Takayama Hotel - Minshuku Kuwatani-ya

This minshuku (basically a family operated bed and breakfast) has been around since the 1920s. In many aspects it may not have changed much since then which makes it an interesting place to sleep. The thin red carpet looks like it has been walked on since the 20s! You must remove your shoes in the foyer and then are either barefoot or in your socks throughout the establishment. The exception is in the toilets where there are some slippers for you to wear upon entering them. My room was number 202, facing the street and did not have private toilet/shower. It had tatami mats, a comfortable futon with blanket and duvet, a refrigerator, table and big flat screen television. Both the first and second floors have open aluminum trough-like sinks with three faucets for washing face, shaving, tooth brushing etc. The baths are on the second for women and on the first for men. The bath itself is nothing special but nevertheless I enjoyed it. Overall I would recommend this minshuku. It is clean, you are left alone by the staff (I was only spoken to on check-in and out) and it is in a convenient location seven minutes walk from the train station. There is a computer for internet but it is painfully slow and running an old version of Windows. Pain. The rate was 4350¥ per night including taxes. Value for money = Three stars.





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