3 Wellness Hotel – Okayama – larger rooms with washer and dryer
Okayama is often seen as a convenient hub for travellers exploring western Japan. It provides easy connections to famous destinations such as Hiroshima, Himeji, Kurashiki, and even further afield to Tottori and Takamatsu. While many visitors gravitate toward hotels directly around Okayama Station, there are alternative options worth considering, particularly if you are after more spacious rooms and the comforts suited to longer stays. One of those options is 3 Wellness Hotel, a property that balances convenience with practicality and is located just one stop away from Okayama Station at Kitanagase.
This review takes a closer look at what makes 3 Wellness an interesting choice for certain types of travellers, what you can expect from the rooms and facilities, and how its location might influence your plans.
| Highlights | 3 Wellness Hotel Okayama offers spacious rooms with in-room laundry, just one stop from Okayama Station, perfect for families and long-term travellers. |
| Cost | ~18,000 yen a night |
| Location | 3 Chome-1-8 Kitanagaseomotemachi, Kita Ward, Okayama, 700-0962, Japan |
| Website | https://expedia.com/affiliate/nlajeE8 |
Location and Accessibility
3 Wellness Hotel is located about a six-minute walk from Kitanagase Station, which itself is only one stop from Okayama Station. This means you are technically not in the central hub but close enough to reach it quickly. Trains from Kitanagase to Okayama run roughly every 20 minutes, and the ride itself is only a few minutes. From Okayama Station you can connect to the Sanyo Shinkansen for long-distance travel or local JR lines for day trips.
For travellers planning day trips to places like Hiroshima, Himeji Castle, Tottori’s sand dunes, or Takamatsu in Shikoku, the extra connection at Kitanagase may feel like a small inconvenience. Each time you want to catch a Shinkansen or a limited express service, you will need to travel one stop down to Okayama Station. This adds a bit of time and planning, but it is not a dealbreaker given how reliable and punctual Japanese trains are.
On the positive side, being based at Kitanagase places you directly on the same line to Kurashiki, one of the region’s most popular destinations. The journey from Kitanagase to Kurashiki is about 20 minutes by train and requires no transfer, which is a big advantage if you plan to visit more than once.
For those wondering about walking distances, the hotel is around a 35-minute walk from Okayama Station. That is not particularly practical with luggage, but it gives a sense of how close you actually are to the city centre while still enjoying a quieter base.
First Impressions and Common Spaces
3 Wellness Hotel is not the type of property that tries to impress you with lavish lobbies or grand entrances. Instead, it is modest and functional. The hotel does, however, provide a small lounge on the third floor, where guests can enjoy complimentary tea and coffee. While not particularly memorable, it is a nice touch if you want to take a short break or need a place to sit outside your room.
The hotel does not have the extensive dining or relaxation facilities you might find in larger city hotels, but this works in its favour for travellers who prioritise room comfort over shared amenities.
Spacious Rooms with Practical Comfort
The true highlight of 3 Wellness Hotel lies in its rooms. By Japanese standards, they are impressively large, offering far more space than you will typically find in mid-range hotels around train stations. For families, groups of friends, or travellers planning extended stays, this extra room makes a noticeable difference. You do not feel cramped, and there is enough space to spread out, organise your belongings, or even set up a small area for children to play.
Each room comes with a washer and dryer, which is a huge advantage. For families travelling with young children or for anyone on a longer trip through Japan, having the ability to do laundry in your own room is incredibly convenient. It saves both money and time compared to using coin laundries or sending items out for cleaning.
Other thoughtful features include a kitchen sink and bench space, extra foldable chairs, and small additions that make the room feel more like a serviced apartment than a standard hotel room. These are practical touches that go a long way in making long stays more comfortable.
The bathroom facilities are also slightly more advanced than average, with a highly automated toilet that flushes automatically and includes features beyond the typical Japanese washlet. It feels like an upgrade from the standard hotel setup.
On the downside, the televisions are dated and small, with limited channel options. If you were hoping for in-room entertainment, you may be disappointed. However, given how much there is to see and do around Okayama and nearby cities, this may not be a significant drawback for most travellers.
Complimentary Extras
Guests are provided with plenty of bottled water, which is always appreciated, particularly in Japan where convenience store stops are common but can add up in cost. Access to tea and coffee in both the rooms and the lounge adds another layer of convenience, ensuring you are never short of a refreshment.
Dining and Food Options Nearby
The hotel itself does not feature an in-house restaurant, but the surrounding area provides a handful of options. A Family Mart convenience store is located right next door, making it easy to grab snacks, drinks, or even a quick breakfast. A little further down the road you will find a 7-Eleven, which offers a wider variety of ready-made meals and is very handy for late-night needs.
Within walking distance you can also find a Coco Ichibanya curry restaurant, perfect if you are craving a warm, hearty Japanese curry, and a Uniqlo store, which can be useful if you need extra clothing during your stay. There is also a second-hand electronics shop nearby, though this will likely only appeal to certain types of travellers.
While the immediate area around the hotel is not particularly lively, all the dining, shopping, and entertainment options of Okayama Station are just one stop away. This makes it easy to head into the centre for meals or to stock up on supplies before returning to the quieter surroundings of Kitanagase.
Pros and Cons of the Location
One of the unique advantages of staying at 3 Wellness Hotel is that less walking is required compared to hotels near Okayama Station. Many hotels near the station are positioned on the opposite side of busy streets or require longer walks from the platforms, which can be tiring when travelling with luggage or children. At 3 Wellness, once you get off at Kitanagase, the short six-minute walk is straightforward and easy to manage.
The trade-off is that you do need to transfer every time you want to use Okayama Station for major connections. For travellers who plan to make multiple day trips, this might feel repetitive, but the convenience of space and comfort at the hotel may outweigh this small inconvenience.
Who Should Stay Here
3 Wellness Hotel is best suited for:
- Families with young children who benefit from larger rooms and the ability to do laundry.
- Long-term travellers who want the comfort of space and practical amenities like a kitchen sink and washer/dryer.
- Visitors who plan to make day trips not only to Hiroshima or Himeji but also to Kurashiki, as the direct connection is highly convenient.
- Travellers who value comfort and convenience over luxury hotel facilities.
It may not be the ideal choice for:
- Those who want to be right in the middle of the action at Okayama Station.
- Short-stay travellers who prioritise immediate access to Shinkansen connections over larger rooms.
Final Thoughts
3 Wellness Hotel in Okayama is a practical and comfortable option for those who value space, convenience, and practical amenities. Its location at Kitanagase Station means a short train ride is always needed to reach Okayama Station, but the trade-off is spacious rooms, in-room laundry, and a quieter environment. For families and long-term travellers in particular, these benefits can make a real difference to the comfort of a trip.
If you are planning to use Okayama as a base for exploring western Japan and prefer a hotel that feels more like a comfortable apartment than a standard city hotel, 3 Wellness Hotel is worth considering.
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