Engakudo
Engakudo descritpion
A 7-minute walk to Himeji Castle and a 10-minute walk from JR Himeji Train Station, Engakudo features simple Japanese-style accommodations with a small garden, shared bathrooms and free Wi-Fi at the lobby.
Guests can sleep in a shared dormitory-style room or stay in a private room. Everyone sleeps in Japanese futon beds on a tatami (woven-straw) floor. Toilets are shared, and a fan is provided in warm weather.
The property is an 8-minute walk from Himeji Central Park.
No meals are served.
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Facilities of Engakudo
Outdoors ：Grounds
Pets ：Pets are not allowed.
Internet ：Free!WiFi is available in public areas and is free of charge.
Parking ：Private parking is available on site (reservation is needed) and costs JPY 500 per day.
Services ：Fax/Photocopying
Reviews for Engakudo
Review 1：There is no lock in anything. You can actually walk through the front door to the very back. However, the neighborhood is decent enough that there was no worry about stealing.
Review 2：The place was the real experience for my Kansai trip. I would recommend those who seek adventurous and real local Japanese indies hostel.
Review 3：The place is over 100 years old house and it was an amazing experience staying at such a traditional Japanese house for this price. The owner and the staff were very friendly and nice, completely felt like family and hence I stayed here for 2 nights just to enjoy their company and a live music night which was there on the 2nd night of my stay.
Review 4：Some places in the house deserve a better and more regular cleaning and organization.
Review 5：Suprinsigly confortable. Really good work renovating this old house into an hostel! The owner is an amazing person and has good tips on city spots.
Review 6：The place gave a feeling of not having enough attention given to it and the bed didn't use sheets, I never like that, can never be sure they actually wash the futon and cover covers.
Review 7：The location is great, close to Himeji castle. Also, the owner is a nice guy and attent.
Review 8：The place seemed a little insecure with everyone going in and out of the place and not always locking the door when they came in.
Review 9：The location was fairly convenient and all of the people I met there were welcoming.
Review 10：Only one shower for all guests, sometimes you need to wait.
Review 11：Great staff and atmosphere in little old Japanese style house. Huge manga collection! Close to Himeji Castle. Safe district, quiet at night. Would definitely stay again if I visit Himeji again!
Review 12：My room had no air con, and was actually hotter than outside! Also, no sheets were provided.
Review 13：Excellent location. 20 minute walk from the train station, 10 minutes from the Castle!
Review 14：My score looks horrible but it really isn't that bad. However, the website said it was 20 minutes walk from Himeji station when it really is more than half an hour; it is also about 15 minutes walk to Himeji castle. The beds were not that comfortable or clean. There were no sheets on the bed - and one of them had brown and yellow stains. Also, two of the rooms you had to cross the street to get to the bathroom and it was a little awkward as people can see you walk all the way from entrance to the bathroom (some people where having a drinking party and I had to walk by...) However, considering the price, you really do get what you paid for. The staff were friendly and helpful - but I would honestly recommend spending that little bit more to get a much better experience.
Review 15：Futons weren't comfortable. Woken up early by someone downstairs banging on tiny drums. Precariously steep staircase!
Review 16：Very quiet, beautiful neighborhood. Friendly staff who waved goodbye to me until I was around the corner. Gorgeous interior.
Review 17：Wifi doesn't work very well in the second building.
Review 18：The hostel almost feels like a home stay. The staff if very nice, they make you feel welcomed. They sometimes organize dinner as well as live music, which was very nice. The place is comfortable and clean, and very close by to the castle in the west side.
Review 19：The facilities are functional, but look chaotic and run-down. You need to go outside for showers, which is quaint, except when raining.
Review 20：The location is very close to the castle (by far the main attraction) and walking distance from the station. The ambiance was relaxed and the old house was really nice to experience. Also has a large manga library.
Review 21：The staff are so friendly, we sat and chatted till the early hours, sharing food and drink. It felt like I was at a friends house rather than at a guesthouse. I arrived late and they lent me a bicycle so I could go and get some food. We all sat together in the communal area (that felt like a living room) chatting. The house is bijoux and the stairs are very narrow and steep if you are staying upstairs but it had some much character and a great mix of traditional Japanese and hippy-esq style. I loved it and would recommend this place to fellow travellers/friends who go to Himeji. It's located in the small and quiet backstreets behind the castle which is a lovely tonic to the busy and commercial streets of most large Japanese cities.
Review 22：The shower is outside which can be a little bit inconvenient when it is cold outside.
Review 23：Great atmosphere, occasional live music, very traditional Japanese building, heating in the rooms, free bicycle and umrella rental.
