Budget – Page 12 – The Wknd Travel

Hostel Of The Day: NEW WORLD INN OSAKA – Simple, Affordable & Modern Property Near Tennoji

UPDATE: New World Inn Osaka has ceased operations. I am keeping this Hostel of the Day feature to give tribute to such excellent accommodation.

Hello & welcome to the newest Hostel Of The Day feature on this website. In my last Japan trip, all my accommodations were hostels. I already shared with you some information about Khaosan World Asakusa Ryokan & Hostel & Dot Hostel Nagano, my hostels in Tokyo & Nagano respectively. I mentioned in my recent Kyoto post that my sisters & I decided to base in Osaka.

We decided to stay in an inn or hostel for 4 days & 3 nights while we explored the Kansai Region – Osaka City (for them), Universal Studios Japan, Kyoto & Nara. This accommodation is called New World Inn Osaka. It is a relatively new property located in the area of Nishinari, near Tennoji. We booked less than 2 months before our stay, but we still found this great accommodation for an affordable price.

Allow me to share with you some details about the hostel plus how my 3-night stay went in this lovely property.

Location & Access

New World Inn is a 3-storey hostel located 1-5-6 Taishi in downtown Nishinari-ku in Osaka. It is located in a quiet neighborhood about 10 minutes away by foot from Tennoji, Osaka’s one of the busiest stations. Popular Osaka attractions such as Tsutenkaku Tower, Kuromon Market & Osaka Tennoji Zoo are near the property. There are nearby restaurants, cafes & bars a few meters away from the hostel. The nearest convenience store is about a minute walk from the hostel’s doorstep. Believe it or not, there is a Don Quijote near the hostel, about 7 minutes walk, just across the Shin-Imamiya Station.

The property is very accessible via subway & JR lines. The hostel is about 3 minutes walk from the east exit of JR Shin-Imamiya Station. It is about 3 minutes walk from exit 4 of the Doubutsuen-Mae Station of the Midosuji Subway Line & also a few minutes walk from exit 8 of the Sakaisuji Subway Line. Namba & Shinsaibashi area are about 4 minutes away by subway. The hostel may not be in the super center of Osaka, but it’s strategic location connects all the guests to pretty much everywhere in the city & even in Kansai Region – Nara, Kyoto & Kawaramachi.

Room Types

New World Inn caters mainly to budget & business travelers. They have both private & dormitory rooms in the property. First, the property has a number of single private rooms. These rooms come with a bed, mattress & pillow, air conditioning & heater, power plugs, a small desk with a chair, mirror & lamp. The 2nd room type the property offers is the twin room. This room has 2 single beds, same features as the single room, but with a bigger space. This room also has a private balcony. Toilets & shower facilities are shared & are available for use on every floor.

The dormitory rooms come in a 4 & 6-bed configuration, all equipped with wooden-framed bunk beds. Each bed features a mattress, pillow, duvet, a reading light & a power outlet. Guests also have access to lockers located in each room. Just like the private rooms, toilets & shower areas are shared unless specified. There is a 6-bed dormitory room that includes a restroom, shower area & a powder area.

I booked my stay in this property via Agoda & Booking.com using credit card & promotional codes. I may not have the fixed rate at this point but rest assured that the room & dormitory bed rates are affordable & competitive enough.

Guest Amenities & Perks

Staying in a Japanese hostel comes with a long list of amenities & perks guests can enjoy. Check out the following offered by New World Inn in Osaka.

Free Wi-Fi

Guests have access to a fast & free Wi-Fi connection. Username & password can be obtained from reception.

Ground Floor Cafe / Bar

There is a cafe / bar in the ground floor. The hostel has partnered with this commercial establishment to check out the place for offers (if there are any).

Communal Lounge & Dining Area

Guests have access to a small communal lounge & dining area in the 2nd floor, right in front of the reception. It is the place where guests can relax & eat after a long day of exploring.

Communal Kitchen With Free Coffee & Tea

The hostel comes with a small kitchen complete with cooking & heating facilities. It also has a refrigerator where you can store food & drinks. Just make sure to put a label on your items. Coffee & tea are free & available any time of the day.

Common Toilets & Shower Facilities

As mentioned earlier, guests have access to clean & well-maintained toilet & shower rooms. These facilities are located in each floor. They even have female-only shower toilets.

Rooftop Space

The property has a communal rooftop terrace where guests can sit, relax & mingle with other guests. The terrace is open daily from 8:00 to 22:00.

