Guesthouse Waya - Hostel

I left at 3am on my first night after someone kept hanging around the smoking area beside the entrance, talking and returning every hour from 1am. There’s no staff at the property, and you can’t reach them between 10pm and 4pm the next day. I called the emergency number for “Maeda,” but nobody answered. The private room lock didn’t work properly, and there are no lockers in the rooms. The shower had hair all over it, and the ensuite bidet toilet didn’t look like it had been cleaned properly in a while. The building seems poorly maintained and doesn’t feel safe to me. It’s old, with single-pane windows and little protection from cold or noise. I heard people creaking their way to the toilet all night. There’s also a vent from the neighboring restaurant blowing onto the stairs to the hostel, which makes me think the space wasn’t designed very well. The place had a strange atmosphere when I visited. Several long-term guests, including a Japanese man, seemed to treat it like their home: talking loudly on the phone everywhere, leaving their things in common areas, burning food without ventilating, and so on. The staff were lovely, but a different person seemed to work each day. It felt like a hostel aimed at guys who just need somewhere to crash, without much thought for women travelers. I can imagine it was a lovely DIY-style place when it opened 10-15 years ago, with staff living on site. There’s a former “staff room” that is now another dorm, and Waya’s book about its journey is displayed at reception. I’d guess those people don’t work there anymore. The current owner seems not to have invested in the property, and it looks dingy, as if it’s being left to make money until it’s abandoned. I hope the owner puts money into it and brings back some of Waya’s old charm. Or maybe they should accept they can’t compete with similarly priced hostels that are more central and modern. During my stay, the private room cost as much as a business hotel in the center. I don’t understand the high Google and Hostelworld ratings.

The staff were attentive when they were around and suggested some good things to do in Sapporo. I met some nice Australians, a French-British person, and a British person too, so it’s a good spot for meeting people. The common area has a regular table that seats about six, plus a relaxing tatami section. The hostel was easy to find, though the entrance is up steep stairs and check-in is on the first floor, in the bar/cafe area. There’s a curry place right below. I never tried it, but it was still cooking near closing time and smelled delicious. The dorm was fine, with standard bedding that did the job and an AC unit for hot days. The window was usually open during the day to air the room out. Bathrooms and showers stayed decently clean throughout my visit. The kitchen was well stocked, though I barely used it. The coffee setup wasn’t great: the grinder made the grounds too coarse no matter which setting I used. Getting around is okay, though not ideal. The nearest Sapporo metro station is about a 10-15 minute walk away. It was a good, clean stay, just not the best location if you want to walk straight out into the center of the action.

For the price, this is a fantastic place to stay in Sapporo. It’s very cheap but has the amenities you need, including great bidet toilets. The beds are comfortable and have some space at the foot for a hiking backpack and other things. Showers are simple but roomy, and there’s a washer and dryer for less than 1000¥. Small lockers for valuables, with locks included, are free. Depending on the season and day, they may also have group activities. It’s a good, simple hostel for backpackers and others who don’t need much, run by people who seem passionate about it. Nights were mostly quiet. Staff start cleaning around 11am, which is noisy, but pretty normal for a hostel.

Friendly staff and a cozy hostel. It’s easy to meet people from Japan and other countries, either at the bar on the first floor or in the common room upstairs. Strongly recommended :)