Senpokaku

“One word - perfect!”

I’ve been to many countries and have been staying in various hotels. Senpokaku is definitely one of the best. We booked the hotel very last minute and did not know anything about this hotel at the time. We didn’t know that there are shuttle bus from Toba Station to the hotel. As we didn’t know … more

I’ve been to many countries and have been staying in various hotels. Senpokaku is definitely one of the best. We booked the hotel very last minute and did not know anything about this hotel at the time. We didn’t know that there are shuttle bus from Toba Station to the hotel. As we didn’t know about the shuttle us, we tried walking to the hotel ourselves. We had a difficult time carrying all of our luggages and a baby uphill to the hotel. Everything was wonderful and perfect after we arrived. We got a very spacious room with an amazing view. There were in room treats which matched perfectly with the tea they provided. Mr. 崛池, the hotel conceige, drove us to the station twice because we missed the shuttle bus. There were indoor and outdoor bath and I like them both. We had arranged for hotel dinner one night and was satisfied with the delicious food. Because we ordered dinner at the hotel, they gave us a complementary buffet breakfast. There were a lot of food to choose from. There’s nothing that I could complain about with friendly, helpful and polite conceige, delicious food, amazing view, comfortable tatami bed and relaxing bath. The hotel concierge (Mr. 崛池) is extremely considerate. Everytime we got in and out the car, he would remind us to be careful as it’s easy to bang our head when we can in and out the car. He also lend us the umbrellas on a rainy day without us asking. One more thing I forgot to mention is that other than the shuttle service, they also would pick you up from nearby restaurants if you call them by 7 pm.

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“First time in ryokan”

We booked last minute and I wasn't expecting much. We drove there and wow lobby looked really nice. They even have stores to buy souvineers and clothes and even carp fish swimming and a small arcade. I think there's a snack bar and karaoke but I didn't go in. There's a public bath on the 7th floor … more

We booked last minute and I wasn't expecting much. We drove there and wow lobby looked really nice. They even have stores to buy souvineers and clothes and even carp fish swimming and a small arcade. I think there's a snack bar and karaoke but I didn't go in. There's a public bath on the 7th floor but the rooms also have its own bath and toilet. We had a nice view and the staff were very nice. The yukata was too big so they brought in a small one for me and 2 ladies came later that night to arrange the futon beds for us. They also drove us to the restaurant to have dinner and the restaurant staff drove us back to the hotel. Amazing service. I liked the crayfish miso soup for breakfast. In terms of amenities, there are toothbrushes and towels and the shampoo and body wash but we couldn't find a hairdryer but we really didn't care that badly about it. There is hot water and a jug of cold drinking water, some crackers and some sweets and tea. There is wifi. And bonus story: I got ice cream from the vending machine and it had 2007 written on it xD Amazing. Overall, will come back again.

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“Great stop over”

We stayed 2 nights here, on our way North from Kii-Katsuura. While the hotel is a little bit dated, we could not fault them on service. It was the kind higher end service that you would expect in a much more expensive hotel. The turn down service made up our futons at night and then put them away d… more

We stayed 2 nights here, on our way North from Kii-Katsuura. While the hotel is a little bit dated, we could not fault them on service. It was the kind higher end service that you would expect in a much more expensive hotel. The turn down service made up our futons at night and then put them away during the day. After our first night, they had noticed that I had used my own coffee (as there was only green tea in the room) & that I had a bottle of beer in the fridge. When we returned there, were cups, coffee, milk, sugar & a bottle opener, in the room. In the evening, when we went out for dinner, it was just a matter of asking at reception for a courtesy car, to take us where we wanted to go & pick us up afterwards. There was no need for a taxi. The view over the bay & islands was great. The room was quite large by Japanese standards, with our own bathroom. The Rotenbo (outdoor Onsen) and main Onsen were excellent too. We actually wished we had booked for longer, as there was much to see and do in the area.

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“Nice onsen baths”

Coming to Toba often I have wanted to stay at Senpokaku to see what it’s like. It has a commanding position in the mountains above Toba. Good value for money at just under ¥6000 per night (no food) but including taxes and the ¥150 bathing fee. Hotel offers a free shuttle service between 2.40 - 6 pm… more

Coming to Toba often I have wanted to stay at Senpokaku to see what it’s like. It has a commanding position in the mountains above Toba. Good value for money at just under ¥6000 per night (no food) but including taxes and the ¥150 bathing fee. Hotel offers a free shuttle service between 2.40 - 6 pm from the Kintetsu side of Toba station....checkout is 10 am and the last shuttle back down to the station is at 10.20 (but it’s an easy walk downhill to the (sleepy) town below.A lot of the places close in Toba on Wednesdays so bear that in mind. The good things about the hotel:Good and strong wifi signal in the room. Very nice indoor and outdoor baths on the 7th floor...but they are in different places so you need to dry off and move to enjoy both...which is a little inconvenient!The baths were empty between 8.30 - 9 in the morning (they close between 9 am - 3 pm) The staff were pleasant ,spoke a little English and hand out a simple instruction sheet in English when you check in to explain about the baths etc. The view from the 5th floor was pleasant of the mountainside and down to the water in the distance. On the downside...the hotel is old and the room while large for 1 person could do with a refurbishment as the sink,tatami mats,sitting area and walls/doors were stained and rather unappealing....and there was a lingering smell of smoke (not sure if this hotel distinguishes between smoking and non-smoking rooms) Also there are no English instructions in the rooms so you might struggle with finding the bilingual button on the TV remote control or how to heat the water and use the Japanese kettle! All in all ok for an overnight stay and probably quite pretty views in autumn and spring when the trees are changing colour and the cherry blossoms are in bloom!

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