Guest Room Furusatomura Kogeikan

I’ve stayed at many ryokans throughout my travels—often making up half of each trip—but this one felt a bit different. It seemed to be run by just one person, who I assume is the owner. Everything was self-service, which might be understandable considering it was the most affordable option among the ryokans in the area. Most amenities required an extra fee, such as towels. Payment was made by dropping coins into a basket and making your own change, which wasn’t very convenient—especially since I didn’t carry much cash. One thing I appreciated was the luggage delivery service. I was able to leave my bag at the lobby before check-out and have it sent to Toyama Station (for about 4,000 JPY, cash only). What stood out was the creativity in the shared spaces. There were several common rooms designed for relaxing and spending time—perfect if you’re traveling with friends. You could play ping pong, read books, watch TV, or use the canteen, which had a microwave and dishes available. They even had coin-operated massage chairs and a small fitness room. However, I must mention two important downsides: 1. Limited nearby dining options – Many restaurants shown as open on Google Maps were actually closed. The only one that was open had extremely slow service—I waited nearly an hour for dinner. 2. Insects—large ones – Unfortunately, I encountered big insects in my room, which made it hard to sleep. (He even provided insect-catch tape for me while introduce the room) I stayed awake most of the night, worrying it might come back—especially stressful since I had to get up early the next morning to catch a bus to Ogizawa. Minds you, stairs only, need to carry your luggage down by yourself. Overall, while it offers good value for the area and has unique communal features, this ryokan may not suit travelers who prefer full service, cashless payment, or guaranteed comfort.