Suzukisou

Suzukisou lets you experience traditional Japanese bathing, with a bath and shower, and the hosts provide O-cha each day. Sleeping on tatami mats and sitting beside your bedroll to drink tea felt like a must-do cultural experience. The hosts are friendly and fun, and the peaceful neighborhood makes for a comfortable stay. Family Mart is just around the corner for late cravings. The train station is a fairly long walk, but walking through town to catch it gives you a chance to see everyday Japanese life.

This was the worst stay we had in Japan. It was hard to find in the dark because there were no signs in English. The owners weren’t welcoming, and nobody spoke English. When we arrived, they asked for a tax of 200 yen per person per night. The room was very cold, dirty, and smelly. We stayed two days, but they provided just one toothpaste and one toothbrush for the whole stay. When I asked for another toothbrush, the woman refused. She also watched my every move, which was annoying. There was a kettle and glasses, but no coffee or tea. At 10.000 yen for one night in late November, the price didn’t match the service. It’s far from the center, about a 45-minute bus ride to Gion or the Shrine. A very bad hotel. Better to add some money and stay somewhere nice with good service. This place was truly horrible. I couldn’t even be bothered to take a picture of the room, I just wanted to get out immediately.

I got to the hotel around noon, but couldn’t check in until 4pm, which I understood. What I hadn’t seen mentioned was that you couldn’t enter after 10pm. Why restrict access to a room you’ve booked? In a new city, you can lose time figuring out the trains, and this hotel is far from Kyoto’s main station. When I arrived to check in, the owner shouted at me and started pushing me. I felt angry and harassed. Absolutely disgusting behavior and a horrible experience. The ratings are low here, and I should have paid attention. Take my money, you pitiful person. Absolute rascals.

I usually have a hard time sleeping away from home, but here I felt safe and comfortable, almost like I was at home. Maybe because there weren’t many guests, it was quiet enough for me to sleep soundly. The toilet and bathroom are shared, but that didn’t cause me any problems. The building is old, but it was clean and well maintained. I’ve seen the various things written in reviews, yet the staff saw me off at the end and treated me very courteously. 😊