haku hostel

For the price, this was a good stay. The hostel is only a 2-3 minute walk from the train station, and Hell Valley is pretty close too. The staff are polite, the beds, rooms and toilets were clean, and the mattresses were comfortable. They also have all the services you need.

The location is far from Noboribetsu, Hell Valley and Lake Kuttara. There's no social atmosphere, and don't count on the hostel staff for advice or help. There was no breakfast, the coffee machine was broken, and the cafe was closed. My room was on a different floor from the only small toilet, so I had to put my shoes on to use it. The towel was tiny, and the smoking area is right outside the front door, so cigarette smoke could be an issue. Other guests snored and had loud phone conversations, and there were no earplugs, so bring your own if you end up staying here. My arrival was delayed by 90 minutes past check-in because the road conditions were unpredictable. I had given notice, but staff still made me beg for a late check-in and then charged me a fee. I was appalled by how ready they seemed to leave guests stranded at night in -15°C weather, without accommodation, and by how little concern they showed for guests' safety and wellbeing.

We booked the private ground floor room, which looked out onto a lovely courtyard. The room lighting wasn't very bright, and there wasn't enough table space, but otherwise it worked well for us. Parking is just behind the accommodation. I was worried about my five-year-old's first stay with a shared bathroom, but it was literally two steps from our room. The bathroom stayed very clean and dry, and with no other women on the first floor, it felt like a big private bathroom for the two of us. The place is peaceful, with several interesting places to eat within walking distance. It's a handy stop before Hell Valley, and the Ainu museum is only a few minutes' drive away. A simple, no-fuss place.

I spent three nights here and had a really nice stay. Breakfast is definitely worth trying, and the staff were lovely, even though I arrived a little later than planned. The dorm rooms feel cosy, and the common areas are pleasant. Everything was clean and comfortable. Being close to the train station was handy, and I liked hearing the trains in the distance.