Komatsukan Kofutei

We stayed here for 3 nights, right after arriving early morning from Europe, and it was the perfect place to recover from the jet lag. This traditional ryokan-style hotel enjoys a beautiful view over Matsushima Bay and its islands. Even though it rained during our entire stay, the scenery was beautiful. The hotel provides a shuttle service to both local train stations. Or you can get a taxi, it costs around 1,000 JPY. The staff were polite and welcoming. They used a translation device to explain the hotel facilities and services, and some staff members also spoke basic English. The shops and restaurants are located within 10 minutes on foot. We booked a Modern Japanese Style Twin Room through a Japanese booking website, as we found the hotel's own website rather difficult to navigate, especially because we wanted a room without the dinner package. The room was exactly as shown in the photos, with a large window overlooking the bay, two comfortable queen-size beds (firm mattresses) and enough space to move around. The room was very well equipped, with yukatas and slippers provided for going to the baths and breakfast. There was a small refrigerator, an electric kettle with green tea, air conditioning, and an air purifier. Part of the window can be opened, with an insect screen, allowing fresh air into the room. The Japanese breakfast was generous and healthy. The main dishes changed every morning, but you should enjoy fish, as it plays a central role. A few pastries and coffee were also available. However, there was no plant-based milk (unlike many international hotel chains in larger cities). Near the lobby there is a lounge offering complimentary drinks throughout the day, including sake, although we did not use it. We especially enjoyed the onsen, both in the early morning and in the evening. The baths open as early as 4:30 a.m., and the bathing ritual is really easy to understand and to get thru. Arriving directly here after an intercontinental flight required pre-planning and a big dose of endurance. It was honestly a challenge, we landed at 7am and arrived at the hotel at 5pm ! This was how we made it: Prepare the immigration and customs QR codes before departure. Withdraw cash from an ATM (cash is still very useful in Japan). Send your largest suitcase from Narita Airport to your second hotel, so you can travel light. Buy a green Suica card (dedicated machine) at the train level in Narita Airport. Take the train to Tokyo (Google Maps is invaluable for choosing the correct line). At Tokyo Station, print your pre-booked Shinkansen tickets from the ticket machine (it took us four attempts before finding the correct machine!). Take a break ! Take the northbound Shinkansen to Sendai (green color) At Sendai, we found it easier to buy the local ticket to Matsushima at the ticket office rather than using the ticket machine (after 2 attempts). Get off at Matsushima Station (not Matsushimakaigan Station, which is on a different line and takes longer). Use the public telephone outside the station (100-yen coins required) to call the hotel for the shuttle (prepare in advance the phone number). It arrived within 5–10 minutes. Overall, this was an excellent stay in a peaceful setting and an ideal place to recover after a long flight before continuing our journey through Japan. One final tip: we went back to Sendai by train from Matshushimakaigan station (15min by foot) so we could purchase our later Shinkansen tickets to Hakodate directly at the ticket office. The staff were extremely helpful and efficient. Things have changed a bit for train travels since my last stay in 2019. You have very often to reserve seats in advance. You receive two tickets : insert both in the access gate to reach the tracks.

Since my parents were celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary, I stayed in a room with an indoor bath to relax. The inside bath was broken and it took until 23:00 to repair it, and it ended up broken and I couldn't take a bath. I had also booked a family bath, but I couldn't go to the hot spring because I was in the room and was repairing it. The 60th anniversary celebration was ruined and the hotel's response was to give me a little money just in time to buy a private bath at another hotel. The service was disappointing for the high price.

Stunning views of the bay from our room, and beautiful traditional room, futon, matting and decoration. The staff were attentive, and have translating app at reception, very useful. We caught the Hotel transit bus back to the station on leaving. On arrival we had to walk to hotel. Our travel agent should have advised us to request a pick up as there were no taxis at train station on Sunday afternoon - not the hotel issue, for general information. There are afternoon drinks and snacks in the lounge/deck area, which has lovely views across the bay. Due to back injury, I requested an extra futon, nothing was a problem - exemplary service, and help from Onodera Riku - reception chief.