Via Inn Hakataguchi Ekimae

Part of the JR West Group — one of Japan’s biggest rail companies — Via Inn Hakataguchi Ekimae offers a no-fuss, comfortable, and affordable stay for business and solo travelers. Conveniently, it is located just a few minutes’ walk from Hakata Station, a major transport hub in Fukuoka.

What’s the hotel like?

Via Inn Hotels pride themselves on offering a comfortable stay, with all their locations situated within a 5-minute walk of a train station. Additionally, they prioritize high-quality service from check-in to checkout. Via Inn Hakataguchi Ekimae is known for being clean, contemporary, and always centrally located.

What facilities does the hotel have?

This hotel doesn’t offer special facilities like a public bath, gym, or spa. However, it does provide the following: a restaurant, 24-hour desk service, English-speaking staff, free Wi-Fi, laundromat (for an additional fee), a vending machine, a smoking corner, and private car parking space.

Is there anywhere to hang out in the hotel?

Next to the reception desk, there is a spacious lounge. You can catch up on messages at the table and chairs, or just unwind on one of the sofas. There is plenty of space to do both. You will also find a small meeting space, which is ideal for business travelers.

What are the rooms like?

There are several room types available, including Single A, Single B, Double, Twin, and Universal Twin. The Universal Twin is the largest room in the hotel, measuring 27m², and is the only room of its kind. Note that you need to call the hotel to book this specific room.

Each room is fairly standard, featuring either a single or double bed, a private bathroom, a TV, a kettle, and other amenities. Some rooms also include a desk.

How big are the rooms?

On this particular visit, we stayed in the Single Room B. Designed with business travelers in mind, this room is 13m² and has a double bed, flat-screen TV, private bathroom, and desk space. If you are traveling in a pair, you will probably want to select one of the double rooms, which are slightly bigger at 16m².

Are the rooms comfortable?

Despite being on the smaller side, the rooms are definitely comfortable, offering a cozy and snug feel. What the room excels in is practicality. There are plenty of power plugs around the bed and on the desk.

In the private bathroom, you’ll find a selection of amenities, including shampoo conditioner, and body wash. For electric items, there is a hairdryer, dehumidifer, and kettle. Note that teabags are available at the amenities bar in the reception area.

What’s the view like?

This hotel isn’t known for its views. If you’re staying on one of the lower floors, there’s not much of a view — just the building next door. However, you can see Hakata Station and the sky in the distance.

Should I order the breakfast?

On this particular stay, breakfast wasn’t included. However, the hotel does provide a Japanese and Western style breakfast in the restaurant “Kyushu Blessing Kozuchi” on the first floor. There is much to savor, including a Japanese grilled mackerel set, and a Western plate with eggs and sausages — or you can simply pile up your plate at the mini buffet.

If your booking doesn’t include breakfast, you can still go along. It costs ¥1,300 or ¥1,500 if paid for directly at the restaurant.

You can also head to one of the many cafés and bakeries nearby for a quick bite. One of the trendiest breakfast spots is Dacomecca Bakery, which is a 9-minute walk away from the station. Serving an impressive range of original savory and sweet bread, this “bakery circus” is definitely worth stopping by if you can. Keep in mind though that you will probably have to wait in line for a while!

How is the location?

The hotel’s main selling point is its prime location, just a 3-minute walk from Hakata Station. In addition to easy access to trains and the metro, there are numerous bus stops and a taxi stand nearby, making travel hassle-free.

How is the access to trains and subway?

The closest station to Via Inn Hakataguchi Ekimae is:

• Hakata Station (3-minute walk): Hakata Station is Fukuoka’s main transportation hub. It serves JR Kyushu trains, including the Shinkansen. The station also connects to the Fukuoka City Subway, which links to the airport and other districts.

How do I get there from Fukuoka Airport?

• From Fukuoka Airport: It is super easy to get to this hotel from the airport. Just hop on the Airport Line (towards Meinohama) for two stops to Hakata Station. This journey takes only about 7 minutes and costs just ¥260.

What’s the surrounding neighborhood like?

It isn’t too exciting, given the hotel is tucked away on a quiet side street. Although there isn’t much around immediately, just a few restaurants, you can reach the livelier spots within minutes. Don’t worry, you also won’t need to walk too far to get to a convenience store.

Are there many good places to eat nearby?

As soon as you step outside the hotel, you’ll find a number of cheap chains, including Gyoza no Ohsho, as well as some izakaya and a sushi and nabe place. For even more options, you just need to head to Hakata Station and go to Amu Plaza or KITTE.

To try some of Hakata’s local delicacies, specifically fresh seafood, we highly recommend Hakata Amano on the ground floor of KITTE.

What points of interest are within walking distance of the hotel?

Apart from Hakata Station and its attached shopping centers, there aren’t many other major points of interest in the immediate area. However, some of the region’s most famous attractions are within a 20-minute walk, or short taxi ride.

• Hakata Machiya Hometown Museum (10-minute walk)
• Kushida Shrine (10-minute walk)
• Canal City (10-minute walk)
• Nakasu Yatai Yokocho (16-minute walk)

Who should stay here?

If you are a solo traveler looking to experience the vibrant atmosphere of the Hakata area while enjoying convenience, this hotel is a great option. It’s not only fairly affordable, but also offers a functional and clean space to relax, refresh, and rest.

While double rooms are available, they are on the smaller side. On top of this, there are no family-sized rooms, so this may not be the best option for larger groups. Notably, if you’re looking for special facilities, this hotel may not be your first choice either.

What sustainability measures do they have?

Via Inn hotels clearly display all their sustainability measures online. Using the SDGs Initiatives as a blueprint, key measures include using eco-friendly materials for amenities, providing fewer amenities by default, and encouraging guests to reduce usage. Additionally, the hotel uses water-saving showerheads and makes active efforts to cut CO2 emissions.

Tips and tricks for the best stay

Stuck on where to eat? Pop by the reception and ask the English-speaking staff for some recommendations. They can provide a list of nearby places.

Also, once you have checked in, make sure to grab any amenities you may need at the amenity bar, opposite the front desk. You can find small toiletries, tea bags, and filter coffee.