Chubu 2016 中部の旅 - Toyoko Inn Nagano Eki Zenkoji Guchi 東横イン長野駅善光寺口

Stayed 16.10.2016 (Sun), 20.10.2016 (Thu)
Booked thru' Toyoko Inn's website.
Single = 4,579 yen (16.10.2016); 5,437 yen (20.10.2016)
Twin = 9,504 yen (16.10.2016); 9,028 yen (20.10.2016)









Pit stop. Stayed in this particular branch of Toyoko Inn on two separate days (first and fifth day) because Nagano city was a pit stop for the first leg of our travel in Nagano Prefecture. After a night's stay in Nagano city, we packed light luggage and visited Obuse 小布施, Asama Onsen 浅間温泉, Hakuba 白馬, Matsumoto 松本, Kamikochi 上高地, Shirahone Onsen 白骨温泉 and Azumino 安曇野, and finally made our way back to the capital city on the fifth night. Currently, this is the only Toyoko Inn branch in Nagano city and is situated near the main train station and shopping malls. In addition to its convenient location, similar level of services is provided in this particular branch.

Perk. One other feature which I like about Toyoko Inn is that it tries to incorporate regional dishes into its simple yet delicious breakfast fare. During our stay in this particular branch, we got to try Shinshu soba 信州そば during breakfast and it was delicious! As the terrain and weather in Nagano Prefecture favours buckwheat agriculture, Shinshu soba has been highly acclaimed as one of the best buckwheat noodles that one can find in Japan.



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What’s nearby?

(1) JR Nagano Station 長野駅, Nagaden Nagano Station 長電長野駅 and bus terminal, about 3 minutes walk away.
- JR Nagano Station is one of the train stations served by Hokuriku Shinkansen 北陸新幹線, which originates from Tokyo and ends at Kanazawa 金沢駅, in Ishikawa Prefecture 石川県.
- Nagaden Nagano Station is the terminus station of Nagano line. Yudanaka 湯田中駅, the train station nearest to Jigokudani Yaen Koen 地獄谷野猿公園, and Obuse 小布施駅 are two notable train stations on this railway line.

(2) Nagano Ekimae Post Office 長野駅前郵便局, about 3 minutes walk away.
https://map.japanpost.jp/p/search/dtl/300111252000/

Post office has become one of the places I will look out for whenever I am in Japan. Apart from buying stamps from here to send postcards back home (one of the habits I have cultivated over the years), getting the regional exclusive Postacollect postcards is another objective of my visit to post offices. To date, Shinshu soba (2017 - 2018), Zenkoji (2015), Kamikochi (2012), Matsumoto Castle (2010) and apples (2009) have been featured on Nagano's version of postcards. 
https://www.postacollect.com/gotochi/area17/

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Toyoko Inn Nagano Eki Zenkoji Guchi 東横イン長野駅善光寺口
〒380-0824  長野県長野市南石堂町1315-8
https://www.toyoko-inn.com/search/detail/00212/

How to get there?
3 mins walk from Nagano Station Zenkoji Guchi / Exit 長野駅善光寺口

Yamanashi 2018 山梨県の旅 - Fujisan Station Hotel 富士山ステーションホテル

Stayed 16.10.2018 (Tue)
Booked thru' Jalan.net
Triple room: 18,000 yen/night (inclusive of breakfast)

Accessibility. Owned by Fujikyu group, Fujisan Station Hotel, as the name suggests, is located in the vicinity of Fujisan Station. Its close proximity to the train station makes it convenient for guests to utilize both the train and bus network to explore areas around Fuji five lakes such as Kawaguchi-ko and Yamanaka-ko, and also Fuji-Q Highland, a large scale amusement park well known for its thrilling high speed roller coaster rides. Stayed here for a night and visited nearby attractions such as Arakurayama Sengen Koen (where a breathtaking view of Fuji-san, together with a pagoda and Fuji Yoshida city can be captured), Oshino Hakkai and Yamanaka-ko over two days.

