Hotel Route-Inn Katori Sawara Ekimae Review: 1-Min Walk from Station + Great Value Stay

During this trip to Sawara, I stayed for four days and three nights at Hotel Route-Inn Katori Sawara Ekimae.

As soon as you exit Sawara Station, just look to the left, you’ll immediately see the hotel. It’s incredibly close.

Hotel Route-Inn is a well-known business hotel chain in Japan, with over 300 locations nationwide. You can find it almost everywhere, and that kind of scale usually means a reliable and consistent level of quality.

When you walk into the lobby, you’ll even see a full display of brochures introducing Route-Inn hotels across Japan, from north to south.

The price is also quite affordable, around $60 – $70 per night for two people, including breakfast. There’s also a public bath, which is a nice bonus after a long day.

Considering the location and facilities, the overall value is excellent.

Hotel Route-Inn Katori Sawara Ekimae Location & Access

The biggest advantage of Hotel Route-Inn Katori Sawara Ekimae is its location.

It’s right next to Sawara Station, literally less than a one-minute walk. If you’re traveling with luggage, you’ll really appreciate how easy it is.

During this trip, there was a lot of moving around by train. After a full day out, being able to get off the train and reach the hotel within seconds felt amazing.

Getting here is also simple:

• About 2 hours by highway bus from Tokyo
• Around 30-40 minutes from Narita Station

It works perfectly for a short getaway from Tokyo, or as part of a Narita itinerary.

For example, I visited Naritasan Shinshoji in the morning, then headed to Sawara in the afternoon, it made for a very smooth and relaxed travel plan.

If you’re driving, the hotel offers free parking with around 67 spaces. If it’s full, there’s a secondary parking lot just a 2-minute walk away.

Another big plus of staying here is how convenient it is to get around.
You can easily walk to the Ono River area, or take trains and buses to nearby attractions like Katori Shrine.

It’s also a great base for exploring the Togoku Three Shrines: Kashima Shrine, Katori Shrine and Ikisu Shrine.

Hotel Route-Inn Katori Sawara Ekimae Room Review

This hotel opened in July 2019, so it still feels relatively new. The rooms are simple, clean, and comfortable.

The size is just right, slightly more spacious than typical business hotels. Compared to APA Hotels, it feels a bit roomier, and you can fully open your suitcase without any hassle.

We stayed in a standard double room, which also had a small sofa and table. Somehow, this setup makes the space feel more relaxing, you’ll probably find yourself sitting there more than expected.

The bathroom is compact, as you’d expect in a Japanese business hotel, but clean and fully equipped.

One small but nice detail: the TV can rotate. Whether you’re lying in bed or sitting on the sofa, you can adjust the angle easily.

As for noise, we stayed for three nights and barely heard anything from outside. Overall, it was quiet and comfortable.

Hotel Route-Inn Katori Sawara Ekimae: view prices 👉👉 Booking | Agoda | Klook

Hotel Route-Inn Katori Sawara Ekimae Public Facilities

The front desk is open 24 hours, so if anything comes up late at night, you can always get help.

The public bath is located on the first floor and has long opening hours: 5:00 AM – 10:00 AM / 3:00 PM – 2:00 AM.
It’s perfect for either a morning soak or relaxing after a full day out.

There are also coin-operated washing machines and dryers, plus paid dry-cleaning services.
Basic facilities like a microwave and ice machine are available as well.

One small downside: there’s no water dispenser.
While the tap water is technically drinkable, it had a noticeable “raw” taste. I tried it once, but ended up buying bottled water from the vending machine instead.

Hotel Route-Inn Katori Sawara Ekimae Breakfast Review

The hotel offers a free buffet breakfast from 6:30 AM to 9:00 AM.

The dining area is quite spacious, with a warm wooden interior that feels comfortable and inviting.

The selection is pretty good, with a mix of Japanese and Western options, salads, hot dishes, fried items, bread, and drinks.

Hotel Route-Inn Katori Sawara Ekimae: view prices 👉👉 Booking | Agoda | Klook

Hotel Route-Inn Katori Sawara Ekimae Nearby Attractions

One of the biggest advantages of staying at Hotel Route-Inn Katori Sawara Ekimae is how easy it is to reach Sawara’s main attractions.

The Ono River is about a 10-minute walk away. It’s perfect for a slow stroll along the water, with Edo-period buildings and warehouses lining both sides.

If you’re in the mood for something quieter and more atmospheric, Suwa Shrine is also within a 10-minute walk from the station. The long stone steps and tall surrounding trees give it a peaceful, slightly mysterious vibe.

If you’re willing to travel a bit further, there are even more options.

Katori Shrine is highly recommended, you can get there easily by loop bus from the hotel. The approach is lined with towering cedar trees, creating a calm and sacred atmosphere.

For a more in-depth trip, you can also use Sawara as a base for the Togoku Three Shrines: Kashima Shrine, Katori Shrine and Ikisu Shrine.

All three are relatively close, and planning your route from Sawara makes the whole trip smooth and convenient.

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