Hotel 3 Bintang di Kimobetsu

Japan is one of a very small number of countries where I consider hostel-style accommodations. The Grand Cabin Rusutsu did not disappoint. I stayed in their shared room, in the style of a simple capsule hotel, with shared bathrooms and other facilities (there are also 'private' rooms but I believe they all share the common facilities). The capsule is quite private, with your own individual blind, a light, one 110V and one USB (A) socket; see attached photo. Shared facilties are impeccably clean (no idea how they do that). Surprisingly, although I was in a room with 19 other people, everybody was extremely polite and considerate. Most of the time you barely heard that there were other people around. The staff is very nice and friendly. Shuttle goes 3 times in the morning to Rusutsu resort (8,9,10am) and back 3 times back (I always took the first one, at 4pm, not sure about the other times). The Lawson conbini 2 minutes away is super convenient for food etc. There is a restaurant on the first floor which is open to the public. This is the 'grill your own meat' style. I tried it once and it was OK. I was the oldest guest (by quite a margin) but I did not feel out of place. Had nice conversations with some of the others, about half from Asia (various countries) and the other half Westerners (Aussies, Canadians and a single American). Costwise, it is an enormous bargain compared to the Resort itself. In particular of course for solo travelers. If I come back to Rusutsu I will for sure stay there again!