Noto Kanko Hotel

Our dog Taiyo has stayed here 138 times, for 193 nights in total. It's the only dog-friendly inn at the tip of the Noto Peninsula, and the sunsets are beautiful. We visited in mid-September 2022 on the pet-free plan, at 14,300 yen per person per night before the prefectural resident discount. The annex room was a roomy Japanese-style space over 12 tatami mats, with a separate veranda, toilet with bidet, and washbasin. It was bright, though the TV was on the small side. Meals and baths were in the main building. Dinner used local ingredients, with excellent shabu-shabu made with six kinds of seaweed in sake lees broth, plus Noto beef. The salt ice cream was amazing. I'd buy it at a roadside station if it were sold there. Everything was very good and tasty, but quite salty. Since I have to restrict salt after a myocardial infarction, I felt pretty guilty (sweat). Breakfast was grilled dried horse mackerel cooked on a stove, with seaweed in the miso soup. The bath is a single lukewarm tub, very pleasant, with no open-air bath. Mobile reception is a problem. In the annex, Docomo worked, au and Softbank (Y!mobile) didn't, Rakuten was completely out, and WiFi was almost nonexistent. On the main building's second floor dining area, Docomo and au were marginal, Softbank (Y!mobile) barely worked, there was some 3G, Rakuten had au roaming, and there was WiFi. You'll need to use the internet in the main building lobby. Dogs are allowed, but there aren't any dog supplies, not even paw wipes. One extra note: if you stay in Suzu City, you get a 30 yen gasoline discount ticket. Gas was about 20 yen cheaper than local prices.

There were pet-friendly rooms, though I didn't use them. The lounge had a grandchild, I think, eating while watching TV, which felt a bit odd for a hotel, but seemed fine if you thought of it as a guesthouse. The dinner used local ingredients and had a nice range of dishes, so it wasn't bland. The tempura and grilled items had been prepared ahead, though, and I wish they'd been served warm. Cell phone reception was weak and unreliable, and I wish they'd put in WiFi.

My room was in one of the newer extensions, with plenty of space, it was clean, and the ocean-view bath was great. The Big Catch Plan came with so much food that I couldn't finish it all. Reception on my phone was poor, which was a bit of a letdown. I meant to come by motorbike, but had to give up because of a typhoon. I'll try to come on my bike next time.

The variety of seaweed they served was really interesting, and the ocean sunset was breathtaking. I appreciated being able to bring my dog, and the warm service and reasonable prices made me very happy. I actually liked the Showa-era feel. I imagine things must be worrying after the earthquake, and I'm quietly rooting for you. I stayed exactly one year ago.