Luggage Storage

Luggage storage is free of charge to all arriving & departing guests. Bags can be stored from 10:00 to 22:00.

Reasonable Reception Hours

The hostel has reasonable reception hours. Reception opens at 11:00 & closes at 22:00. Check in time is from 15:00 to 22:00 while check out is up until 11:00 only.

Nice & Helpful Hostel Owner

The owner of the hostel lives in one of the rooms in the 2nd floor. He is a super nice & helpful man. He makes sure that guests have a nice stay in his property. He even gives us suggestions on where to go & what to do.

Coin Laundry

New World Inn has coin laundry facilities. Washing of clothes cost ¥200 while drying costs ¥400 & lasts for 40 minutes. The laundry facility is open from 8:00 to 22:00.

Secured Door Entry

The property has a secured entry area. Everyone needs to key in a entry code to get through the door. The way going up the rooms is well-lighted. The hostel has no curfew.

My Experience

Let me share with you some thoughts about my 3-night stay in New World Inn. I got myself a single private room for around ¥2,700 per night. That pretty much is an equivalent to a dormitory bed in other Japanese hostels. My sisters stayed in a twin room on the 4th floor. My room was located just in the 2nd floor, near the reception & the communal areas. The room was just right for a single person, not much space for big luggages & other stuff. The bed was comfortable. The only problem I had with the room is its location in the building. It is by the main road so guests can hear all the cars & people passing by at any time of the day or night.

The facilities & common areas are modern, clean & well-maintained. The property interiors are simple but very neat to look at. The owner was really nice. The only thing I think of as a challenge to some guests is the absence of lift to the property. The hostel reception is located in the 2nd floor & it is a few steps up. It may be hard to go up with your big luggage but the owner is very much willing to help in bringing your stuff up & down the property. The property’s location is a winner. It’s 10 out of 10 for me & I will definitely stay here again when I fly back to Osaka.

If you want to know more about the property or if you want to check the rooms available for your intended stay, feel free to contact them in the details below.

New World Inn Osaka
Address: 1 Chome-5-6 Taishi, Nishinari Ward, Osaka, 557-0002, Japan
Phone Number: +81 6 6537 9140
Email address: Contact form available via website or Facebook page
Website: www.newworld-inn.jp/en/
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/newworldinnjp

Have you stayed with New World Inn during your Osaka visit? How was your stay? Do you know other interesting or feature-worthy hostels in Osaka or anywhere in Japan? Feel free to share the names of these hostels in the comment section below. Who knows, I might consider that in my next trip to Japan. Do you have any questions about New World Inn or anything about Osaka? Feel free to send an email to contact@thewkndtravel.com. Don’t forget to follow me & please please please also help me in promoting my social media channels – Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. Many thanks!

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11.

Hostel of the Day: DOT HOSTEL NAGANO – Wooden House Turned High-Rated Affordable Hostel

Welcome to newest & also the first Hostel of the Day feature for 2019! Today, I’ll be taking you to Nagano, Japan. Last month, I went on a 9-day trip around Japan & visited Nagano for 3 days & 2 nights. Nagano is a small city & is the center of the Nagano Prefecture in Chubu Region. The city only has few accommodation options at the moment & even has lesser budget hostels available.

I stayed in a hostel named Dot Hostel Nagano. It is a budget-friendly hostel that opened a few years ago. The place used to be a traditional wooden house, was renovated & then converted into a hostel or shared tourist accommodation. I was lucky enough to score a bed in this hostel as most of the places to stay are booked out. Allow me to share with you some details about the hostel & how my stay went.

Location & Access

Dot Hostel Nagano is located less than 5 minutes walk from Nagano’s most important & famous temple – Zenkoji Temple. It’s about 5 to 10 minutes walk from Zenkoji Station of the Nagaden Railway. There are also multiple bus stops near the hostel. Nagano Station, the city’s main station is 1.8 kilometers away but still can be accessed by foot. The nearest convenience store is 5 to 10 minutes away by foot while the nearest supermarket is by the shopping street about 15 minutes walk from the hostel doors.

There isn’t much to do & to go to in Nagano so having an accommodation near the city’s main temple is just perfect. The hostel’s location was also perfect for early morning & late night walks around the temple grounds.

Room Configuration & Rates

Dot Hostel Nagano is a small hostel; they can only accommodate up to 15 guests. The hostel has 1 x 6-bed mixed dormitory room (¥2,600 a bed per night), 1 x 6-bed female dormitory room (¥2,600 a bed per night), a double tatami room (¥6,000 per night) & a single room (¥3,800 per night). All guests have access to the hostel’s common facilities.

