Hotel Route Inn Towada

Stay for 4 nights while visiting the surrounding region. The hotel provides free carpark. The twin room size is decent for the price point. the price comes with free buffet breakfast that has quite a variety of items. There is a MacDonalds opposite the hotel though there are limited food choices in the surrounding areas. The hotel serves dinner during weekdays due to the limited food outlets within walking distance. Good base for exploring the area and rental car is highly recommended.

We went in the busy season, across a weekend for autumn leaf viewing in October and the hotel was very full. Expecting this, we reserved the room online some months in advance. Given it was 21,200 yen for 2 nights for 2 people including breakfast it was pretty good value. However, it should be said that we stayed in a Dormy Inn business hotel in Matsumoto which was cheaper, more spacious and better all around. So comparatively speaking it was an average experience. The room was extremely small, as would be expected in a business hotel, but was very clean with a contemporary design. We hired a car to see this region and found they had a huge carpark, so even though it was booked to capacity there was never a problem parking. The restaurant was not open for dinner across the weekend, so we were forced to look for meals elsewhere. If you don't mind walking several blocks there are numerous Izakaya to choose from. However, if you are wanting something simpler, then a car is necessary. Or if you're OK with convenience store food, there is one on a corner not far from the hotel. There are laundry facilities in the mens and womens communal baths on the ground floor (or first floor - depending on what culture you are from). The baths are clean and functional. Breakfast was plentiful, but most of the hot food was cold. On Sunday morning it was full, but by the time we had selected from the buffet a table became available. Most guests left on Sunday night, so there was hardly anyone there for Monday morning breakfast. If you are looking for budget accomodation in the Towada area then this is probably worth considering. There are much nicer places (many ryokans), located closer to the Oriase stream and Lake Towada, but they are also very expensive during the peak seasons. Finally about the area itself. If you get the chance to see the autumn leaves in Towada, it is stunning. And If you hire a car, traffic from Towada city to Lake Towada is extremely heavy so allow plenty of time. And if you can manage to find somewhere to park along the Oriase stream there are some wonderful walks to be had. A cruise across Lake Towada is well priced and relaxing. Towada Art Centre in Towada city is a great interactive art experience - not to be missed.