Step into the old pleasure quarters of a former red light district at this Japanese inn

This Japanese ryokan with a colorful past offers a modest place to stay near some major city attractions.

Thankfully, Japanese Twitter user @ruins_rider lives up to his username in finding some of the best off the beaten path ruins and intriguing buildings throughout Japan. His latest find, a converted Japanese inn (ryokan) in the heart of Hiroshima City, has garnered immense popularity since he posted some photos on his Twitter account.

While ryokan are typically known for their luxurious amenities such as exquisitely prepared meals and heavenly hot springs, Ichiraku Ryokan functions on a much simpler concept that many budget-conscious travelers are sure to appreciate–a night there starts at just 3,000 yen (US$27.40) per night (no meals included).

That’s not to say that Ichiraku is lacking in ambiance, either. The building was originally constructed in 1950, in the midst of the Showa era (1926-1989), a fact that is made more impressive considering the devastation the city suffered just five years earlier on August 6, 1945. Its colorful history includes operating as a pleasure quarters site in a former red light district followed by a stint as a love hotel and today functioning as an inexpensive inn.

▼ The quirky exterior of Ichiraku Ryokan today

Immediately upon entering, visitors will be impressed by the sight of the small pond in the entryway and the tall atrium that reaches to the ceiling. Rooms are traditionally Japanese in style, so you’ll still have a chance to experience staying in a tatami mat room and sleeping on an authentic futon.

▼ The interior of Ichiraku Ryokan, showcasing the small pond and split levels

元遊郭の一楽旅館（広島）昭和25年に建てられた元遊郭→連れ込み宿→現在は素泊まり3000円位で泊まれる旅館となっています。玄関を入ると目の前には池があり、天井まで吹抜けとなる造り。繁華街からも近く、宿の中も綺麗にしてあ… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
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ruins-rider (@ruins_rider) June 05, 2018

Furthermore, Ichiraku is situated close to the business district of Hiroshima and directly to the east of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. The closest Hiroshima Electric Railway stop is also just a short hop to the north.

Other Japanese net users responded to the photos with a sense of overall awe:

“I’m from Hiroshima but I had no idea this was here! Thanks for sharing.”
“The retro atmosphere is intriguing.”
“This place was featured on a local Fukuoka TV channel. I’d like to visit sometime.”
“It’s got a mysterious aura about it…like something that would pop up in Spirited Away.”
“…There aren’t any ghosts, are there?”

If you’re about to travel in Japan and are in need of some other inexpensive places to stay at that still lend a Japanese flavor to your journey, be sure to check out @ruins_rider’s other tweets because he has already posted many of his finds throughout the country, from Asakichi Ryokan in Mie Prefecture…

元遊郭の麻吉旅館（三重）麻吉旅館がある伊勢市古市は、江戸時代末には幕府非公認ながら、吉原・島原と並び三大遊郭として賑わい、麻吉も一説には創業200年以上の歴史とも言われています。丘陵の斜面に建てられた旅館は、階段状の木造6… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
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ruins-rider (@ruins_rider) June 10, 2018

…to Shinmutsu Ryokan in Aomori Prefecture in the extreme north of Honshu.

元遊郭の新むつ旅館（青森）旅館の前身である遊郭「新陸奥楼」は明治31年の開業とされ、現在は旅館へ。建物正面の格子やY字階段は遊郭時代からの代物で、空中廊もお見事。先日ツイートした広島の一楽旅館よりも遊郭の雰囲気を色濃く残し… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
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ruins-rider (@ruins_rider) June 07, 2018

Happy hotel hunting!

Hotel information
Ichiraku Ryokan / 一楽旅館
Address: 730-0024 Hiroshima-ken, Hiroshima-shi, Naka-ku, Nishihiratsuka-cho 2-17
730-0024 広島県広島市中区西平塚町2−17
Phone: +81 82-244-2028

Source: Twitter/@ruins_rider via Twicolle
Featured image: Twitter/@ruins_rider