Imabari Kokusai Hotel

The view is nice and the food was pretty good. It’s a surprisingly good stay, with a great location and an old-school hotel that still feels fancy. The mattress could maybe be replaced.

There’s plenty of room to move around here, and the bathtub was big enough to lie down in, something I hadn’t had in a room in Japan before. From the higher floors, you can get a splendid view over the city and perhaps the Shiminami Kaido too. The hotel is an older building, but it and the rooms are still in pristine condition. It’s right at the city’s heart and stands out as the first thing you see of Imabari when coming from the Shiminami Kaido.

The staff were cheerful, polite, and very helpful. Even when we didn’t share much language, they made us feel welcome, and we were happy we’d chosen Imabari as a base for a few days. The breakfast had few bread choices, but there was plenty of delicious fresh hot and cold food, enough for a healthy, filling start. The pool was a little too hot for proper laps, while the Onsen was very well managed. Our room and bathroom were really large and good for unwinding. The hotel has an old-fashioned look, but it’s kept so well it shines like it just opened. The station is about a 15-minute walk away, so a cab may be easier with luggage.

After a long day, I really liked relaxing in the hot spring on the third floor. The room was spacious and had what I needed for a comfortable stay, and the breakfast buffet had lots of delicious options. The building and interior are a bit dated, and I could hear guests coming and going from their rooms, but the rest of my stay made up for it. If you’re here to cycle the Shimanami Kaido, ask reception about Tebura-bin, a useful luggage delivery service that sends your bags to your next hotel so you can ride without the extra weight. I had a pleasant stay at Imabari Kokusai Hotel.