TORIFITO HOTEL&POD KANAZAWA Hyakumangoku-Dori

We loved how convenient Torifito was, with a bus stop right outside for the Kanazawa loop and direct trips to the station. The gardens and castle are walkable, and the hotel ended up being one of our trip highlights. Our premier room was huge, with comfortable beds, and the whole place felt stylish and comfortable. One small awkward detail: the washrooms are in the basement, and getting there means switching elevators on floor 2 by the front desk. I felt a little silly walking through the lobby in a bathrobe.

The sauna and hot bath were a real treat. I never ran into other guests while using them, so it felt like having the hot pool to myself. The hotel is in a handy spot, with a bus stop out front, and I found the tourist areas close enough to walk to most of the time. My corner room was inconvenient when I needed the bathroom or toilet, and the bed was incredibly hard, maybe the hardest I’ve slept on in Japan. The bolster was just as rock-hard, took up space, and I couldn’t use it, which was annoying. I was considering coming back to Kanazawa anyway, and then saw they have a room with a softer bed, so I’ll definitely stay here again ❤️

The staff were really nice, and I’d definitely come back. The pods were very clean, with a private TV, though you’ll need earphones plugged into the wall to hear it. There’s a lounge open 24/7 where you can bring food, eat, study, or work, and the onsen stays open all night too. Private showers in the basement common washroom are handy if you’d rather not be naked around other people. It felt like a good, affordable option for a solo stay. Even without a locked door, access seemed safe: you need a key card for the floor and another for the pod area, and the pod area is shared only by people of the same sex. There’s a small spot to secure valuables, and you can get a lock for your luggage. The curry was the one disappointment. I was surprised it was just sauce and rice, without vegetables or meat. I’d suggest eating at the konbini next door instead.

Getting to the showers was the main hassle. They’re on a different level from the pods, and you have to change elevators twice. Putting them on the pod floor, or making the route simpler, would help a lot. The place itself was clean and comfortable, though, and I enjoyed the rest of my stay.