I am well aware the hostel culture in Japan is not the same as in other countries and finding social hostels can be a bit more difficult; and I guess having just opened after being closed for three years things must be very different now. Having said all that, I am traveling to Japan for about a month next April and will be in Tokyo for about 10 days and am wondering if anyone has Hostel recommendations with a more social vibe? I don’t mean wild and party but maybe a place with a bar or where other solo travelers can hang out to meet other travelers? Some of the places I found seem nice but also have mixed reviews depending on what booking website I use.
Nui hostel and bar
Chapter two
Hotel bedgasm
Unplan Shinjuku
The Millenials Shibuya (pretty expensive)
Will have fun regardless even if there are no social hostels. But interested to see what’s out there and peoples experience especially now that the country is fully open. Thanks!
3 comments
Honestly, all hostel have the potential to be social, it is the people that stay at that moment that makes the difference.
I stayed in a place that had a bar and a large lounge where they hold events and most people I saw stayed with their group and did not really talk to other. Then in another place they had a small common room with a big table and we ended up being almost a dozen person all talking together. And other places you can sit at the same table as other people and nobody will talk to you.
Honestly it is all about the people and not the place. As long as there is a common lounge, there is the potential for people to be friendly and want to interact.
I only have experience of hostel in Japan, so no idea how the hostel culture is different.
Thanks for asking this question. I am interested in the answers too.
I haven’t been there yet, but going in May. I didn’t find a perfect place in Tokyo (private room, smaller, good common area, backpacker atmosphere, good location, etc) but I choose Nui for now. (I also wanted to be in Asakusa). Sounds like the vibe is pretty good with the bar area and upstairs common room even if it’s not a small, intimate sort of place.
Some hostels in other cities (Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Fukuoka) seem to be more promising.
COVID really disrupted the hostel scene. Some of the previously highest rated hostels/guesthouses I found are closed.