Kitchen Yado Honpo

The rooms are pretty ordinary, but they're very clean and well looked after. At a place called "Kitchen Inn," the side dishes really are delicious. They have so many appetizers that make you want a drink, and a nice range of alcoholic drinks at reasonable prices.

I'd consider staying here again for work. The food was tasty, and there's a large public bath as well as a private room with a unit bath, so you can choose which one suits you. I thought it was good.

Don't expect a regular hotel or inn. It's basic accommodation for business travelers. It could be a cheap option if you're okay with the simple setup, but for sightseeing I'd avoid it with young women, family, or a partner. A single man might be fine. The hallways have pamphlets from the Democratic Party, which was a mystery. Toilets and sinks are shared, though the toilets were surprisingly clean. There's a shared refrigerator in the hallway, but I didn't look inside. There aren't any convenience stores nearby, so shop ahead. There's a Yoshinoya across the street, and an Aeon about a 5-10 minute drive away where you can get alcohol and snacks. Noise is the main issue. I could hear footsteps and people talking in the hall, as well as the rumbling snore of the guest next door. The hotel is beside a road, so cars and motorcycles can be heard, though traffic wasn't heavy. Bring earplugs if that bothers you. The first-floor room can be seen from the parking lot, so keep the curtains closed. A clothes rack and drying rack are handy for a longer stay, but the outlet is at the foot of the bed, which is inconvenient. The TV is there too, so you can't watch it while lying down. Without a unit bath, the room feels larger than a business hotel. There's a smoking room, which smokers may appreciate. The large public bath is so small you can't stretch your legs, even though the shower area has room for about 13 people. There's no way that many would fit in the tub, which is a mystery. The bath has time limits. I heard there's also a shared unit bath open 24 hours, but I didn't use it. Shoes aren't allowed. Slippers cost ¥100, so most guests go barefoot or in socks. I'm a little worried about catching someone's athlete's foot.

I was in temporary housing. My room was clean, and the futon was clean too, but there was a bad smell, perhaps because people walk barefoot on the carpet. I wish slippers were provided. The bathroom was a unit bath, probably because there weren't many female guests. I felt scared at night. The hall lights were turned off, and with no toilet in my room, I had to walk past male guests in the middle of the night. I didn't see any female staff at night either, and safety was my biggest concern. The sink was shared with male guests, and the men's toilet was clearly visible. There was a poster for the Sanseito party, which seemed mysterious. A sign said guests couldn't stay after 9:30, which left me wondering, what? In this day and age? Checkout was at 9:00 too.