Guest House Channel-Kan – Hostel

The owner and his daughter, who manages the place, were really friendly and helpful. She understands English and tried hard to help me figure out how to use a five-day bus pass, which I probably shouldn’t have bought. It’s not recommended if you’re walking or doing the pilgrimage. She made several calls for me, since the bus driver, reservation service, and people at the bus station didn’t speak English at all. Most people I met in Shikoku didn’t speak English, so studying a little Japanese beforehand would help. From the street, the place looks odd, and it’s on a major road, but inside it’s modern, clean, quiet, and fully remodeled. The stay was very pleasant, with all the amenities shared by gender. I had the women’s dorm to myself. Bring your own towel; everything else was provided. There are several common areas to relax or work in, beyond the rooms. You can see the road out front or the driveway at the back, so don’t expect much of a view.

We slept really well in the Japanese-style tatami room, and the laundry facilities were excellent. The guest house is just over the bridge, a welcome relief if you’re walking, with convenience stores and restaurants close by. It was surprisingly lovely, extremely clean, and the staff were kind and helpful. There’s also a calm little spot for coffee in the morning. Thanks so much!

There’s paid laundry, one bathroom, two toilets, and no kitchen. It was inexpensive, JPY3,500 when I visited. The place has a modern design, lots of shared space, and is clean and comfortable. Some may not like the rules, but they help the owner run the place properly. It has personality. It may not be the best located Henro house, but everything worked out perfectly for my stay. There were only two guests that night, another woman and me, so I had the entire men’s dorm to myself. The host, a middle-aged gentleman, was very helpful and managed to communicate with me in English, despite what I’d heard in other reviews. Stay grateful!

We stayed at this clean, convenient hostel before setting out on the 88 temple journey at Temple 11. The owner was kind and encouraging. We’d already eaten, but the English dinner menu looked good. Beds are bunks with pull-down privacy screens, and it’s a great spot if you’re with a group of fellow travelers.