Ebisu Hotel

The staff were incredibly friendly, and the whole property was spotlessly clean, which says a lot about how it’s managed. The building is compact rather than large, but it’s functional and very comfortable to stay in. It preserves the nostalgic feel of 1970s Japan beautifully. I really enjoyed my stay at this highly recommended place that captures the best of "Old Japan."

Breakfast is self-service, and the white rice was especially good. The dining room staff were kind, saying "Have a good day!" when we finished and cleared our dishes. The public bath isn’t a hot spring, but it was clean and pleasant. Shampoo and body soap are provided, and there’s also a lobby corner where you can choose shampoo and conditioner. The rooms have their own air conditioning, a refrigerator, an air purifier, and various cables. There were no odd smells like you sometimes get in older hotels, and the room even had an electric mattress pad, perhaps because winters are cold. At check-in, you put your shoes in a shoebox matching your room number and change into slippers. The key is an old-fashioned one with an acrylic rod attached, and you leave it at the front desk when you go out. The desk is open 24 hours. There’s a microwave and trouser press in the hallway for free use. It’s not exactly modern, but good value for money. The downtown area is a bit of a walk, though still within walking distance.

The bus terminal and station are nearby, so the location is convenient. Trains run right beside the window, though, and they’re really noisy until the last train. Prices have gone up suddenly lately, but I guess that can’t be helped. Breakfast was included, and I was very satisfied with the service. The hallways and rooms were clean, and the staff made a good impression. There are plenty of amenities, although they’re a bit difficult to use.

Breakfast was a pleasant start to the day, with friendly staff and shiny, good-quality local rice. I enjoyed eating while watching trains pass by. There are many hangers, and the room already has extension cords and chargers to go with its older furnishings. A separate two-piece samue-style garment was convenient too. The hotel is around a five-minute walk from the bus terminal, away from downtown. I called ahead without having much information, and the response was very good, so I chose this place. It turned out to be the right choice. Single rooms are spacious, and the hospitality more than makes up for the age of the building, though it does show its years and the walls are thin. There are lots of things available to borrow, including a reading lamp, facial cleanser, basic cosmetics, hand cream, shampoo, conditioner, pillows, and a hair dryer. The one in the room is an older wall-mounted type. A beverage machine has coffee, roasted green tea, jasmine tea, and more. On rainy days, towels are set out at the entrance to dry off, and guests need to remove their shoes before going inside. I visited during cherry blossom season. I’d originally planned to spend one night in Ina before going to Takato, but the blossoms came early, so I extended my stay here. Ina has several hotels, mostly small places with a charming, old-fashioned regional-city feel. The windows don’t open, and the thin walls mean loud noises from the next room carry through. The large public bath is only for men and has short opening hours, so it wasn’t very convenient. Even so, the good points outweigh those downsides.