ZEN Hostel

Location: Hirao 3031, Yamanouchi, jp

Star Rating: 1 Stars

Property Type: Hostel/Backpacker accommodation

About this Property

Important Information

Policies

Check-in: 03:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Check-out: 10:00 AM

Amenities & Facilities

• Offsite parking discounted rates available
• Parking
• Non-smoking rooms
• Air conditioning
• Ski storage
• Non-smoking throughout
• Shared lounge/TV area
• Staff adhere to local safety protocols
• Guest rooms disinfected between stays
• Cleaning standards that are effective against Coronavirus
• Physical distancing rules followed
• Hand sanitizer in guest room and key areas
• Cashless payment available
• Fire extinguishers
• First aid kit available
• Sanitized tableware & silverware
• Invoice provided
• Guests can opt-out any cleaning services during stay
• Smoke alarms
• Guest room sealed after cleaning
• Physical distancing in dining areas
• Process in place to check health of guests
• Access to health care professionals
• Screens / Barriers between staff and guests for safety
• Thermometers for guests provided by property
• Ski storage
• Free wired internet
• Self parking (surcharge)
• Offsite parking discounted rates available
• Internet access
• Japanese garden
• Snow sports gear

Rooms Available

• Standard Family Room

  The family room provides air conditioning, tatami, as well as a private bathroom featuring a shower. The family room features heating. The unit offers 6 futons.

  Max Occupancy: 6 (6 Adults)

  • Shower
  • Air conditioning
  • Toilet
  • Private bathroom
  • Heating
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Clothes rack
  • Trash cans
  • Smoke alarm
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Tatami (traditional Japanese flooring)

• 8-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room

  The dormitory room provides air conditioning and heating, as well as a shared bathroom featuring a shower. The unit offers 8 beds.

  Max Occupancy: 8 (8 Adults)

  • Shower
  • Air conditioning
  • Toilet
  • Heating
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Trash cans
  • Socket near the bed
  • Smoke alarm
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Reading light
  • Privacy curtain

• Basic Suite, Japanese Futon

  1 Twin Futon

  430 sq feet

  
  

  Internet - Free WiFi

  Sleep - Bed sheets

  Bathroom - Shared bathroom and towels

  Comfort - Air conditioning and heating

  Need to Know - No housekeeping

  Non-Smoking

  Max Occupancy: 6 (6 Adults)

  • Shower
  • Air conditioning
  • Heating
  • Free WiFi
  • Separate bedroom
  • Bedsheets provided
  • No housekeeping

• Single Bed in 16-Bed Mixed Dormitory Room

  This bed in dormitory has air conditioning.

  Max Occupancy: 1 (1 Adults)

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Trash cans
  • Socket near the bed
  • Lockers
  • Smoke alarm
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Reading light
  • Privacy curtain

• Japanese-Style Twin Room

  The twin room provides air conditioning and tatami, as well as a shared bathroom featuring a shower. The unit offers 2 futons.

  Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)

  • Shower
  • Air conditioning
  • Toilet
  • Heating
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Clothes rack
  • Trash cans
  • Smoke alarm
  • Tatami (traditional Japanese flooring)

• Japanese-Style Triple Room

  The triple room provides air conditioning and tatami, as well as a shared bathroom featuring a shower. The triple room features heating. The unit offers 3 futons.

  Max Occupancy: 3 (3 Adults)

  • Shower
  • Air conditioning
  • Toilet
  • Heating
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Clothes rack
  • Trash cans
  • Smoke alarm
  • Tatami (traditional Japanese flooring)

• Japanese-Style Quadruple Room

  The quadruple room offers air conditioning and tatami, as well as a shared bathroom boasting a shower. The quadruple room features heating. The unit has 4 futons.

