Iyasu Hostel Higashikawa

The owner and staff made this place memorable with their warmth and kindness. Houmma gave us an incredible welcome, unlike anything I can readily compare with past stays. We’ll remember it forever. A big hug from Italy! The business is in a brand-new building that opened in July 2018, with a fresh, youthful style that feels a bit like an outdoor activity camp. The rooms are tiny but practical, and the shared service area is excellent, with roomy showers. It’s easy to reach, there’s free parking right outside, and a handy supermarket is nearby.

Nana and Yuko, the mother-daughter team at Iyasu, were the best part of our stay. They were so sweet and helpful. When we asked about massages, they suggested a local physio and later came by to see if we were okay. The next day, after we’d been out touring, they’d arranged for their massage friend to come give us massages in the common area. So thoughtful. We stayed here for backcountry skiing and found it a great fit for our needs in Higashikawa. Our double room with private bathroom and nice toiletries was cozy, maybe a squeeze if you bring lots of luggage, while the downstairs common area was spacious and comfortable. The location is handy too, next door to Fuji supermarket and within walking distance of Seicomart, 7 eleven and the food and drink district.

Everything still looks new since the hostel opened last year. The staff are kind, and it’s a very comfortable place. I’m curious about the rocks I saw at the bouldering gym. There are rocks everywhere, even in the room numbers.

The family room restroom was clean and a decent size compared with others. Everything felt new, comfortable and very clean. A big supermarket is right next door, and the hotel is close to the main road, so it was easy to find on Google Maps.