Richmond Hotel Nagasaki Shianbashi

Rooms and decor

The appeal of Richmond Hotel Nagasaki Shianbashi starts with where it sits — right in the middle of Shianbashi, Nagasaki's main entertainment-and-dining quarter. Step out of the lobby and you are within walking distance of local restaurants, bars and late-night food stalls. The roughly 207 rooms wear a warm, modern Japanese look, with soft upholstered headboards, a sensibly sized desk and a clean, modern bathroom. The building opened in 2008 and still feels well kept throughout. Richmond beds are comfortable, and plenty of guests sleep well here. Rooms are not as wide as the international chains — that is the Japanese hotel approach, making efficient use of space — but everything works well, stays clean, and goes quiet once you close the door. Reviewers repeatedly call it strong value for a dependable 4-star Japanese chain. Richmond runs branches all over the country, much like Dormy Inn, with consistent quality, so anyone who knows another Richmond will feel right at home.

Food and amenities

Inside, there is a restaurant and a bar open mornings and evenings, serving both Japanese and Western dishes, with a breakfast buffet that covers local Japanese and Western plates. But what makes this location special is everything around the hotel — streets full of local Nagasaki spots at friendlier prices than the hotel. Try real champon at Shikairou in this district, the original house that has been going over 130 years, about a 7-minute walk away; sara udon at a local place tucked in the Shianbashi lanes; and kakuni manju, steamed buns of braised pork belly, sold at restaurants and market stalls. Chinatown, a 5-minute walk off, has several old Chinese restaurants run across generations. The hotel has free Wi-Fi throughout and a small gym for anyone who wants to work out mid-trip. There is no onsen or spa on site — if you want the full set of facilities, Dormy Inn by the station is the call.

Location and getting there

The hotel sits in the heart of Shianbashi, near the Hamanomachi Arcade, the city's main covered shopping street. The line 1 tram stop, Shianbashi Station, is under a minute's walk from the door, which makes riding anywhere easy: Dejima is 1 stop, Chinatown 1 stop (though it is a 5-minute walk), Glover Garden and Oura Church 5 stops (15 minutes), and JR Nagasaki Station 4 stops (10-15 minutes). The Hamanomachi Arcade in the center has shops, restaurants and a supermarket to browse all day. It is the most convenient central base for anyone who wants to walk, eat and drink. For the north-side sights like Peace Park and the Atomic Bomb Museum, take the line 1 tram to JR Nagasaki Station and transfer to a bus, or ride the tram to Hamaguchimachi Station — about 20-25 minutes. Nagasaki Airport is about 60 minutes away by the bus that leaves from JR Nagasaki Station.

Things to know before booking

Straight talk to help you decide. First, noise in the district: Shianbashi is an entertainment-and-dining quarter that buzzes from evening into the night, especially Fridays, Saturdays and during the Lantern Festival. Street-facing rooms can hear the bars and foot traffic, so light sleepers should ask for a higher floor or a room on the inner side, away from the street. Second, distance from the JR station: about 10-15 minutes by tram (4 stops), so anyone arriving from another city by Shinkansen will drag bags onto the tram for a bit — with heavy luggage, take a taxi from the station. Third, the north side: Peace Park and the Atomic Bomb Museum sit across the city, around 20-25 minutes from here, less handy than a hotel near JR Nagasaki Station, so if those are your main focus this spot may not be the best fit. Last, limited on-site facilities: no onsen, spa or executive lounge. If you want the full package, look at Dormy Inn or the Marriott.

Our take

After reading through plenty of real guest reviews, Richmond Hotel Nagasaki Shianbashi delivers nicely on what it sells: a base in the heart of the Shianbashi dining quarter, a walk to Chinatown and the Hamanomachi Arcade, a tram out front, and a good price. If the trip in your head is staying right in the city center, heading out each evening to pick a different izakaya or local ramen spot, trying real champon at the original Shikairou, and catching the Lantern Festival in Chinatown in February — this is the best fit. It suits food-and-drink travelers, solo travelers who like a lively scene, couples who travel to eat, and anyone here for a festival. But if the heart of your trip is an easy connection off the Shinkansen, or a quiet resort, look at the Marriott, Hilton or Dormy Inn by the station, or Garden Terrace up on the hill. Overall we give it 8.4/10 as a hotel that is value for both location and price in the city's dining quarter.