Online booking is not offered for this Hostel. Contact them for availability and reservations (any contact info we have is listed below).
Please see Rebun for other available Rebun hostels and accommodations.
Please see Rebun for other available Rebun hostels and accommodations.
The Hostelz.com Review
There is nothing in the world that can prepare you for what a stay at Momoiwaso is like. You certainly need to have a lot of enthusiasm and energy to take this place on, but you will be rewarded with an unforgettable and incomparable Japanese experience on a gorgeous island at Japan's northernmost point.
The hostel is a good distance from the port but there's no need to worry since the staff will be waiting with the Momoiwaso sign for every boat. This will be your introduction to the staff, who are as much entertainers as they are supervisors. You will be given a speech about things you might need to know, and you might be included in the sendoff for guests that depart on the boat you came on. This involves loud singing, vigorous hand-clapping, and a series of gestures (a recurring theme). You will then be transported to the hostel, given a loud welcome, sent to the registration desk, and given your bed. Beds are comfortable if a bit short. Precautions should be taken at night against insects, as the building has open air flow and there are mosquitoes aplenty.
The hostel organizes a hiking group and transportation for the island's eight-hour hiking course each day. You need to let the registration desk know when you arrive when you plan on doing the hike. The information session for each day's hike takes place the previous evening after the nighttime meeting/song session. The hiking course shows you the unexpectedly varied natural environments of the small island and provides countless astounding views of seascapes, inlets, forests, fishing villages, and a wide array of gorgeous flowers. It will also expose you to lots of horseflies, so cover up where you can. You need to be in decent physical shape, as the walk is long and tiring and has a few areas with tough footing. When you make your way back to the hostel you will be given a hero's reception of song, gesture, and vigorous hand-clapping.
When at the hostel you can pop into the sea for a swim. You can also relax on the hostel's nice big wooden floor or go the the staff-run cafe down the road -- "Ben and Joe House" -- which serves excellent seafood curry, pizza toast, and coffee. (Benjo in Japanese means toilet, hence the pun.) The hostel's breakfast isn't very good unless you love Japanese breakfast. They sell Calorie Mate nutrition bars at reception which can make a good substitute. Dinners are better and can be very good at times. There is also a small town about thirty minutes walk away where you can get seafood grill items from morning to late afternoon.
When someone enters a room they yell "Tadaima" -- "I'm here" -- to which all should reply "Okaeri" -- "Welcome back." This is practiced loudly at all times, particularly by the staff. The meeting begins at about six-thirty p.m., and consists of a guide to the island, various information about the island, skits performed by the staff, and of course loads of song, gesture, and vigorous hand-clapping. It lasts about two hours, after which there is a free hour or so until the music comes on signaling lights-out in fifteen minutes. Note that if you are coming back from the hike, you will then have a very short time to bathe and eat before the evening meeting starts.
If you are participating in the hike you'll be woken up at about five a.m. for a quick departure. If not, you will be awakened at about six-thirty by loud music. Mornings include song, gesture, and clapping for departing guests and a quick group clean-up of the hostel and kitchen which can be quite fun.
This place is generally not for those who want to take things at their own pace and have a relaxing island stay. You will get a workout and leave with a fantastic, crazy experience reverberating in your head and maybe your heart as well.
The hostel is a good distance from the port but there's no need to worry since the staff will be waiting with the Momoiwaso sign for every boat. This will be your introduction to the staff, who are as much entertainers as they are supervisors. You will be given a speech about things you might need to know, and you might be included in the sendoff for guests that depart on the boat you came on. This involves loud singing, vigorous hand-clapping, and a series of gestures (a recurring theme). You will then be transported to the hostel, given a loud welcome, sent to the registration desk, and given your bed. Beds are comfortable if a bit short. Precautions should be taken at night against insects, as the building has open air flow and there are mosquitoes aplenty.
The hostel organizes a hiking group and transportation for the island's eight-hour hiking course each day. You need to let the registration desk know when you arrive when you plan on doing the hike. The information session for each day's hike takes place the previous evening after the nighttime meeting/song session. The hiking course shows you the unexpectedly varied natural environments of the small island and provides countless astounding views of seascapes, inlets, forests, fishing villages, and a wide array of gorgeous flowers. It will also expose you to lots of horseflies, so cover up where you can. You need to be in decent physical shape, as the walk is long and tiring and has a few areas with tough footing. When you make your way back to the hostel you will be given a hero's reception of song, gesture, and vigorous hand-clapping.
