Shimizuya Ryokan

Great value for the money: the location is good, parking is free, the public bath is clean, and both breakfast and dinner were tasty. The owner and his wife were friendly and nice. They accepted CC and other payment methods.

Nirasaki Station was easy to get to, but turning on the heater was another story. The warm air smelled strongly of natto, so even though it was cold, I just put up with it. They should fix that smell. The inside of the fridge was dirty too, and I had to wipe it before using it.

For an old inn, the family-run, homey atmosphere is lovely. Breakfast and dinner were included, with generous portions and dishes that felt homemade. Drink prices at dinner and at the vending machines in the annex were reasonable. Coffee wasn't part of breakfast, though, which was a shame. In peak season I didn't think it was especially good value, but that homelike feel might grow on you, haha. It's about a seven-minute walk from Nirasaki Station, right on a town street, which surprised me since I'd pictured an inn somewhere rural or tucked away. You can feel its long history in both good and bad ways. It's clean, the rooms are a little dim but have big enough windows, and the Wi-Fi is excellent. The walls are thin, though. Voices and footsteps in the hall and sounds from the next room carry clearly, so it could be tough if you're sensitive to noise. They call the bath a large public bath, but three people make it feel cramped. The women's bath seems to just be a regular bathroom.

There isn't a convenience store nearby, so keep that in mind. Nirasaki Station is some distance away, though it's a quick drive. The parking is right behind the inn and looks small, but inside the place stretches back and is surprisingly spacious. Everything was clean overall, although the bath was a bit small and the water lukewarm.