Heiwadai Hotel Arato

The location is a real plus, right among the best cherry blossom spots, so it works for a low-cost visit during blossom season. The hotel itself was cheap and nothing special, with a small room that felt a little dated. Breakfast was mediocre, but in Japan I’d rather eat elsewhere. There’s an exceptional bakery nearby. I wouldn’t go out of my way to book this place, though I wouldn’t rule it out.

The building looks its age, with some worn walls, but it was clean. The entrance is on the second floor, and the train station is a short walk away. For the price, having breakfast included is a nice extra, and the location is very convenient. The facilities aren’t especially modern or attractive, but it’s a sensible choice for a budget stay. The staff were kind and helpful. They arranged luggage shipping at a fair price and kept our bags for five days without charging us. We’d recommend it to travelers looking for an affordable, well-placed place to stay.

The room was extremely small, with awful lighting. The fridge wasn’t useful, and the things I put in it went bad. There was no service to speak of, and none of the staff spoke English. The worst part happened twice: cleaning staff came into my room while I was there, without permission. The first time I was asleep. I yelled no, but the cleaner still went ahead and cleaned the bathroom. That evening I told someone at the front desk, and he was cold and offered no apology. Another staff member apologized when I raised it with him, but the next day it happened again at 10 a.m. I was awake that time, and the cleaner realized the mistake and apologized. Why did staff enter my room twice? Should guests be told not to be in their rooms after 10? This was the most horrifying hotel experience of my life, especially traveling solo.

I don’t like leaving a low rating, but other budget travelers should know what to expect. The building is old, the room is small by Japan standards, and it smelled of tobacco. We were lucky to have a window, so we opened it to just barely tolerate the smell. It’s cheap, but I think you can find much better hotels. I really wouldn’t recommend it if you don’t smoke and have a sensitive nose like us.