Yamagata's BEST Hotel? Richmond Hotel Yamagata-ekimae Review!
Yamagata's BEST Kept Secret? My Richmond Hotel Yamagata-ekimae Rollercoaster Review! (Spoiler: I'm Still Recovering)
Alright, folks, buckle up, because I'm about to unleash a review so raw, so unfiltered, so… me, that you'll feel like you've actually been to the Richmond Hotel Yamagata-ekimae. Forget pristine brochures and generic travel writing; this is the real deal – warts and all, and with a healthy dose of what-was-I-thinking thrown in for good measure.
SEO & Metadata First, Then Chaos:
- Keywords: Richmond Hotel Yamagata-ekimae, Yamagata, Japan, Hotel Review, Accessible Hotel, Wheelchair Accessible, Free Wi-Fi, Japanese Hotel, Clean Hotel, Hotel in Yamagata Station, Onsen, Japanese Breakfast, Hotel Amenities, Comfortable Stay, Travel Japan, Best Hotels Yamagata, Budget Hotel, Mid-Range Hotel, Family-Friendly Hotel, Business Hotel, Safe Hotel, Covid-Safe Hotel.
- Metadata Description: A brutally honest and hilarious review of the Richmond Hotel Yamagata-ekimae! Discover everything you need to know, from accessibility and dining to amenities and cleanliness (and my personal near-meltdown). Get ready for a wild ride! (Plus all the stuff you actually need to plan your trip)
Okay, Let's Dive In…and Pray I Don't Regret This!
This whole trip to Yamagata was a last-minute Hail Mary. Seriously, I was this close to staying home and binge-watching cat videos. But then, BAM! Japan! And I needed a decent, accessible hotel near the station, because, well, dragging luggage is not my idea of a good vacation. The Richmond Hotel Yamagata-ekimae popped up, and the reviews… well, they were mostly glowing. So, armed with a questionable amount of sleep and even more questionable optimism, I booked.
Accessibility - The First Hurdle (and Surprisingly, a Win!)
My biggest concern? Accessibility. I'm not ready to spill ALL the tea on my physical limitations, but let's just say navigating a strange city on foot can be…an adventure. And the Richmond Hotel? Bravo. The accessibility was surprisingly on point! The elevator was huge (essential), and the hallways were wide enough to do a little… ahem… dance (don't judge). The entrance was easy to navigate, and the front desk staff were genuinely helpful. Not just the "smile and nod" helpful. They actually cared. They even pointed me towards the most accessible route to the konbini (convenience store) – a lifesaver! Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Accessible Stars. (Lost half a star for the slightly-steeper-than-expected ramp into the lobby, but I'm being picky).
The Room - My Sanctuary… Mostly
The room itself was… compact, in the typical Japanese hotel way. But clean! Spotless, even. And that, my friends, is a HUGE deal. Cleanliness and safety are my must-haves right now. They had stuff like "Anti-viral cleaning products" on the list and I had a sense of actual peace of mind. They had "Daily disinfection in common areas" which felt…well, reassuring.
- The Good: The bed was divine. Seriously. I could have easily spent my entire trip there, wrestling with the blackout curtains (perfect for my sleep schedule - or lack thereof). The free wi-fi was faster than my caffeine withdrawals (important!), and the room had all the essentials: air conditioning (bless), a desk, a coffee maker (essential), and even a mini-fridge (a place for my secret stash of Pocky). They also offered "Room sanitization opt-out available" which gives you options regarding cleaning, which is, you know, thoughtful. And the "smoke detector" didn't make me feel like I was going to burst into flames.
- The "Hmm…": Okay, the bathroom was…cosy. Perfectly functional, mind you, but you wouldn't want to throw a party in there. And the view? Well, let's just say it wasn't the Pacific Ocean. I got a view of…another building. But hey, I wasn't there for the view! I was there to recuperate from my days. The "Additional toilet" note wasn't true to life (I think they just have the main one). The "mirror" was there but I just thought I looked tired that day.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking - A Bumpy Ride! (mostly by my own choices)
- Breakfast…The Breakfast! Okay, this deserves its own section. They offered breakfast in the room, and I'm the kind of person who says, "YES, please!" I was totally excited for the "Asian breakfast" option, expecting… well, something delicious and exotic.
- So what did I get? The first morning (jet lag brain at its finest), I went straight for the Western buffet (I'm ashamed to admit it, but it was there, and I was hungry!). It was… fine. Standard hotel fare. Scrambled eggs (slightly rubbery, but I've seen worse), some sad-looking sausages, and bread that tasted like it had been sitting out since the Meiji era. The "Coffee/tea in restaurant" was, you know, there. Not the best coffee I've ever had, but it kept me going.
