Hotel Shuzan, or referred to in English as Seventh Door (you need to know the Japanese name if you want to find it), has seen better days. There are some pleasant areas in the hotel, indicating an elegant past, but other areas are in serious need of refurbishment. The hotel is in a great location, easy walk to Akakura Onsen and Akakura Kanko ski lifts, as well as the restaurants, ski hire and convenience stores of Akakura Onsen. We booked one Executive room (with Western beds and a Nespresso coffee machine) and one regular room (tatami mats and futons). The Executive room was in good condition with very comfortable beds and plenty of room, but the regular room was very tired, as were some of the common areas such as the onsen (cracked tiles, stained surfaces) and the corridors (stained carpet and ceilings). Hot water only trickled from the taps in the bathroom on level 5, and it was often difficult to get any hot water for showering. We usually washed in the onsen bathroom, where hot water was not a problem. The breakfast buffet had Japanese and western options, but the western options were very limited, white bread for toast with jam, cornflakes, and maybe some eggs. The only tea offered was green tea. When you book, unless you are keen for the full cultural experience, request western style soft pillows. We arrived at around 2am, and the standard room only had pillows filled with what felt like small, rough rocks! Not what you want to sleep on after almost 20 hours of travelling. Hotel staff were very helpful, but most cannot speak or understand any English, so making requests can be a challenge. I would stay here again, but only in Executive rooms, bathing at the onsen, and perhaps going elsewhere for breakfast!…