Mustachioventures: Nagoya Accommodations: Hostel Wasabi Nagoya Ekimae, Glocal Nagoya Backpackers Hostel

Monday, February 5, 2018

Nagoya Accommodations: Hostel Wasabi Nagoya Ekimae, Glocal Nagoya Backpackers Hostel

Whenever I am in Japan, I usually choose an accommodation close to a major train station where it is only one train ride away from the airport, or close to a bus terminal where buses to wherever it is I need to go depart. In Nagoya, overwhelmingly large Nagoya Station is also adjacent to the bus terminal. This area was, therefore, my best option.

Hostel Wasabi Nagoya Ekimae

13-5 Tsubaki-cho, Nagoya, Aichi 453-0015
Book Hostel Wasabi Nagoya Ekimae through Booking.com

Plus Points:

4-minute walk from Nagoya Station
Beds are capsule type (I prefer this over bunk beds)
Each capsule has a curtain for privacy, computer, folding desk, power outlet, safety box, coat hooks and hangers
If you're with a friend or two, you can book up to three adjacent beds with roll-up partitions
Upper capsules are accessible by inclined ladders (easier than vertical ladders common in capsules/bunks)
Powder area, toilets, and shower stalls are available on each floor
Shampoo and soap are provided in the shower rooms
Has a common room with refrigerator and microwave
Free drinks (apple juice/tea) and miso soup
Select food and drinks available for sale at the common room
Has coin washers and dryers
Has an elevator
I had to cancel the first day of my booking a few hours before check in (because of a typhoon, my flight was cancelled just four hours before it was scheduled to fly out) and they were considerate and did not charge me for it.

Minus Points:

Guests have to make/prepare their own bed—quite a hassle if you arrive late coming from a long flight and just want to crash in bed asap
Only one power outlet per bed (well, two, but the other one is for the computer display; can unplug the display though)
Too many beds (20?) per dorm room
Walkway inside the dorm is quite narrow because of the inclined ladders
The luggage area for the dorm is separate (on the same floor, but outside the dorm room); a chain lock for the luggage can be borrowed from reception
The luggage area is small. If guests need to get something from their luggage, only two people at a time can do so in the luggage area.
Luggage storage after check out is not free: 300 yen per day

Glocal Nagoya Backpackers Hostel

1-21-3 Noritake, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 453-0014

Book Glocal Nagoya Backpackers Hostel through Booking.com

Plus Points:

7-minute walk from Nagoya Station
Very clean hostel
Has 4-bed/6-bed/8-bed all-female/mixed dorms, and single/quad private rooms (shared toilets and shower rooms for all types of rooms)
Dorm room bunk beds have curtains for privacy, a lamp, and 2-3 power outlets
Lockers are provided in each room
Shampoo and soap are provided in the shower rooms
Has a common room with kitchen
Has coin washers and dryers
Free luggage storage available before check in and/or after check out
Staff are friendly, helpful, and can speak English well
Has an on-site bar/cafe
Has a separate door for in-house guests who don't want to go through the cafe

Minus Points:

Vertical ladders for upper bunks (I prefer inclined ladders which are much easier)
No elevator; might be a problem if you have a large luggage and your room is on the top floor
Economy rooms are small and cramped