Resort House Akatsuki

I couldn’t find a hotel for summer vacation. The reviews had prepared me somewhat, but I went ahead because I’d heard breakfast was good. The place felt like an abandoned apartment block. Everything was old and filthy, and the fire escape and balcony were rotted and unusable in an emergency. There were cockroaches everywhere. It was so gross that I couldn’t use the futon, so I slept on the picnic blanket I’d brought. I would rather have camped outside. I was too disgusted to even touch breakfast. This was the worst place I’ve ever stayed, and I can’t recommend it.

There was a “front desk” in the breakfast area, where I saw another group trying to negotiate a discount because something for them was missing. Our family stay over Obon cost 13,000 yen per person with breakfast included, but the service didn’t come close to justifying that price, even if Obon is the most expensive season. The room had barely been cleaned. The toilet was terribly dirty, and the air conditioner, clock, and fluorescent lights in the bathroom changing room were broken. It’s surprising this place is still operating. A room-only plan would have been enough. We got yukata but no obi, so we ended up sleeping in our own clothes instead. (laughs)

The building is old, and the room had hair and sand all over, so I wondered if anyone had cleaned it properly. The toilet was especially gross: the wastebasket hadn’t been emptied, the toilet paper was gone and hadn’t been replaced, it smelled like a public restroom, and the slippers were filthy and worn out. During Obon the price was high, and even my children were charged the adult rate although they didn’t need futons or meals. Worst accommodation I’ve ever stayed in.

I stayed during Obon in 2018. The room was roomy, with 10 tatami mats plus another 4.5, and the free-flowing hot spring water was good. The food tasted nice too, though the Obon pricing made it feel very expensive. It might be a better choice in the regular season. The building behind reception and the dining area is a four-story place with the feel of an old resort condominium. The public hot spring bath is on the first floor, and there’s no elevator. The facilities are aging, and the rusty emergency stairs seemed dangerous, with even a hole in the landing. There’s no kitchen, and the toilet in the room is traditional Japanese style.