B&B Yado Kitakai

The morning view was lovely, with the sun rising from the Hakodate direction. It could make a good base for trips toward Kikonai or Matsumae. The inn is about a 20-minute walk from Kikonai Station, and it’s conveniently near the Esashi Road exit if you’re driving. The toilets are shared, and while the facilities aren’t at hotel level, they have the essentials, including some rooms with shower booths. I arrived late and left early, but was greeted with a smile, and their thoughtfulness when I departed also left an impression.

The owner was thoughtful and had a wonderful personality. If I’m in Kikonai again, I’ll definitely stay here. I was here for a week for work, and the room made it easy to get things done. It was thoroughly cleaned, with a large desk by the window that was great for using my laptop after work. Guesthouses often have low tables that are awkward to work at, so this was a big plus for a business trip. The single room had a high-quality semi-double bed, and I slept well with the sound of the ocean. Wi-Fi stayed around 20 Mbps for me, which was no trouble for normal use. The food was the best I’ve had at a guesthouse in this price range. Dinner had a great range of high-quality ingredients and was beautifully presented. I looked forward to it after work each day. Their homemade curry, which apparently won a competition, was far better than any curry restaurant I’ve tried. My room only had a shower, and I didn’t use the guesthouse’s hot springs. There’s another hot spring a 2-3 minute walk away, and they gave me a coupon that let me use it for 350 yen. There are two washing machines, detergent is provided, and using them is free. A 7-Eleven and a Lawson are both within a two-minute walk.

The owner was very kind, and their child was adorable, which made the stay especially pleasant. The rooms and facilities were clean and easily on par with a business hotel. There’s a unit shower booth in the bathroom, but I prefer showers, so that suited me fine. I’d be glad to stay here again if I’m in the area for work.

A friendly, helpful front desk and strong Wi-Fi in the private rooms made this an easy place to stay. The inn in Kikonai also accommodates groups and serves as a venue for local events.