North Front Hostel

Okay.

The system was easy to use, and being close to the station makes it very convenient for train travelers. Staff recommended the kushikatsu restaurant right next door. It was reasonably priced and delicious, and made for a great dinner.

I spent one night here. The room was compact, clean, and felt safe, and with the amenities I thought the facilities were adequate for a short stay. The hostel is about a five-minute walk from the north exit of Fukuchiyama Station, with a convenience store near the station, so I didn't find the location inconvenient. A few drawbacks for me were the small shower, the thin room door that let hallway noise through, and the front desk being unmanned after 11 PM. It’s also unmanned in the morning, so you need a passcode to get through the outside entrance. The code seems to change daily and can be obtained from the front desk. The room door doesn't lock automatically, so remember to lock it from both inside and outside.

The staff were very kind, and the coffee service was excellent. The karaoke noise does stop around 11:30 pm, and the price is quite reasonable, so it could suit people trying to keep travel costs down. But around midnight, banging on a room door somewhere woke me up. It was so intense I wondered if a murderer had come, and I was too worried to sleep for a while. I don't know whether it was a guest or someone from outside, but it left me uneasy about security. That frightening noise is why I gave it a low rating, and I won't stay here again.