I got myself a bed in the 6-bed mixed dormitory room. I paid a little over ¥4,300 for 2 nights from the initial rate of ¥4,800 (¥2,400 per night). Thanks to Traveloka‘s weekly promotion! The dormitory beds feature Japanese style bedding (with duvet covers), privacy curtains, a universal plug & personal reading lights. All rooms have air conditioning & fans. They were of no use during my stay because it was winter. The rooms do not have lockers but are spacious enough to put in your stuff. Just make sure to secure your bags them with padlocks.

Guest Perks

Dot Hostel Nagano may not be a large-scale hostel yet it still provides the usual facilities & amenities. Check out these perks every guest can enjoy.

Free WiFi

All hostel guests have access to free WiFi. Username & password are given to the guests upon check in. The hostel WiFi was fast just like any other internet connection in Japan.

Free Breakfast

The hostel offers free breakfast of toast & jam to all its guests. The food is available as early as 6:30 am until 9:30 am. Coffee & tea are also available & offered for free. These drinks are available 24/7.

Common Toilet & Shower

All guests have access to a communal but separate toilet & shower on the ground floor. Both small areas are clean & well-maintained.

Communal Kitchen & Food Storage Area

Just like any other hostel in Japan, Dot Hostel Nagano also has a communal kitchen open for all. The kitchen has microwave ovens & an oven toaster which can be used to reheat cooked food. Guests can also cook their own meals in the kitchen provided with complete cooking materials. There is also a big fridge where guests’ food can be stored.

Sample meal I bought in the supermarket. I stored these items in the fridge & ate ’em the next day.

Common Dining & Lounge Area

The hostel has a small dining & lounge area right in front of the hostel reception. It is where the guests kill time, eat & interact with other guests. I had 2 great nights in this common area; I met people from all over the world & even shared interesting stories & experiences. The vibe is very social even if it’s only a small hostel.

Free Luggage Storage

The hostel offers free luggage storage to all its guests on the day of check in & check out. Reception opens at 8:30 in the morning & closes around 10:00 in the evening. The luggage storage area is the small space just by the reception.

Exceptional Guest Services

The staff provides exceptional services. They are nice & helpful. They even give out recommendations on where to go, what to do & where to eat. They also speak very good English.

Sake Bar

The hostel reception is also a sake bar. Dot Hostel Nagano offers some local sake variants & other alcoholic drinks. If I remember it right, the price of one order of sake is ¥400. I didn’t have the chance to try it though, maybe when I come back in the future.

Bicycle Rental

Guests can rent bicycles from the hostel. Feel free to check with reception for rates; don’t forget to ask if they have an ongoing promotion on rental fees.

Laundry Services

Guests who need to wash their clothes can take advantage of the laundry machine near the shower room. I forgot if the laundry charge is per use or if the guest pay for the soap. You can always check with the staff if you plan to avail this service.

Verdict

Overall, I had a great stay in Dot Hostel Nagano. I didn’t expect to have this kind of hostel in such a small & relatively unpopular city of Nagano. The hostel may be small in size & capacity but its facilities & amenities are at par with the large hostels I’ve stayed with in Tokyo, Kyoto & Osaka. Location is very central, pretty much close to everywhere. The facility is well-maintained; the staff are super nice & accommodating. You may not have a lot of choices of hotels or hostels to stay in Nagano but make sure to put this on top of your list. Book early. They tend to get booked out in most days.

Do you want to have any questions about the hostel? Do you want to book an upcoming stay in Dot Hostel Nagano? Feel free to contact them on the details below.

Dot Hostel Nagano
Address: 379 Higashinomon, Nagano, 380-0852, Japan
Phone Number: +81 26 219 6769
Email Address: dothostel.nagano@gmail.com
Website: www.dothostel-nagano.com
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/dothostel.nagano
Instagram: www.instagram.com/dot_hostel_nagano

Have you been to Nagano before? Where did you stay? Watch out for my post about my 3-day stay in the city. Believe it or not, I saw some snow monkeys! For the meantime, feel free to post your questions, comments & thoughts in the visitor section below. You can also send me an email to contact@thewkndtravel.com if you’re shy enough to comment. Make sure to follow me & please also help me in promoting my social media channels – Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. Ciao!

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11.

