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Immaculately clean. Comfortable bed. Spacious bathroom. Laundry. Free coffee

A prefect location. Breakfast was very rich. Keeping your luggage kindly.

The room is big. Breakfast good.

Houraikan will always have a very special place in my heart because of the proprietress Akiko-san and her team. I was touched by their story of how they overcame the tsunami, and by their genuine warmth and kindness. Having been to many ryokans, I am familiar with the high standards of service but Houraikan went above and beyond. Their greetings and smiles are more than politeness but genuine warmth and earnestness, which you can feel. Akiko-san went out of her way to take photos for me as I was a solo traveller. She also brought me around Kamaishi, proudly introducing attractions along the way, giving me recommendations and even accompanying me to the tourist centre to get a town map, and then to the museum where she asked that the museum staff take good care of me. When a fire alarm rang in the middle of the night on one night, Akiko-san was so apologetic for disturbing my rest and even though I reassured her that it was alright, she waived the cost of my sake and the usual bath tax as a sincere apology. She also gave me extra snacks and a bandana as a farewell gift. All the staff at Houraikan are warm, friendly and very thoughtful. For example, once I wanted to use the washing machine but it was being used. One of the staff later went out of his way to knock on my room door to let me know that the washing machine had become available for my use. Furthermore, it was lovely to bathe in the lovely open-air wood bath with such a pleasant smell and to soak in the onsen water while listening to the sound of the majestic ocean as it is so close to the shore. The futon is also something special - they have got the most comfy blanket, futon and pillow. I pray for more people to discover the beauty of Houraikan - it is not just the surrounding ocean that is beautiful, it is more than anything the heart of the people at Houraikan that makes it special!

I came out of the train station and headed for the Tourist Information Office but I missed the TIO and turned into the next door and was completely surprised because it was the entrance to my hotel. It cannot get more convenient than that. I do not speak Japanese and I am deeply grateful to a member of the hotel staff who took time to use the hotel telephone to get me a reservation to the wind phone and even took the time to print out information in English about it. Traveling alone I found it reassuring to feel so well taken care of.

Incredible breakfast and dinner, exceptionally polite staff, very hospitable.

Fantastic location and very friendly staff. Very spacious and clean.

Very nice experience with very friendly hosts

A special Hotel in a very special place, one of our best stays ever. Prior to our arrival I had arranged with the hotel to be picked up from the station. As promised a taxi arrived and drove ourselves and a couple of other guests the 15 minutes or so to the hotel. Staff were waiting outside to greet us and show us to reception where checkin was effortless as desk clerk spoke good English. Unusually we weren’t expected to pay or leave a credit card on file, payment is when you leave. We had booked a suite with sea views primarily because we needed western beds and chairs as we feel that sadly, the days of sleeping on the floor are behind us. In fact the rooms are described as The Royal Suite and it lives up to its name. There are three large rooms elegantly furnished. The double aspect room with large windows allowed us to appreciate the spectacular views of the bay, An absolute delight was the wet room with its shower and bathing pool, big enough for two, which afforded a view of the bay. Needless to say everything was spotlessly clean and comfortable, the wifi worked well, but the star of the room was certainly the view and the strange sense of peace and spirituality, which we both felt. Dinner too was a highlight partly cooked on jot plates at the table it was a feast of food from the sea. We ordered a bottle of white wine to go with the meal. It was Japanese and was, well….. interesting and not unpleasant. The bed was large and comfortable and the view at night with a full moon sparkling on the sea was amazing. The weather was cold with snow on the ground so we did not venture down to the beach. Breakfast was again most enjoyable and all too soon it was time to check out and take the shuttle bus to the station. Our stay was not cheap, but to put it in context much less than an average room in a Tokyo hotel, but considering the space, the excellent food, the service and above all the sense of peace was well worth it. A very special place to stay.

Great location, lovely owner who cooks for you until you until your belly is full. Great warm bath. 10/10 hospitality.