Inasayama Kanko Hotel

A good spot for anyone driving themselves. From the room we had a great view over Nagasaki Harbour, and it only takes about five minutes to drive to the Mt Inasa look-out point. The hotel is on Mt Inasa and has two public baths, one indoors and one outdoors.

The reception staff were friendly and professional, and explained the hotel facilities. There’s a free shuttle to and from the station, though walking is possible if you’re okay with stairs and don't have luggage. The room was big, with one of the best views over Nagasaki. The 9th-floor view deck is outdoors, so bring warm clothes. I hadn't expected the tap water not to be potable. They do provide bottled water in the room, and the teapot was filled right to the brim.

The rooms were good, with more space for the sleeping area, though the bathroom was the usual small Japanese style. If you're tall, mind your head on the low bathroom ceiling. Breakfast is on the fourth floor in a room set up like an old-fashioned wedding banquet hall. The presentation wasn't anything special, but the food was decent. The Japanese teishoku dinner was delicious, especially the fresh sashimi, while the seafood was average. The views are the main draw here, both during the day and at night. The hotel sits on a hilltop overlooking the river and city, and has a main building and an annex. Both have onsen; the annex has a larger one and a spectacular outdoor city view. The baths have hot pools only, are separated by gender, and you need to bring your own towel from your room. The main building's rooftop terrace is another great place to take in the view.

Reception was excellent and attentive, and English-speaking staff meant we had no communication issues. Breakfast was served in a large ballroom crowded and noisy with a tour group. The food was basic, mostly Japanese. Our Western/Japanese room was spacious, but its bathroom and toilet were small, and the pillows were too soft and uncomfortable. We were four adults wanting to share one room, so we booked a Western/Japanese room with two single beds and futons for the other two. It was in the Annex, which was a little dated but clean and well maintained. The main building looked more modern, though we didn't see its rooms. The hotel is halfway up Mt Inasa and has very good views of Nagasaki, especially from the rooftop, but it's really convenient only if you have a car. Parking costs ¥600 per day. The nearest convenience store is downhill, and the narrow winding road makes walking there a bad idea.