Hiroshima Guesthouse HARU - Hostel

The staff were professional, and the guesthouse was clean, cozy, and affordable. There’s even a bathtub. I found the capsule a little narrow, though it was okay for me, and taller or larger people might find it cramped. It’s a bit far from the tourist area and city center, and apparently there wasn’t a bicycle available. There’s no desk, and the internet was sometimes slow, so I wouldn’t choose it for studying or working remotely. It’s a good place to stay if those things aren’t what you need.

The price was very good for what you get. It’s a small, cozy hostel with a clean capsule bed that was comfortable and roomy, and had its own little air vent. The lady at reception was kind and polite. There’s a small seating area downstairs and a shared sitting room on the first floor, plus a nice little kitchen with free coffee and tea.

We booked the blue room while travelling with friends. The hostel is small and cozy, not expensive, and close to the train station. The woman who welcomed us was very friendly. Free tea and coffee in the kitchen and complimentary shower products were nice extras. But the place felt dirty and worn out, and really needs a deep clean and fresh paint. Dust and debris were in the room corners, and there was a layer of dust on things in the bathroom and toilet. The shower showed signs of mold, even though it was aired out well. The mattresses and pillows were so flattened from use that sleeping on them felt like lying on a wooden board. The closet in our room was packed with things. When we tried to shift some items to fit one of our bags, a cockroach crawled out. We killed it, but seeing one made us worry there could be others.

The room was okay, and there was laundry on site, a pleasant sitting area, and a very basic kitchen. The location was okay too. When the woman finally showed up, she was nice and let me leave my bag and key until I left very late that night. I wish the welcome email had explained how check-in works, because there isn’t really a reception. I’d emailed to say I’d arrive very early, and an automatic reply said that was okay. But when I got there at 7am, nobody was around. I sat in a cafe until 9am, came back, and still found no one. Luckily, a guest who was awake and checking out gave me his key. That made me feel as if I’d done something wrong, since I’d been told a key should usually be waiting for me in the postbox. I didn’t get my own key or any communication until late that night. I spent most of the day waiting for someone at reception, then gave up and went about my day. A clearer explanation in the welcome email would have saved a lot of trouble. There was nowhere proper to dry laundry except in the room.