I was able to get reservations at the New Izu Hotel when I landed at Narita and went to the tourist information counter for help. Those ladies are amazing! Even when I got to my hotel that night, I found a personal note one of them had written on a tour brochure with some advice. They did not lead me astray! The hotel was very affordable-$70 US dollars per night. My TINY western style room (#410) was clean & had everything I needed, including a very tiny bathroom w/ awesome Japanese toilet & miniature soaking tub & shower. What I liked best was the big window I could open out to the fresh air! The hotel does allow smoking, so don't complain if you stay there. My room did NOTsmell of smoke- I had requested non-smoking. There was a patch on the bedspread, which I found charming. I would have liked to try a Japanese style room, but considering my arrival on a 3 day week-end was glad to have a room! It was VERY hard to find the hotel at night, in the falling snow. Fortunately, I had the help of strangers (twice!) and when I finally figured out the HAIWA Bank is right across the street and has a huge sign up high--a great landmark. The neighborhood felt very safe. I walked all around with my luggage when I arrived and the only thing that happened is people helped me. The staff is very nice & I hope someday I can return!
