ハトヤ大漁苑レストラン Itō

Late night munchies can pose a real problem when you’re far from the nearest convenience store in a gorgeous but quiet part of Japan. Enter the secret weapon of the traveler’s world: midnight ramen at the hotel bar.

Many hotels that have a socializing space for after dinner serve what is called “shime” in Japanese, which means the closing meal. In English, I consider it a midnight snack, but it’s slightly more filling. Meant to soak up any hedonistic behavior you may have been indulging in.

This is the Hatoya Hotel in Atami, which is famous for its retro charm. The ramen is simple, and rightfully so, because it’s meant to be a snack while you focus your attention on the exquisite vibes around you before tucking yourself into your futon at the end of the night.

Next time you’re up past your bedtime, check if there’s a ramen option on your hotel menu. You’d be surprised. Less