Kumamoto Guesthouse Little Asia - Hostel

I planned to stay one night and wound up staying three because it was so peaceful. The outdoor space was a real draw, with hammocks on a lovely patio, a river nearby and beautiful views. The guest house is very clean and well placed for visiting Mount Aso. Convenience stores are fairly close, and Michi-no-Eki is about 5 km away. The staff speak English, so it was easy to communicate. I slept in the dormitory, where the beds were very comfortable, the rooms were heated, and the showers got wonderfully hot after a day out. Wi-Fi worked well, the kitchen was fully equipped, and there’s a free washing machine plus a coin dryer. At 1,500 yen a night, it’s very reasonably priced. Even if the website shows no availability, I’d suggest stopping in to ask, as they may still have room. Highly recommended!

The hosts were really friendly and the home-cooked food was delicious. Ask about meals, though, because nobody mentioned them to me and I only asked after seeing them in other reviews. I had a nice single room with air-conditioning. The hostel is amazing value, probably the best price for what you get that I’ve seen. If you have time, visit the onsen in the nearby mountains. And if you’re not driving, make a last stop at a konbini, since there aren’t any shops close by.

I came here in 2015, on the third stop of my first trip to Japan. The location wasn’t quite what I expected, but I loved it. The area is beautiful, dinner was delicious, and I met a lot of lovely people. It’s an ideal mountain house for relaxing in summer, with a hot spring just down the road.

The place itself was cozy, and the owner and hosts were very nice. But, as with any hostel or guesthouse, other guests can really affect your stay. During ours, a family’s kids ran around screaming from 6 am, and one stomped up the stairs like a beast. Their parents were just as loud, talking and yapping.