Everything was great.

Everything was wonderful about Koya Backpackers. 1) Our host Yusuke was very hospitable and welcoming. We enjoyed talking with him in the communal room. He gave us a lot of good information about the surrounding area. 2)The location in a forest near Hoshino is beautiful and very relaxing. Nearby you have three great onsen. We liked the Tonbo no Yu (トンボのゆう) best. On our second day we walked through the Wild Bird Sanctuary (野鳥の森). We plan to come back so that we explore the hiking trails. 3) The Koya Backpackers building itself is beautiful and atmospheric. It's a Taisho-period wooden house with beautiful woodwork and windows (see photos below). 4) The breakfast was delicious and nutritious (see photo). It was great value.

Stayed in May 2024

Nothing

I have been to Japan many times but this is the first time we experienced staying in a traditional Japanese house. It was awesome, everything is great from the facilities to the host!

Stayed in October 2023

Nothing.

Everything about this place was great. The owner is so nice, so helpful, very funny and outgoing. We had lovely chats with him! Also he helped us a lot with planning our hikes and our transport. The breakfast and dinner provided were great, very healthy and fresh. The dorm room was super comfortable and cozy. The hostel is surrounded by trees and waking up there is one of the best experiences we had in Japan! Would 100% come back when visiting Japan again!

Stayed in October 2023

The host is wonderful! I highly recommend the place.

Stayed in October 2023

The owner was really nice and gave us a lot of recommendations for upcoming trips in Japan. The room was pretty. The onsen (Hoshino Onsen Tonbo-no-yu) nearby is really nice, would recommend.

Stayed in October 2023

The weather, but that wasn’t an option to change.

I had a little trouble, yet the staff helped and I had a great time.

Stayed in October 2023

It's located far away from the station. Although this can be great if you're looking for a quiet spot, it's also inconvenient if you're looking to go to Shiraito waterfalls and hike the surrounding area as all buses start from the station.

Great place to explore Kariuzawa area. The hostel is cozy and a bus ride away from the train station on the outer bounds of town and surrounded by the forest. Great if you want to be away from all the noise, and wake up surrounded by green. There's a few onsen nearby, very convenient for after a full day of hiking. The staff/owner was incredibly friendly and he spent a good hour helping me create my itinerary for the day, suggesting hikes and times so that I do not miss the last bus back to town. Beds are comfortable and the place is kept clean.

Stayed in September 2023

There was poor insulation in the rooms, and some guests were quite noisy until late at night. Be sure to bring earplugs.

Very friendly host, nice architecture, and cozy room. Parking is free. The area was very peaceful, and you could hear birds chirping in the morning.

Stayed in July 2023

I loved how the hosts were so accommodating. They gave me great travel spots and ideas in line with my schedule.

Stayed in August 2023

The beds were a little too short for me (I'm 193cm), so I had a bit of back pain when waking up. Other than that, it was great!

Quiet, very beautful, felt like part of nature. Really comfortable.

Stayed in August 2023

Nothing in particular

I enjoy conversation with somebody.

Stayed in August 2023

Awesome spot! Yusuke is a great host and the house is very beautiful and traditional. You can find everything you need and the japanese breakfast which is made by Yusukes wife is so delicious! We would definitely come back!!!

Stayed in July 2023

The House was so beautiful, well decorated and clean, and in the middle of the forest ❤️. The host was also very kind and open to meet and talk with people. He has a truly interest in knowing people and their background. So my stay, was amazing. Thank you very much

Stayed in June 2023

Cozy place with really nice traditional tatami floors combined with a great kitchen and other modern amenities. Host is an absolute legend, really went out of his way to improve your stay. Couldn't recommend more!

Stayed in June 2023

Really great experience !! Very nice place and very kind people! The food was also amazing!

Stayed in May 2023

Friendly Innkeeper, family operated. Felt like i was being hosted by a local, rather than staying at an establishment.

Stayed in May 2023

Great host who gave us tips for our stay and looked after us like we were old friends. Convenient location, immaculately clean and great meals on offer.

Stayed in May 2023

the house is ready well preserved!

Stayed in November 2022

nothing

Yusuke is a fantastic host with good English speaking ability traditional Japanese house experience good location, close to town but still very quiet very close to an onsen that you can get a discount for

Stayed in November 2022

(it’s not really a negative point here) it’s super super quiet at night. if the guest doesn’t know how to follow the manners it could be a problem. but honestly I suggest those who can’t really keep quiet at night pls don’t travel at all to disturb other people.

It’s literally in a forest. and the staff there including the owner himself are just incredibly fun. though my family doesn’t speak Japanese, they try to involve him in the conversation and we had a lot things to chat about.

Stayed in September 2022

Very clean and easy to find. Japanese style with backpackers sprit. Plus Yusuke san is a superhost!!

Stayed in May 2022

I'm a deep sleeper so it's typical of Japanese styled homes with sliding doors, to hear everything. If this bothers you, I recommend packing some earplugs. It'll solve everything.

I greatly enjoyed my stay here. Absolutely fantastic! I arrived alone and he was quick to invite me in, sit me down with some tea as we went over the house rules and check-in procedure at a calm pace. Maybe if there's alot of people arriving at one time, the house's entrance will feel a little too crowded. Yusuke's English was also very good! Seems self-taught so it was quite an enjoyable pace to converse with. Also, he asked if I'd like to attend a backyard bonfire during check-in. It was really nice! The set-up, other guests and everything. The participation fee was 200 yen, a small price for some wholesome conversations. Everyone was so lovely. Also, a cheaper onsen ticket if you inquire with him for Shiobutsu Onsen. Location was great. I rented a super cheap e-bike, recommended via email by him, before arriving. E-bike was totally worth renting to go up the hill to the Guesthouse as the route was so scenic during Autumn. You'll have to be a bit more observant and look out for the wooden signs. 7/11 is quite far (if you're not taking a bike or driving), so I'd recommend picking up some food on route. The kitchen had everything I needed.

Stayed in November 2021

A lovely old house, close to karuizawa and local attractions. Yusuke was very friendly and helpful

Stayed in August 2021

Great location, great facilities and great host! I highly recommend

Stayed in July 2021