Nasu Kogen North Inn

On the way back, it was either a hostess club in Niigata or a stay at a moratorium. I’ll have to skip the hostess club. A last-minute opening got me an 80-square-meter condominium for half price. As soon as I stepped in, I was blown away. It was new, clean, and wonderfully uncluttered. I spent about 10 minutes looking around and saying “wow” over and over. Five beds and a sofa bed, what a lot of space. I wondered if just the living room was bigger than the floor area of my run-down rental. The huge TV gets digital terrestrial channels in the living room and satellite channels in the bedroom. The heating is powerful, and there’s a big balcony with a spectacular view of the Shinkansen. Since it’s a condo, the bathroom has a convenient washbasin, and its floor is cushioned. The shower pressure and temperature were just right, and you can reheat the bathwater. There was one set of towels, but I bring my own, so that was fine. There’s an elevator to the third floor and stairs to the fourth. They might be able to operate the lift for someone with mobility issues, though I didn’t need help. The guy at the front desk was very warm. This place was a real find and made a strong impression on me. The facilities made even a short stay feel fulfilling.

[First Visit] I first stayed here in December 2025. The price was reasonable compared with nearby hotels. The beds are Simmons, and I slept well. The LED room lighting was bright, too. The building looks quite dated, and the room itself is old. I could hear coughing from the next room clearly, which was a bit concerning. Breakfast is served in the building next door.

I was here for work. The entrance was beautifully kept, so I was excited when I checked in. The building doesn’t look new, but the inside and the room were clean. My room had a big TV and a chair with an ottoman, which made it comfortable to relax. Breakfast is served outside the hotel at a farm produce market and restaurant at the back. Everything except the grilled fish is all-you-can-eat. I’d stay here again if I’m in the area.

I had to stay in Nasu-Shiobara at short notice and booked on the day. I checked several websites, but not many places took same-day reservations, so I didn’t have much choice. It costs around 5,500 yen per person. The hotel and rooms are small and have only the essentials. The room has a large bed, roomy desk, and comfortable chair. Each room has a new air conditioner, and the ordinary household-style lighting can be adjusted from bright to dim. All rooms are non-smoking, with a smoking area outside. The nearest convenience store is a 15-minute walk.