Hotel Folkloro Kakunodate

Even though the hotel backs onto the railway tracks, it was very quiet. There are several restaurants within a 10-15 minute walk. Our room was a good size and had two lounges. The front desk staff were polite, and breakfast was included at the hotel restaurant, with a mixed buffet of Japanese and Western options.

Dinner at the hotel restaurant had limited choices, but it was adequate for a quick meal after travelling. Everything was clean. There’s free parking behind the hotel, plus two washing and drying machines on the first floor near reception. It’s an old-fashioned hotel right beside the station. Check-in was smooth, though strictly at 3pm, as seems to be the case everywhere. A man took our luggage up to the second floor. Our room felt crowded, with two couches, a table and a desk, and it overlooked the railway line. That worried me, but the trains stop around midnight and were surprisingly quiet beforehand. The bathroom had a deep tub for soaking, and cotton robes or nightwear were provided.

This is a no-frills place right beside the train station, which makes it very convenient. The rooms are small but clean and do the job if you just need somewhere to sleep for the night. They’re soundproofed, so you don’t hear the trains. The more central parts of town are about a 10-15 minute walk away.

The hotel is right outside the station, so the location couldn’t be better. I was worried about train noise and asked for a quiet room. They put me in one with no neighbors, though it faced the tracks, and I could barely hear the morning trains. The blackout curtains and comfortable bed helped me sleep well. Staff were friendly and welcoming.