Machiya Hotel Kakunodate

A really cool hotel and a very authentic Japanese experience. The older gentleman at reception was especially helpful and did a great job helping us plan the next day.

The location was great, close to Lawson and only a three-minute walk from the samurai house. The staff were really nice and good at English.

It’s easy to walk from here to the river and samurai area, and there’s a Lawson right next door. The rooms are dated but acceptable. We had to open a window to air the room because the attached bathroom had a strange smell. Breakfast wasn’t very good, so we only ate it once.

Lawson is just downstairs, with a couple of restaurants nearby. Plan ahead for dinner, though, because the restaurants close quite early, around 5pm, or pick something up at Lawson. The room is small, but there’s enough space to open a large suitcase. The hotel has been renovated, and the rooms, beds, toilets, and bathrooms feel modern, though the bathtub is tiny. There are elevators to the second floor and a microwave on each floor. Breakfast was a bit anaemic. I’d suggest booking without it and getting a sandwich or rice ball at Lawson to save some money.