  Max Occupancy: 4 (4 Adults)

  • Shower
  • Air conditioning
  • Toilet
  • Heating
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Clothes rack
  • Trash cans
  • Smoke alarm
  • Tatami (traditional Japanese flooring)

Guest Reviews

• Hon Kit (8/5): -
• Toni (7/5): -
• alex (9/5): - Nice big property and very clean Staff were helpful And close to restaurants and station
• Regan (7/5): Recommend for 1 or 2 nights if visiting snow monkeys - We stayed 2 nights in March, the hostel is very close to the station. The rooms are basic but fine, there are heaters provided to keep you warm. Small cupboard to hang things. Futons were surprisingly comfortable and the bedding was cozy. Toilets and shower room are kept clean, restocked and warm. Staff were kind and check in was very easy. Ideal for 1 or 2 nights to go see the snow monkeys, the hostel is in a great location so we walked all the way from the hostel to the snow monkeys to beat the crowds as the buses only run after it opens, highly recommend. There are a few restaurants and bars dotted around nearby. Pillows are very thin. Bathrooms for both genders are not on every floor. Frustrating how there was no mirror above the sink by the woman’s toilets which made washing my hands and putting my contact lenses in difficult.
• Howard (8/5): - Zen Hostel was an intimately administered lodge that was close enough to a number of ski areas - we made use of the free shuttle to Ryuoo from the station five minutes walk away. The hostel rooms were warm, but lacked a heated communal area - perhaps due to the tail end of the season. The rooms and bathrooms were clean. There older fashioned tatami style.sleeping arrangements were a worthwhile change for our unaccustomed aging gaijin bodies. Our host was friendly and helpful.
• Yuki (8/5): -
• Sarah Sabrina (10/5): Would love to stay here again in the future if i have the chance to - Me and my friends definitely loooove and enjoyed our stay here the most during our japan trip. The room size was spacious enough for us to open our luggages all the time. To be honest, we really don’t have any complaints at all during our stay at Zen Hostel. Everything exceeds our expectations in the best way. Totally recommended for adults (not applicable to elderly and babies though) to stay here.
• Maggie (10/5): - 老闆人很好
• Tammy (10/5): - Clean, friendly staff and great location. Nothing.
• Reagan (9/5): Cozy, inexpensive lodging - Cost, location, friendly staff, and nice lounge Could use a water dispenser. That would be great.
• Martín Menéndez (8/5): Buen lugar en el que quedarse - El lugar tiene una energía bastante única, este lugar te hace sentir que estás en Japón. La habitación es espaciosa, los futones están bien, el balcon se agradece mucho. Era fácil mantener la habitación caliente. El hotel, como muchos otros en Japón, tiene un cierto aura decadente, algunos suelos desgastados, paredes que podrían pintarse, etc. A mí no me importa, pero quizás otras personas más sensibles puedan considerarlo como desgastado. Un poco incómodo que los baños de mujeres y de hombres estén en plantas diferentes. De todas maneras, buen lugar en el que quedarse.
• TAKAHIRO (10/5): サイコー - 親切で丁寧な接客でした ないです
• Kiat Chen (8/5): Great location and great price - There was no communal cutlery, cups and dishes. They were only available if you asked the staff which is hard as they are only around during certain hours.
• Kateryna (8/5): - Comfortable futons Cold in the public areas
• Mussawir (9/5): Great place to stay - Very traditional. Necessities are there. Great shower, and heated toilet seats. Microwave and hot water are available. Parking at the back of the property. 5mins to Lawson. Heating is sufficient. Noises are well contained. Abit cold in the corridor and would be nice to have a water dispenser.
• molina (8/5): -
• Bridgman (9/5): -
• Alexander (6/5): -
• Weiche (10/5): -
• Weiche (10/5): -
• Nhi (10/5): -
• Kerry (6/5): The private room was very traditional and had a lovely ambiance, but was cold and uncomfortable. - We had a private room which was clean and traditional. It had a lovely feel to it and views of the garden. Unfortunately the heating in the room wasn’t great so we were cold (in January) and we didn’t have an operating shower in the room (although had paid for it).
• KOON (6/5): -
• Alex (9/5): Snow monkey hostel - Great location and staff. Clean, and comfortable showers. Nice common area. Small kitchen, really just hot water and microwave. No dishes. One room was missing mini split remote and was a little cold with only the oil heater. Beds were very thin.
• Subba (10/5): -
• Ma Alixis (8/5): -
• WANG (10/5): - 全てですよー ないす-
• Ellis Conant (5/5): -
