Finding cheap accommodation in Japan can seem difficult. Japan has luxurious hotels and pristine ryokans (traditional Japanese hotels). However, there is no shortage of great hostels in Japan! Here are 5 of the best hostels in Japan.
Hi. I am Noah Takes The World. I traveled solo to every prefecture in Japan, and now I want to help you do the same. Solo traveling is freeing, and it does not have to be expensive.
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In this post, I will share the 5 best hostels in Japan. I stayed at each of these hostels and never paid more than 4,000 yen a night. Even though these hostels were cheap, I never had to sacrifice quality and comfort during my solo travels.
Love Japan? Read my Ultimate Japan Bucket List: The Best Thing to Do in Every Prefecture
Is It OK to Travel to Japan Alone?
Japan is a great place for solo travel. It is extremely safe to travel in Japan alone. Petty crimes are very rare in Japan. Violence towards tourists is very rare in Japan.
If you are a female solo traveler, you will still be amazed by Japan’s safety, especially compared to the U.S. Most female solo travelers love being able to walk around alone at night. However, violence towards women does occur. In large cities, there are women-only cars on trains to prevent men from inappropriately harassing women.
Japan has a robust public transportation system that makes it easy and safe to travel around the country without much anxiety. The country also has normalized solo activities, meaning you won’t get stares for eating or drinking alone in a restaurant.
Ready to solo travel in Japan? Here are some of the best hostels in Japan, located in some of the most beautiful areas in Japan. These hostels are safe, clean, and budget-friendly.
Price Legend (per night):
- $ Under 2,500 Yen
- $$ 2,500-3,500 Yen
- $$$ 3,500-4,500
1. Stay at the Cozy Dot Hostel in Lake Kawaguchi
If visiting Lake Kawaguchi is on your Japan bucket list, staying at Dot Hostel is a no-brainer. It is one of the best hostels in Japan. Lake Kawaguchi is famous for its epic views of Fuji-san (aka Mount Fuji). Kawaguchi is a small area full of traditional Japanese inns that are stunning but so expensive.
However, even a budget traveler can stay overnight in this gorgeous area and wake up to views of Fuji, thanks to Dot Hostel. Besides its beautiful location (on the side of the lake with the best views of Fuji), it is also very relaxing. Like many Japanese hostels, the beds are capsule-style, so you get ample privacy.
You can also rent a bike from the hostel for 1,000 yen a day. In less than 10 minutes, you can reach Momiji Tunnel, one of the most iconic Fuji photo spots.
Why You Should Visit Lake Kawaguchi
There are Five Fuji Lakes that formed from previous Mt. Fuji eruptions. Visiting these lakes is a great way to enjoy scenic views of Mt. Fuji. The most accessible and developed lake is Lake Kawaguchi.
If you stay at Dot Hostel & Bar, you can conveniently bike 12 miles around the entire lake. If you want more of a workout, you can also head to the nearby Saiko Lake. At Saiko Lake, make sure to head to Saiko Nenba-hama for a great view of Fuji and Lake Saiko Bat Cave for an interesting self-guided cave tour.
Even if you aren’t a fan of biking, there are plenty of activities to do near Dot Hostel & Bar. You can visit the Yamanashi Gem Museum or take the Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway.
How to Access Lake Kawaguchi
There are a couple of different ways to access Lake Kawaguchi. You can take a limited express JR train from Nagano to Kofu Station, covered by JR East Nagano Niigata Area Pass. From Kofu Station, you can take a bus to Lake Kawaguchi.
If you are coming from Tokyo, start at Shinjuku Station and take the JR Chuo Line to Otsuki Station. The JR Pass covers this trip. Then, transfer to the Fujikyu Line to Kawaguchiko Station, which is not covered by the pass. From Kawaguchiko Station, you can take a local bus to Lake Kawaguchi.
Dot Hostel Overview:
- Quiet location
- Cozy and private
- $$
2. Enjoy the Social Backpackers Hostel K’s House Kyoto
Kyoto is probably the most loved city in all of Japan. Locals and foreigners alike can never stop praising this mecca known for its photogenic shrines, gardens, and temples. I was skeptical at first. However, Kyoto’s immense popularity lives up to the hype 100 percent.
A great place to stay in Kyoto on a budget is Backpackers Hostel K’s House Kyoto. It has a spacious kitchen, outdoor terrace, and large common room. You can rent a bike from the hostel for 1,000 yen a day.
The amenities are excellent, but my favorite part about the hostel is its location. It is a 10-minute walk from Kyoto Station and a 20-minute walk to the famous Gion district. Also, if you are a solo traveler who wants to meet people during your travels, this hostel is the place for you.
Why You Should Visit Kyoto
Kyoto is a large city with plenty of tourist attractions. However, the best thing to do here is visit Arashiyama. Chances are you have heard of Arashiyama and its famed Bamboo Forest. The Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is a top spot for capturing Instagram photos in Kyoto.
Hidden behind the bamboo forest, you will find the Okochi Sanso Garden, the former residence of a Japanese period film star. Touring this property with its maze of carefully manicured gardens is a must-do. At the end of your tour, you can drink a cup of green tea and feel the true peace of Kyoto.
If you really want to escape the crowds, walk 20 minutes from Torokko Arashiyama Station to Daikaku-ji. This high-ranking Buddhist temple was once home to the imperial palace. You should also head to Gio-ji, a charming temple covered in moss closer to the main hub of Arashiyama. Visiting Arashiyama is unforgettable if you get off the tourist trail and lose yourself in the silence.
How to Access Kyoto
Along with Tokyo, Kyoto is probably the most desirable place to visit in Japan. If you want to conveniently visit Tokyo and Kyoto, you should purchase the JR Pass that allows you to travel across the whole country.