- The Asian Adventure (or, My Sushi-Crazed Meltdown): The next day, armed with the memory of that sad sausage, I decided to get adventurous and ordered the "Asian breakfast." It was a buffet style. It had a selection of Japanese dishes, rice, miso soup, pickled vegetables, and… sushi. Yes, sushi. At breakfast. Now, I love sushi as much as the next person (maybe more), but I'm not sure my stomach was prepared for a sushi-fueled morning. I ate it though, along with a mountain of side dishes, and then I spent the next few hours regretting every single delicious bite. That was emotional! Rating: 3 out of 5 Breakfast Stars. (Mostly because of my poor choices.)
- Other Dining Stuff: There were "Restaurants" (plural!). The "Snack bar" seemed good, and the "Coffee shop" was a nice option.
- The Drink Situation: I didn't see a "Happy Hour," and I didn't see a "Poolside bar" because there was no pool (more on that later), but I did appreciate the complimentary bottle of water in the room.
Things to Do/Ways to Relax - Or, Where's My Onsen?!
- The Gym/Fitness…or the Lack Thereof: There was a "Fitness center" listed, and I was excited to burn off all those breakfast calories. But…I couldn’t find one! Now, maybe I just completely missed it (easily done), or it was buried somewhere like hidden treasure. So… let's just say there's no gym. Rating: 1 out of 5 Fitness Stars (for false advertising!…or, you know, my utter lack of observation skills).
- The "Pool with View" Dream: I got this weird dream, I don't know why, but I expected a pool. There isn't a pool, so 0 out of 5 Pool Stars.
- The Spa/Sauna: The big question? Honestly, I didn't look for it. I didn't even ask the staff, because the only thing I wanted was some time for me.
- The Other Fun Stuff (or, My Quest for Culture): I was slightly disappointed that there was no "Shrine" on-site (I was expecting a mini-temple in the lobby, apparently). But there were "Meeting/banquet facilities," which could have been useful. I didn't use them, but hey, they were there.
Services and Conveniences - Smooth Sailing (mostly!)
- The Good: The "Front desk [24-hour]" was a massive plus. I arrived at some ungodly hour (thanks, jet lag!), and they were still super friendly and helpful. They also had "Cash withdrawal," which saved my bacon more than once. The "Daily housekeeping" was flawless – my room was always spotless. "Luggage storage" was great, and "Elevator" was a godsend.
- The "Meh…": The "Currency exchange" was okay, but I ended up using ATMs more. The "Dry cleaning" and "Laundry service" were available but I skipped that.
For the Kids - Not My Forte, But Seemed Okay!
I didn’t have any kids with me (!), so I can't give you an expert opinion. They had "Babysitting service" and "Family/child friendly" on the list. The "Kids meal" sounded…interesting.
Getting Around - Easy Peasy!
- The Convenience: The location right next to Yamagata Station was gold. Seriously. "Airport transfer" was available, which
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's perfectly-formatted travel itinerary. This is a chaotic, emotional, and slightly-obsessive love letter (with a dash of existential dread) to and from the Richmond Hotel Yamagata-ekimae in Yamagata, Japan. Prepare for a rollercoaster.
Richmond Hotel Yamagata-ekimae: My Yamagata Diary (Probably With Too Many Noodles)
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Deku (and Ramen) Hunt
14:00 (ish) - Arrival at the Hotel: Flight delayed. Of course. My baggage? Lost. Just great. But, HOLY CRAP, the Richmond Hotel lobby air conditioning is like a freaking hug. I almost wept. Seriously, Japan, you get air con. It’s a game changer after the sweaty hellscape that was the Tokyo train station. Check-in? Smooth as silk. The staff? Beyond polite. I swear, even their 'apologies' have a level of grace that makes me feel like I've personally inconvenienced the Emperor.
15:00 - First Ramen Encounter (or, "My Soul Yearns for Broth"): Okay, so I'm hangry. Borderline homicidal hangry. But the hotel's location? PERFECT. A quick wander outside and I'm assaulted by the glorious, oily aroma of… ramen. Found a little hole-in-the-wall place. NO ENGLISH SPOKEN. Pure, beautiful, terrifying Japanese. Pointed wildly at a picture of a bowl of noodles. Guess what I got? A BOWL OF FREAKING HEAVEN. Tears sprung into my eyes again. (Mostly the chili, but also the sheer relief of sustenance). The broth? Like a warm blanket of umami. The noodles? Springy perfection. I may have slurped so loudly the locals stared. Judged, yet sated.
