Kominka Sharehouse Hooju - Hostel

The walls are so thin that I could hear everything, including the other guests cooking at 22:30 and talking until 23:30. It felt like they were right next to me, and I could smell all the food they made. The bathroom was often occupied, and it wasn't clear how many people were staying there. The place is quite old and not as clean as it should be in Japan. I'd only recommend it for students, people who like an alternative lifestyle, or anyone who doesn't mind noise and a stay of just 1-2 nights.

The house is more than 100 years old and sits in a really lovely spot in the woods. But I found it hard to sleep there. Guests check in at all hours of the night, and the thin walls and paper doors let through a lot of sound. Even when someone turns on a light, it shines into your room as if it were daytime. Maybe it's fine if you're very young and enjoy nightlife, but if you're going surfing early in the morning or have other activities planned, you might be better off staying somewhere else.

I was lucky to be the only guest apart from one other person, who was only around in the evenings to sleep, so I didn't have the same noise problem others mentioned. Sound does carry easily through the old house, though. This was my favourite place to stay in all of Japan. The traditional, Ghibli-esqu guest house is 150 years old and has been owned by the same family for generations. Being in this little surf town, surrounded by beautiful nature and birdsong, felt like stepping into another world, far from the big city. I felt at peace here.

It's in a very secluded, quiet spot, and the more-than-100-year-old house has a really antique feel. Staying there was a totally different experience. Of course, an old house isn't very convenient, and you can smell its age. Better to go with friends and get back earlier.