Stayed at Chou Kou for 3 nights for the weekend of the Formula 1 at Suzuka (an hour away by train) and it was ideal for that. Seriously recommend if you’re going to the F1. We are a couple in our late 30s.
The place is halfway between a hostel and a hotel. It has plenty of in room amenities, and there is ample soap, shampoo etc in all the shared bathrooms. We knew we would be sharing bathrooms, so I can’t complain about that itself, but it’s a shame that the toilets are hole in the ground style, especially when you’re sharing with the rest of the floor. There is a female only shower and toilet on the 4th floor that I was happier to use.
We were there during typhoon Hagibis, so spent an entire day shut in our room but the bed is super comfortable, the pillows are good and you can get more if you need them, so we didn’t suffer at all. The staff were friendly and available, despite limited English, they do have a perfectly good pocket translator machine if needed. You have to lug your cases up and down a few flights of narrow, steep stairs so be aware of that if it might be an issue.
We slept well, the air con is great, and we heard very little surrounding noise despite the place being full.
The location is a very short walk to Nagoya station, and there are some great eating and drinking spots on the walk between the hotel and the station.
Would not hesitate to stay again, if we return for the racing. Very good value and did the job.