4-Starhotels in Iwate Prefecture, Japan

Our second stop on this East Japan trip was Morioka. The hotel is right across from the station, but I didn't dare cross the road because there was no pedestrian sidewalk. So, I took the underground passage instead. Since it was my first time there, I wasn't familiar with the area and had to carry my suitcase up the stairs. Luckily, there weren't too many steps. I actually didn't have high hopes for this hotel, but it turned out to be surprisingly good! The service was excellent, and it's conveniently connected to a Lawson convenience store; you can enter the hotel directly with your room key. I heard the breakfast was good, so I bought one day's worth to try it out. It was 2600 JPY per person, and breakfast started at 6:15 AM. The Japanese really wake up early – there was already a queue before it even opened! The single room was very spacious, and the soundproofing was excellent. The price was also very reasonable. I'll definitely choose this place again next time I'm in Morioka.

The location is beautiful and the views from the car park assured us we had chosen well. Check in was helpful and all facilities were fully explained at this time, allowing us to book our dining time. The room was comfortable and traditional; the view, amazing! With an afternoon of sunshine, time was taken to enjoy the view in a temperature controlled setting. There was a beautiful tea set and tea provided along with some complementary snacks and water. The toiletries provided were lovely and I shall certainly be looking to purchase these for my home. Dinner was a Chinese style buffet, with an excellent selection of dishes. Barbecues for the table and delicious sashimi and hand prepared sushi. Soups, stews, salad and more! To follow was an assortment of cakes and ice creams. Staff were very helpful and polite and the food was filling and delicious. We then retired to the hotel bar where we were again greeted by a lovely member of staff. Upon return to our room, futons had been prepared and the room made ready for sleep. These were surprisingly comfortable. Breakfast was also delicious with a huge array of dishes to choose from. Check out was simple and staff were helpful and polite. I will definitely be returning! I

Perfect, I can only say perfect! It's affordable and excellent. These small, beautiful ski resorts in Japan are truly hidden gems. Their facilities are very well-maintained, and they offer shuttle services to Shimokura, Appi, and the train station. You can even get discounted Appi ski tickets if you buy them at the hotel. I can't praise this place enough!

This hotel boasts an excellent location right in front of Morioka Station, and I found it incredibly convenient throughout my stay with plenty of convenience stores, restaurants, and cafes nearby. The front desk is on the first floor, and the breakfast restaurant is on the second. The breakfast is good for a quick meal. There were some Chinese tour groups staying at the hotel. Compared to a typical business hotel, the room was a bit more spacious and comfortable. The bed had just the right amount of firmness, the new TV and Hitachi air conditioner worked perfectly, and the water pressure in the TOTO bathroom shower was also very satisfying. I was worried about congestion with only two elevators, but they were fast, so the wait time wasn't long. However, since it hasn't been open for long, the staff's service was a bit unpolished, and the cleaning in some corners left a little to be desired. Nevertheless, thanks to the excellent location and superb room condition, I was generally very satisfied with my stay.

Overall, the hotel is great and perfect for those who want to focus on skiing. However, the hotel is a bit old and the soundproofing isn't the best. On the positive side, the staff are very friendly and happy to help with any issues. The facilities are also well-equipped and suitable for families, with many amenities and ski lesson packages for children.

The hotel is really convenient and just 7 mins walk from the Morioka station. It’s close to the famous pyon pyon sha restaurant and also a 20mins walk along the shops to the red brick Iwate bank building. Lots to explore with a great base location of the hotel. The soundproofing of the walls were unfortunately a little lacking as there were loud walking and stomping noise from the neighbouring room.

Conveniently located beside JR Morioka station and Iwate Galaxy Railway (IGR) Line with the bus terminus across the road in front of the hotel and also housed within the same building as the FESAN Shopping Mall. Room was spacious and the breakfast (buffet style) in the hotel’s Chinese restaurant was good. City sightseeing bus stops at 5pm so I opted to walk to Morioka Castle/Park which took about 20mins to reach.

1. Hotel Location The hotel is located in a relatively remote area of ​​Tsunaki Onsen. Access involves a slope and a road. Buses are infrequent, making it difficult for those without a car to reach the area. A taxi from Morioka Station costs a fixed 5,000 yen fare to the hot springs, and the journey takes over 20 minutes. 2. Neighborhood Amenities The hotel is located in a relatively remote area of ​​the hot springs. The nearest convenience store is over a 15-minute walk away. There are few other shops nearby. Once you enter the hotel, you're confined to the hotel. Even if you want to walk to the nearby river, the walk is over ten minutes. It's recommended to stock up on daily necessities, such as snacks, in the city before heading to the hotel. 3. Hotel Facilities This hotel is a very traditional hot spring inn. The building has three floors and approximately 21 rooms. The baths are separate for men and women, one indoor and one outdoor. However, the outdoor open-air bath is too close to the grass, making it prone to mosquitoes at night. The indoor bath is spacious, and since there are not many guests, you can enjoy it alone. The room facilities are a bit dated. The Wi-Fi speed is adequate, but the TV cannot connect to a tablet or YouTube. The room window overlooks the landscaped grounds next to the lobby. If you enjoy traditional Japanese inns, you will enjoy the facilities at this hotel. 4. Hotel Staff The hotel staff are very friendly and proactive in offering assistance. However, one area I think could be improved is that the dinner and breakfast service was a bit too fast.

This is my third time in Morioka, and I was lucky enough to catch the cherry blossoms in full bloom – it was beautiful! The hotel room was spacious and comfortable. It's also not far from the JR station, and Kaiun Bridge and Morioka Castle Site Park are both nearby. Great value for money!

The main reason for staying at the Hongyeguan Hotel was its convenient location for cherry blossom viewing in the north. It's only a little over half an hour's drive to the exhibition center. The hotel includes two meals: a buffet breakfast and dinner. After cherry blossom viewing, guests can enjoy various delicacies such as king crab, soak in the hot springs, and there are even ethnic performances in the evening. The cherry blossoms were in full bloom on the day we checked in, and Hongyeguan was surrounded by them – it was beautiful!