Hotel 1-2-3 Fukuyama Review: Budget Stay with Bath

On my recent trip to Hiroshima Prefecture,

I decided to spend a night in Fukuyama.

My original main destination was

the famous inspiration for Studio Ghibli's *Ponyo*, where director Hayao Miyazaki stayed while brainstorming the film—

a beautiful port town called Tomonoura. But since most accommodations there are high-end ryokans,

the price was a bit too steep for a solo traveler staying just one night.

So, I looked for an alternative with easy access to Tomonoura

and plenty of lodging options,

which led me to stay near Fukuyama Station.

It was the perfect base for my adventure!

Today, I’m excited to share my review of

the Hotel 1-2-3 Fukuyama where I stayed.

Hotel 1-2-3 Fukuyama · 1-41 Higashisakuramachi, Fukuyama, Hiroshima 720-0065, Japan

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Hotel 1-2-3 Fukuyama is located

just a quick 3-minute walk from Fukuyama Station.

There was no need to navigate confusing underground passages or complex exits.

You basically step out of the station and you're almost there,

making it incredibly easy even when pulling a heavy suitcase.

Plus, Fukuyama Castle is just a 5-minute walk from the hotel,

making it the perfect spot for a light stroll after checking in!

I booked my stay through Agoda,

and got a room for ~$34, which included free breakfast and free cancellation.

Having the flexibility of free cancellation until the day before was great.

While prices may vary depending on when you book,

getting breakfast and access to a public bath for around the ~$32 range

felt like an absolute steal in terms of location and value!

Here is the exterior of the hotel.

There is also a parking lot located on the left side.

The front desk is located on the 2nd floor,

and check-in is available from 3:00 PM until midnight (24:00).

You can pick up any amenities you need

at the counter right in front of the reception desk.

The staff explained everything in Japanese and English,

although there was no Korean service available.

But the staff was so friendly that even with basic English,

you'll have absolutely no trouble checking in.

The public bath is on the 1st floor

and requires a passcode to enter.

The operating hours are 15:00~24:00 and 06:00~09:30,

but I skipped it since I have a small tattoo.

Nightwear and pillows are prepared on each floor.

You can select your preferred pillow—from low to high support—

and bring it to your room.

Since I deal with neck pain and am super sensitive about pillow height,

I found this to be such a thoughtful touch! :)

Guest Room

I booked the Standard Semi-Double Room.

Walking in, you’ll find a super-single bed

with a compact desk placed at the foot of the bed.

Although the room was cozy, it didn't feel cramped at all for a solo traveler,

making for a very comfortable stay.

There were two power outlets right by the headboard.

It was super convenient for charging my phone overnight,

and I could easily control the room lights without getting out of bed.

Towards the entryway, there is a small hallway leading to the bathroom.

While there wasn’t a proper wardrobe, there was a designated space to hang clothes,

They even had some clothes hangers ready for use.

The bathroom had a bathtub, toilet, and sink,

which is pretty standard for a typical business hotel.

It was sparkling clean with absolutely no odor,

and they provided one small towel and one bath towel as standard.

The basic room amenities included

tissues, an electric kettle, a hair dryer, a mirror, and some coffee.

Although there wasn't any bottled water or drinks,

it had all the essentials you'd need.

I set up the folding mirror on the desk to use it.

Personally, I'm not a fan of the yellow lighting in hotel bathrooms

and much prefer doing my makeup in natural light,

so having the window right next to the desk was a huge plus!

What I loved most, though, was the air conditioner.

It was a suddenly warm day, so I turned it on,

and there was zero smell and barely any dust.

Even though it's a budget hotel, you could really tell

they pay close attention to cleanliness, especially with the AC.

Right by the entrance, there was also a mini-fridge and a microwave.

Having a microwave in the room was a pleasant surprise!

It turned out to be super handy for heating up convenience store food and late-night snacks.

Just a heads-up, there were no free drinks or bottled water inside the fridge.

But with a convenience store only a 3-minute walk away,

this didn't bother me at all.

Breakfast

Breakfast is served right across from the front desk on the 2nd floor.

There was no need to show a ticket or voucher—

you just grab a tray, plate, and cutlery at the entrance and dig in!

Although the buffet was small, it had a little bit of everything.

I'm not a heavy breakfast eater anyway,

and for a room rate in the ~$32 range, I was more than happy with this spread!

They even had some fruit for dessert.

Coffee and drinks were also free-flowing.

High chairs are also available for guests traveling with kids.

Considering it's a complimentary breakfast, I thought it was incredibly thoughtful.

This was my very first time seeing a miso soup dispenser on my travels in Japan!

At first glance, it looks like a regular beverage machine,

but it actually pours out warm miso soup! How cool is that?

There's also a sink right next to the entrance,

making it super convenient to wash your hands before and after eating.

With both standard dining tables and solo-friendly counter seats,

this breakfast space felt absolutely perfect for solo travelers, too.

While Hotel 1-2-3 Fukuyama might not be a super trendy, boutique hotel,

its prime location, affordability, breakfast, and public bath are its biggest strengths.

If you're planning a trip to Tomonoura like me,

or looking for a great value-for-money stay near Fukuyama Station,

this will be the perfect match for you.