Aoba Shrine Tours

I booked half board. As I arrived 3 hours before checking in time they looked after my luggage until that time as I wanted to visit an old and famous temple. They supplied me with a Japanese language map clearly marking the hotel location and the temple and told me it was a 30 minute walk.i easily got there within that time. They also said I could wait in the lobby until 2pm when my room would be assigned. The lobby has a free bar for both soft and alcoholic drinks between 2 and 10 pm. I returned a little before 3 and enjoyed a beer before collecting my room key and luggage. The hotel operates a viking (unreserved seating buffet) for evening meal and breakfast and allows you to choose a 90 minute slot for dinner. The receptionist carefully explained that you had to select your seat before embarking on the buffet ( they use an upturned card system but it is wise to bring some marker to hang on your seat). Dinner has unlimited free drink; beer wine sake shochu highball during your 90 minute slot. The onsen is very nice with an open air section. The view from my room of Matsushima Bay was spectacular. The hotel operates shuttle buses in the morning to the two local stations and the Rest House (where you can buy tickets for boat Trips round the Bay). There is a reservation fee of 40 yen which is added to your final bill for accommodation and onsen taxes when you check out. My shuttle bus driver spoke some English and even went into the station to check the time of my train.