Hotel Select Inn Nagano

It’s a manageable, affordable place for a short stay. The room and bathroom were clean enough for me, and the air felt fine, though the room itself is quite small. Staff were kind and stored my luggage both before check-in and after check-out. The tiny, plain reception and breakfast area might put you off at first, but the room was better than I expected for the low price. It’s around a 10-minute walk from Nagano Station along a narrow street, and about 15 minutes on foot to Zenkoji temple. There’s a 7/11 close by. Breakfast is basic cheap carbs, bread with butter and jam packets, inari sushi, plus soda and coffee from the drink bar.

Clean bathrooms, and the station and a neighborhood of bars and restaurants are close by. The hotel is very basic, with a feel that’s probably from the Showa-era 80s. It might get a little noisy on Saturday nights.

The railway station is conveniently close, but we wouldn’t recommend staying here unless you smoke. We asked for a non-smoking room and got a smoking one. Smoke had soaked into the curtains, bed linen, and even the pillows. The beds, sheets, and towels were clean, though the floor hadn’t been vacuumed well and the bathroom fixtures were coming apart. It wasn’t good value for money.

The staff were friendly and helpful, and getting here from the nearest station was easy. The rooms are a bit old and show some wear, but they’re okay for the price.