Okubo Ryokan

We came on a weekday with a toddler, and the roomy Japanese-style room worked well for us. With no toilet or sink inside, it felt safe for a child who doesn't need to use the toilet. There's a separate women's bath, about the size of one in a regular home, where mothers and children can bathe together. The bath may feel nostalgic if you're over 60. It reminded me of my grandparents' place. The tomato curry is so good that we went back for more. Rice and miso soup are self-serve, so you can take the amount you want, and there are various condiments on the table. The dining room looks like it seats around 20. The landlady and her husband are cheerful and have a familiar, almost relative-like manner. Free Wi-Fi is offered, though I can't comment on its speed since we didn't use it. Parking is free, but there isn't room for many cars, so contact them ahead if you want to make sure of a space. It seems most of the other guests were regular business travelers, and the inn is geared toward them, though I think families could enjoy it too. The main downside was the noise. You can hear both regular trains and Shinkansen trains quite clearly. Our toddler seemed to sleep through it, but the adults woke up around 3 a.m. The inn's noise was the reason I rated it a little lower. If a laid-back atmosphere suits you, I'd recommend staying here. It's handy for kids who like vehicles, with the Automobile Museum of Japan, Aviation Plaza, and Komatsu Airport nearby. The dinosaur museum in the neighboring prefecture is about an hour and ten minutes away by car, using public roads only. We had a fun stay. Thank you.