• Paul (9/5): Good value - Nice room; close to station; very helpful reception staff helped us organise our trips Futons a little too thin. Buses to ski resort were not great. No fault of Zen but worth noting if planning ski trips
• RIKUTO (5/5): - 手ぶらで来ても生活的には困らないと思います。 設備や内容で考えると割高だと感じた。
• guillaume (10/5): -
• Steffie (8/5): Goed, eenvoudig verblijf dichtbij de snowmonkeys - De host was heel aardig en behulpzaam. De locatie is dichtbij de snowmonkeys, dus je kunt er ‘s morgens al op tijd zijn. De kamer was prima. Het was wel een echt hostel, dus zelf je bed opmaken en weer opruimen bij vertrek. De wc’s en doucheruimtes waren goed en schoon. Het was een groot gebouw met veel kamers maar het leek alsof we de enige waren, dus het voelde wat verlaten. De kamer was warm te houden met een airco die prima werkte, maar de gangen en gezamenlijke ruimtes waren fris in deze tijd, maar dat hadden we al gelezen in andere reviews.
• Anna (9/5): -
• Kj (7/5): Great stay, little run down, but nice spot to be. - The location was nice, and the carpark put back was convenient. Felt very traditional, which was really nice to experience. The access to the rooms was made very easy with the touch pad lock system. Very close to the monkeys, right across the road from a temple, within walking distance of the onsens, and heaps of food options around. I think tattami mats and futons aren't for us. We tried out backs hurt. But that is on us, and we didn't take any points away for that - just be mindful. The back door didn't have a lock on it, so anyone could come inside the building at any time, that didn't quite sit right with me.
• Verified traveler (10/5): - Very chill, run by nice people
• Lorena (10/5): - Enjoyed our stay at Zen hostel. The staff was attentive and helpful in planning activities.
• Jon (8/5): Nice on a budget - Cheap, clean, friendly staff, lots of trust, good breakfast
• luis (10/5): Great value and attention to details from the hist - It was a great stay! Everything that you could need was provided! Very friendly environment both the staff and the guest! Special Kudos to Maya who manages the hostel very professionally and welcoming. She provided very useful information as well as the gentleman that was also there!
• holly (10/5): Great place to stay in Yamanouchi! - Zen Hostel is in a neat, old, traditional Japanese building. The lounge overlooks a pretty Japanese garden which can be viewed through the giant windows making it seem like you are outside. The walls throughout the hostel are adorned with nice photos from around the world. The floor in my private room was covered by beautiful tatami mats on which a futon is placed for sleeping. The futon was a little thin for sleeping on my side (boney hips) but was otherwise comfortable. Everything is clean. The heaters provided kept the room as toasty as I needed but the common spaces are pretty cold so bring warm jammies in the winter for the trip to the restroom. I don't consider this a negative for this hostel as I found it is normal for there to be cold common spaces in places in the low budget range (I wouldn't know about the fancy hotels in Japan). The staff were super nice and speak English. The breakfast options were yummy and reasonable at 600 yen. The dinner menu is limited but my curry was good. The location is perfect, just 5 minutes walk to the bus and train station and close to all restaurants. I definitely recommend this place!
• Nelson (8/5): - Clean hotel, but wifi is slow and too far from metro or JR station
• Kevin (10/5): - Amazing, non expensive and clean place.
• Verified traveler (6/5): Not bad but expensive for what you get - We stayed at a "private" twin room and once our door was opened by someone while we were away, and another time while we were still inside someone came into our room even though it was locked! It was a mistake but I couldn't recommend the private room if you are concerned about someone entering the room. Furthermore my girlfriend didn't think the room was that clean, personally I thought it was average. Service was nice and it's not far from station. However this area doesn't have many stores or restaurants that are open. I chose to come here because my girlfriend lives close by, but hotels in Nagano city are much cheaper and cleaner if you book in advance. Unfortunately my girlfriend was a bit picky and didn't want to travel to Nagano so I ended up paying more money for less. If you have the choice, stay at a hotel in Nagano city or choose this if you want to be close by some specific tourist attraction.
• ANDY (10/5): - 個室に泊まりましたが、旅館のような部屋に泊まることができくつろげました。 また、近くの有名温泉旅館と提携していて、追加料金で温泉に入れる仕組みがあり、助かりました。
• adam (8/5): Town stay for snow monkey trip - Convenient for snow monkeys and nice nearby onsen. Employees very kind made nice breakfast and drove us to the station
