LODGER hostel & restaurant matsusaka

We felt right at home because the hosts were so lovely and helpful. Everything else was great too!

Just right 👀

I was hoping to visit for lunch, since I heard they served it, so it's a shame they closed on July 20, 2025. Places often advertise themselves as offering "casual lunches," but they can turn out to be anything but casual. Some say they don't take walk-ins and that most customers come through acquaintances. Matsusaka also has the restaurant "Rotary," which was wrongly accused of refusing customers without giving a reason and then going upstairs without permission. When places like this are common, people end up eating at chains that cook food in central kitchens or at Aeon food courts. That's part of how the town keeps declining. Even long-established businesses, I think, need to consider the times a bit more and change their policies.

The rooms were spacious and comfortable, though the building as a whole felt a little disjointed. I also had a relaxing soak, even though the hot spring was artificial. What disappointed me was the sukiyaki I had been looking forward to. The meat itself was excellent, but it was cooked with far too much sugar and soy sauce, whether that was the cook's mistake or the local way of preparing it. It turned out too spicy and the meat's taste was lost. I recommend cooking for yourself instead. You can look up recipes online and make it better, I'm confident. I gave it one star because I was excited to eat Matsusaka beef.