4-Star Hotels 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.

Stunning location! Walked into the lobby and was floored by panoramic views of the cape. The hotel isn't modern or new, but it's well-maintained. Stayed in the tatami room and it's extremely spacious. Opt for the dinner buffet as there aren't lots of dining options unless you drive. Breakfast was full of Western and Japanese options. Oiishi!

The hotel is new and the staff are incredibly friendly and helpful. The hot springs are very comfortable, and the environment is exceptionally peaceful. The buffet is delicious. I highly recommend it to friends who are traveling by car!

The breakfast quality is very high, I especially loved the Platinum pork. The wooden style of the rooms is new and beautiful. It's an 8-minute walk from the station, which is very convenient. The public bath is a bit small, but still a decent option. It would be even better if the elevator was larger and the front desk staff were more efficient. Overall, it's a good choice.

The facilities at Abhi Hotel are excellent, with a microwave, vending machines, an ice maker, and a washing machine – all very convenient. The food and the staff's service attitude are also great, especially the Chinese-speaking intern who was incredibly friendly and kind, helping us with all our questions. Thank you for your help!

The location is excellent, just one block away from the station, and there's a convenience store downstairs. The facilities are new and complete. The only thing that needs improvement is the washer/dryer; I'm not sure if it was because there were too many clothes, but it took a very long time to dry them. The breakfast was superb, with a wide variety of options, many local products, and especially a great selection of toppings for yogurt.

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!