En Hostel Bar Community Lounge

The price is very cheap, and I'd stay here again if I come back. The staff were lovely and friendly. One of them sent me a message to remind me that closing time was 8 pm. My room was large and clean. The hostel is a 10-minute walk from the JR station, with a large supermarket and a Lawson nearby. It has two washing machines and two every layer, though I didn't use them.

The dormitory corridors felt a bit eerie at night, and the beds were far too thin for a comfortable night's sleep. They really need to be softer or thicker, because the uncomfortable bed took away from the good parts of the stay. The staff were personable, breakfast was nice, and the facility was clean and up to date.

Although the hostel is new and modern, it felt like the price was for the concept more than for a functional place to sleep. The futon was so thin I could feel the mattress board underneath. Towels cost 300 yen to rent, and only the bare amenities were provided. The facilities were clean overall, but we were disappointed and wouldn't book again.

I was walking the Shikoku pilgrimage between temple 30 and 31, where there aren't many places to stay, so I took a bus into Kochi city. This was one of the closest and cheapest hostels. I only stayed one night and didn't get to interact much, but the female staff member at the counter spoke enough English to communicate. The toilets and washrooms were clean, and the paint and piping looked fresh with no stains that I could see. It seemed like a new hostel, though I'm not sure when it officially opened. I didn't have the free breakfast because I checked out on a Sunday. Laundry was 300 yen and the dryer 100 yen, if I remember correctly. The doors and washrooms use passcodes instead of keys to return, which felt very safe for mixed dorms.