R9 Hostel Tochigi Ekimae - Man Only

I stopped here while on a bicycle tour and had a great experience. I only know a few Japanese words, but getting around was easy thanks to the signs and instructions in English. The place was very clean and comfortable. There wasn't a designated bike-locking area, though staff showed me a spot under the outside staircase. I'll be back!

I slept well here, with more privacy than I'd get at an internet cafe thanks to the partitions between hostel spaces. It's also good value. The shared showers and toilets were clean, and I felt safe staying there. Tochigi Station is about a five-minute walk away, with 7-Eleven, Sukiya, and Hama Sushi nearby.

The main tradeoff is the hostel setup: the washroom, showers, and eating space are shared, and the room door is an accordion curtain that doesn't lock. At night, slippers could be heard echoing, and outdoor sounds came through as if the window were open. Valuables are meant to go in a locked drawer under the bed, so keep an eye on your things. Still, for the low price, I thought it was a good option if you understand what you're booking. Service was good, with breakfast bread and amenities provided. The front desk was average. We arrived early and got one of the four free parking spots.

The clean space makes me want to come back, and they also had free coffee and bread in the morning. I was uneasy about security because this was my first shared room stay outside a capsule, and I kept thinking someone might break in. I accepted the risk, figuring the only things I'd be embarrassed to lose were my car keys and smartphone. The room itself was comfortable, though there was a lot of noise, so the supplied earplugs were essential. I gave the service three stars only because the second parking lot was full and I had to pay for parking.