Hotel Kitakaruizawa

The food was delicious every day, and I really appreciated that none of the meals repeated during my three-night work stay. On my final morning, breakfast included a dessert made with kidney beans. I ate it in a monaka wafer, and the beans' gentle sweetness went perfectly with the cream cheese. It was incredibly good. I hear they're trying to make it a new local specialty, and I hope they start selling it as a souvenir. The building is old, but kept very clean. The bathwater ran a little hot, which felt great. It was a lovely place to stay, and I'd definitely visit again if I get the chance.

We were there during the fireworks display, and the staff kindly pointed out the best places to watch. Everyone was welcoming and kind, and the atmosphere felt comfortable. The spacious bathroom was also a great place to unwind. We got a free Toy Kingdom ticket, and there were two old-fashioned massage chairs that we could use for just 10 yen.

The quiet area around the hotel and the view from our room gave me the feeling that time had stopped. For such a low price, I was glad we could stay, even though I was surprised by how old the place was. There's a real Showa-era feel, including an old massage chair in the lobby that I'd never seen before. Some areas had steps and steep stairs, which could be dangerous for people with weak legs. The rooms were old too. I struggled to lock our door at first because it had a button lock, with a button inside that you press to lock it from outside. It felt like something out of a suspense show I watched as a kid, haha. The toilet made such a loud flush that it startled me every time. Since it was early, they let us use the women's bath as a family bath, and it was just the right size for four. Breakfast was just right too, neither too little nor too much.

The big bath was made available for our family to use privately, and the hospitality was good. We also had breakfast, which tasted good. There was a lot of it, but somehow we ended up finishing it all. This hotel has a very strong retro, Showa-era atmosphere. Anyone looking for a city-style modern hotel probably won't enjoy it, but people who like a bit of inconvenience and a nostalgic feel may really like this kind of place.