Yoshioka Ryokan

For the price, everything was acceptable. Wi-Fi would have been a nice extra.

Why put a fan heater in a room with no air conditioning? There is a fan, but it’s really noisy, and there’s no bin in the room either. The fridge is rusty and gross, though it does seem to work. And why is there a safe, or such a huge TV? The private bathroom can’t be used. Please fix it. I could go on, but it’s too much hassle, so I’ll stop here.

There’s no staff around at check-in, so I wouldn’t suggest this place to anyone who needs things explained. Still, based on what I saw today, it seemed pretty decent, despite the awful older reviews. Around 4,000 yen felt like a bargain for a room with air conditioning, a fridge, and even a bath. I normally stay at Livemax near Chiba Station, but rates get high on holidays and event days, so I picked this place instead.

It was quiet at night, and I slept better than I do camping. The room was roomy, and I loved the veranda, just what I’d hope for in a traditional inn. Going there after work is a bit of a slog, but it feels like a summer hidden gem. You check in and out without meeting anyone. I’d get there early if you can. The air conditioning was already on and the futons were laid out, though you can air the room out or spray alcohol if you’re concerned. Just don’t open the window at night to look for something like fireworks, or swarms of winged ants may fly in. The bath was warm, and I didn’t notice any signs of previous guests, so maybe it stays open all the time. I’d just have a quick soak before heading out. The microwave upstairs heats food, but its turntable is broken and doesn’t spin, which made me wonder if that was okay. The bedding wasn’t very comfortable, though I didn’t mind too much. Seeing four futons stacked on top of each other made me laugh.