Hostel Yume Nomad

I loved the big, princess-style bed. The hotel mixes old Japanese style with a medieval European look, and there's a little play area for children, so it seems especially good for families. The counter has a café menu. My friends and I tried shaved ice with white wine milk and cherry red wine flavors. It was a really unusual taste for my time in Japan, and I enjoyed it. This was the most impressive hotel of my trip.

The owner was very nice, and I appreciated having a small kitchen with a fridge for food and drinks. My room was clean, and there's a 24-hour convenience store right across from the hostel. The area seemed okay to me, even with some places that looked a bit suspicious. It's Japan, so I didn't feel in danger. At night, though, the hostel was dark and noisy, with karaoke and other nightlife nearby. The shared spaces are tiny, and for some reason I didn't feel like spending time there. I think there are five rooms on the floor, all sharing one toilet. There's also no one at the so-called reception desk, which is really just a desk, so you have to call when you arrive or need something.

The worst part was trying to sleep. Staff, mostly Western volunteers, stayed in the common area until 4 am, talking, laughing, using their phones, and playing music. The area was right beside the guest rooms, and it felt like they were in my room. I barely slept over five nights. When I brought up another problem, they just said “sorry” and laughed it off. They had taken food from the fridge even though it had my name on it. Cleanliness was poor too. The floors were sticky and dirty, and the toilets and showers smelled bad. The hygiene products weren't good, and the same unpleasant-smelling soap was used for the toilets and showers. I travel around Japan for long stretches and am used to guesthouses, but Yume Nomad hostel was particularly disappointing. I hope the owner deals with these issues with the volunteers.

The shared sitting room, with its Japanese style, and the other lounge with chairs and couches are the main draw for me. The staff and other guests were very friendly. I haven't stayed in many hostels, and this was my first dorm-style room. The beds were reasonably comfortable, and the bathrooms were clean and nice.