Wise Owl Hostels Sapporo

I stayed here earlier in the year and had a great time, but since what looks like a change of ownership, the hostel seems to have gone downhill. The rooms are much the same, except they cost more and the power outlets in the bunks no longer work. Getting a shower now means handing over your key at reception first, which is annoying and feels unnecessary. They’ve also taken away the common area information about local restaurants, bars, and attractions, along with the book guests could write in at the end of their stay. The kettle is now an incredibly cheap one that takes about five minutes to boil a single cup of tea. For four days, the only music I heard was the Beatles. The common room has become so dull that nobody seemed to sit there, with people staying in their rooms instead. This used to be an interesting, charming hostel. Now it feels overpriced, soulless, and corporate. Avoid it.

It was a little too warm in my dorm, though that’s a pretty minor complaint. The beds are comfortable and private, each person gets their own capsule, and the place was very clean. The staff were extremely kind, too. The kitchen facilities are great, and the shared dorm has its own kitchen and living room, though nobody seemed to use them. There’s a nice common area and a group chat guests can join to arrange dinners or social plans, which is handy if you’d like to meet other travelers. Everything is right by the city center. I really had nothing to complain about.

The staff were very kind and helpful, and the common room has plenty going for it, including a kitchen, TV, and even gaming consoles. The hostel is within walking distance of the subway, though it’s a bit away from the nearest station. It’s fine for a short visit, but I wouldn’t choose to stay longer. Some of the design choices get in the way. The dorm bunks feel like coffins, and I couldn’t sit up without hitting my head. There also isn’t a clear setup for shoes, which makes going to the showers or toilets feel awkward.

We came back to this hostel during different parts of our Hokkaido trip, staying several nights each time. The staff kindly stored our luggage while we were away for one to three nights, provided we were due to check in again soon. Rooms were clean and spacious every time, no matter which floor or room we got. The shared bathrooms and laundry were also kept in good shape. The shared kitchen has the basics, including a rice cooker, microwave, fridge, cutlery, plates, and bowls. There’s also a bar and drinks menu, which is a nice extra. Some staff members speak very good English; others have more limited English, but that didn’t bother us. For a budget hostel, they go well out of their way to help guests. We’d consider staying again on a future Sapporo trip.