Tomarigi is a very special place, cozy, communal and like its name: the perfect resting tree. And Satomi-san, the owner, is the sweetest person imaginable.

Stayed in May 2024

Just the humidity but nothing we can't do about this haha

So close to the airport, the owner help us organized our days and gave us some tips what to do around Yakushima.

Stayed in April 2024

Best and sweetest host ever!

Stayed in April 2024

Lovely place to stay in Yakushima. Great hostel feeling where you can meet other travelers, Japanese and international. Very kind hostess. She helps with an all the information you need.

Stayed in April 2024

Nothing

absolutely lovely. The lady who runs to please take very good care of her guests you get all the necessary information you need to get around on the island. I managed to miss my last bus in the National park and she tried to contact me and was ready to call Mountain police because she takes really good care, very nice lady! Thank you so very much! Beautiful island with very nice people

Stayed in March 2024

Right next to the airport, and in the middle of the two main attractions on Yakushima. The owner is amazing, and so are the other guests. The beds are very comfortable and the Japanese bath is a nice addition, after a long day of hiking! Would highly recommend staying here!

Stayed in March 2024

Tomarigi’s Nee-san is like your landlord, travel agent, and mother all in one. It’s incredible to see her sit every guest down with a bus schedule to make sure they understand how to get around and make their trip a success. I saw her help plan a tourist’s entire 4 day itinerary minutes after check in. Her friendly nature is felt throughout the hostel and creates a great sense of community amongst the guests. The outdoor kitchen is an excellent place to unwind at the day’s end and make a few friends. The beds are extremely spacious and comfortable bunks, and the shower/bath is a great way to experience the life of a Japanese family for those who are visiting Japan for the first time.

Stayed in March 2024

The host was absolutely lovely! Even though she knew limited English, she tried her best and was extremely charming and welcoming. The facilities are very clean and it was easy to meet and socialise with the other guest. The bathroom is very good too, and you could use the shower if you're not comfortable with the Japanese bath culture of using the same water. Plus, cats are very cute too!

Stayed in December 2023

This isn't a complaint as much as it is a heads-up. When I was at the guesthouse, I was the only non-Japanese person there. So it might be difficult if you know little to no Japanese. The host does her best to help out regardless though, so I don't think it'll break your experience.

I can not recommend the guesthouse more, absolutely wonderful host and guests. Truly felt like a second family on a subtropical island. We went to a local restaurant with all the guests, and afterwards I went lobster fishing with the other guests. And the hostess helped me plan my second day on the island as well. I truly wish I could have stayed for longer, and I am looking forward to the time I can return.

Stayed in December 2023

The cosy, family feel of the place made my stay in Yakushima. The lady running the place was so nice and she prepared Onigiri for guests who had planned hikes on the island, which was really convenient. She also plans your sightseeing with you if you want, as she knows the bus schedules and the different things to see quite well. Met some really nice people at the guest house and shared an amazing hot pot on the last night. Tomarigi made my stay in Yakushima. Also, theres a supermarket about 5 minutes away by foot, which was really convenient.

Stayed in November 2023

Loved everything

The atmosphere created by Tomarigi. You cannot avoid interacting with others and Tomarigi encourages it. As soon as I sat down on arrival she was helping me with schedule. She helped get me a car rental and was always on hand to assist make calls on my behalf. She saw me walking down the road and asked if it was me and gave me a lift to the digs. It was the best and most welcoming place I stayed in Japan. Going back at some point and will stay in touch with those I met. Enjoyed great company and meals together

Stayed in November 2023

Some beds are far from the socket, so it’s not possible to charge phone at night and keep in near (for example if you need an alarm for early hiking trip)

Satomi-san is the best woman! She was so nice and friendly with everybody, she creates special atmosphere of this place. She made me onigiri for hiking, but they were so big, that I finished just one. I’m so sorry…😬 When I have just arrived to Tomarigi, I was a bit sad and tired, but in the end of my stay it was like to live in a family. Can’t wait to come back and see Satomi-san again 🙃

Stayed in December 2023

The atmosphere is so welcoming and friendly! The host is so kind and lovely and everyone makes an effort to communicate across language barriers. Good location for the bus route and helpful advice on travel.

Stayed in October 2023

Nothing

A very short walk from the airport. Host-San is lovely. She’ll help you figure out what to do on the island and how to get there! Very very friendly and kind. There is a bus, and with help, you can figure out which one to take and at what time. My only suggestion would be if you can rent a car, do so. The bus does visit a lot of locations. But a car would make the experience a lot better. Especially if you only have a day or two

Stayed in October 2023

Friendly and warm host. Ready to provide you with local information, help make reservations, and share Yakushima's beauty. The space felt more homey as the owner was very warm and inviting. Thank you very much!