17:00 - Exploration: Finding the Giant Deku Tree Equivalent (ish): I’m obsessed with seeing nature in this city. Wandered a bit, with the main aim to see some great scenery because it's what I'm here for. Found a huge, old tree in a park that kinda, sorta sparked that childhood Deku Tree memory. I stood there, transfixed, maybe muttered a few Zelda quotes under my breath. The park's surprisingly empty. Ah, a moment of peace! Then a group of giggling schoolgirls asked to take photos. Which led to me suddenly being in a bunch of selfies. Turns out I'm more of a celebrity here than I am back home.
19:00 - Dinner and a Vending Machine Confession: Back at the hotel room. The room itself is surprisingly spacious. The bathroom? A marvel of compact efficiency. I had to take a moment to understand the toilet's many buttons. I think I might be too old to handle this technology. Dinner, a pre-packaged bento from the local convenience store (Lawson, bless their hearts). Followed by a VERY intense staring contest with the vending machine by the elevator. Seriously, the array of beverages is overwhelming. Settled on a strange melon soda. It tastes like green… happiness? I’ll take it.
21:00 - Journaling and Existential Dread (and maybe some in-room Sake): Okay, I’m jet-lagged. My brain feels like scrambled eggs. I’m sitting here, attempting to write about this day, but my thoughts keep drifting to the meaning of life. And, like, the correct way to fold a fitted sheet. Decided to crack open the little bottle of sake provided by the hotel. Maybe a small amount is just what I need to calm down before drifting to sleep. This trip is giving me the same feeling I got during my college finals.
Day 2: The Mountain, The Temple, and The Questionable Convenience Store Sandwich
07:00 - Breakfast Buffet and the Great Egg-Crack Fiasco: The hotel buffet! A siren call of delicious carbohydrates. The choices are overwhelming, from miso soup to Japanese curry. I attempted to make my own omelet; let’s just say it ended up looking like a Jackson Pollock painting. Eggs everywhere. Managed to grab some incredibly soft, fluffy bread before fleeing in shame.
09:00 - Climbing Up to Temple (The Best Thing I've Seen in Years): Took the train to a temple. I am not particularly religious, but the sheer beauty of the place had me near tears again. The architecture, the vibrant colors, the quiet… It was breathtaking. Honestly, I'm not sure the photos I took will capture the majesty. I’ve decided I need to move here.
12:00 - Lunch: The Sandwich of Regret: Back at the hotel, and I'm trying to take advantage of the convenient access to local stores. I purchased a sandwich. Everything in the store looks so nice. I was so stupid. My hunger clouded my abilities - it was filled with something that resembled… mystery meat and mayonnaise. I ate it anyway. It was a bold choice. A tragic choice.
14:00 - Finding Hidden Gems (and More Noodles): Wandered through the local markets. The colours, the smells, the sheer stuff! Bought a weird, fluffy hat. No regrets. Found another ramen place, this one even better than the first. Broth goals. Noodle goals. Life goals. Okay, I need help.
17:00 - Post-Ramen Stroll / People-Watching is Important: Walked around the Yamagata area. The locals are so polite. I have never seen as much bowing from people as I have since arriving. This definitely is the Japan I dreamt of seeing.
19:00 - Hotel Room Sloth Mode (and Another Vending Machine Encounter): The evening and all the walking is catching up with me. I bought more snacks. The vending machine gave me the evil eye. I won this time.
21:00 - Attempting Japanese Karaoke (Disastrous, but Hilarious): The hotel has karaoke. I don't speak Japanese. I can't sing. This was a terrible idea. The hotel staff found me, and attempted to explain the many karaoke rules to me. I gave up and went back to my room.
Day 3: Departure (and the Promise of Return)
08:00 - Final Buffet Round (and a Bittersweet Goodbye): One last, glorious buffet. This time, I conquered the omelet. (Mostly. There was a tiny bit of egg on the ceiling.) The staff are so warm. It’s heartbreaking to be leaving.
09:30 - Last Yamagata Ramen (because, priorities): Found a third place for ramen. Broth-tastic. (See a trend?)
11:00 - Pack the Bags: Reality hits. My baggage finally arrived. Packing. Decided to throw away the hat I purchased.
12:00 - Departure and the Longing Look Back: Checking out. The staff bowed so deeply, it was almost embarrassing. Yamagata, you magnificent, slightly-weird city. Richmond Hotel, you saved me. I'm already planning my return. I'll be back. And this time, I'm bringing a better fitted sheet folding tutorial.
