Shimizu Bay Hotel Irifunekan

The free shuttle to and from Shimizu station runs 7:30-10 am and 3-9:30 pm, and staff can also pick you up at the station. The Irifunekan is a little out of the way, but FamilyMart is across the street and the local kenjutsu dojo is about a five-minute walk away. It works especially well for people staying around Shimizu, and I’d give the value 9/10. Rooms are small, clean and Western-style, with the basics covered. Heating is available in colder months and cooling in warmer months, but you can’t switch between them. On clear days, north-facing rooms have a view of Mt. Fuji. There’s just one small elevator, so you may wait when the hotel is full; the stairs are for emergencies. Laundry machines, dryers and vending machines are available. The staff are friendly and professional, though they speak only Japanese. Someone is at reception at all hours, and you can leave luggage there. They often host large groups, including school soccer teams and dojo visitors, and can be contacted by phone or email. Breakfast is included and has tasty basics like rice, miso soup, eggs, salad and pastries, but there’s little variety or protein such as fish or meat. Dinner costs an extra 1000 yen a day and was amazing. There’s no menu, you get whatever they make that day, but they can accommodate dietary restrictions if you explain them clearly. Ask for dinner in the morning. Guests can get free coffee and tea in the dining room any time, day or night.

The food is tasty, especially dinner.

There aren’t many restaurants close by, but there’s a free shuttle to Shimizu Station at set times. Parking and breakfast are free, and the room rates are low. Breakfast has both bread and rice, though the selection is limited.

I appreciated that breakfast and parking were free, but the pillow was much too high and hard. I couldn’t sleep well, which has never happened to me at a hotel before. Breakfast came as individual servings, and for a hotel by the sea, I was disappointed there was no fish. There also weren’t any women’s amenities like cleansing products.