Ryokan Azayorozu

I stayed here for work and, apart from the points below, everything was fine and we enjoyed our stay. The rates change depending on whether you pay at the hotel or book through its website, which mattered to us because our accommodation budget is low. The cheaper rooms don't have baths, but guests can use the hotel's bath. It stays open until 10 PM, though they said the boiler is switched off at 9 PM, so it might feel cold in the colder months. Bath towels cost extra, so bring your own if you're trying to keep costs down.

Breakfast arrived as soon as I sat at the table, and the photo shows what was on the menu. I thought the front desk, the woman in the dining room, and the other staff all gave excellent service. I stayed on a weekday. From Satte Station, it was a four-minute walk with just one left turn. The outside looked like a pretty nice business hotel, while the rooms had a real Showa-era feel from its long history. When I booked, I explained I couldn't arrive by 9 PM and asked about checking in around 10 PM. They were happy to accommodate me.

The staff were friendly and stylish, and the room was comfortable with no problems. I'd come back when I'm in Saitama Prefecture, and a room with a toilet is my recommendation. We stayed two nights starting November 1st. The inn is near the station, though I couldn't figure out where the parking lot was. I expected a historic, long-established inn, but it felt quite homey. There was a strong cigarette smell in the building on the second night despite smoking being prohibited inside. I don't think the inn caused it, but they should be careful since it could become a fire hazard. The bathroom is small, so take care when washing. Bathing when it's available is a good idea. Hair dryers can be borrowed, but there aren't many, and bath towels cost extra, so bring your own. Those are the only drawbacks I found. For the reasonable price, I had no complaints. If you want to complain about that kind of thing, I think you should stay somewhere more expensive.

The meals were more like home cooking than anything especially impressive, but having meals included was a big help while traveling with a small child. It was otherwise a peaceful inn, aside from some karaoke singing at night, probably coming from a nearby snack bar. This historic place has been renovated thoughtfully and was very clean. The shoji screens use tear-resistant material instead of traditional paper, the wallpaper has that rough, sandy old-wall look, and the toilet has a bidet cover. Cards aren't accepted, though PayPay is. It's close to the station and national highway, with lots of restaurants nearby, so people who can get around freely might enjoy exploring more with a room-only plan. I'd recommend looking at the reviews on Rakuten Travel, where you can also read the inn's replies.