Dormy Inn Akita Natural Hot Spring

After leaving Akita Station, I walked for quite a while (the path was wide and easy to navigate), but the location is absolutely superb. Senso Park is diagonally across, and the Prefectural Museum is right next door. The next morning, I was able to take a stroll in Senso Park while the air was fresh, and then the museum opened at 10 AM, so I popped in for a quick 5-minute look around. The room wasn't huge, but I was surprisingly able to fully open my 28-inch suitcase. There was also a metal rack in the room, perfect for hanging clothes worn during the day but not needing to be washed immediately. The front desk thoughtfully provided a Chinese version of the hotel guide, which detailed the onsen opening hours, free ramen availability, breakfast times, Wi-Fi, and which floors had vending machines, microwaves, and ice makers. It was incredibly considerate! Akita city itself honestly doesn't have much to do, and shops close early in the evening, which is where the advantage of a hot spring hotel really shines! After soaking in the onsen (there's an outdoor one too!), you can enjoy free massage chairs (super large, luxurious, and comfortable). In the evening, there are free ice pops (choose from 4 flavors), and from 9:30 PM to 11 PM, there's free late-night ramen on the 1st floor (it's incredibly delicious! Just needs a little extra water as Japanese ramen can be a bit salty, but the flavor is truly excellent!). In the morning, Yakult is available for free on the onsen floor (from 5 AM to 10 AM). I stayed for two nights, and my favorite and most anticipated part of each day was returning to the hotel in the evening to shower, soak in the onsen, sit in the massage chairs, and eat ice pops.

If you're visiting Akita in the summer, this hotel is a fantastic choice, especially since Senshu Park's lotus pond, brimming with beautiful lotus flowers, is literally right at its doorstep. It's also just a short walk to the Prefectural Art Museum, making the location incredibly convenient. The breakfast was excellent, with a great variety of options. The only minor point was that the onsen (hot spring bath) felt a bit crowded, likely due to it being peak season.

The hotel is conveniently located, less than a ten-minute walk from the train station and within easy walking distance of a park. The lobby offers a coffee machine and luggage storage. They also serve ramen in the evenings, which gets very popular, so make sure to arrive early to beat the queue.

Self-service, facilities, retro look... but the main problem is you don't even give me a place to put my suitcase.