Japan Youth Hostels : Japan  

Japan Youth Hostels - Travel guide

Japan

Youth Hostels

There are some 360 Youth Hostels in Japan, offering clean and simple places to sleep at very low rates. A number of them are open to the public, but others are privately run and require membership in Japan Youth Hostels, Inc., or the International Youth Hostel Federation. You can join the latter either in your home country or through its Tokyo national headquarters, or purchase a guest card at the hostel. When the guest card is used six times it becomes a full membership. A membership purchased in Japan is valid worldwide except in your home country.

Despite the name, there are no age limits on youth hostel guests. Compared with other forms of accommodation, however, there are many more regulations, including an evening curfew; and preference may be given to younger guests in busy seasons. A youth hostel will usually cost about 2,800 yen to 3,000 yen per person, without meals.

If you do not have a membership card, you may apply for "Hosteling International Card" for ¥2,800 (valid for one year) at the following offices, and member rates will be applicable upon showing this card. Or by paying ¥600 more than the member rates each time you stay at any of the major hostels (not any hostels), you will obtain one sticker with the word "Welcome" on it. Six such stickers within a year will entitle you to the above "Hosteling International Card" without any further payment. (The card will be valid for one year from the date of the first sticker.)
* You will be required to show your passport.

The National Office & Local YH Association

Japan Youth Hostel Association
Tel : 03-3288-1417 (English spoken)
Fax : 03-3288-1248
Location : 9th Fl., Kanda Amelex Bldg., 3-1-16 Misaki-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Access : About 300 m. from Suidobashi Sta. (*West Exit)
Hours : 10:00 am - 5:00 pm (Mon. -Fri.), 11:00 am - 5:00 pm (Sat.) Closed on Sun., national holidays and 2nd & 4th Sat.
Reservation : Required (in Japanese).

Tokyo Youth Hostel Association
Tel : 03-3851-1121
Fax : 03-3851-1130
Location : 2-21-4, Yanagibashi, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Access : 7min. walk from JR Asakusabashi Sta. on Sobu Line or 5 min. walk from Asakusabashi Sta. on Subway Toei Asakusa Line
Note : Computers are available (¥50 per 30 min. ) and you can make reservations with them.

All information is based on data as of October 2006 and is subject to change without notice.