Hostels in Japan

Japan is a beautiful country in Eastern Asia made up of many Islands. There are four main Islands in Japan - Honshu, Hokkaido, Shikoku, and Kyushu. Honshu is the biggest Island and is where most the highest number of Japanese hostels are located.

Honshu is home to the most famous and accessible Japanese cities including Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. Tokyo is a city of sensory overload with so many areas to explore and it mix of new and old culture.

Kyoto is also a must see and is a bit more of a relaxed city but is bursting with shrines, temples, castles, and palaces. It does get extremely busy during cherry blossom season, so it does pay to book ahead at certain times of the year. Osaka is also a popular city with many attractions including Osaka Castle and Spa World.

Some other places not to miss on Honshu include Nara (home to many mischievous deer), Himeji Castle, and Hiroshima. All of these places are easily accessible during one trip and there are countless places worth visiting that are not mentioned above.

The other main islands also have many other great places to offer. Hokkaido is the most northerly island, and also has a much colder climate, which means the summers are a little more comfortable. Hokkaido has many national parks as well as some other great cities including Sapporo and Hakodate. Hokkaido is especially great for travelers who enjoy the wilderness or who want to ski the infamous Japanese powder during winter. Shikoku is a smaller Island, but has some great history and is home to the 88 Temple Pilgrimage. Kyushu is also a great place to visit for onsens (hot springs) and history.

Japan is a fairly easy country to travel despite the language barrier if you don't speak Japanese. People are very welcoming and friendly in Japan and will try and help you even if they can't speak your language. The transportation around Japan is very efficient, and if you are visiting on a tourist visa, it is worth purchasing a JR Rail Pass in your home country. And the food in Japan is especially great, be it sushi, ramen, teppanyaki, there is always something tasty to be found. And don't forget to visit an onsen at least once on your trip for the ultimate relaxation.

Japan has a great range of unique accommodations for the budget traveller and hostels come in all different shapes and sizes. It's a very welcoming and cultural country and this is incorporated into their hostels as well, with tatami floored rooms and futon mattresses instead of beds. Many places have a combination of Japanese and western living. The main cities like Tokyo and Kyoto have the largest selection of hostels, but many hostels are also available in smaller towns and around the national parks. Also try and plan your trip around one of the thousands of festivals Japan has every year because you will never forget it.

Handwritten by local expert for Japan hostels Keppers