① The Worst Accommodation in Kobe, Japan
Kobe, Japan, is one of the most popular cities in Western Japan. It’s a port city about 30 minutes from Osaka, making it a convenient trip from Osaka Station. Kobe boasts various tourist attractions, such as Arima Onsen, Tsukinoyu Onsen, Kobe Port Tower, and Sorakuen.
Interestingly, it’s also known for having a place famous for having the “worst hotel in Japan” among travelers. The Sanwa Hotel in Kobe is notorious for having the lowest rating among overseas travelers. Travel YouTuber Captain Brother visited the hotel, stirring up a buzz online.
He released a video titled “The Worst Hotel in Japan with the Lowest Google Rating.” This video gained 780,000 views and over 2,400 comments, sparking a major discussion.
The sign in front of the hotel was written in a permanent marker
Pictures of wanted criminals were posted at the entrance, and the building looked worn out. The lighting was dim, creating a rather eerie atmosphere.
Upon entering, the owner told him rooms without TVs cost approximately $10, and rooms with TVs were about $13.
The owner handed him a pair of scissors and instructed him to cut the cable tie, indicating that the lock was a cable tie.
The YouTuber was initially taken aback but immediately understood when he saw the door locked with a cable tie.
While looking for his room, the YouTuber commented that the hotel smelled foul stale.
② The Condition of a $9 Room per Night
The room was so small that it would be filled if one person lay down, and the condition of the wallpaper and bedding was filthy.
The bedding was so filthy that it was hard to guess when it was last washed. There was no cover, and it was full of dust. When he removed the bedding, the bare floor was dirty, as if it had not been cleaned.
The YouTuber mentioned that the room had a strong smell of cigarettes. The ceiling fan was so full of dust that it was unusable. When he turned on the fan, dust flew around.
The door did not close properly, and of course, there was no soundproofing or windproofing.
Dust was visibly settled in the door gap. Due to the lack of ventilation, the YouTuber felt dizzy.
Each floor had a toilet, but the bathrooms were as run-down as the rooms. The YouTuber mentioned that the smell in the toilet was severe. The condition on other floors was the same, with trash in the corridors and an overall feeling of being in a ruin.
Traces of construction workers were found everywhere.
Unorganized items were scattered around. The YouTuber even mentioned that some people use this place as long-term accommodation.
Captain Brother did not use the dirty bedding and instead used his backpack as a pillow.
He stayed there for one day but could hardly sleep and stayed awake most of the night.
Viewers reacted to Captain Brother’s video with comments that it felt like they had entered a horror game rather than reality, finding it refreshing. Others were surprised that such an accommodation exists in Japan and mentioned feeling both amazed and speechless while watching. Additionally, some comments indicated that they had heard that people on the brink of homelessness in Japanese society stay there.
③ A Hotel with a Google Rating of 1.9
The Sanwa Hotel in Kobe is also famous overseas. Such accommodations were originally modified for day laborers and homeless people, providing only the most basic facilities. It’s known in Japan as a place where even room cleaning is not carried out. The Sanwa Hotel continues to operate as a makeshift accommodation for day laborers.
Local media interviewed the owner of the Sanwa Hotel. The owner revealed that the Sanwa Hotel was once the third-largest accommodation in the area and was always full. With the economic downturn in the 2000s, the number of workers dwindled, and hotel operations faced difficulties. Currently, an average of 10 guests visit per day, most of whom are elderly long-term residents.
On Google Maps, actual guest reviews were available. Reviews suggested that one should go if they desire a horror experience. Others mentioned that it’s not a suitable environment for staying at all and described the experience as terrible, even suggesting it’s better to avoid it even if it’s offered for free.
The Sanwa Hotel also made a buzz in American online forums. They expressed curiosity about whether such accommodation actually exists.
By. Han Mia
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