Library & Hostel BUSOAN

Maybe it’s better suited to younger people. As a middle-aged couple coming in for tea and coffee, we didn’t find the service very accommodating, and it felt dismissive. We might have stayed longer and had dinner if we’d been treated better. They do have some nice board games to play. I beat my partner at Othello for the first time ever.

BUSOAN is a lovely, upscale find just a short walk from Machida Station. The Cafe section feels relaxed at any time, with big sunny windows in the daytime and dimmer, cozy lighting in the evening. It works well for studying or having dinner. The menu is simple, with sandwiches and a few rice dishes around 1,000 yen ($9.50usd). Portions are small, but the food is excellent. Everything is made to order, so service can be a little slow. To order, just go up to the counter. It draws a younger crowd, though a more mature one, and the noise never got in the way of conversation. Unlike most restaurants, you can eat and drink in peace. Great food, friendly staff, and a relaxing atmosphere. 5/5.

I’d been really happy here until this morning, the last day of my stay. The place is very clean, the food is generally good, and the books give it a different feel. But the person preparing the meals treated me really strangely. I asked for a knife and was told there weren’t any, even though I’d used one before. I went out to buy one but couldn’t find any. When I came back, I asked again in case they’d just been cleaning them. I was told no again. I said I’d used one the day before, and then she quickly took a knife from a box full of utensils, where the tops of the utensils were facing up. She said it was the only one. What was that about? The meal was also different from the day before and not good at all. The plate had salad, yoghurt, and a big, thick slice of bread topped with two halves of an egg. It wasn’t the kind of thing you could eat by biting into it. It felt like some workers might be treating people differently, and if they can do that, it seems they’re supported. I speak Japanese, so it wasn’t a language issue. I really wouldn’t want to come back.

In Tokyo, this is about as cheap as you can get. It works if you just need somewhere to sleep at night. The bathrooms and toilets are super clean, and the staff are friendly and welcoming. Some speak English, so not knowing Japanese is fine.