Kalakaua Inn The Kitchen Hostel Ao

I’d forgotten how noisy it gets here. When I stayed last year, people were dragging suitcases and rattling around in the early hours. This time, someone in a coffin bed in front of me or right beside mine was rustling a packet and crunching food like they had a private room. Eating isn’t allowed, but people still eat loud things like biscuits and crisps. It happened last year too, though much later at night. I do love the showers and the seating downstairs. There are way too many people and too many coffin beds in one room, at least 50 and maybe 100. It’s a huge open dorm with lots of noise. Don’t expect to sleep well with cases being wheeled around, zippers, plastic bags, and people eating. Bags are kept under the stairs now, whereas last year they were stored in the room. I just hope nobody takes your stuff. There was pounding music in the seating area in the morning, which I didn’t hear during my early stay last year. Smokers all gather right outside, and the strong smoke smell comes into the seating area. There are lots of small flies there too, day and night.

A very affordable place close to the monorail station, with three convenience stores nearby. You can also have breakfast on site for a fee, which makes it easy to eat without going out. I highly recommend it.

It’s a practical hostel, with lockers and dorms that are nice and quiet, plus enough room to feel comfortable. The atmosphere did feel a little cold and lonely, though, since nobody talks. I wish there were a shared space that made it easier to connect with people.

For the price, you get so much here. Everything is organized in a way that makes it feel clean. The dorms are crowded but still quiet. You can hear snoring, but nobody can control that, so bring earplugs. Each person gets a little capsule with a light, and the curtains block light really well at night. The bed is on the hard side. For me, though, the firmer beds in Japan have completely fixed the lower back problems I had back home. The showers felt clean and smelled nice. There’s also a tall, narrow locker for valuables that fits several hand luggage sized bags. Downstairs there’s an automatic water dispenser, a mini fridge, and a microwave. There isn’t a kitchen, but the supermarket is close by and staff can give you a plate, so it wasn’t a big problem. You can bring in outside food, and get a discount on selected café menu items. The café area is open for sitting until about 2am, when they need to clean and take the rubbish out. The door code changes every day, which made me feel very reassured and safe. There’s always a staff member there too, which added to that feeling. The facilities and location were great and just right for my needs. I’d definitely pick this hostel again if I come back to Naha. I’m really grateful to all the staff for making it feel like a safe haven.