Perks. The services provided by Fujisan Station Hotel do not differ much from other typical business budget hotels. We had the triple room which came with three super single beds. The 21 m2 room was surprisingly spacious with adequate walking space even after opening up the luggages. One incentive that guests get to enjoy here is a spectacular view of Fuji-san could even be sighted clearly from its rooms on a good weather day. Was extremely fortunate to be blessed by good weather, as we woke up to a stunning view of Fuji-san, seen right from our room! The other perk exclusive to guests residing in Fujikyu group of hotels is the complimentary sightseeting tour bus service that commutes from the hotels to Fuji-Q Highland and Fujikyuko Fujisan and Kawaguchi-ko Station. Breakfast was buffet style and the spread was decent, with both western (scrambled eggs, sausages, etc) and Japanese style made available. For dinner, we had MOS Burger at Q-STA, a small shopping mall connected to Fujisan Station. There are a handful of eateries, such as Uotami and small food courts serving Yoshida Udon, housed within the shopping mall to choose from.

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Fujisan Station Hotel 富士山ステーションホテル
山梨県富士吉田市松山2-7-12
http://www.fujisanstation-hotel.com/

How to get there?
(1) By foot. 2 minutes walk from Fujikyuko Fujisan Station 富士急行富士山駅.

Yamanashi 2018 山梨県の旅 - Toyoko Inn Kofu Eki Minami Guchi 2 東横イン甲府駅南口2

Stayed 3 nights: 12.10.2018 (Fri), 13.10.2018 (Sat), 17.10.2018 (Wed)
Booked thru’ Toyoko Inn website.
- Single room: 6,175 yen/night
- Twin room: 9,500 yen/night
* Price inclusive of 5% member discount.

First choice. After multiple trips to Japan, Toyoko Inn has become my top choice of hotel whenever possible. This time round, we stayed in Kofu Eki Minami Guchi 2 on all the nights in Kofu-shi, because of its ideal location near the train station. Currently, there are only two branches of Toyoko Inn in Yamanashi Prefecture and both of them are found within Kofu-shi and within walking distance from Kofu JR Station South Exit. Location wise, Kofu Ekimae Minami Guchi 2 has a greater advantage since it is just right opposite the train station - the distinct building can be easily identified once upon exiting from the train station. On the other hand, Minami Guchi 1 is about 7 minutes walk from the train station, located closer to Maizuru Jo Koen.

Ample walking space within room.

Interior of single room.

Interior of single room.

Perks. Will not elaborate much on the accommodation since the business model has been quite consistent among all Toyoko Inn branches I have stayed so far, and there has not been any changes since I last stayed with Toyoko Inn (when I visited Ibaraki Prefecture) a year ago. One of the perks enjoyed by a Toyoko Inn Club member is a free one night stay (in a single room) being awarded after the 10th stay. Being an avid supporter of Toyoko Inn, I have also accumulated enough points from previous trips to redeem a free one night stay this time round.

Toyoko Inn Club membership: https://www.toyoko-inn.com/club/

Highlights. If you are staying on the higher levels of the hotel, a good view of Maizuru Jo Koen / Maizuru Castle Park 舞鶴城公園 can be seen from the window at one end of the corridor. And if you are lucky enough, you can even spot the majestic Fuji-san from the hotel as well! Complimentary breakfast is served in the morning starting from 0630 hrs till around 0900 hrs. Here, the local specialty, Houtou ほうとう, was served in replacement of miso soup, which I felt was a thoughtful gesture by the hotel to introduce this well known local noodle dish to its guests. All in all, I can always count on Toyoko Inn for a good night rest during my stay in Japan!

Maizuru Castle Park viewed from 12th storey of hotel.

Lobby and dinning area.

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What’s nearby?

(1) Kofu JR Station 甲府駅 and Bus Terminal バスターミナル, a stone throw away from the hotel.

(2) Maizuru Jo Koen 舞鶴城公園, less than 3 minutes walk away from the hotel.
A public park now; was originally the site of Maizuru Castle 舞鶴城 (or Kofu Castle 甲府城), which would have been 400 years old if it existed. Though the castle keep tower or tenshukaku 天守閣 is no longer around, the stone laid fortress is still well preserved and its relatively high elevation makes it an excellent observatory to capture a good 360 degree overview of Kofu city.
https://www.city.kofu.yamanashi.jp/welcome/rekishi/kofujyou.html

Yamanashi Prefectural Office.

(3) Museum of Modern Yamanashi Historical Figures 山梨近代人物館, just across the main road.
Designated as a cultural property, the annex of Yamanashi prefectural office houses a museum documenting the achievements of famous people originated from Yamanashi Prefecture and their contributions in various fields of work such as politics, finance, education, agriculture, international relations, arts, research, etc.
- Free admission
https://www.pref.yamanashi.jp/ykj/index.html

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Toyoko Inn Kofu Eki Minami Guchi 2 東横イン甲府駅南口2
〒400-0031  山梨県甲府市丸の内2-3-2
https://www.toyoko-inn.com/search/detail/00132

How to get there?

