Please make sure to stay at this affordable hotel when you come to Japan
Yokohama Intercontinental Hotel||
The main building of the hotel is a landmark sailboat structure in Yokohama City, visible from afar, making it quite a distinctive presence. There are a large number of rooms, reportedly over a thousand, but since it opened quite early, the hardware facilities can't be considered new. However, Japanese hotels are generally well-maintained. Upon arrival by car, there is a welcoming reception at the hotel entrance. The bellboy takes your luggage and hands you a luggage tag, informing you that the luggage will be delivered directly to your room, and guides you to the second-floor front desk for check-in.
The rooms are indeed old but well-maintained. This hotel must have been in operation for many years, as there are no signs of renovation. It feels like the furniture and style are at least a decade old. The bed is very uncomfortable, very hard, and you can clearly feel the springs when lying on it. After one night, I couldn't stand it anymore and wrote a note asking the service staff to add a soft mattress. It was more comfortable after adding the mattress. The curtains have indeed been washed many times, as you can see the cracks caused by washing. Originally blackout curtains, they now have some cracks due to multiple washes, reducing their effectiveness, but it is still acceptable and understandable. There are no other issues; it's just that the style is quite old. The layout is still very square, with good lighting and a nice view. The desk is set in front of the window, allowing you to enjoy the sea view while working, which is very refreshing. The room service staff also clean very thoroughly. Overall, apart from the uncomfortable sleep, there are no major flaws.
The hotel is indeed average, but the price is low, making it very cost-effective. The seaside is right outside, and it's a 10-minute walk to the big Ferris wheel, where you can enjoy the city's night view. The second floor leads directly to a large shopping mall, meeting general shopping and dining needs. Crossing the mall, you can reach the Minato Mirai subway station, about a 10-minute walk from the hotel. The subway line at Minato Mirai station goes directly to Chinatown, Yokohama Station, and even Shibuya and Ikebukuro. This hotel costs only about a thousand yen per night, which is at least three times cheaper than hotels in Tokyo, making it the king of cost performance. However, because of this, the service and hardware are generally average, and the bed experience is indeed poor. Tourists with high requirements for bedding should choose carefully.
Yokohama, in my opinion, is actually better than Tokyo. It is less crowded and has the largest Chinatown in Asia. A visit to Chinatown will reveal where the names of the shops in the anime 'Cooking Master Boy' come from, and you can see the huge 'Special Chef' sign for the first time in real life. This city also has many historical and cultural elements that I like. Many places, such as the famous Red Brick Warehouse tourist attraction nearby, actually incorporate many Western elements, giving it a very European street feel. The top floor of the mall at Yokohama Station has a huge rest platform where you can see the cityscape and even Mount Fuji. The view is fantastic and highly recommended. I stayed in Yokohama for five days and also visited Kamakura and Enoshima. The Enoshima Aquarium is very interesting and the experience was great. As I visit Japan more frequently, I understand better how to enjoy it, and the experience gets better each time.
Traveling is about experiencing it yourself. Every step you take on the journey counts.