(Hostel) Guesthouse Of The Day: THE FRAME GUESTHOUSE PENANG – Beautifully Restored Heritage Property In The Heart Of Georgetown

Last month, I flew to & stopped at Penang for 36 hours before I continued by journey to Singapore. I arrived the Penang at night time, basically had 2 nights & 1 full day to explore the island. I will talk about my Penang visit in a separate blog post. This post’s focus will be the accommodation I had while in Penang. I stayed in a guesthouse, technically not a hostel, named The Frame Guesthouse. It will be today’s (~~hostel~~) guesthouse of the day feature.

The 3-storey heritage building used to be a frame maker’s shophouse restored & converted into a tourist accommodation facility. The building only had minimal restoration works. Up to now, you’ll notice the old floor, wall & roof finishes. This makes the guesthouse ambiance really unique & unforgettable. Allow me to share with you below some information about the property plus how my stay went.

Location & Access

The Frame Guesthouse’s location is perfect. It is found in a famous street in the center of Georgetown, in the middle of the backpackers’ district. It is located at 168 Chulia Street (Lebuh Chulia), Georgetown, Penang Island.

The Frame Guesthouse is located along Chulia St in the heart of Georgetown.

The property is very accessible to public transportation with a few bus stops located nearby. It is also walking distance to Love Lane (backpackers’ area), to KOMTAR Bus Terminal (main bus terminal in Georgtown), to the street arts (where Penang is known for) & to almost all museums & tourist attractions in town. The majority of places to visit in town are a few minutes walk from the property.

Penang International Airport is about 1 hour by bus from the property or about 25-30 minutes by Grab, Uber or private car.

Rooms & rates

The Frame Guesthouse Penang caters to all types of travellers. They have private rooms (with & without ensuite) & mixed / female dormitory rooms. All non-smoking rooms include free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, free breakfast & also include bed linens, duvet & bath towels. Dormitory beds also have individual reading lights, power outlet & a locker.

Dormitory rooms are priced at MYR 35 – MYR 58 per night, depending on configuration. Twin & double rooms without ensuite are at MYR 88 – MYR 92 per room per night while the double room with ensuite is priced at MYR 128 per night. These rates are based on the guesthouse’ website. Try to check out accommodation sites like Agoda & Booking.com for possible discounts & promotions.

Check out this artsy corner of my private room.

I initially booked a 2-night stay in a 4-bedroom mixed dormitory for MYR 88 (₱1,113) via Agoda. I changed my mind last minute & booked a private double room without ensuite 3 days before my stay. I paid around MYR 172 (₱2,175) for 2 nights – that’s MYR 86 (₱1,090) per night. I was satisfied with the space & privacy I had in my room. Wi-Fi was super fast; the room’s view was great & the air conditioning worked well. It was not the cheapest room in Georgetown & in Penang but as they say, you pay more for privacy & comfort.

Why Should You Stay In The Frame Guesthouse

Just like any other tourist accommodation, The Frame Guesthouse offers the following:

24 Hour Reception + Helpful Staff

The guesthouse’ reception is open 24 hours 7 days a week. There is always a person at the front desk anytime of the day. You don’t need to worry if you’re arrive late at night or early in the morning. There will always be someone to welcome you. Their staffs are very friendly & helpful. They even give recommendations on what to do, where to go & what to eat.

The property’s reception area – open for 24 hours 7 days a week.

Free Wi-Fi

The property has free Wi-Fi throughout the guesthouse premises. You won’t have any problem connecting. The connection is fast & reliable.

Free Breakfast

The guesthouse offers simple free breakfast to all its guests. The food includes bread with butter & jam, cereals with milk & fresh fruits. Available drinks include coffee, tea, milk & filtered drinking water. Coffee & tea are also free anytime of the day. Better than nothing!

Free Drinking Water + Unlimited Refill

The property has free drinking water & includes unlimited refill for all guests. In a hot & humid place like Penang, this amenity is such a big help. Also, guests don’t need to buy many bottles of mineral water.

Food Storage & Heating Facility

There is a common refrigerator where guests can store their food. Guests can also heat their food in the microwave oven in the common area. A water kettle is also available for those who need hot water.

Spacious common lounge area located at the back of the reception area.

Communal TV & Lounge Areas

The Frame Guesthouse has a spacious television & lounge area at the back of the reception area. The atmosphere may not be very social but you can still meet & talk to fellow guests while enjoying your favorite television show or movie.

