Matsuya Bekkan

We booked a smoking room by mistake, our fault, and the hotel was fully booked, so we couldn’t switch. The Japanese-style futon room was nice apart from the smell. The bathroom felt cramped if you’re used to Western ones, and although it has traditional touches, it wasn’t the most comfortable place for a quick stay.

It’s a clean, excellent hotel in general, and the service was nice, including a free drink at the hotel restaurant. The photos show what I wasn’t happy with, so I’ve taken off one star. The shower was too weak, the trash bin too small, and there was a stain.

The izakaya downstairs was lively and the food was tasty, and the onsen was great. My room was compact but good, and the staff were very helpful, even offering to book restaurants for me. The lift occasionally smelled of smoke. They should get rid of the smoking floor.

The first-floor restaurant served delicious local food at a reasonable price, and our room was comfortable. Food overall was yummy and the stay was reasonably priced. A nearby bus goes straight to Kumamoto castle in about 20 minutes, and Suizenji park is within walking distance. They also let us leave our bikes beside the entrance, which was very convenient.