• ren (6/5): Beware, this is NOT in Shibu Onsen town! - We chose this hostel by mistake. We thought it was in Shibu Onsen since this what we searched for when booking. Our fault!! We were disappointed to learn this place is in neighboring village and can not provide key to the 9 public onsens in Shibu Onsen. The owner didn’t bother explaining where we got it wrong. He pretended he doesn’t know what we are talking about and offered to sell us entry to an Onsen nearby his place where he has a deal. What is the problem helping us understand the situation? This is not the friendliness and hospitality we got accustomed to traveling around Japan. The hostel itself is ok, very basic and abit unhygienic in Japanese standards. It is quite cheap so you get descent value for money.
• Verified traveler (10/5): - Friendly English speaking staff, good breakfast, private showers, comfy bedding and good location handy for the snow monkeys.
• CC (10/5): Nice Hostel close to the mountains, friendly staff - Out family of 6 stayed in the self contained suite that had our own toilet and bathroom very comfortably.
• Verified traveler (10/5): Modern comfortable - Our party of 5 stayed in a private room with shared bathroom. The traditional tatami room is nice and the staff are great. They serve good choices of breakfast at their lounge area for a fraction on price. Had their fresh fruit smoothies, matcha latte and roll cakes in the afternoon and they are delicious. Totally recommend this place to all travelers.
• Verified traveler (10/5): Modern meets Japanese simplicity - Great value for a private room which was warm and spacious. It was surprisingly quiet considering the paper walls and doors. The common areas seemed new, modern, and clean. The shared bathroom was clean and the shower booths were great, very private. One of very few places without its own onsen or yukatas but you still get some traditional features like the garden off the lounge area and Japanese style rooms with tatami and futons (Japanese floor mattress). The cafe had good prices for drinks but a limited menu. Breakfast was good but expensive. No amenities in the room, not even tissue. You need to rent towels and bring your bedding down to the laundry bins but it was well worth it to save on the cost.
• Verified traveler (6/5): Weekend Adventure - It was a wonderful stay. Coming from a warm environment, the cold rooms were a challenge. The heat in the rooms is kerosene. The heater runs for 3 hours and then beeps, and shuts off. So, if you are a light sleeper, this could be a problem. The showers are located on a separate floor-not with the toilets and it is co-ed, with private shower stalls. The shower area was not heated. With an outside temp of 24 F it was quite cool in the showers. Overall we had a delightful adventurous time, but it does take some grit to keep the smile on. The staff were amazing, helpful, funny and kind. Also most importantly...they speak English :).
• Yin Ping (10/5): Helpful and budget - We almost couldn't go there when the local train has stopped because of heavy snow. I called them and got a pick up from them as a service, I saw people taking taxi into the town and it must cost a fortune. So they are willing to help on contingency. The paid access to a nearby hotel's onsen is quite good, in a good timing we were in public bath with nobody else. If you go to nearby ski resort(Ryoo for my case), ask for coupon as the discount is really good compare to the original walk in price.
• Verified traveler (4/5): Freezing but nice staffs - •Freezing almost everywhere •Hot water stopped in the middle of shower •Coffee was terrible... we ordered 2 and the 2nd one was like brown hot water. We didn't mind if they were free but actually paid ¥350 each •The staffs are nice and friendly
• NANCY (10/5): Excellent stay-close to Snow Monkeys - The Zen hostel is very close to the Yudanka train station and takes no more than 5 minutes to get to. The hostel is very well laid out and decorated. Our room was clean and provided just what we needed- - place to sleep. The facilities ( bathroom and showers)are very clean. The buikding itself is very historical- but has been updated to be quite modern. Each room has its own heaters. Food served here is quite delicious. The owner was kind enough to give us a lift up to the snow monkeys- which is a huge plus. Just make sure you know your way back down or can catch a taxi cab. Enjoyed our stay very much and would most certainly return!!!
• Hon Nam (10/5): Super friendly host. - It is a very new hostel. Bright, comfortable, modern. Owner has tastefully decorated the hostel. He speaks good English, friendly and helpful. Price is very reasonable. Best hostel that I have stayed so far.

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