Clean Communal Shower & Toilet Areas

All guests staying in double & twin rooms without ensuite & dormitory rooms have access to clean communal shower & toilet areas. Each floor has its designated amenity area. The facilities are clean & well-maintained. They have power hot showers. Body gel & shampoo are found in each shower cubicle.

This is the communal shower & toilet area located in the 2nd floor.

Free Luggage Storage

The guesthouse also provides free luggage storage for guests who are arriving before the check in time & leaving hours after check out.

Designated Smoking Area

All rooms & communal areas are non-smoking areas. The guesthouse has designated smoking area at the back for those who want to have their cigar puffs. This area is open 24 hours 7 days a week.

The smoking area is near the bicycle. It is located in an open area at the rear of the common areas.

Tour Desk Service

The property also offers daily tours & transfers. Feel free to approach the staff in reception area & they’ll discuss with you the details & rates.

This pretty much sums up all the information I can share about The Frame Guesthouse in Georgetown, Penang. The building was beautifully-restored. It’s heritage is still there. The room I got was spacious & really cold. The property’s free wi-fi was fast. The free breakfast was a plus. The people are really nice & helpful. It may not be the cheapest accommodation in the area, but it surely gives you the value you paid for. I didn’t mind spending more for more privacy & comfort. Overall, this guesthouse is great! I wish I booked my private room earlier for a better price.

If you have any questions about the property or you want to book directly with them, feel free to contact them in the details below.

The Frame Guesthouse
Address: 168 Chulia Street (Lebuh Chulia), Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia 10200
Phone Number: +60 4-263 8807
Email Address: theframe.guesthouse@gmail.com
Website: www.theframeguesthouse.com
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/theframeguesthouse
Instagram: www.instagram.com/theframeguesthouse

Don’t forget to check out The Frame Guesthouse when looking for a place to stay in Penang!

Have you been to Penang? Which hostel or guesthouses did you book? How was your trip? Are there other unique hostels I should check out soon? Feel free to post your thoughts & suggestions in the comments below. You can also send your suggestions via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com. You can also connect me via the following social media channels – Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. Like & share my Facebook page too!

Thank you for your time & see you in the next hostel feature! ✌️

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11.

Tuesday Tip: SINGAPORE Tipid Hits – 9 Ways to Explore On A Budget

It’s not a secret that Singapore is a very expensive country to visit. I visited the country two weeks ago & I can clearly say that most of the things in this country (food, accommodation, transportation) are expensive. However, no matter how expensive this place is, there are still ways on how you can explore this country on a shoestring budget.

Don’t miss Haji Lane! It’s free to go around & take photos of area.

It’s been a while since I posted a Tuesday Tip article; I’m very happy to revive this section of the blog. Today, I’ll share with you 9 ways on how you can explore Singapore the cheapest way possible. These tips are based on my previous visits to Singapore so some points may not be applicable to everyone.

Book Tickets Early

There are more than 15 daily flights from the Philippines to Singapore – 12 of them from Manila. The technique is to take advantage of various airline promotional fares & offers. Return tickets to Singapore used to cost a little over ₱2,000. With the recent inclusion of fuel surcharges to airfares, a cheap return ticket should cost you around ₱4,000. Airport fees in Singapore are very expensive (but you get what you pay for – Changi Airport is the world’s best airport) that’s why fares are these high.

Here’s where your high airport fees to go – to the world-class Changi Airport!

Book your tickets at least 6-9 months before your planned trip, I’m sure you’ll get a good fare deal. I’ve posted two blogs with tips on how to score cheap flights – check the articles here & here.

Stay In Hostels

Hotel accommodations in Singapore are expensive. If you want to have your own privacy, there are budget hotels & guesthouses but take note that spaces are very limited & amenities are very basic. If you don’t mind sharing a room with another person, book your stay in a hostel. Singapore has a lot of nice & high-rated hostels which offer better amenities than some hotels. Check out reviews online before booking your stay.

My dormitory bed two weeks ago in Five Stones Hostel

I previously wrote an article about the ups & downs of staying in hostels. Check the article to see if staying in this kind of accommodation is something for you or not. Also, I wrote a set of tips on how to get the best accommodation deals – make sure to also check that!

Book Attraction Tickets Online

Singapore is a country with a lot of attractions to visit. This equates to spending more money on attraction passes & entrance fees. The best way to save some cash is to book your attraction tickets online. There are online platforms such as Klook & KKDay which offer discounted tickets to almost all attractions in Singapore. Check out your attraction of choice & book them before flying to the country. Booking these tickets / passes in advance also help you skip the long queue at the venue.

