Hostel&Spa Fan Matsumoto

Be careful, this establishment seemed not to exist when we arrived in February 2025. The hotel was dark and looked abandoned, with nobody around. It was minus 5 degrees Celsius outside, and we left tired and unsure what to do. We called, but no one answered, and knocked on every door and window without anyone coming.

The location is the main drawback if you don’t have a private vehicle. It’s about 5 km from both Matsumoto Station and the castle, and the bus services are limited. There’s a nearby stop and a timetable for buses to the places you need, but if you reach the railway station after 7 pm, you may have to pay for a taxi or walk. The hostel itself has lovely decor and warm hosts, plus a well-kept dorm with power sockets in the sleeping cubicles. There’s a small, warm Onsen and good WiFi, and you can access a restaurant from inside. The common area is well equipped with board games, video games, cubes, maps, and information notices. Don’t miss the spectacular morning views from just outside.

My family had a great stay here. It’s been recently renovated and has a really cute design. The kids loved it, especially playing SNES in the lobby and Othello with the proprietor.

We had a great experience here. The staff were great, and there’s an amazing restaurant attached to the place. There’s a hot spring in the basement in the form of a large bath, and bathrobes and towels are kept in the closet.