Ooedo Onsen Monogatari Premium Matsunoi

I was surprised to find so few reviews on Booking, as this hotel is definitely a hidden gem in Minakami. I’m glad I took the chance with my last-minute booking! The staff were very friendly, and a young receptionist lady spoke excellent (Australian) English and took the time to explain everything. Thanks again! Despite some language barriers within the other staff, communication was easy with gestures and a little English. The 3! onsen facilities were excellent and clean, the room was spacious with all the necessary amenities, and the bed was wonderfully comfortable. The hotel itself is a huge complex with beautiful interiors and cosy hidden corners, including a manga lounge. The dinner buffet offered an impressive variety of food, with great organisation despite the many guests. Complimentary self-service drinks, coffee, water and even beer throughout the day were a fantastic bonus. Wi-Fi and the overall facilities were excellent. The local bus stops right in front of the hotel (check the timetable), making it a convenient option for getting there. The walk to JR Minakami Station is a little longer, so I’d recommend taking the bus.

The check-out process was unnecessarily slow, with only two staff members handling a long queue. The procedure for managing the line was also a little confusing. Breakfast offered a huge selection, but a few more Western-friendly options, such as yoghurt and oatmeal, would be appreciated, especially for guests who prefer something lighter in the morning and not smoked fish or fried meat. But overall still a great breakfast buffet.

Everything was good or even better than my expectation, including free drink service open till 10pm for beer, sake, wine, coffee, soft drinks.

More flexible check-in time, if possible.