Kanemitsu Capital Hotel

The building has some charm, though inside it’s clearly aging and doesn’t compare well with chain hotels. It’s clean and well maintained, so it wasn’t uncomfortable, but the room walls are thin. Unfortunately, I could hear the foreign couple next door moaning. You can turn on the TV, wear earplugs, or just enjoy yourself. It’s only a short walk from JR Ritsurin Koen North Exit Station. That’s convenient if you’re going to Ritsurin Garden, but a bit inconvenient if you need to go into town because it’s some distance away.

The staff had a poor attitude, and the walls seemed to let every sound from the surrounding rooms through, probably because the hotel is made of steel. The bed was extremely uncomfortable, with just a Bonnell mattress and a thin mattress pad on top. The bathroom had old, worn tiles, and both the toilet and bathtub drained poorly. Water built up if I left the shower running for a while. The two-handle mixer tap also meant I couldn’t keep the temperature set and stop the water temporarily. The refrigerator was noisy, and the shelves were frozen. I was afraid to turn it off in case it flooded.

There aren’t any restaurants nearby, so I’d suggest eating in Kawaramachi. The inn has a retro style, and the front desk staff were kind and answered all my questions.

The room was roomy, with an old-fashioned Showa-era look that carried through the lobby and first-floor lounge. I found a hair dryer and kettle tucked inside what looked like a chest of drawers. The hotel sits down a narrow lane near Ritsurin Garden's north exit, and the tight roads and tiny driveway rotary made it hard for buses to maneuver. The cylinder-key locks had auto-locks, and some rooms apparently didn't even have an internal phone, so I wondered if guests had to use one in the hallway. The heat was rough. When I checked in, the air conditioning wasn't working in the hall, elevator, room, or the area by the microwave and coin laundry, which were hidden outside room 501 with no sign (lol). The bath filled very slowly too. I left the water running for ages and panicked when the tub still wasn't full, then realized the flow and pressure were just weak. Breakfast is served in the first-floor restaurant. There were no blinds, so the window seats were very bright, and the menu was small, but the food was well kept and good quality, with no skimping (lol). Even the orange juice was 100% juice despite how expensive it's gotten, and the jam was delicious. The staff seemed conscientious and gave the place a homey feel, though my impression that they'd been there a long time is just speculation (lol). I also spotted a sign in the elevator for a members-only spa in the basement. When I asked, staff said there wasn't one and that they'd need to take the sign down (lol).