Hotel Route Inn Katori Sawara Ekimae in Narita

Outstanding experience! We just loved this hotel, its warm friendly staff and exceptional seasonal menus. Breakfast each day was a healthy and delicious fresh surprise. We booked the omakase dinner and it was just exceptional with superb service. We stayed 2 nights here and that was perfect to relax and really enjoy the lovely rooms. Special thanks to all the staff for your warmth and kindness to two Australians visiting for the first time. Yata #103 was very peaceful with a terrific bathtub.

Sawara is the end of my trip, choosing to stay at NIPPONIA Sawara is because I appreciate the local experience of the ''NIPPONIA'' brand, which will always bring myself back to a history and world that I have never touched before.

Arriving where the front desk was, I was greeted by a huge structure formerly known as a sake brewery warehouse. I also noticed with the wood color of the walls, which was different from other internet images; I am not sure if this is due to going through the calculated changes in age or the necessary renovation work, I really appreciate the current exterior color and texture. Another part of the same warehouse was renovated as the French restaurant LE UN.

I stayed in the AOI building 7 minutes walking distance from the front desk. This building, built in the early Showa era, is located on the banks of the Onagawa River and was originally a popular restaurant with locals.

With a spacious courtyard, it is now transformed into a private villa-style guest room, which still retains the mirror of the old restaurent.

When I checked into NIPPONIA Sawara, the staff made a special request to help me transport my heavy luggage, thanking them for their attentiveness.

The morning and evening meals were very round, especially the dinner more heavily stimulated my taste buds, the restaurant staff also cared about my feelings as a guest.

NIPPONIA team, thank you for all your work, preserving historic buildings is not easy, human and financial resources are indispensable, and when I noticed the weathering marks of the beams in the dining room and room, you can imagine the work behind it.

My experience as a foreigner can be said to be perfect, and I hope that Japanese nationals can cherish these historical treasures.

I really, really enjoyed my stay at NIPPONIA (AOI), the building was very charming, tastefully furnished and I had one of the most comfortable sleep I had in awhile. The inclusive dinner was nothing but impeccable, prepared and put together with thoughtfulness. Easily Michelin starred standard! Breakfast was given the same treatment, I have nothing but praises for my stay here. Not to mention the service by the team is also of top excellence. Thank you for making my trip to Sawara a very memorable one. 10/10 ✨

I liked the calm atmosphere.

Good👍

The facilities were great, but what I liked most was the townscape of Sawara. Using this facility as a base, I was able to leisurely explore the town.

We had a fabulous experience and we really enjoyed the hospitality from Ayano Namaizawa. She was always so interested in serving us well!
We love the location. We loved the experience in the room and the generous amount of snacks that were served and the fun of learning about Sawara Old town. We will return!

Lovely stay
This traditional merchant house converted hotel is lovely. We own the entire building with two floors. One tiny living room on the ground floor, a bath house, a separate toilet near the entrance, along with a spacious bathroom with the second living room on the second floor. It’s airy and full of scent of wood. However, the bedroom is facing the road without sound proof windows, it was very noisy throughout the night.

This is the front desk and restaurant building. Go here to check in.

We stayed in AOI 201 which is a 5-10 minute walk away but the front desk staff will drive you to your accommodation if you want.
We walked to and from our dinner and breakfast as the weather was nice and it’s lovely walking along the river.

The staff were very helpful and courteous, the food there was very nice too, beautifully presented and very attentive service. We opted to give the children as much of an adults dinner course as they would eat and the chef did a great job tailoring a menu for them.