SUNDAY peace room 中島 #24

We were only able to stay one night. We arrived late, then moved to a nearby hotel first thing the next morning because the apartment was too uncomfortable for two more nights. It cost us quite a bit, and it’s the only time I’ve ever left a place like that. The location is excellent, just a stone’s throw from the Peace memorial. But the apartment looked nothing like the website photos and felt very old and dated. Paint was peeling from the doorframes, and torn wallpaper had been patched with sticky tape in lots of places. It was also dirty: stains on a bedroom door handle that clearly hadn’t been cleaned in a long time, stains on the tatami mats, dirt in the bathroom, and mold all over the grout in the shower.

The only issue for us was traffic noise at night. Otherwise, the rooms were a good size and the location worked well for everything we wanted to see. There’s a great kitchen area and the beds were comfortable. It’s just a hotel room, not a B&B. Staff weren’t on site, but when we asked questions they got back to us within half a day. I’d definitely recommend the place.

We stayed in the winter of 2024, and the cold was a major problem. The apartment had no insulation, and the air conditioners were set to maximum when we arrived but clearly weren’t working. We tried to troubleshoot, without success, and ended up relying on a space heater that barely helped. Having to depend on one like that felt quite dangerous; I’ve lived in old Japanese houses before, and this indoor temperature didn’t seem normal to me. Road noise also came through a lot, though that’s not uncommon in Japanese buildings. The flat had several double beds and a sofa bed, and visitors received clear instructions in English and Japanese. But the facilities were quite old, and cleaning was poor: there was dirt in many places, the cups and glasses were dusty, and the bathroom walls had visible mold. The temperature and lack of upkeep seriously affected our stay. We wouldn’t choose this apartment again, and I can’t recommend it.

The Peace room felt like a nice home away from home. The host was warm and hospitable, and she replied to messages very quickly. She runs a wonderful Airbnb. The location worked really well, about 20 minutes to Hiroshima station by walking and tram, and only a 5-10 minute walk from the Peace Museum and A-bomb dome.