Hotel Tohaku Inn

I used this place as a base for climbing Mt. Daisen and visiting Kurayoshi and the surrounding area. You’ll need to plan around the train and bus schedules, since Yabase station is about a 20-minute walk away. It’s more of a driver’s rest stop, though there’s a supermarket, bakeries, restaurants, a Daiso, and a bookstore within walking distance. My stay was especially peaceful because I was the only one in the dorm. The privacy was lovely, though heading down the empty corridor to the toilet at night could feel a little creepy, especially with the wind outside. That’s a small tradeoff for the low price. This was the cheapest night I’d paid for lodging in Japan. It’s very basic, almost like an afterthought attached to a business hotel. The four-bed dorm is on the second floor near the conference rooms, and the toilet is the public one on that floor. The shower is tucked into a nearby storeroom. The heating and AC worked well, and the hot shower was good. Body wash, shampoo, and fresh towels were supplied. The room smelled a bit musty when I arrived, and the beds only have curtains between them, so there’s no real sound privacy if others are staying. The front desk was unattended much of the time, but a friendly staff member would come out from the back after I waited around. Guests have to leave the premises from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., which is annoying, though I could leave my things at my bed. I wasn’t given the Wi-Fi details and forgot to ask, so I used the hotel’s free unsecured Wi-Fi, which was slow.