Wakura Onsen Hamazuru

There’s a free slot machine area on the fifth floor, with nearly 30 machines from the fourth through sixth generations. That was the reason I went, and it was a lot of fun. The space used to be an observation area, so on a clear morning you can also take in a wide view of the coastline. This ryokan runs on a self-service setup rather than having staff serve you throughout your stay. The services and amenities are around the front desk, where you can pick up what you need. The lobby has complimentary drinks, including beer, as well as snacks. Everything is covered by the price apart from the meal option.

I’d been wanting to try Mazuru’s "Funamori" for a long time, so on my second visit to Wakura Onsen I called later and ordered the Gin no Funamori. It looked gorgeous, tasted great, and there was plenty of it. The all-you-can-drink alcohol made the meal even more enjoyable. There’s also a lobby drink bar with unlimited soft drinks and beer, plus snacks you can eat as much as you like. It’s open until 10 pm, so it’s easy to overdo it. We had a fun evening watching YouTube on the TV in our room, too. I stayed overnight on the way to Notojima. If you’re in Wakura Onsen and want to enjoy the food, come give it a try!

I’d seen this place mentioned all over YouTube and social media, so I was curious. It turns out to be a guesthouse for pachislot fans, and the room has machines from the fourth generation through to current models. They’re legal pachislot machines, free to play, and you can top up credits when they run out, just like with Smart Slots. I had a good time hearing people reminisce about playing them years ago. There’s no children’s play area, but snacks and juice are available near the entrance from check-in until 10 pm and again until 10 am. Food was a strong point. I had both dinner and breakfast, and the portions were generous. I didn’t order the boat-shaped platter at dinner but still left satisfied. Breakfast was nicely seasoned after a night out, and the rice was freshly cooked and delicious. The building has all-you-can-eat snacks in the front lobby, and free-flowing beer and other drinks in your room and at the observation deck, where the pachislot room is. The public bath is simple, with a wall shower and a tub in the middle. The changing area is open rather than locker-based, so keep valuables in your room. I didn’t find any slippery spots, and it felt comfortable. Both the twin beds and the futon in my Japanese-style room were comfortable. There are vending machines, but no ice machine or microwave, so it’s probably best to bring ice. The fourth-floor vending machine was out of order, and I wish there’d been a sign saying so. A few guests were noisy and careless with the facilities. I saw people banging rice cooker lids and making a racket in the changing area and bath. I don’t blame the hotel, which has only recently reopened after the earthquake, but a few reminders about being considerate in shared spaces might help. I stayed in winter, and the building felt cold overall. The rooms have air conditioning and were comfortable, but it would be nice to have a heater or fan in the rest of the building. The price gave me some pause, though considering the situation after the New Year’s Day earthquake and how early the place was set up, I can understand it.

The building felt cold, it wasn’t easy to find the facilities, and on a Saturday the quality seemed low for the price. Still, I think this place works well if what matters most to you is the free-flowing beer and soft drinks, unlimited snacks, and the pachislots. They’re open until 10 pm, can be extended until midnight, and you can play without limits from 6 am. The hot spring water is salty and keeps you warm for a while after bathing. I thought the food was satisfactory too. If the included drinks, snacks, and games are your priority, you’ll probably enjoy it.