Location/Contact
This hostel is a great point from which to explore the region, particularly the best preserved post towns, Magome and Tsumago.
The hostel can be reached from Nakatsugawa Station by irregular buses (only 3 per day) to Magome (get off at Kominkanmae stop), or you can organise with the owner to pick you up from the station free of charge.
The highlight of this hostel is the fantastic views from all common areas and dorm rooms of the valley below - a rural Japanese scene of houses, rice fields and timbered hills.
Dorm rooms are spacious and there are both tatami and bunk bed style rooms. Linen is included in accommodation price. The common area comprises of two large tables, a small tatami area with tv and computer and a large deck area. Dorm rooms can only be locked from the inside and there are no lockers.
There is no kitchen for guest use but morning and evening meals (630 / 1050 yen) are served by the hostel, and are tasty and generous in size. Shower/baths are Japanese style and must be taken in the morning or evening with evening showers ending at 8:30pm. There are two washing machines for guest use.
The historic post town of Magome is a 40 minute walk from the hostel, the owner can provide a map (in Japanese but easy enough to follow) or he may be able to drive you there himself (10 minutes). There are irregular buses between Magome and Tsumago or you can walk the eight kilometres along the old post road (very picturesque) in around two hours.
This is a quiet, peaceful hostel that makes the most of its beautiful location. It is well furnished and extremely clean. As with many Japanese hostels there is a certain level of regimentation in the way things are run but this is balanced by the friendly owner (who speaks some English) who goes out of his way for his guests.
-- Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
