KOKO STAY Yo Shimonoseki — Hotel in Shimonoseki

I finally had some vacation time and wanted to revisit the first Japanese city I've been to. I had previously spent a day in Shimonoseki on business back in May 2011 and seeing as how my vacation was coming up in August, I wanted to get a better taste of the city. There are numerous hotels in the vicinity of the International Ferry Terminal, but on the week I was planning to arrive, most of the hotels were already booked and/or were too costly for my price range. I wanted a good mix of comfort and value and thankfully found it with this hotel. I wasn't able to check in until 3 PM and I had arrived at 8 AM that morning so I had a lot of time to wander around the area. When I finally checked in, I was greeted by a friendly staff and a clean, comfortable room. I was definitely going to need it as I was sweaty and exhausted from the walking that day. I had opted for the breakfast plan and for the most part chose the delicious Japanese-style breakfasts. I also tried fugu for the first time in the hotel restaurant as well. Shimonoseki is famous for being the fugu capital of Japan so I wanted to sample this dish before I left. In short, the service was wonderful and I would recommend this hotel for those traveling to Shimonoseki. And a very big thank you to the manager, Mr. Takashi...

We were brought to Shimonoseki to try the famous fuku (blow fish). Although we were only there for one night the staff at the Hotel Wing were really helpful and accommodating. We were really surprised with the level of English spoken not only here but throughout the country. Anyhow specifically Wakako was really helpful with our requests and even left us a little note at the end of her shift since our restaurant question hadn't been resolved. The room was small (typical of Japan) but very clean and comfortable. The free wifi was very convenient as was the location. It was right by the train and bus station. There was not too much going on in this sleepy town but the highlight for us was waking up at 5am and heading to the fish market. There is a bus that runs from the station to the market. Here you can see all the wholesalers selling their fish and the whole process from boat to market. On the second floor there are seats over a balcony that leaves room for some great photographs and people watching. Also on the second floor is a lovely local restaurant that was literally packed at 7am for breakfast. Here we ate Fuku for the cheapest price I have ever seen (and we survived!) Highly recommend this hotel if your travels bring you to...

The hotel is extremely close to Shimonoseki Station, which makes it very convenient for a quick transit stop. Located by the water, the area is relatively quiet, but unfortunately, there aren’t many attractions nearby. Dining options are quite limited—there’s a small “Busan Street” with a few Korean restaurants and some old izakayas, but not much else. It’s okay for a one-night stay, though I wish I had chosen Kokura instead—definitely a misstep this time.

I was also surprised to find myself in a smoking room, and the smell lingered throughout the entire floor, which wasn’t pleasant. That said, I did sleep well. There’s a floor with laundry machines, vending machines, and a microwave, which was convenient.

Just outside the station, there are a few small shops and casual eateries that serve good, reasonably priced food—many places even offer whale dishes, which is unique to the region.

Transportation note: Shimonoseki Station is on the JR Sanyo Main Line, offering direct access to cities like Kokura (just one stop away) and other parts of...