Hotel Kikuyu

Breakfast was a real highlight. The yogurt and rice, Galaxy Drops maybe, were so good I finished the whole rice container, lol. The twin room was roomy, and I liked having the toilet separate from the bathroom. The parking lot is spacious, too. The air conditioner and air purifier were noisy, though, and the clutter around the first-floor front desk made that area feel less clean. The front desk service was about what I'd expect at a hotel in the countryside, with nothing in particular to complain about. This place costs considerably less than Aeria, which is more upscale and cleaner. There are also plenty of bars nearby, a big plus in winter when the walk to bars from Aeria feels so cold. I've stayed at Aeria too, and enjoyed hearing the storytellers share old stories there.

Breakfast had Tono-produced rice and Iwaizumi yogurt, which Shohei Ohtani recommends, and even the natto container was cute. ❤️ I needed a hotel near the station since I can't drive, and this one is very close to Tono Station. My single room felt comfortable, with a large desk beside the window. The women's bath on the first floor only had two washing areas, but going at a quiet time worked fine. They gave me a haori to wear over my yukata, so I didn't have to worry about my chest showing or my clothes coming open on the way to the bath. I don't often stay at independent hotels outside a chain, and this was a really comfortable stay.

I headed out on a rental bicycle to Tsuchibuchi and Kappabuchi after breakfast. The food was so good that I finished all the rice in the container. The inn is close to Tono Station, and breakfast was substantial. I also vaguely remember a very heavy metal door somewhere in the hallway.

It's really handy being so close to Tono Station. I stayed here last year too, and this time the large public bath was very relaxing. I think I'll come back next year.