Hotel Honnoji

We loved staying in the beautiful, spacious Japanese-style room, sleeping on a futon and wearing a Yukata. The in-room bathroom was fine, and service was great, with very polite, accommodating staff. It's also well located near stations and less than a five-minute walk from a market with lots of food choices.

The breakfast was a big, satisfying traditional Japanese spread: miso soup, rice, fish, and around 12 little dishes. If you're unsure where to begin, we were told to eat in a triangle pattern. Let them know ahead of time if you don't eat meat, as they substituted it for us. They might be able to substitute fish too, though many dishes have seafood or fish in them. We wanted a more authentic stay, and the traditional hotel had plenty of charm. The rooms were large and clean, and it was fun to read about the traditions while looking around the room. In the evening, staff set up your bed, so don't wonder where it went. You sleep at floor level, which I found more comfortable than expected. We didn't try the bath, so I can't comment on it. The area feels safe and lively, with a shrine just outside the window. There are cafes and shops nearby, a convenience store next door, and a small bar in the evening with its entrance through the shop. The shopping street is around the corner; the market and fancier shops are about a 15-minute walk. The metro is roughly eight minutes away, and taxis wait right outside. The hotel is very central.

The large bath is on the ninth floor, and there's a lounge where you can enjoy the beautiful view after a soak. I'd recommend booking a large room on the eighth floor.

Even though it's centrally located, this place made us feel as if we'd left the city behind. We got to really enjoy Japanese culture here.