Via Inn Himeji

I give the hotel an excellent score for location. Honestly, 2-5 minutes to all transportation access, 10 minutes walk to Himeji Castle, seconds to popular Japanese sushi bars- oh much longer, maybe minutes (I had to stop and get my bearings as usual) to the rest of downtown Himeji. Beds are firm, space is tight in this typical business person's hotel- yes more and more women so no longer businessman's. Staff have limited English, but they do their very best! I had to to extend by a day and my Japanese was not proficient in this area. Well after a few basic misunderstandings, commonsense reigned, we worked around my poor Japanese and the extra day was booked- cheaper if you do it online. Daily rates do change, so be quick to book directly with the hotel do not go third party, because if there are any problems, you have to try and contact third party and in Japan this is not always easy when off the main cities. What I really liked about this hotel is that they open up the floors to the air everyday. Are trying to keep environmentally clever, not easy in Japan. So everything is not automatic such as aircon. Windows are double glazed so you do not hear or feel a train and sirens are heard only when really close- hey its inner city. Breakfast is not gourmet Japanese cuisine (my other research specialty) and they cannot do eggs to save themselves,but everything else on brekky is tasty and included in price. If you do not speak Japanese the breakfast ladies (yes) will easily understand a few hand gestures on which button to push for a cuppa. They do it all the time for the Japanese! If you travel from the hotel under rail lines in the direction to the castle but not on otomaemichi, you will wander down streets of everyday Himeji- safely. What is amazing, is that you are still in the old moat district and will see vignettes of Himeji on signs and street organisation from before the Meiji period. Head to Hojoguchi still keeping away busy streets to your left. Little cafes, shops and the like will enjoy you custom. All of Himeji understands international visitors for hundreds of years so the service may be a little different and not as accommodating as expected in the hotel, but persevere and live a few minutes with the locals. After hours, when the nightlife awakens, bars are great fun.