When you stay at ZEN Hostel, you'll be in a great location, within a short 10-minute walk of Yudanaka Hot Spring and Shiga Kogen Ski Area. Free perks include WiFi and self-parking. Also, Jigokudani Monkey Park and Ryuoo Ski Park are within a short drive. Public transportation is close by: Yudanaka Station is only 4 minutes on foot.
Languages
English, Japanese
At a glance
Hotel size
5 rooms
Arriving/Leaving
Check-in start time: 3 PM; check-in end time: 10 PM
Minimum check-in age – 18
Check-out time is 10 AM
Contactless check-out
Special check-in instructions
The front desk is open daily from 3 PM - 10 PM
Front desk staffed during limited hours
This property doesn't offer after-hours check-in
Required at check-in
Credit card, debit card or cash deposit required for incidental charges
Government-issued photo ID may be required
Minimum check-in age is 18
Children
No cots (infant beds)
Pets
Pets not allowed
Internet
Free WiFi in public areas
Free WiFi in rooms
Parking
Free on-site self-parking
On-site parking is limited
Other information
Designated smoking areas
Property amenities
Food and drink
Shared microwave
Shared fridge
What to do
Skiing nearby
Services
Front desk (limited hours)
Laundry facilities
Multilingual staff
Facilities
Garden
Room amenities
Home comfort
Air conditioning and heating
Sleep well
Bed sheets provided
Freshen up
Shared bathroom
Shower only
Towels
Stay connected
Free WiFi
Fees & policies
Policies
The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare requires all international visitors to submit their passport number and nationality when registering at any lodging facility (inns, hotels, motels etc). Additionally, lodging proprietors are required to photocopy passports for all registering guests and keep the photocopy on file.
This property accepts credit cards.
Also known as
ZEN Hostel Yamanouchi
ZEN Yamanouchi
ZEN Hostel Yamanouchi
ZEN Hostel Hostel/Backpacker accommodation
ZEN Hostel Hostel/Backpacker accommodation Yamanouchi
Frequently asked questions
Does ZEN Hostel offer free cancellation for a full refund?
Yes, ZEN Hostel does have fully refundable room rates available to book on our site. If you’ve booked a fully refundable room rate, this can be cancelled up to a few days before check-in, depending on the property's cancellation policy. Just make sure that you check this property's cancellation policy for the exact terms and conditions.
Are pets allowed at ZEN Hostel?
Sorry, pets aren't allowed.
Is parking offered on site at ZEN Hostel?
Yes, there's free self parking. Parking spaces may be limited.
What are the check-in and check-out times at ZEN Hostel?
Check-in start time: 3 PM; check-in end time: 10 PM. Check-out time is 10 AM. Contactless check-out is available.
What is there to do at ZEN Hostel and nearby?
Have fun with nearby winter activities such as skiing. ZEN Hostel also has a garden.
What's the area around ZEN Hostel like?
ZEN Hostel is a short 4-minute walk from Yudanaka Station and 9 minutes' walk from Shiga Kogen Ski Area.
ZEN Hostel Reviews
Reviews
8.6
Excellent
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.More informationOpens in a new window
8.6/10
Cleanliness
8.8/10
Staff & service
10/10
Amenities
8.2/10
Property conditions & facilities
10/10
Eco-friendliness
Reviews
10/10 Exceptional
12 January 2020
Very chill, run by nice people
Verified traveller
1-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
8/10 Very good
12 December 2019
Fook Wai
Fook Wai, 1-night trip with friends
Verified Hotels.com guest review
10/10 Exceptional
13 November 2019
Enjoyed our stay at Zen hostel. The staff was attentive and helpful in planning activities.
Lorena
Lorena, 2-night family trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
8/10 Very good
13 May 2019
Nice on a budget
Cheap, clean, friendly staff, lots of trust, good breakfast
Jon
Jon, 1-night family trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
10/10 Exceptional
8 April 2019
Great value and attention to details from the hist
It was a great stay! Everything that you could need was provided! Very friendly environment both the staff and the guest! Special Kudos to Maya who manages the hostel very professionally and welcoming. She provided very useful information as well as the gentleman that was also there!
luis
luis, 1-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
10/10 Exceptional
24 January 2019
Great place to stay in Yamanouchi!
Zen Hostel is in a neat, old, traditional Japanese building. The lounge overlooks a pretty Japanese garden which can be viewed through the giant windows making it seem like you are outside.
The walls throughout the hostel are adorned with nice photos from around the world.
The floor in my private room was covered by beautiful tatami mats on which a futon is placed for sleeping. The futon was a little thin for sleeping on my side (boney hips) but was otherwise comfortable.
Everything is clean.
The heaters provided kept the room as toasty as I needed but the common spaces are pretty cold so bring warm jammies in the winter for the trip to the restroom. I don't consider this a negative for this hostel as I found it is normal for there to be cold common spaces in places in the low budget range (I wouldn't know about the fancy hotels in Japan).
The staff were super nice and speak English.
The breakfast options were yummy and reasonable at 600 yen. The dinner menu is limited but my curry was good.
The location is perfect, just 5 minutes walk to the bus and train station and close to all restaurants.
I definitely recommend this place!
holly
holly, 2-night trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
8/10 Very good
9 December 2018
Clean hotel, but wifi is slow and too far from metro or JR station
Nelson
Nelson, 1-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review
10/10 Exceptional
21 November 2018
Amazing, non expensive and clean place.
