Wise Owl Hostels Shibuya

The crew are the reason I keep making a point of staying at Wise Owl Shibuya when I’m back in Tokyo. They’re welcoming, enthusiastic, and kind, and have always made me feel at home, like more than just a guest. It’s also conveniently located for getting quickly to the stations I need, and the price is always great value.

We lasted one night before quickly finding another nearby hotel to move to. The rooms were cold, with no heating, and every shower on the entire 2nd floor was out of order. Why put us on that floor? It seems the place may have been better managed in the past, and could use better upkeep. The people seemed nice and the location was good, close to shibuya. Be aware, you get what you pay for.

The rooms are cramped, but the hostel does what it can to keep things organized. Showers, bathrooms, and grooming areas with sinks and blow dryers are separate, and I never had to wait for a place to get ready. Staff greeted everyone with a smile, coming or going. I used the storage area for the day without any problems, and had a delicious lemon sour at the bar. I’d happily return just for the atmosphere. My flight arrived late and I missed check-in, but the front desk emailed me to work out a solution. Their kindness meant I didn’t have to sleep on the street. Their service really made my trip, and I felt cared for during my stay.

The kitchen is pretty bare: there’s a microwave, kettle, and fridge/freezer, but very little cutlery or crockery and no stove. The dorm room was perfect, though, and the showers and toilets were clean. It’s a 15-minute walk from shibuya station, or five minutes from the nextbus station.