Going outside the Philippines for the first time? Check out these 5 steps in order to easily pass through PH immigration!

Eat In Hawker Centres

This is how a hawker centre looks like – this one is in Little India

Food in Singapore isn’t really cheap. A normal meal with a drink in a restaurant or in a shopping mall food court can cost from SGD 7 up to SGD 20. Not practical at all. Singapore has what you call ‘hawker centres,’ these are open air food courts where you get affordable local food. These hawker centres can be found everywhere in Singapore. A hearty meal will only cost you around SGD 3. You still have some extra cash for dessert or for a drink. See the difference?

Get An EZ-Link Card

EZ-Link is Singapore’s reloadable transportation card. Instead of paying for each bus ride or topping up for every train ride, you can use this tap card to pay for your fare. You don’t need to queue in every train station, thus saves you a lot of time. Also, you only pay for the distance traveled & not the usual flat fare when you pay in cash.

How an EZ-Link card looks like. Thanks to Junelle for letting me use the photo.

EZ-Link Cards are sold at most train stations for SGD 12 with SGD 7 top up value (card value at SGD 5). Also, don’t buy the Singapore Tourist Pass if you won’t ride the train very often. You need at least five to six rides a day to break even the daily pass cost.

Walk, Walk & Walk

Singapore is a very tourist-friendly country. All the signs are in English, so you won’t get lost. The best way to explore the country is by foot. Remember that the country has a very hot climate so make sure to bring your bottled water & umbrella with you, plus wear comfortable footwear. Places to visit in this country are grouped into locations.

6 attractions in a photo – you can visit all these places in a day by walking around the area!

For example, you can walk from Boat Quay, to Raffles Place, then to the Merlion Park, to Helix Bridge, Singapore Arts & Science Museum, Marina Bay Sands & last to Gardens By The Bay all in one day. You can also easily spend an afternoon walking around Little India, then to Bugis, then to Haji Lane & Arab Street at night. The secret is to plan where to spend the day so you don’t need to transfer from one area to the other.

Take Advantage of Free Attractions / Places

Singapore may be an expensive country but hey, it also has a number of free attractions or places. These clean & well-maintained places don’t need an entrance fee for you to enjoy or take a photo. These places include Merlion Park, Gardens By The Bay (entrance fees required only for the Flower Dome, Cloud Forest & OCBC Skyway), Singapore Botanic Gardens, Helix Bridge, Shoppes At Marina Bay Sands, Mustafa Centre, Singapore National Library & a whole lot more. See? You don’t have to spend even a dollar to explore & enjoy these places.

Gardens By The Bay’s Supertree Grove is a beautiful free attraction in Singapore!

Bring Water Container

Water in Singapore establishments like cafes & restaurants are not free. It usually costs 50-cents per glass (₱18-ish like really? Yeah!) so the best way to save some cash is to bring your own water container. Singapore tap water is safe to drink so you can refill it anywhere. The country also has drinking water stations found in touristy areas.

Note that smaller water bottles (SGD2-ish) cost more than bigger bottles (SGD1). If I were you, always go for the big bottle.

Look For The Best Place To Shop

Singapore has a lot of shopping centers & malls – more than you can imagine. Almost each neighborhood has a shopping center or a leisure mall. The best places to buy souvenirs are Bugis Street Market, Little India’s Mustafa Center & Chinatown. Some shops allow you to haggle or to ask for a discount; but make sure to ask for a reasonable discount.

If you’re looking for normal day goodies like snacks, drinks & toiletries, buy them from bigger supermarkets located in the basement of every shopping mall. Don’t buy them elsewhere.

In case you missed it, I posted an article about my 24-hour quick stopover in Singapore about 2 weeks ago. That part of the trip inspired me to share my tipid tips in Singapore. This short list saved me a lot of Singapore dollars during my visit in Singapore.

Do you have other tips to add? Feel free to post them in the comment sections below. If you want to share some experiences, tips & suggestions but you want to remain anonymous, send them to me via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com. Connect with me via my social media channels – Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. Don’t forget to like & share my Facebook page!

Thanks for your time. Until next time! 🙂

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11 & HTC Re.

Hostel Of The Day: OAK HOSTEL ZEN – My Favorite Tokyo Hostel

UPDATE – My favorite, Oak Hostel Zen, has ceased operations due to the Covid-19 pandemic. I am keeping this Hostel of the Day feature to give tribute to this wonderful hostel.

