Azuma no Yu

I booked through Rurubu and got a call saying the bath was being renovated and bathing hours would be limited. They said I could cancel without a fee, but when I did, they kept all my money. I can’t work out who to contact at Rurubu, and no one answered when I called. I don’t understand what happened.

For the price, I think this is a decent option if you’re okay with the conditions. Nagano Station is 1.7km away and Zenkoji Temple is 2km away, both walkable. I had no particular problems and slept comfortably, though I was disappointed to miss out on a bath. I stayed overnight only, so I can’t comment on the food. My single room had its own bathroom and toilet. It looked like a simple conversion from a Japanese-style room to a wooden room with a bed, but it was perfectly adequate for sleeping. Since the lodging is attached to a public bath, guests can use it, though it closes at 10:00 PM. During my stay, an emergency inspection cut bathing hours to 8pm, so I couldn’t get there in time. The place might be described as a public bath where you can stay, or lodging with a public bath attached. Check-in is only from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM, which is made clear when booking, so guests know the terms in advance. Still, if something unexpected comes up during a trip, the short window could be worrying. Once checked in, you can go out whenever you like. Parking has room for six cars in three rows of two. Guests checking out later get to park first, and coordinating the spaces sounds like it can get tricky. (Stayed in April 2024)

This was awful. A man who seemed to be the host called a little after 5pm and asked when I could arrive, saying my reservation was for 3pm but check-in would not be possible for another hour and a half. I said I’d get there by then. About 30 minutes later, I called back just to confirm the check-in time. He talked over me nonstop, saying things like the hotel could cancel by itself after 6pm, and didn’t give me a chance to speak. Then he got angry and said it would be better for the hotel if I cancelled, and that I should do it. I’d already come to Nagano and, of course, hadn’t booked another hotel. I told him, but he just said, “We’ll cancel it for you!” and cancelled without my permission. The worst. I can only imagine he didn’t want to work right up until check-in, and that the cancellation fee is higher than the accommodation fee.

It’s an old building with shared toilet facilities and an attached public bath, so it’s best to know what the setup is like before you stay. The air conditioning and bedding were well provided, though, and I could relax. The owner was very nice.