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After a couple of days wending my way from Onomichi to Imabari on the Shimanami Kaido the Shimanami Prime Hotel Imabari proved to be a great choice for my final night in the Seto Inland Sea area. It’s conveniently located just a short walk from the Imabari train station where both the regular bike rental station and the Giant store are located, and where I had to board the highway bus back to Fukuyama the next morning. Check-in was easy and once I did the staff informed me my bags had been dropped off already by Sagawa transport - which was great since that let me freshen up before dinner. Imabari offers plenty of dining options but I had to sample the local “buta-niku” specialty rice bowl and one of the best places in town happens to be near the Prime Hotel. Called Hakurakuten, it’s only a five minute walk away and just as someone had described to me the rice bowl and the karaage on the side were absolutely excellent. Soaking in the hotel’s onsen was a great way to unwind after dinner before turning in. The room itself was typical Japanese business hotel – small but functional. Just right for one night though with the small amount of luggage I had brought. The morning breakfast buffet was another highlight with plenty of choices and very delicious food. After filling up I reluctantly had to bid goodbye to this lovely area of Japan and had to bid goodbye to this lovely area of Japan and head back to Tokyo but I’ve already vowed to return for a longer visit in the future.

Location was fabulous. Right where we dropped off our rental bikes.

Excellent customer service. Well run hotel.

Clean room with many extra toiletries provided. Pet friendly is limited. We spoke with someone after making reservation to ask what we needed to bring. My father in law spoke with someone and gave them our name. When we went to check in there wasn’t a room available for dog. They did give us a smoking room with a dog crate on the third floor. They said dogs were only allowed on first floor. We heard another dog on the third floor. Also we were charged $150 hot springs tax. I don’t see this listed anywhere. And we never had the time to use it.

My favorite

Good the hotel had a great price. Breakfast was nice. Staff was amazing, they gave me a towel to wipe down my bike and let me keep it in the room.