Hilo Hostel — Hotel in Nara

Ohh boy! One of those places I don’t want to share in fear of too many people knowing lol. But hey, I’ll put aside my selfish ways and share this wonderful stay I had in beautiful Nara!

My stay in Nara was only for a full day, between long stays in Kyōtō, Ōsaka, and Tōkyō. I just needed someplace safe for overnight. Oh how I love Hilo Hostel! Don’t let the “hostel” part fool you because it’s not a place shared with two dozen naked hippies lol, but instead a family owned business (like a house) with the owner, Hiro-san being the star! Tbh not perfect, but it’s those little Japan only things that made me sigh.

Once checking in and dropping my bags off to my own room (no sharing bunks/or capsules lol) it was time to explore historic Nara. First on my list was a world famous Mochi Shop and without asking… Hiro-san volunteered to walk me over! Realize it was about 90-degrees w humidity when I arrived. Wow! Simply above and beyond!

The room itself was very comfy Japanese with floor Futon, Tatami Mat, and a window facing street. The bathroom/shower was shared, however it was super clean and available on my stay. Minimum fee for a towel (¥100?) and make sure you have your own toothbrush. I was surprised it was even AC’d and shampoo/conditioner offered free. Only blocks from train!

Amazing value and look forward for next time in Nara! あ り が と う ご ざ い...

This is the first ever hostel I stayed at that made me feel like I was home. Despite not having much Japanese, I was still welcomed with a conversation every single time I entered the common area.

Hiro-san and his coworker made me feel taken care of. Urging me to use their umbrellas when they saw it was raining and even offering up some gloves when they saw I was heading out for the evening 😭

Honestly loved the dedication you have for your customers! Thank you for even talking me through the map of Nara and telling me the best areas for the...

Amazing must-stay hostel! If I could rate it 6 stars, I would. The host was extremely accommodating when our train got delayed and we couldn’t get in until midnight. Entry process was smooth and stress free! The vibes were immaculate, the common area was nice, location was perfect central to everything in town. Finally, the host was incredibly friendly and helpful, from activity suggestions to laundry. He was amazing. If you are staying in Nara, you would be missing out by not spending a night...