The Tokaido line goes from Fujisawa to Tokyo in one direction and Odawara in the other, where there's a great castle to visit if you have a free day.

After a tiring day exploring Kamakura, we got back after dark and claimed the complimentary beer. Sitting outside in the cafe/bar on a wooden chair, watching people walk home along the narrow street in the cool breeze and fading light, was a lovely way to wind down. Coffee Hotel Soundwave is also a coffee lover's dream. The lobby is in the Soundwave Coffeeshop and Bar, and guests get 120 of the house-roasted beans, with a V60 pour-over setup in the room. The room is spacious, with Japanese-style flooring and a bathroom. The bathroom is small but high-tech, with an automatic toilet seat, programmable fan, and very clean faucet. Google Translate helps with figuring out the controls. There's a top-loader washing machine, two beds on the second mezzanine floor, plus a microwave, oven, and sink. A five-minute walk takes you to OK Shop Everyday Low Price, where locals shop for groceries. Walking from Fujisawa Train Station to the hotel feels like stepping into a different pace of life. The fast trains and highways give way to a pretty, narrow single-lane street where cars yield to pedestrians and cute coffee shops, bars, hair salons, and fashion shops line the way. Even the hotel lobby feels like a cozy coffee shop. Fujisawa is a beautiful little town, the opposite of Tokyo. It's not a Ghibli movie, though it has that sort of surreal feel. Highly recommended for families visiting Fujisawa. Thank you!

We'd happily come back. The beds were fairly comfortable, and the quiet location has plenty of restaurants and eateries nearby. The OK branded supermarket farther up the road was much cheaper than buying food at a convenience store. Our room had a well-equipped kitchen. The utensils were clearly well used but still in good condition. There was room for two more people, though they'd have to climb a ladder to reach the loft beds, which might suit teenagers better than some others. The reception is part of the coffee shop next door, which opens at 10 a.m. A relaxing stay, around 3.5/5.

I really wish we'd booked extra days. The owner was so nice, and the place was quiet, with comfortable beds. There's a washer, and you can hang clothes to dry in the shower. It felt like more than just a hotel; the owner has put care into making it feel like a special luxury stay.