Couch Potato Hostel

A unique place. Unique people. My first "Kotatsu" that I will never forget…

Nothing

Friendly staff, fun environment and excellent location

Room was a little small

This hostel is without a doubt one of the most heartless and cruel places I’ve ever encountered. After being stuck in Kanazawa for a week with the flu, I reached out in advance to this hostel asking to cancel and get a refund on my stay, and they refused. The next day I was forced to travel 5 hours to this hostel, only to be told when I arrived I couldn’t stay in the dorm because I was sick, even though I wasn’t showing any signs of illness at that point. Instead of offering me help or showing even a hint of compassion, the lady demanded I pay an additional 5,000 yen to upgrade to a single room because I was sick. When I explained how unfair this was, given the situation that I told them in advance and they didn’t tell me anything like this at all, and how I would never have traveled here if they had informed me beforehand that they would more then double charge me I was simply ignored. Not once did the lady ask how I was feeling, if I needed help finding a doctor or medicine. It felt like she didn’t care one bit about my welfare. I was made to feel like a nuisance, like my presence was unwanted, and honestly, it felt downright cruel. After explaining how this was unfair she then threatened me legally when I asked them to pay the difference as they were demanding the room change. She said they have the legal right actually to refuse for me to stay there at all after I pleaded with her she then told me I had to leave and couldn’t stay in the hostel at all. At which point I asked for a refund in which she tried to refuse even though they were now the ones cancelling my stay at the door after 5 hours of travel to get there. I was left alone in a foreign place in the middle of the Japanese Mountains, without so much as an offer of help. I ended up paying double the price for last-minute accommodation after already spending £46 on trains just to get there. I’ve been to 60+ countries, lived in 5 continents I’ve never been treated so badly with such lack of empathy.

Wonderful hostel. Really helpful and friendly staff. We loved the attention to detail in recommendation material and maps and signage around the hostel.

Small room size. But otherwise everything was great.

Great location just a few blocks from Matsumoto Castle. Inside, it’s a lovely traditional-looking house. The bunk beds were some of the sturdiest and most spacious I’ve seen — not cramped at all. Everything is spotless and set up well for people to meet each other. The staff were extremely friendly as well. I only stayed one night, but almost wished I had more time just because it was such a pleasant stay.

Nothing!

Cozy vibes, comfy bed and nice shower

Just perfect