Otaru Nishikien

For a very reasonable price, you get a super cozy Japanese house, with parking right outside if you have a car. I left my glasses at a convenience store, and the in-house staff helped call the store and get them back for me. Big thanks to the staff, especially Zak! If you'd like to spend a night in a traditional Japanese house, I'd definitely recommend giving this place a try.

We had a lovely Western-style double room on the second floor, with our own toilet and shower and lots of room for luggage. Check-in was easy, and there were a few free parking spots. A 24-hour supermarket is two minutes away on foot, 7/11 is about five minutes away, and restaurants and sights are roughly a 10-20 minute walk. We had a great stay and used it as a base for nearby ski resorts.

The door at the entrance was a little tricky at first, but once we had the code and worked out how to use it, getting in was easy. We stayed in the Garden room, which was surprisingly spacious. It combines traditional and modern Japanese construction, with tatami, hand-carved woodwork, and modern comforts. There's an attached washroom with a bidet and small sink, and a separate bathroom for bathing off the kitchen. A large safe, apparently at least a hundred years old, is displayed behind glass by the dining room. It was our first time here, and we'll stay again.

The host helped us with check-in, and the family of four found it quite cozy and comfortable staying together. A personal bathroom, towels, and toiletries were provided, and there's free parking right beside the property.