Guest House Chura Cucule Ishigakijima

The sleeping area was quiet, and the whole place was really clean. I also got to connect with a few other guests. The staff were polite, upbeat, and quick to respond. It was the little things that stood out: they oiled the bicycle chain, left me two clean towels each evening when I came back, had tasty coffee in the kitchen, and let me use their umbrella. If I get the chance to return, Chura Cucule, count me in 🤜🤛

I had a really pleasant stay with no real complaints. The price was good, and the facilities were clean, well maintained, and stocked.

The location worked well, about a 10-minute walk from the bus terminal and the port for ferries to other islands. There’s a FamilyMart nearby. I cooked in the spacious, clean kitchen every day, and it had most things I needed. Staff were nice when I needed help. The facilities were new and spotless, especially the bathroom and toilets, and the clean bedsheets made things very comfortable. They provided large and small towels plus toothbrush and toothpaste every day, whether used or not. I didn’t need the small towel or toothbrush and toothpaste, so I had to ask them to stop leaving those for me. I stayed for eight nights at the beginning of July, when there weren’t many tourists, so it was quiet. I imagine it could get noisy when more people are moving around and packing. The communal area was great, with seats, manga to read, and a TV. There was also a locker with a key in my room. I enjoyed staying here and didn’t want to move, partly because I had food in the fridge, but also because the place was so clean and comfortable. The check-in and checkout times weren’t very flexible. After checkout, you can’t stay in the communal area. I understand that may be normal, but a one-hour grace period would’ve been nice, especially since I stayed eight nights.

The hostel was clean and nice, and the dorm capsule was spacious with a small safe built in. Mine smelled really bad inside, though. The shared kitchen and common room have the basics, including cups, plates, a water heater, microwave, and TV. Checkout is at 10 am, and after that you can’t use the bathroom or sit in the common area. You have to wait at reception. I’d never come across a hostel with such a strict policy. My bus wasn’t until 10:30 am, but they asked me to leave at 10:08 because checkout time had passed, or pay 700 yen. It’s a nice place, but that rule is very strange.