Good Inn Matsubase

You really need a car to get here. There are two parking areas, one by the hotel and one across the road, so finding a space can take a little effort. Joyfull is opposite, but getting there means crossing a busy crosswalk with no traffic light, which can feel scary at certain times. I wish they’d switch the light on. On the hotel side there’s a Hotto Motto bento shop and a Lawson. Even though the hotel sits between the road and JR tracks, it isn’t noisy. The room key is a regular key, so having to leave it at reception every time you go out is inconvenient. The TV is tiny, 18 inches? Bring a tablet for videos.

Even when it’s fully booked, it stays quiet enough to relax. The hotel is reasonably priced and clean, and Joyful across the street is handy for a meal. It’s known for low prices, so eating and drinking a lot there is still inexpensive. It opens at 5 AM and has breakfast sets, which works well for an early start. The location is great, and I’d stay here again.

The front desk staff were very helpful, though this is a pretty standard business hotel. It’s about a 15-minute walk from Matsubashi Station, and dragging a suitcase that distance is tiring. I wish there were a paid shuttle to and from the station. Taxis are scarce and don’t wait outside the station, while local buses are infrequent and leave you with about a five-minute walk from the stop. On a rainy day, walking to check in, check out and meals could be a hassle. My two-night, three-day weekend stay was ¥13,800, which felt about 30% to 50% cheaper than Kumamoto City. A 24-hour family restaurant is across from the hotel, and Lawson and Hotto Motto are nearby, so food is easy to find. Guests need to remove their shoes and use the slippers provided in the room. The rooms have individual Daikin air conditioning. The key is an old-fashioned plug-in type, and taking it out turns off the power, lol. Amenities are near reception on the first floor.

There are convenience stores and Joyful nearby, so food is easy to find. The room was clean, and even with no meals included, I think it would be comfortable enough. Just know that you can’t get an IP address for gaming, so you won’t be able to connect online.