Kevin
Kevin, 2-night romance trip
Verified Hotels.com guest review
6/10 Good
19 October 2018
Not bad but expensive for what you get
We stayed at a "private" twin room and once our door was opened by someone while we were away, and another time while we were still inside someone came into our room even though it was locked!
It was a mistake but I couldn't recommend the private room if you are concerned about someone entering the room.
Furthermore my girlfriend didn't think the room was that clean, personally I thought it was average.
Service was nice and it's not far from station. However this area doesn't have many stores or restaurants that are open. I chose to come here because my girlfriend lives close by, but hotels in Nagano city are much cheaper and cleaner if you book in advance. Unfortunately my girlfriend was a bit picky and didn't want to travel to Nagano so I ended up paying more money for less.
If you have the choice, stay at a hotel in Nagano city or choose this if you want to be close by some specific tourist attraction.
Convenient for snow monkeys and nice nearby onsen. Employees very kind made nice breakfast and drove us to the station
adam
Verified Hotels.com guest review
6/10 Good
17 April 2018
Beware, this is NOT in Shibu Onsen town!
We chose this hostel by mistake. We thought it was in Shibu Onsen since this what we searched for when booking. Our fault!! We were disappointed to learn this place is in neighboring village and can not provide key to the 9 public onsens in Shibu Onsen. The owner didn’t bother explaining where we got it wrong. He pretended he doesn’t know what we are talking about and offered to sell us entry to an Onsen nearby his place where he has a deal. What is the problem helping us understand the situation? This is not the friendliness and hospitality we got accustomed to traveling around Japan.
The hostel itself is ok, very basic and abit unhygienic in Japanese standards. It is quite cheap so you get descent value for money.
ren
ren, 1-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review
10/10 Exceptional
28 December 2017
Friendly English speaking staff, good breakfast, private showers, comfy bedding and good location handy for the snow monkeys.
Verified traveller
2-night trip
Verified Expedia guest review
10/10 Exceptional
18 July 2017
Nice Hostel close to the mountains, friendly staff
Out family of 6 stayed in the self contained suite that had our own toilet and bathroom very comfortably.
CC
CC, 2-night family trip
Verified Expedia guest review
10/10 Exceptional
11 April 2017
Modern comfortable
Our party of 5 stayed in a private room with shared bathroom. The traditional tatami room is nice and the staff are great. They serve good choices of breakfast at their lounge area for a fraction on price. Had their fresh fruit smoothies, matcha latte and roll cakes in the afternoon and they are delicious. Totally recommend this place to all travelers.
Verified traveller
Verified Expedia guest review
10/10 Exceptional
26 March 2017
Modern meets Japanese simplicity
Great value for a private room which was warm and spacious. It was surprisingly quiet considering the paper walls and doors. The common areas seemed new, modern, and clean. The shared bathroom was clean and the shower booths were great, very private. One of very few places without its own onsen or yukatas but you still get some traditional features like the garden off the lounge area and Japanese style rooms with tatami and futons (Japanese floor mattress). The cafe had good prices for drinks but a limited menu. Breakfast was good but expensive. No amenities in the room, not even tissue. You need to rent towels and bring your bedding down to the laundry bins but it was well worth it to save on the cost.
Verified traveller
Verified Hotels.com guest review
6/10 Good
26 February 2017
Weekend Adventure
It was a wonderful stay. Coming from a warm environment, the cold rooms were a challenge. The heat in the rooms is kerosene. The heater runs for 3 hours and then beeps, and shuts off. So, if you are a light sleeper, this could be a problem. The showers are located on a separate floor-not with the toilets and it is co-ed, with private shower stalls. The shower area was not heated. With an outside temp of 24 F it was quite cool in the showers. Overall we had a delightful adventurous time, but it does take some grit to keep the smile on. The staff were amazing, helpful, funny and kind. Also most importantly...they speak English :).
Verified traveller
Verified Hotels.com guest review
10/10 Exceptional
21 January 2017
Helpful and budget
We almost couldn't go there when the local train has stopped because of heavy snow. I called them and got a pick up from them as a service, I saw people taking taxi into the town and it must cost a fortune. So they are willing to help on contingency.
The paid access to a nearby hotel's onsen is quite good, in a good timing we were in public bath with nobody else.
If you go to nearby ski resort(Ryoo for my case), ask for coupon as the discount is really good compare to the original walk in price.
Yin Ping
Verified Hotels.com guest review
4/10 Fair
20 January 2017
Freezing but nice staffs
•Freezing almost everywhere
•Hot water stopped in the middle of shower
•Coffee was terrible... we ordered 2 and the 2nd one was like brown hot water. We didn't mind if they were free but actually paid ¥350 each
•The staffs are nice and friendly
Verified traveller
Verified Expedia guest review
10/10 Exceptional
24 November 2016
Excellent stay-close to Snow Monkeys
The Zen hostel is very close to the Yudanka train station and takes no more than 5 minutes to get to. The hostel is very well laid out and decorated. Our room was clean and provided just what we needed- - place to sleep. The facilities ( bathroom and showers)are very clean. The buikding itself is very historical- but has been updated to be quite modern. Each room has its own heaters. Food served here is quite delicious. The owner was kind enough to give us a lift up to the snow monkeys- which is a huge plus. Just make sure you know your way back down or can catch a taxi cab. Enjoyed our stay very much and would most certainly return!!!
NANCY
Verified Expedia guest review
10/10 Exceptional
17 November 2016
Super friendly host.
It is a very new hostel. Bright, comfortable, modern. Owner has tastefully decorated the hostel. He speaks good English, friendly and helpful. Price is very reasonable. Best hostel that I have stayed so far.