Best Hostels in Japan: Stylish and Budget Friendly Options
While I had my share of hostel stays in my early 20s, I kept a firm distance from hostels throughout my late 20s and 30s. My opinion of the hostel experience was shaped by my trips to Europe in the early 2000s – at a time when hostels were simply low-budget options where 6 to 20 people were packed into one room, hygiene was optional, and the common area was very small and often uninviting.
Most hostels also had a policy banning you from returning to your room between 11 am and 3 pm for cleaning/safety reasons. I also always disliked the feeling of returning to a cramped, unkempt room after a day strolling through beautiful European cities. So, as soon as I started earning my own money, I said goodbye to hostels with no intention of ever returning.
How I changed my view of hostels
Never say never. At 37, I quit my full-time lawyering job in Istanbul and switched to a part-time, freelance work model with substantially less pay but more freedom and more time on my hands. This meant longer travel but less money to spend on accommodation. And when I say longer, I mean months-long travels at a time. So I had no option but to reconsider my relationship with the hostels.
My growing interest in Asia also had a significant impact on my evolving outlook on hostels. I was, by my mid-30s, fully taken by the exquisite beauty of the Far East and had almost entirely abandoned the West except for my beloved Scandinavia.
Among the Asian countries I have visited, Thailand was the most influential in changing my view of hostels. That is where I came across the concept of design hostels, where you could stay for as low as USD 10-20/night, with access to spacious, stylish common areas. Most hostels also had the option to upgrade to a single room without breaking the bank. I also have to mention the Dearly Hostel on Koh Tao Island in Thailand, which is one of the best accommodation experiences that I have ever had.
My favorite hostels in Japan
Now I live in Japan, and I get to travel around the country very often, both for leisure and for travel-writing gigs. On personal trips, I now actively look for hostels. If there is a single room option in the hostel, I will often still go for it. I love the youthful energy in most hostels, their common areas, and the color they bring to sleepy rural towns in Japan. I
Hostels in Japan tend to be a little more expensive than their Southeast Asian counterparts (ranging from USD 25 to 40 per night), but they usually offer hotel-level service. While there is an abundance of high-quality hostels in large cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto, a recent trend is making hostels increasingly common in smaller towns and even in rural Japan.
Here is a list of some of my favorite hostels in Japan.
South Island Youth Hostel in Yakushima: enjoy a secluded island stay
If you have been following my blog, you may know that Yakushima is one of my favorite destinations in Japan. I have spent months on the island during three different trips. During those visits, I had the opportunity to stay in different parts of the island and test many accommodation options. As you will see in my main Yakushima posts, there are wonderful accommodation choices in Yakushima, including private house rentals, Japanese-style guesthouses, and upscale hotels.
Among all those options, some of my most memorable stays were at the South Island Youth Hostel. The hostel is hidden in the woods on the island’s south coast and offers both dorm and private room options. The dorm rooms have just two bunk beds, with enough space for even a study desk, and they never feel crowded. They have large reading, dining, and cooking areas, and I have met some amazing people during all my stays at South Island Youth Hostel in Yakushima. Last but not least, the hostel is also within walking distance of one of the best ocean-side onsen in Yakushima – Hirauchi Onsen.
J-Hoppers Kumano Yunomine: hostel with a private onsen along the Nakahechi Route of the Kumano Kodo
Hostel with a private indoor and outdoor onsen. I do not think I need to write any further to sell this hostel to you. Yunomine Onsen and J-Hoppers are great options for a stand-alone trip or a few days’ rest stop during your walk on the Nakahechi Route of the Kumano Kodo.
Offering both dorm-style and private rooms, this is a very professionally managed facility. They also have a large common kitchen, which comes in handy since the dining options in Yunomine are rather limited.
Another bonus is Tsunoyu, Japan’s oldest hot springs source, which is minutes away from the hostel.
Hostel Perch in Sado Island: when in Sado, look no further
Hostel Perch on Sado Island is reason enough to visit. Offering dorm, single, double, and triple rooms, Hostel Perch is possibly the most stylishly designed hostel listed in this post, which is already full of hostels where tasty design is a priority.
The hostel is located in a relatively happening town in Sado Island – Suwa Town, which has a very retro vibe while also featuring many amenities to assist independent travelers, not an easy find in rural Japan, including a fully stocked grocery store, a wide range of eateries, numerous bus stops, and a beautiful coastline.
Ta Bi To Hostel in Goto Islands: what an island, what a hostel
Located in the small village of Tomie on Fuku Island, the largest of the Goto Islands, Ta Bi To Hostel felt like a destination in its own right. Managed by the cafe owners right by the hostel, the hostel is housed in a traditional Japanese house.
Offering one dorm and one private room, the immaculately clean hostel is a perfect place to base yourself to explore Fukue Island. I originally intended to stay in Fuku for three days, but as soon as I set foot in Ta Bi To Hostel, I quickly changed my plans to a longer stay.
Kerama Backpackers in Tokashiki Island – Okinawa: enjoy the island life
In Tokashiki Island of Okinawa, which is easily accessible by ferry from Naha, I always stay at Kerama Backpackers Hostel. The hostel occupies an old but well-maintained building with all the amenities a solo traveler needs. There is a common kitchen, multiple showers, and a grocery store nearby. The owner also offers free shuttle service to the beaches. You can get a dorm bed for around 2500 Yen a night.
Ise Guesthouse Kazami in Ise City: convenient location and great design
I do not think I would have stopped in Ise City on my way to walk part of the Iseji Route of the Kumano Kodo if I had not come across Ise Guesthouse Kazami when planning my trip. Their website immediately caught my attention and convinced me to stay the night in Ise and check out the famous Ise Shrine before heading down to my main destination – Owase.
