Three-Star Hotels in Kamaishi

Houraikan will always have a very special place in my heart because of the proprietress Akiko-san and her team. I was touched by their story of how they overcame the tsunami, and by their genuine warmth and kindness. Having been to many ryokans, I am familiar with the high standards of service but Houraikan went above and beyond. Their greetings and smiles are more than politeness but genuine warmth and earnestness, which you can feel. Akiko-san went out of her way to take photos for me as I was a solo traveller. She also brought me around Kamaishi, proudly introducing attractions along the way, giving me recommendations and even accompanying me to the tourist centre to get a town map, and then to the museum where she asked that the museum staff take good care of me. When a fire alarm rang in the middle of the night on one night, Akiko-san was so apologetic for disturbing my rest and even though I reassured her that it was alright, she waived the cost of my sake and the usual bath tax as a sincere apology. She also gave me extra snacks and a bandana as a farewell gift. All the staff at Houraikan are warm, friendly and very thoughtful. For example, once I wanted to use the washing machine but it was being used. One of the staff later went out of his way to knock on my room door to let me know that the washing machine had become available for my use. Furthermore, it was lovely to bathe in the lovely open-air wood bath with such a pleasant smell and to soak in the onsen water while listening to the sound of the majestic ocean as it is so close to the shore. The futon is also something special - they have got the most comfy blanket, futon and pillow. I pray for more people to discover the beauty of Houraikan - it is not just the surrounding ocean that is beautiful, it is more than anything the heart of the people at Houraikan that makes it special!

I came out of the train station and headed for the Tourist Information Office but I missed the TIO and turned into the next door and was completely surprised because it was the entrance to my hotel. It cannot get more convenient than that. I do not speak Japanese and I am deeply grateful to a member of the hotel staff who took time to use the hotel telephone to get me a reservation to the wind phone and even took the time to print out information in English about it. Traveling alone I found it reassuring to feel so well taken care of.

Good location in town, parking facilities, good value for money, clean, great traditional breakfast.