Emblem Hostel Nishiarai

I spent 11 nights here and felt just as comfortable in an 8-bed mixed room as in the 4-bed room I started in. I chose to move through a 6-bed room and then into the 8-bed one. At other hostels, I wouldn't trust an 8-bed mixed room if I had a choice, but here the long bunks had privacy curtains and the rooms were cool and air-conditioned. Bathrooms stayed clean, the hostel supplied the amenities I needed, and the staff were always helpful and friendly. There's a big first-floor space with a bar and restaurant/lounge, where they host dinners and events like tea ceremony classes, free kimono wearing sessions, and karaoke nights. Guests also hang out on the third floor couches and lounge chairs, sometimes playing piano, or sit outside on the patio benches with beers and a guitar, weather permitting. I met some wonderful people, and I'm still in touch with a few of them two months after my stay. If I'm back in Tokyo, I'll definitely stay here again.

The only thing I didn't care for was the 500yen American breakfast. I'd rather have a proper Japanese one. Otherwise, I loved this hostel so much that I came back after spending some days in other parts of the city. The staff are the best, friendly and fun, and they put on lots of activities, from traditional craft workshops and karaoke to walking tours. My favorite was the 'local meet-ups', where locals come to the bar for drinks and everyone can chat and make friends. The lounge is cozy too. For getting around, there's a big supermarket across the street, the subway station just beyond it, and some inexpensive little restaurants nearby.

The reception and bar staff were easygoing, friendly, and spoke great English. A small team of cleaning ladies kept the hostel immaculate, and the bathrooms were a good size with separate toilet rooms. Fantastic place, I'd stay again for sure.

The train station is just a 30-second walk away, and the neighborhood has plenty of good places for food and drinks. Inside, the rooms are VERY clean and quiet at night, and the bunks in the shared rooms come with curtains, plug and USB chargers, a personal light, and generous locker space. It's easy to meet people here, the on-site cafe is good, and the lounge, gym, and laundry have what you need.