Toyoko Inn Kanazawa Kenrokuen Korimbo

The room was nice and spacious, but the bed was hard, and I found the hotel expensive for what you get. Even though three staff members were free, I still had to check myself in, which was the last thing I wanted after a long journey. Breakfast was okay, though it can get crowded. The free amenities by the lift were handy, and the complimentary shuttle to the station helped me arrive on time.

The rooms and breakfast are pretty basic, and the rooms can feel a bit cold in winter. Rates are reasonable, though. The Korinbo location is excellent for walking to Kanazawa’s main sights, and a free bus runs regularly between the hotel and the station.

If you’re only looking for a clean place to sleep one night before moving on, and don’t mind these issues, it may do. The bus to the center is three stops away. For us, the bed was so uncomfortable that we woke up with back pain, and the room was noisy all night. The ventilation above the bed couldn’t be turned off, the clock ticked, and the fridge made noise. We could also hear movement from neighboring rooms, the hall, and outside the window, so we didn’t sleep properly. Breakfast was included, but after seeing the food and atmosphere, we skipped it. I know it’s a budget hotel, but the price difference isn’t night and day.

We arrived at two, before the 4pm check-in, and they kept our bags while we went to see the castle, just two blocks away. We stayed three nights. Each day we got fresh towels and toothbrushes, but they didn’t enter the room or change the sheets. The bathroom was small, like one on a ship, but worked well. Breakfast was a good traditional Japanese meal each morning, and there were umbrellas to borrow, with places around town to borrow or return them. It was a great budget hotel with friendly staff and plenty of free amenities, including soap, shampoo and conditioner, toothbrush and toothpaste, razors, and nightgowns.