Without a rail pass, you will pay nearly 15,000 yen for a one-way trip between the cities. If you purchase a JR Pass and visit Tokyo, Kyoto, and another city like Sendai or Hiroshima during your trip, you should highly consider buying a rail pass. It may be the most cost-effective option.
Although regional passes are cheaper like JR West Kansai Wide Area Pass, when you are traveling from Tokyo to Kyoto, you are crossing three different regions. Therefore, you need the JR Pass for the whole country.
The cheapest way to reach Arashiyama is to take the JR San-In Line from Kyoto Station to Saga-Arashiyama Station. From there, you will have to walk about 20 minutes to most temples and gardens.
K’s House Kyoto Overview:
- Foreigner-friendly and social
- Convenient location
- $
3. Get the Local Experience at UNPLAN Fukuoka
Fukuoka might not be on every solo traveler’s radar, but it is a fun place to visit and eat delicious food. UNPLAN Fukuoka is an excellent place to stay for the traveler who wants the “local experience.”
The hostel is steps from Ohori Park and the Fukuoka Castle ruins. It is also right on the subway line to the airport. Walk 10 minutes from the hostel to a famous ramen shop, Ganso Ramen Nagahamake, and eat Hakata ramen elbow-to-elbow with locals.
When I stayed here, the common areas were full of people working remotely. The beds are also capsule-style, so it is a less social hostel.
Why You Should Visit Fukuoka
Fukuoka is one of the most tourist-centered cities in Kyushu. With Ohori Park, famous for cherry blossoms, and Canal City Hakata, a picturesque shopping complex, there is plenty to do in this city known for ramen and food stalls.
My favorite place in the city is Momochi Seaside Park. It is an artificial beach, not far from the city center. Although it is a relaxing place to take a stroll, the highlight of the beach park is seeing Fukuoka Tower from the sandy shore.
The tower is the largest seaside tower in Japan and is a symbol of Fukuoka. My favorite view of the tower is when it lights up at night. It reflects blue light onto the scenic coastline and makes for an unforgettable photograph.
How to Access Fukuoka
If you want to reach Fukuoka from Honshu, Japan’s main Island, you can use the JR Pass that covers all of Japan and take the Kyushu Shinkansen to Hakata Station. However, it might be cheaper to fly to Fukuoka.
UNPLAN Fukuoka Overview:
- Good for digital nomads
- Less touristy experience
- $$
4. Relax at the Guesthouse Tomaru in Takayama
Takayama is a great place to visit solo because of its Edo-period streets, mountain views, and morning markets. It is a relaxing, charming city.
A perfect place to stay that compliments the city’s energy is Guesthouse Tomaru. It is like staying at a traditional Japanese hotel without paying the high cost. It really is one of the best hostels in Japan.
The guesthouse is run by a family, and they live in the house as well. This homely experience makes staying in Takayama even more magical.
During my stay, I felt the warm Japanese hospitality when I received a detailed map in English with great food recommendations. I enjoyed sleeping in the dormitory on top of a tatami mat.
Why You Should Visit Takayama
You should visit Takayama because it has an “Old Japan” feel. You can tour a historic government building or photograph the quant Hida Kokubunji Temple. However, my favorite site in Takayama is the Hida Folk Village.
This open-air museum highlights preserved farmhouses. Here, you can learn about life in Japan during the Edo period. It is much more peaceful than visiting the Shirakawago, a major tourist hotspot.
How to Access Takayama
Takayama is also a great place to visit after hiking in Kamikochi or dipping in onsen waters at Hirayu Onsen. That is why I recommend purchasing the 4-Day Alps WIDE Free Passport.
This ticket gives you unlimited bus rides for 4 days to the Shirakawago Village, Takayama, Matsumoto, Kamikochi, and Hirayu. You can even purchase a package that includes a return ticket for the Shinhotaka Ropeway.
Guesthouse Tomaru Overview:
- Personalized experience
- Central location
- $$$
5. Unwind at Yuzan Guesthouse in Nara
Nara is full of culture and is one of the most popular side trips from Kyoto or Osaka. Nara even has one of my favorite temples in Japan, the Todai-ji Temple.
A perfect place to stay in Nara on a budget is the Yuzen Guesthouse. It is a Japanese-style home with charm and character. These reasons make it one of the best hostels in Japan.
It has a beautiful common room and a quaint kitchen. You can also rent a bike here to access the deer park in minutes.
Why You Should Visit Nara
Nara is known for its friendly deer that roam freely in Nara Park. Getting followed and stalked by these docile mammals is fun and makes for hilarious videos, but touring Todai-ji is the true highlight when visiting Nara.
Todai-ji is one of the grandest temples in Japan, and that is reflected in its history. Over one thousand years ago, the temple grew so powerful that the capital moved from Nara to lessen the influence the temple had on the government.
A highlight of visiting Todai-ji is entering the mall hall that holds one of Japan’s largest Buddha statues. To get the most out of your trip to Todai-ji, first visit the Todai-ji Museum and learn more about the history of Buddhism in Japan. Then, make your way to the main hall with your camera in hand.
How to Access Nara
Nara is one of the most popular side trips to take when visiting Kyoto. From Kyoto Station, take the Local Nara to Nara Station. This route is covered on the JR Kansai Wide Area Pass.
Yuzan Guesthouse Overview:
- Easy to access
- Homely atmosphere
- $
The Best Hostels in Japan
Now that you know the best hostels in Japan, get to booking and planning your trip! There is a reason I visited every prefecture in Japan— I couldn’t get enough of Japan.
Japan is one of the most interesting countries in the world—more than just the land of bullet trains, delicious seafood, and golden temples. Go out and see for yourself!
However, traveling to Japan can be an expensive endeavor. Luckily, there are great hostels in unforgettable locations where you can stay to cut down on costs.