It’s time for another hostel feature! It’s been 3 years since I first went to Japan with my high school buddies. Oh missing those good times! I’ve also been to Japan thrice after that trip & I can say that there’s this one Tokyo hostel which instantly became my favorite – Oak Hostel Zen. This favorite hostel of mine will be featured as today’s Hostel Of The Day. I’ve stayed in Oak Hostel Zen thrice – that’s 3 out of 3 trips / stopovers in Tokyo. The hostel is part of Oak Hotel Group, a local hostel / hotel group which caters to both local & foreign travelers. The group has 7 properties across Tokyo & Nara in Japan.

I’ve mentioned Oak Hostel Zen in my previous posts – 9 Days in Japan for less than ₱40,000, Fujikawaguchiko Blog, Fujikawaguchiko & Takayama for less than ₱35,000 & Hokkaido Winter Trip for less than ₱45,000. None of these posts provided a comprehensive review of this property. Fret not, I will give you a detailed feature of Oak Hostel Zen below plus give you my thoughts about staying in this hostel.

Location & Access

Oak Hostel Zen is located in 3-3-3, Negishi, Taito-ku, Tokyo, 110-0003. It is located in a peaceful residential area in Taito, Tokyo. The hostel is about 7 minutes walk from Uguisudani Station on JR Yamanote Line or about 10 minutes walk from Iriya Station on Hibiya Line.

Oak Hostel Zen’s neighborhood – a quiet residential area in the city

From Narita Airport, one must take the Keisei Line to Nippori Station (90 minutes – all stops for ¥1,000) or the Keisei Skyliner to Nippori Station (40 minutes – limited stops for ¥2,400) then transfer to JR Yamanote Line Nippori Station to Uguisudani Station (less than 2 minutes – 1 stop for ¥130). From Haneda Airport, guests should take Keisei Line to Shinagawa Station (¥400) then transfer to JR Yamanote Line / Keihin-Tohoku Line Shinagawa Station to Uguisudani Station (¥160). From Uguisudani Station, one should take the south exit, turn left, cross & go down the bridge. Cross the street, then turn right, then turn left on the 1st street & turn another left in the street of the small supermarket.

Over JR Uguisundani Station

There are nearby local restaurants & shops. The nearest supermarket is about 10 meters away from the hostel’s door & the nearest convenience store is about 5-10 minutes walk. The hostel’s location is perfect for everyone. It is far from the city noise & it is where everything you need is just a few minutes away.

Room Options & Pricing

Oak Hostel Zen caters to all types of travelers, from those who are in budget to those who want to have privacy. In my 3 stays in this hostel, I’ve always slept in their 8-bed mixed / male dormitory rooms. The dormitory room is very spacious with each bed having curtains, comfortable pillow & Japanese- style bedding, individual reading light & universal power outlet. Each guest also has an individual locker with a hanger. Dormitory beds cost from ¥2,300 per night, depending on season. Showers & toilet are communal & can be found on each floor.

The male & mixed dormitory rooms look like this!

The hostel also has single dormitory rooms for ¥2,800 per night, depending on season. According to the hostel website, Oak Hostel Zen also has private rooms for those who want to have their own personal space. Twin rooms, semi double rooms (with own shower) & double rooms are also available for ¥5,980 per night, depending on season. Each room has a small desk, a cable TV & a small refrigerator. Families of 4 can book a family room for ¥16,000 per night, depending on season. The en-suite room has 4 single beds & has the same features of the other private rooms.

How a dormitory bed looks like in a male / mixed dormitory room

All these rooms, including the dormitory rooms, are air-conditioned. Oak Hostel Zen’s rates are reasonable for an expensive city like Tokyo. You definitely get what you pay for. I suggest that you compare the room pricing from different booking platforms such as Agoda, Traveloka, Booking.com & Hostelworld to get the best possible rate. Also, book early because rooms, especially the private ones, get fully-booked really fast.

Perks of Staying In Oak Hostel Zen

Hostels in Japan have all the facilities & amenities a guest needs. Oak Hostel Zen is one of the few hostels that provide a long list of perks for their guests. Check out these perks below.

Free WiFi

The hostel offers free ultra fast WiFi to all its guests. The WiFi signal is available in all corners of the property, even in the showers & toilets.

