Relak Guest House Noboribetsu Station — Hotel in Noboribetsu

We booked in here as we came last minute and it was the only affordable option left.

After reading the reviews we were a little nervous, but that nervousness was totally unfounded.

It seems that the interior has been done up since some of the earlier reviews and pictures. Everything is minimalist, but very clean and modern. Each pod has a really soft mattress, pillow and comfy duvet. It also has an individual warm light and 2 plug sockets, all closed off with a curtain. Everything was made up nicely and super clean. Had a great night's sleep.

The communal area is very basic but has all you need. Microwave, kettle, cooker. 2 showers and a toilet to share so might get a little crowded when it's busy, but that would be the only concern.

Check in was easy. The owner sent us the code and told us which beds to take, then popped in later in the evening to say hi and introduce himself.

It really looks like the owner has taken on feedback from previous reviews and done the place up. Honestly I don't see how you could expect much more from a hostel in this...

The accommodation is great! Everything was clean and tidy. The bed is comfy and you have enough space for yourself. The location is also really convenient. It's right at the Noboribetsu station which makes it easy to get around and there is also a café/restaurants across the street where you can eat.

But what really stands out for me was that the owner was the friendliest and most kind person that I came along in my two months of traveling Japan.

Without realising I booked for the wrong month and only found out after I was already at the place. But he wanted to help me and made it possible for me to get a place to sleep there anyways even so it was already fully booked and really busy due to Golden Week in Japan.

He is also really helpful and gave me good tips on what to do during my trip. And he even made lunch that we could eat together.

I was really fortunate and I'm planning on going there again if I will come to...

Awful. Avoid at all costs. After 5 weeks of backpacking around Hokkaido, this is the only bad experience I've had. Just awful. The owner should not be allowed to charge any amount of money for this place.

No staff on site. No check-in instructions. Left standing outside trying to call the owner and he didn't even pick up, nor call back. The whole place is just this empty shell of a building, with the cheapest trash furniture and futon covers that feel like they're made from plastic shopping bags.

The rooms have an old stained carpet thrown down to cover bare plywood. Hair everywhere. Just icky and trashy. Please try anywhere else. If I could get my money back and just sleep at the train...