The Evolving Showa-Era Nishinari Hotel: Hotel Hatsune

As usual, I explored the building. Stepping into the hallway, the Showa-era ambiance was evident – slightly dark and somewhat melancholic, but being neatly cleaned, it wasn’t unpleasant at all. Being an internal staircase, not a single piece of trash was found.

Each floor had washbasins and toilets, as well as a coin-operated washing machine for 200 yen.

The toilet on the third floor wasn’t equipped with a bidet, but the one on the second floor was.

There was a 24-hour accessible shower room on the second floor. Among the keys I received at the front desk, one was for this shower room. As with my previous stay at “Fukusuke,” I highly recommend taking a shower at night to avoid becoming a ‘shower refugee.’

“Hotel Hatsune” also has a large communal bath. Located at the back of the first floor in a detached building that’s exposed to the outside, it might be chilly going back and forth during winter. It’s available from 4 PM to 9 PM, but closed on Thursdays and Sundays. A hairdryer can be borrowed from the front desk, though they are always equipped in the shower room.

En route to the communal bath, several washing and drying machines were installed, with usage restricted until 9 PM.

The front desk closes at 9 PM, and the main entrance shutter goes down, but it’s nice that entry and exit are possible 24 hours through a door next to it. There is a slight concern for safety, but being able to enter and exit even after 9 PM is helpful. At this hour, a few pubs and such are still open, but due to the recent increase in COVID-19 cases, I ended up buying food and alcohol at a convenience store and staying in my room.

Eventually, there was no noise at night, and the morning came uneventfully. One thing to note is that checkout is not at 10 AM but by 9 AM. The front desk remains closed, and guests are instructed to leave the key on top of the room’s refrigerator, checking out on their own as explained during check-in.

From past experiences, the presence of kettles and microwaves, the gradual increase of free Wi-Fi, and the second-floor toilet being a bidet type show constant evolution.

Honestly, until about May, there was nothing to complain about at a price of 1,600 yen per night. However, considering the current inflation, the price has risen to 2,000 yen.

Without individual air conditioning, no amenities, and the large bath and shower room’s competition, many more comfortable hotels are available in Nishinari for the 1,000 yen range, as one can see from past articles in this series. On the other hand, thinking optimistically, a 400 yen increase might lead to further improvements.

Looking beyond Nishinari to other areas, 2,000 yen per night still offers great value. Despite its age, the hotel is clean, making it a strong candidate on my list.

■Profile
Hants Endo
Born in Tokyo in 1966. A Waseda University graduate. After resigning from a real estate company, he became a writer for overseas travel magazines, followed by a food journalist and C-grade hotel critic. He has visited over 10,000 eateries. His main serialized works include “Weekly Shōgun” and “Toyo Keizai Online.” He has authored 27 books, including “Interview Denied: The Extremely Delicious Ramen Shops” (Kosaido Publishing).