Communal Shower & Toilet

Dormitory & selected private room guests have access to communal shower & toilet facilities. These showers come with hot & cold water plus free shampoo, conditioner & body soap. The hostel also has a women-only shower area & unit bath. Bath towels can be rented in the reception area for a minimal fee. Hair dryers, curling & hair irons are also free of charge. Check with reception where you can find them.

Only in Japan – high technology toilets

Communal Kitchen & Dining Area

The communal kitchen & dining area is behind this communal wash area

Hostel guests have access to a fully-equipped kitchen & dining area. This area is complete with cooking utensils, refrigerator & a microwave oven. Plates, cutlery, glasses & cups can also be used. They also have complimentary coffee & tea. Unfortunately, the hostel doesn’t serve breakfast.

Spacious Lounge Area

Guests have access to a spacious lounge area near reception. This lounge area has comfortable seats & even has a personal computer to use. Guests can also watch movie with the free DVDs & can play games with the gaming consoles for free. The hostel also has a wall full of flyers & tour booklets where you can get information about Tokyo & all other places in Japan.

Free Luggage Storage

The hostel offers free luggage storage up to 1 week before check-in (make sure to inform them beforehand & include your booking details & check-in day) & during the day of the checkout. If you want to store luggage after your checkout day, they charge a minimal fee per day.

Coin Lockers

Dormitories have individual lockers, but private rooms don’t have safety boxes. For those who want to store important items in a secured place, you can use the coin lockers near the reception area.

Coin lockers found in the 1st floor hallway

Long Reception Hours

Hostel reception is open from 6:00 am to 1:00 am every single day. Check-in time is 3:00 pm & checkout is 10:00 am.

Friendly Hostel Staff

Oak Hostel Zen’s people are one of the nicest & the most helpful ones I’ve encountered in Japan. They give really good recommendations & try to help as much as they can. The staff speak very good English too. They always greet you every time you pass by the reception area.

Oak Hostel Zen reception & main lobby

Dedicated Smoking Area

Smoking is not allowed inside the rooms & in the common areas. The hostel has a designated smoking area for those who want to smoke during their stay. If I can remember it right, the smoking area is located on the 1st floor.

Bicycle Rental

The hostel offers bicycle rental for ¥500 per day + ¥3,000 deposit. Feel free to ask reception for details.

Coin-Operated Laundry

Oak Hostel Zen also has coin-operated laundry & dryer on the 3rd floor. I haven’t used this facility, but don’t be shy to ask reception how to.

Seasonal Hostel Events

The hostel also hosts seasonal events like Halloween parties, holiday celebrations & random guest meet-up events. Make sure to like & follow them on Facebook to know more about the next event.

Guest Photo Wall

Our 1st photo is still there!! 😍

One unique feature of Oak Hostel Zen is their guest photo wall. They take photos of their guests after checkout & post these photos on the walls around the reception area. I already have 2 photos (missed a photo during my 2017 trip) in their photo wall! I can’t wait to see the photos again when I go back there soon.

Another photo to be added to their photo wall – taken last February 😍

Oak Hostel Zen is one of those hostels which you won’t get tired of going back to. I’ve stayed there thrice in the last 3 years & I still look forward to staying there again. The rooms are very spacious, the beds are very comfortable & the facilities are superb. The hostel’s location is perfectly quiet. The supermarket a few meters away from the hostel is a big bonus. This hostel is well-recommended, definitely my favorite in Tokyo & in Japan.

If you have any questions about Oak Hostel Zen, feel free to contact them in the details below:

Oak Hostel Zen
Address: 3-3-3, Negishi, Taito-ku, Tokyo, 110-0003, Japan
Phone Number:+81 3 5808 7418
Fax Number: +81 3 5808 7419
Email Address: hostel-info@oakhostel.com / oakhostelzen@gmail.com
Website: oakhostel.com/zen
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/Oak-Hostel-Zen-オークホステル禅-854047354610911

Cherry blossoms found in Ueno Park (15 mins walk from Oak Hostel Zen)

I have plans of flying back to Japan in February next year. Is there a cool or a hippie hostel in Tokyo which is worth-checking out? I’m leaning towards staying at Oak Hostel Zen again but I am also open to suggestions. Feel free post your suggestions in the comment section below. Do you have travel or hostel-related questions? Connect with me! Send your questions via email to contact@thewkndtravel.com. You can also connect me via the following social media channels – Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. Like & share my Facebook page too!

Thanks for reading this post & until the next hostel of the day! ✌️

PS. Photos were taken using my HTC U11& HTC RE.