When at the hostel you can pop into the sea for a swim. You can also relax on the hostel's nice big wooden floor or go the the staff-run cafe down the road -- "Ben and Joe House" -- which serves excellent seafood curry, pizza toast, and coffee. (Benjo in Japanese means toilet, hence the pun.) The hostel's breakfast isn't very good unless you love Japanese breakfast. They sell Calorie Mate nutrition bars at reception which can make a good substitute. Dinners are better and can be very good at times. There is also a small town about thirty minutes walk away where you can get seafood grill items from morning to late afternoon.
When someone enters a room they yell "Tadaima" -- "I'm here" -- to which all should reply "Okaeri" -- "Welcome back." This is practiced loudly at all times, particularly by the staff. The meeting begins at about six-thirty p.m., and consists of a guide to the island, various information about the island, skits performed by the staff, and of course loads of song, gesture, and vigorous hand-clapping. It lasts about two hours, after which there is a free hour or so until the music comes on signaling lights-out in fifteen minutes. Note that if you are coming back from the hike, you will then have a very short time to bathe and eat before the evening meeting starts.
If you are participating in the hike you'll be woken up at about five a.m. for a quick departure. If not, you will be awakened at about six-thirty by loud music. Mornings include song, gesture, and clapping for departing guests and a quick group clean-up of the hostel and kitchen which can be quite fun.
This place is generally not for those who want to take things at their own pace and have a relaxing island stay. You will get a workout and leave with a fantastic, crazy experience reverberating in your head and maybe your heart as well.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
August 2006
Momoiwaso Details
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Location/Contact| Address | Aza Motochi, Kafuka, Rebun (Rebun-cho), Hokkaidō, Japan |
| Website | www.youthhostel.or.jp/English/n_momoiwaso.htm |
| Telephone | 01638-6-1421 |
| Fax | 01638-6-1421 |
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Hostelz.com Guest Reviews
Lost for Words When I begin to talk about Momoiwaso Hostel I always find myself lost for words. I don't know if I might start by talking about the warm welcome guests get the instant they open the door. I suppose I should mention the evening meetings, an experience that shouldn't be missed. Or perhaps I could begin by describing the tears on some of the guests' faces as they departed on the ferry back to Wakkanai. I have stayed in eighty seven hostels and have found many of them to be very interesting. In giving Momoiwaso such a lengthy review (and there's so much more to be said about this place), it's needless to say that Momiwaso tops the list. There's a lot of history behind Momiwaso and an overwhelming sense of community. The atmosphere there as well as the energy and character of the staff and some of those who keep returning are one of a kind. Those who speak Japanese may have a more enjoyable experience than those who do not. However, in my experience I felt that the atmosphere transcends any language barriers. Those in decent shape should try try the 'hachi-jikan course.' (eight hour hike) It's a strenuous but very picturesque 32 kilometer hike from the northern tip of the island back to the hostel. Be prepared to wake up at 4:30am and to walk for more than eight hours. Be sure to have a decent pair of hiking boots as sections of the trail are steep and muddy following spouts of rain. Depending on which edition of the guidebooks you're carrying, this hostel is either an "eclectic" youth hostel with "quite a devoted following" OR a "military-like hostel run by a group of Japanese comedians that have turned it into a happy-clapping experience." While the latter is the archetypal reaction from someone who should probably never travel to a foreign country, this place is definitely not for everyone. Even some Japanese don't particularly adore the place. The 6am morning wake up call that would raise the dead might deter a large number of folks. There's also no alcohol allowed on the premises and lights are out at 10pm sharp. Those who want to move at their own individual pace with more freedom might be better off staying elsewhere. That said, if you arrive with an open mind, a lot of energy and a curiosity to see a very unique side of Japanese culture (a culture even unique for the Japanese), Momiwa may very well be one of the most rewarding youth hostels one could ever experience. It was for me even though I hardly speak any Japanese. — Anthony , USA (2010-08-20) Unique and Energetic I went here with a school trip and was not warned ahead of time about the huge greeting we would be getting. When the van pulled up inches to the front door they swung it open to have the entire staff with drums and various other loud instruments screaming welcome in Japanese. The dinner was nice but what topped it off was one of the employees standing on the roof with the Japanese flag "saying goodbye to the day" as they said. It was beautiful.
After dark if you look over the water you see dozens of lights from squid fishing boats (at least during Sept, when I went). That and there's also a big ol rock in the water called "cat rock" and you'll have to see it yourself to know why. The water was a bit chilly when i went but be warned for women swimmers, i was in board-shorts and a bikini top when i walked back into the hostel after a swim and the hostess ran up asking me to cover. So just because it's on the beach dont expect to be able to walk around in your swimsuits. Other than that there's really nothing i can complain about. Oh! Odd tidbit, this hostel has a thirty-minute difference in time from the other side of the island. If there wasnt a clock on the wall i would have been confused my whole stay. Recommended! — Laura , USA (2009-08-03)