Guesthouse Kazami is a wonderful hostel with a unique style and all the conveniences a solo traveler may need. The hostel has an interesting circular architecture and wood-based yet stylish decoration. The rooms are modestly sized, eliminating the feeling of soulless dorm rooms. There are also common areas, including a fully equipped kitchen. The most pleasant surprise for me was the morning mini-bread service (100 yen/a piece) in a country where bread does not come in interesting varieties. Kazami is a wonderful base for any trip to Ise and also very convenient if you only have a night to stay in the town.
Hatchi the Hostel in Kanazawa: stylish design in one of the finest cities in Japan
Hatchi the Hostel in Kanazawa is part of the Share Hotels Group, which has a wonderful selection of design hotels/hostels in Japan. I stayed at Hatchi the Hostel during my December 2018 visit to Kanazawa. I originally booked for two nights, but I loved the city and the hostel so much that I ended up staying for ten nights.
The hostel has its own coffee shop on the first floor in addition to a breakfast and dining space. It also has one of the largest and best-designed common kitchens that I have seen, with a big shared table. If you are heading to Kanazawa and looking for a budget option with a central location, look no further than Hatchi the Hostel.
Kiyasato Ihatov Hostel near Shiretoko in Hokkaido: a little house in the prairie
I stayed at Kiyasato Ihatov Hostel for three nights during my summer trip to Hokkaido. This is a wonderful hostel/hotel run by a couple. Each dorm room has two bunk beds. The dining area is very spacious and has excellent views of the endless greenery surrounding the house. The hosts will gladly pick you up from the nearby Kiyasato train station and also drive you to town for dinner or to the nearby onsen. They also offer a fantastic breakfast set for 500 yen per person, and I highly recommend signing up for it the evening before. They have a kitchen but do not serve dinner.
Kiyasato Ihatov is close to the wonderful Shiretoko Natural Park, but it’s unfortunately a little hard to reach unless you have your own private car. The owners can also book a tour for you that departs daily from the hostel, including a guide and round-trip transportation (for 5000 yen per person).
Ichi the Hostel in Hiwasa – Shikoku: hostel with a pub
Located in beautiful Hiwasa town in Tokushima Prefecture, Ichi the Hostel is a great base for exploring the coastal towns of Tokushima Prefecture. In addition to the immaculately kept rooms, the hostel has a cozy common and a very stylish pub occupying the adjacent shack.
Hiwasa town is also a great place to explore, with a wide range of dining options. For more about the background story of Ichi the Hostel – Hostels Making a Difference in Rural Japan. For more about my time in Hiwasa and Ichi the Hostel: Walking Shikoku.
Kochi no Ya Hostel in Aki: wonderful town, wonderful host
I already wrote a separate post for Kochi no Ya Hostel located in Aki in Kochi prefecture. It was one of the best hostel experiences I had in Japan, where the quality of most of the hostels is already very high. The owner’s attention to detail makes this hostel almost too good to be true. Accommodation is not limited to dorm rooms; you can also book single or family rooms. The cafe area in the hostel becomes a bar three nights a week, giving you an excellent opportunity to mingle with the friendly locals.
Aso Base Backpackers Hostel in Aso – Kyushu: in the footsteps of an active volcano
During my September 2021 visit to Aso National Park, I stayed at Aso Base Backpackers Hostel, which is within walking distance of Aso train station. The facilities are immaculately clean, and the hostel has a very reasonable fee policy. The kitchen is very well equipped, and there is all-day free coffee service. The owners are very experienced in hostel management and will help you to get the best out of your stay in the area.
K`s Hostel in Daisetsuzan in Hokkaido: hikers’ heaven
K`s Hostel, like Aso Base Backpackers, mainly caters to hikers who want to explore the trails of Daisetsuzan National Park. The building is large and not as inspiring as some other hostels in the list, but the hospitality of the staff and the outdoor onsen free to the guests more than make up for it.
K`s Hostel Daisetsuzan offers both private and dorm rooms. Free breakfast is also available and starts early to accommodate the hikers who want to hit the trails at sunrise. There is a spacious dining area along with a fully equipped kitchen. There are no grocery stores in the area, so it is best to do your shopping beforehand. The hostel also has a small section selling packaged curries and some frozen foods.
These are some of my favorite hostels in Japan, and the list is continuously growing. For more about my favorites in the accommodation department, you can check my post on my favorite hotels and hostels in the world.
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Other destinations in Japan
This is a list of the additional places you may consider for your Tokyo and/or Kyoto-focused itinerary. But if you are not short on time and are interested in wandering outside these two cities and the destinations within their orbit, there are countless other destinations in Japan. You can start with the Japan Travel Frequently Asked Questions section.
Getting off the mainland to visit the smaller islands is a wonderful option to experience the “extremely” rural life centered around the ocean. These are some of my favorite islands in Japan. Another island-related post covers my favorite Okinawa Island, Tokashiki.
Summer may not be the best time to visit Japan, of course, unless you are planning to head up to the mountains or islands. These are some of my favorite summer destinations in Japan.
If you like hiking, you are in luck. Mountains cover 70% of Japan’s land and host thousands of trails for both beginner and advanced hikers; here are some hikes in Japan that are easily accessible by public transportation. There is also a separate post about the multi-day pilgrimage routes of Japan.
If you have time to visit the northern frontier of Japan, Hokkaido, here are some winter suggestions—a week in Biei—and summer suggestions—Rebun Island.
If you visit Japan during the fall colors season, these are some of my favorite fall foliage viewing destinations in the country.
I hope you enjoy your trip to Japan, one of the world’s most popular repeat destinations. The country always finds its way to your heart and lures you back countless times (speaking from experience).
