ZEN Hostel Hostel

Pretty cool place to stay while visiting the snow monkeys in the Jigokudani Yaen Goen.

Really nice staff, clean, good bunks with privacy. Amazing location. The town is super cute and the people are sweet.

I cannot say enough good about this place! The staff was so incredibly helpful; they all spoke English very well and were ready to answer any questions we had. There was a bar with a small food menu right inside. The gyoza was great. The entire building itself had a very traditional Japan vibe. Short walk to train station and even within walking distance to the snow monkeys if you're up for a scenic walk through the unique town. Last but not least, everything was very clean! My only complaint is that it gets pretty cold in the hallways and rooms where people aren't hanging out in. Still worth booking though!

Bar open til 10pm and there was a friendly English speaking staff member there behind the bar. Very traditional hostel vibe.

Nice place to stay for enjoying Jigokudani snow monkey and Shiga heights.

We only stayed there one night and it was a quick visit but the man at the front desk was very helpful with Onsen information and explaining things. Their food is pretty good too, especially the smoothies. I highly recommend this place!

Very close to the metro station, Yudanaka. Those who serve are very friendly and speak English. The security system is very modern and the facilities are very nice. Highly recommended if you go to the Monkey Park.

Good prices, lovely staff and good rooms. Definitely a hostel and not a hotel, but exactly what we were looking for and it looks amazing in the snow.

For short stay, may be it is ok. (depend with type of turists you are). Room was not too clean, felt little bit poor, no television in my room, and I had a special experience, missing mattress sheet in my room! LOL… I went to the lobby to ask (it was around 00h00), but nobody was there. The hostel have free park and late check in service (must tell them), the staff can spoke English and the location was very near the train station. Anyway, short stay for me it was ok, but long stay, sure no way.

A good experience overall — immaculately clean, modern, with friendly and helpful proprietor. It does suffer a bit from very large dorms which got slightly noisy (snorers, please, sort yourselves out, seriously), and it isn't centrally heated so in winter some areas are freezing.

Wonderful place with amazing staff, I highly recommend. I checked-in around 3pm and then asked how I could get to the Monkey Park. They told me since it's late in the year, it would close around 4:00-4:30pm and I wouldn't make it. So they offered me a ride over, and I couldn't thank them enough. The staff spoke English very well, and the location of the hostel is just a few minutes walk from the station. All the standard amenities exist, rooms are spacious, etc. Overall a good experience.