(1) By foot. 1 minute walk from Kofu JR Station South Exit.

Chubu Nagano & Niigata 中部 長野、新潟 - Super Hotel Matsumoto Ekimae スーパーホテル松本駅前

Stayed 18.10.2016 (Tue)
Booked thru' Jalan.net
- Single Room = 6,080 yen
- Super Room = 8,700 yen

When it comes to searching for accommodation in a city area, my first choice normally goes out to Toyoko Inn because of its affordable rates and decent service. However, the branch in Matsumoto is located slightly further away from the train station; approximately 6 minutes walk required. Landed on Super Hotel eventually as it is comparatively nearer (maybe 1 minute closer) and prices are pretty competitive despite its strategic location. Having stayed in Super Hotel twice (first time was in Izumo), I have to concur that Super Hotel is better than Toyoko Inn, in terms of facilities and service. Based on my experience so far, I find that Super Hotel pays a lot of attention to ensure guests get the most rest and rejuvenation during their stay here.

Rejuvenation. Take the lift to the lobby located on the second floor. Check in procedure was a breeze and we were handed over a slip of paper indicating the room number and the passcode to input into the device attached to the doors to unlock the room - just like a safe box. Conventional key system does not exist here in Super Hotel. Female guests are also entitled to additional perks; upon checking in, the staff will lead them to a drawer filled with face masks, bath powder and other toiletries and they can choose up to five items! There is a coffee machine available for guests to bring complimentary coffee back into their rooms to enjoy. For those who are extremely particular about their pillow, you will be excited to see a shelf neatly arranged with various kinds of pillows catering to the needs of different people, all for the same objective to grab a good night sleep.

Sumptuous breakfast. No different from other business hotel chains, the rooms in Super Hotel are equipped with basic amenities. Both single and super room are 12 m2 in floor area, a size which is typical for many budget business hotels. The super room has a 140 cm wide bed and an upper deck single bed to hold up to three people. Complimentary breakfast was buffet style served in a spacious area, on the same level as the lobby, and a good variety of Japanese and western food options were available. Super Hotel even has its own line up of salad dressing, emphasizes on exclusion of chemical preservatives and ingredients which can create common food allergies. All ingredients you need to create a healthy and balanced breakfast are provided here - organic greens, grilled fish, stewed meat and root vegetables, local specialties, bread, cereals, fruit juices etc, were served on the following morning. All in all, very impressed and satisfied by the quality service extended by Super Hotel!

Left: Corner with brochures and reference materials to attractions nearby; Right: Ladies' corner where beauty items can be picked up.

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What's nearby?

(1) Matsumoto Ekimae Post Office 松本駅前郵便局, located on the other side of the road junction, diagonal to the hotel.
Operating hours: 0900 - 1700 hrs on weekdays
Website: http://map.japanpost.jp/p/search/dtl/300111280000/?&cond200=1&&his=ar,nm

Postcard collection. I am always on the lookout for post offices whenever I am in Japan, and especially when I visit a new prefecture on the map. After I discovered the existence of the regional exclusive postcards introduced by Posta Collect a couple of years ago, I have been an avid collector since then! What I like most about these postcards is their accurate representation of what each region is unique for - something that I can fondly remember the place for. For Nagano's version, prominent landmarks such as Zenkoji (善光寺) and Matsumoto Castle (松本城), natural landscape such as Kamikochi (上高地) and food such as Oyagi and apples were featured on these postcards on different years. It has gotten a bit additive for me to the point that I plan visits/detours to post offices, which are usually only open during weekdays, into my itinerary as well!
Tip: In fact, the true collectible items are the mini versions of these postcards which are not for sale. On rare occasions, the staff will give me a few to choose from, which I guess is subjected to availability as well. Glad to receive the mini versions of Matsumoto Castle and Zenkoji from this visit!
Nagano Prefecture's Posta Collect postcards: https://www.postacollect.com/gotochi/area17/

Matsumoto Castle was featured in 2010's series.

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Super Hotel Matsumoto Ekimae スーパーホテル松本駅前
長野県松本市中央１－１－７

http://www.superhotel.co.jp/s_hotels/matumoto/matumoto.html

How to get there?

Approx 5 minutes walk from Matsumoto JR Station East Exit.