Richmond Hotel Yamagata-ekimae: The Unfiltered Truth (Because Let's Be Real)
Alright, alright, fine. Let's get down to brass tacks. "Good"? Yes. "Life-changing"? Probably not. But look, after arriving in Yamagata after a train journey that felt like a geological epoch, the Richmond Hotel Yamagata-ekimae was… well, a damn welcome sight. It's clean. It's efficient. It's got that sterile, yet strangely comforting, Japanese hotel vibe. You know the one. Everything's perfectly in its place, like a well-oiled robot household. But "really good," as in "I'd sell my firstborn for another stay"? We’ll see. Depends on your priorities. If you need a comfy place near the station with some serious perks, read on.
The ONLY reason you should pick this hotel is the location. Seriously. It's DIRECTLY across from Yamagata Station. Like, you stumble off the train after a twelve-hour journey (okay, maybe just a three-hour Shinkansen ride, but still…) and BOOM, there it is. You can basically roll your luggage across the street, dodging only the occasional salaryman. This is AMAZING! I mean, I remember a time once, after a particularly epic sake-fueled evening (more on that later…), I practically *crawled* back to the hotel. The thought of a long walk? Horrific. So, *major* points for location. It's a lifesaver if you're luggage-laden, hungover, or just plain lazy (no judgment!). And all the izakayas and shops are within easy walking distance. This really is the best thing about the hotel.
Okay, let's be realistic. You're not getting a ballroom. The rooms are…compact. Think efficiently designed rather than spacious. They're clean, impeccably so. That Japanese cleanliness is strong here, people. The kind of clean that makes you question the cleanliness of your own existence. You know? They've got all the usual suspects: a tiny bathroom with a surprisingly powerful shower, a small desk, a mini-fridge, and a TV blaring Japanese game shows (which, let's be honest, are often brilliantly bizarre, and you *will* get sucked in). One slight issue, the sound of the station, it can get a little noisy at night. I am a light sleeper, so I had to use earplugs every night.
Here's the thing about the breakfast: it's…decent. And that's coming from someone who lives for breakfast. It's a buffet-style affair, offering a mix of Japanese and Western options. The Japanese side usually has rice, miso soup, grilled fish, and some pickled things you probably won't recognize (but hey, be adventurous!). The Western side…well, you’ve got the usual suspects: eggs, bacon (sometimes!), sausages, toast, and a sad-looking selection of cereal that looks like it's been sitting there since the Meiji era. It is better than skipping it completely. And really, for the price, it's a relatively painless way to start your day. I wouldn't rave about it to my friends but yeah, it's a handy start to a day of exploring.
Okay, listen up! Here's a little trick I discovered – the hotel often has a small supply of free toiletries that are pretty high quality. Think nice face washes and lotions. So, stock up! Also, the staff are generally very helpful and polite. I had a minor luggage mishap (don't ask), and they were absolute champs, going above and beyond to assist. That kind of service really makes a difference, especially when you're a frazzled traveler. And as I said the location is what makes it, for me.
Alright, time for the honesty hour. Remember that sake-fueled evening I mentioned? (Okay, it was more of a sake-soaked evening.) Well, let's just say my internal navigation system went completely haywire. I stumbled back to the hotel, utterly convinced I'd locked myself out of my room. Cue a frantic few minutes of fumbling with the key card, panicking, and finally, the embarrassing realization that I *had* gotten in… and just couldn't remember how. The hotel staff? They were surprisingly understanding. No judgment, just a quiet, slightly amused smile. So, lesson learned: pace yourself with the local brew. And maybe, just maybe, take a photo of your room number before you go out. Seriously.
Look, if I'm going back to Yamagata, absolutely. Unless I can find a hotel with a private onsen, that is. But realistically, for the price, the location, and the overall cleanliness and service, the Richmond Hotel Yamagata-ekimae is a solid choice. It's not going to blow your mind, but it's a reliable, comfortable base for exploring the area. Just remember the earplugs, don't overdo it on the sake, and you'll be golden. I'd give it a solid 7.5 out of 10. And that's a pretty good score, folks.
Oh, one last thing! They have those Japanese toilets with the heated seats and all the fancy buttons. Don't be intimidated! Experiment! (Just maybe not *too* much.) And seriously, take advantage of the free Wi-Fi. Because let's face it, we all want to document our travels on the "gram". Just be prepared for some seriously amazing scenery. Yamagata is beautiful
