My stay was very good. The staff were very professional. There is an issue though. When I arrived from Tokyo, I was 4 hours early. I presented my US passport to the clerk who immediately stated the check in time was at 4 pm. She was not welcoming nor did she offer a place for me to store my luggage. I had to leave the hotel and stand outside in 40 degree Fahrenheit weather in a country I was backpacking through. I was not offered any place to store my 50lbs back pack nor was i assisted to find a place to spend my time waiting. It was an utmost uncomfortable and unwelcoming situation. It did not reflect the character of the people of Fukushima prefecture or the town of Shirakawa.