Stayed in September 2023

nothing bad about this place

The owner is super nice person! She helped me to plan my trips, she gave me bus time schedule, she offered to prepare home made onigiri and tea every day so I had a snack for my trips. She knows some basic words in English but she can easily translate everything with the Google Translator. Almost all parts of the house are shared, very friendly atmosphere. Toast bread and coffee/tea are available for a breakfast. There is only one restroom and bathroom but I never had a problem to get there. Great location next to the airport and bus stop and drug store. Not noisy, its almost like in the forest.

Stayed in August 2023

perfect personality

Stayed in July 2023

It was the perfect place for my stay in Yakushima!! The host is the kindest and has so many tips and informations for Yakushima and how to get around the island, it was very helpful (especially with the bus timetables). She's the sweetest and will definitively make you feel at home in Tomarigi. She can also cook you her handmade onigiris when you go for a hike and I have to be honest, they're the best onigiris I had in Japan so far! The place is very well equipped, the bed are comfortable and the traditional japanese bathtub is really a plus, that was great after a long day of hiking. You can cook with a well equipped outdoor kitchen and do your laundry for free. It's very calm and quiet (yes, the airport is nearby but I've never heard the few planes take off or land, which was a pleasant surprise) and there are drugstores and bus stops nearby. Plus you can buy bus tickets at the air airport/information center so really, it's a great emplacement. I really, really loved the ambiance inside Tomarigi, this place really have a soul of its own and when I stayed there for three weeks, I really felt at home. I would totally recommend this place, for a long or short term stay.

Stayed in June 2023

Everything is fantastic.

Stayed in June 2023

There was nothing really that I didn't like. You would have to be careful, because the owner doesn't speak English very well. She tries her best though. I was the only one at that time who could speak English and Japanese, so I did a lot of translating. There is only one toilet, which was okay when we were around 8-9 guests there, but I would think that it gets difficult, when all the beds are occupied.

Tomarigi is a little up the hill from the Yakshima airport and thus extremely well connected with bus and airplane. I came with the ferry and took the bus there. It was the only option left for me and I expected a cheap dorm house, but it is so wonderful and you can really feel the love that went into the buidling. It is a small, one story building, everything is made of wood and decorated with lots of personality. There are thousands of japanese Manga to read and great information about all the destinations. The entrance room has 18 bunk beds in it, but they are very comfortable. The owner is a lovely lady who brings people together and feels more like a mother than the owner. The atmosphere at Tomarigi is something I didn't expect: People talk to each other, cook together, and share their stories. I did not expect to find new friends there. But it seems that some people visit Tomarigi regularly because they love to meet new people (as well as old friends) and the beautiful nature of Yakushima is just a nice plus. The house also has some games that we played. The kitchen area is outside. You can also camp in the garden with our own tent. Two cats live there, but I never saw them inside. For my day trip to the forest the owner made me very delicious Onigiri, which were super thick and filling. Oh, and it is not a place where only foreigners go. When I was there, we were 3 foreigners and 6 Japanese guests. So it is loved by Japanese as well.

Stayed in May 2023

If the place is fully booked, it may be a little bit tight (during my visit, we were never more than 50% of possible guests, so no problem at all).

The place has its own kind of vibe. You probably like it or not - there are some rules regarding recycling and showering, nothing too freaky tough. If you don't want to shower ar the hostel, there is a nice onsen place just next to the hostel (a little bit pricy). The owner of the hostel is a wonderful lady who helps you with everything and knows also everything about the island. She organized a taxi for me to start my hike in early morning. She will also provide you with onigiri for your lunch break (if you want). You are a little bit limited regarding restaurant options, but there are several (big) grocery stores nearby and you can cook by your own. You will get in touch with other travellers for sure, it is a mixed bunch of people (Japanese, Western, etc.). I had a wonderful time at Tomarigi and would recommend it. Just a little hint for Yakushima in general: you should rent a car - it is way easier to get around as the bus service is really limited. I did not have a car, it is possible but you need to plan more and are restricted on your activities (i.e. sunset viewing on the other side of the island). And I would recommend to book the speedboat ferry, because it is also operating in case of an upcoming storm. Otherwise you may be stuck on the island.

Stayed in May 2023

A wonderful, caring host, good people, and great atmosphere. Definitely the highlight of my trip! Perfect location right across from Yakushima airport and walkable grocery stores. Will definitely visit again!

Stayed in May 2023

A bit difficult as a foreigner compared to other hostels. Very minimal English. Many people in tight quarters. Shower schedule slightly difficult.

Staff very welcoming and a great community feeling with wonderful cats around! Modest nice toast for breakfast.

Stayed in May 2023

There is not much to see or do around the area nor any fresh grocers around. However, with a bit of planning ahead, to get groceries done before heading back, I did not find it an issue.

I came without expectations, and just wanted a good night say with company as I was travelling alone. I really liked the homey experience that Imazaki-san provided. She made sure we felt at home, she brought everyone together and we had a good get together every morning and evening before turning in. If you are able to communicate in a bit of Japanese, it would make the experience amazing. Her place is walking distance from the Airport, and also tucked in between Miyanoura and Anbo ports.

Stayed in April 2023