Asamushi Sakura Kanko Hotel

“Spectacular view, incredible gourmet meals, shabby rooms”

Location: A very unusual location on the coast, with a stunning view of a small island right out of your window, this hotel was probably nice at one time. Staff: Very friendly and helpful staff. They picked us up and dropped us off at the train station, which was an easy walk, but difficult to m… more

Location: A very unusual location on the coast, with a stunning view of a small island right out of your window, this hotel was probably nice at one time. Staff: Very friendly and helpful staff. They picked us up and dropped us off at the train station, which was an easy walk, but difficult to manage in the snow with suitcases. Facilities: It desperately needs remodeling. The lobby is dark and depressing. The disappointing guest room was narrow, with torn fusuma, and cigarette burn in the too-old tatami. No attempts were made to even patch the holes -- something easily done with stickers for that purpose. Bath: The onsen was okay, with the main feature being the great view from the rotenburo. The rotenburo was actually an enclosed room with enormous windows that open out over the breaking waves and a view of the island. Unfortunately, when we were there, the wind picked up so much that the windows had to be be shuttered. That left us with a rotenburo enclosed in a dark room with a once-running waterfall that was turned off, and two once-beautiful wooden soaking tubs that were in need of refurbishing. Food: If you are a serious Asian seafood fan, the food here will impress. Both dinner and breakfast are served kaiseki style (not buffet, but served to you in elaborate ceramic ware). The ingredients were high quality, and exquisitely presented. One dish was sashimi featuring a whole fish, sliced up. There were numerous appetizers, vinegar vegetables, and expensive scallops and tenderloin cuts of meat were featured prominently. The presentation was impressive and every morsel was delicious. Free Shamisen performance: There is a nightly shamisen performance that was excellent

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