Samurise Kura

This accommodation offers a unique and memorable stay, distinguished by its prime location just steps from Kawaguchiko Station, making it an ideal base for exploring the area. Its traditional Japanese feel, with tatami mat rooms and futon bedding, provides an authentic cultural experience. The self-service model appeals to independent travelers and backpackers seeking value for money and a streamlined process. While the shared facilities are consistently praised for their cleanliness, guests should be prepared for a largely unassisted experience. This hotel is particularly well-suited for young people and budget travelers looking for a convenient and culturally immersive short stay. To ensure a comfortable visit, it is advisable to bring earplugs due to the thin walls and familiarize yourself with the self check-in process beforehand.

Facilities & Amenities
Guests appreciate the range of convenient facilities available, including a free washing machine and dryer, though some have reported issues with the dryer's functionality. Each room is equipped with a kettle and a mini fridge, while a microwave oven is available in the laundry area. The presence of an air purifier in rooms is also noted. Shared showers and toilets are a key feature, consistently described as modern and well-maintained. Complimentary tea and coffee are provided near the entrance, adding to guest convenience. While the Wi-Fi generally works well, some guests experienced temporary outages, which they managed to resolve by restarting the router.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
The accommodation receives consistent praise for its cleanliness, particularly the shared bathrooms and toilets, which are described as spotless and are cleaned daily. Rooms are generally found to be clean, with comfortable blankets provided for the futon beds. However, room comfort receives mixed feedback. Many guests note the thin walls, which allow noise from neighboring rooms to be easily heard, suggesting earplugs for light sleepers. Some single rooms are described as small and cramped, with bunk beds that can be unstable or difficult to access. While the futons offer a traditional experience, some guests, particularly seniors, found sleeping on the floor uncomfortable. Other reported issues include a strong perfume smell in some rooms, a lack of mirrors or hooks for clothes, and isolated incidents of mold on wooden structures or non-functional heaters during cold weather.

Location & Accessibility
The central location of the accommodation is a significant highlight for guests, being just a short 2 to 5-minute walk from Kawaguchiko Station and the bus terminal. This proximity makes it exceptionally convenient for travelers arriving by public transport and provides easy access to local attractions. Many guests appreciate that Mount Fuji is visible immediately upon stepping outside. A convenience store is also located nearby, adding to the ease of access for daily needs. While the location is excellent for public transport users, guests arriving by car should note that parking is off-site, requiring a short 5-minute walk to a designated area.

Staff & Service
The accommodation operates on a self-service model, with check-in and check-out primarily handled via a tablet at the entrance. Most guests find this process straightforward and efficient, appreciating the autonomy it offers. While there are no on-site staff, remote assistance is available via phone or messaging apps like WhatsApp, with guests generally reporting quick responses to inquiries or issues. This remote support has been helpful for arranging taxis or resolving minor problems. However, some guests found the self check-in process confusing or experienced technical difficulties with the tablet or room locks, leading to frustration, especially outside of support hours. The lack of immediate on-site assistance for urgent issues, such as non-working facilities or malfunctioning locks, was a significant concern for a few visitors.

Additional Information
Guests should be aware that the accommodation offers a traditional ryokan feel, which means rooms typically feature tatami mats and futon bedding, with no chairs for sitting. While this provides an authentic experience, it may not suit all travelers. The heated toilet seats are a modern touch, though some guests found them to become uncomfortably warm after a few minutes. Room door locks are dial-based and can be noisy or occasionally malfunction, causing inconvenience. It is important to note that, contrary to some third-party booking site descriptions, the property does not have rooms with private bathrooms; all facilities are shared. The self check-in process requires a degree of tech savviness, as it involves interacting with an iPad-like device and quickly noting room access codes. The property maintains a strict no smoking policy on the premises.