Shodoshima Olive Youth Hostel — Hotel in Shodoshima

Positive: The hostel staff were amazing. The man at front desk, Daisuke, was brilliant. We wanted to drop our suitcases off for free because we knew we would arrive before the listed check-in time. We messaged the hostel and got a prompt response in perfect English (even though we messaged in Japanese just in case) telling us that we could do an early check-in free of charge because we gave enough notice. This was excellent service. The hostel also gave us a good recommendation of Cafe Mumu next door for dinner. The hostel sells 1 day and 2 day bus passes and has its own bus stop which was very convenient! Breakfast was good although they do not have a western style breakfast. The hostel was part of a Go To Travel campaign but even without the campaign it is a very cheap hostel which was great. The room was nice with a TV, aircon and futons. Also a shared refrigerator was handy. I think the hostel was very appreciative that we had chosen to stay during this difficult time of COVID-19 so I would urge you to stay here if you are thinking of coming to Shodoshima!. Negative: There were no private showers. There were shared showers which were clean however they were on the opposite side of the hostel from our room and we had to walk past the dining hall to get to them. I don't mind shared showers in Japan, however I think all hostels should have at least one private shower available that can be shared by customers because some customers may be disabled or menstruating and they would appreciate the privacy. The carpet outside the rooms on the upper floor was old and needs refurbishing. I appreciate the hostel is old but I think if it was a little cleaner I would have...

We arrived late at night from Takamatsu and were greeted by the manager (owner?), Daisuke, who spoke excellent English and gave great advice regarding how to spend the next day. He explained the Kankakei hike, organised to have bikes waiting for us at the end of the hike and suggested a good cycling route for the afternoon. FYI: don't try to cycle all the way around the island unless you're a serious biker (and have your own bikes, the ones available have no gears and the island is suprisingly hilly).||||The accomodation itself is basic but clean and well maintained. From comments in the guestbook the meals are good but we opted to eat out and cook a meal at the kitchen there. not a very well equipped kitchen available for guests but it worked out OK for a simple meal.||||Would highly recomend Shodoshima in general as a stopover between Shikoku and Honshu - we caught a bus up to Fukuda on the day we left and caught a ferry...

😊: An ordinary room with a sea view The male staff came out to meet us and told us where to park our vehicle.. 😢: Its winter A bare room down a hallway of many rooms on 2nd floor. A noisy person in the next room. Toilet at end of hallway, shower room on ground floor . You can have a hot drink, the kettle is in the lounge ground floor. A sink in the gehan of the room. After unloading, I had some rubbish to get rid of, so I asked the staff for a plastic bag and bin for the rubbish and a box of tissues. I was told to bring the rubbish to the ground floor to dispose off. I reneged, and I then was given those items to take back to the room. It...