Review 24：Convenient location, great price, bed was comfortable with a little privacy from a curtain. The host even took me and a couple of other guests out to a local restaurant to get dinner!
Review 25：Bad weather and my apathy at seeing the newly opened castle did not ruin my short time in Himeji. I had such a great time in Engakudo, being invited thrice (in only 2 days) for meals in great vego friendly restaurants. Staff were very friendly and we all shared some good laughs. I loved the funky stylings of the place too..unusually bohemian for Japan
Review 26：Little cold in winter, but you can keep warm under the kotatsu!
Review 27：Incredibly chilled owner. We had a nabe party the night I stayed which was awesome in winter. Owner speaks a little English which is extremely helpful and showed me lots of places to visit.
Review 28：Nothing
Review 29：The traditionnal house is very lovely. You feel at home ! The owner is extremely kind and helpful. Location is perfect, just behind the castle.
Review 30：It's deceivingly far from the train station. I walked it and it took a solid 45 minutes. The sign outside isn't very clear either so I had to back track about 5 minutes in order to find the entrance.
Review 31：The staff really do a lot for you. I actually didn't end up staying on the property because it was really full when I went to check in but the staff went out of their way to find another guest house for me to stay at and I paid the same price I would have at Engakudo for what ended up being a better guest house.
Review 32：Both evenings I was there everyone gathered in the common room and hung out for the evening. It was a very friendly place and seems to attract very friendly people. I had a great time!
Review 33：Shower was not practical in rainy weather, and it was also a little bit dirty. No sheets, I dont know how do they clean the beds.
Review 34：The room, staff and fellow travellers were nice. Also relatively close to the castle, in a silent area.
Review 35：It is an old house and the staff was so nice that I stayed 2 more days.
Review 36：Just really cool,soo chill. Owner is a great dude.
Review 37：Shower is in a separated house
Review 38：Very helpful and nice people
Review 39：There are no comments available for this review
Review 40：I had a very unique experience here. Went to a nice ramen place with the owner and his little son and met a lot of fun people!
Review 41：Very friendly and welcoming staff. In the evening the owner took us out to an amazing Raman place.
Review 42：The staff were great - really friendly and helpful. Quirky place (super steep stairs) but really great atmosphere!
Review 43：Beds were a bit uncomfortable, wifi was a bit slow
Review 44：The staff is awesome!
Review 45：Convenient location, friendly and helpfull staff!
Review 46：- Very nice lady, doesn't speak much of english but that didn't bother us - Japanese style
Review 47：The showers were virtually outside. Not a problem in summer, might be a bit chilly in winter though!
Review 48：Location Friendly staff Good wifi
Review 49：Not so confortable Infrastructure of the Hotel; Facilities not so good
Review 50：Staff
Review 51：Very steep stairs up to dormitory.
Review 52：Meeting friendly Japanese people and the live music in the evening.
Review 53：Chilled out vibe
Review 54：Nice Experience
Review 55：just one shower
Review 56：Atmosphere Location Very friendly staff Helpful Clean
Review 57：Very sympathetic and generous staff. You could almost feel like you are at home.
Review 58：They just have madrasses to sleep on, on the floor. The walls is not very isolating. Ok to stay here in the spring as we did, but I woudn't stay here in the winter time when it is cold. The shower was not a propper shower but I guess it works, we didnt try it, stayed just one night. This have nothing to do with the hostel but is good to know if you are planning to go to Himeji. The "only" thing to see in the city is the Himeji castle. Not very much else. So it's good to know that the castle is under construction until march in 2015. (Not totally sure if it was march or april, check it out). Anyway we wasn't allowed inside the castle.
Review 59：The hostel is close to the castle. The staff is helpfull and nice. Ok bathroom. The hostel was kinda cool, simple but with a hint of hippie. :D Btw. We think one day in Himeji was more than enough. Not that much to see.
Review 60：As it's a old house, in was really cold in winter time.
Review 61：Staff and owner very friendly and helpfull. Traditional house, very charming! Very close to the himeji Castle, in a quite and nice neighbourhood!
Review 62：As a traditional house it is just the walls with no insulation, it was freezing at the time of year I visited (decemeber) the family were really good at keeping me warm but if you are not so good in the cold I would reccomend a different time of year to visit, i bet it is beautiful in the summer.
Review 63：It was a traditional Japanese house, with a young family who were very kind and helpful. They let the guests have use of the kitchen and provided free hot drinks, they provided loads of duvets and even a hot water bottle. Brilliant location although the taxi driver had difficulty finding it.
Review 64：Definitely more than 10 minutes from the station. More like a 20-25 minute walk. I had a reservation, and my money was taken before I was told all the rooms were full and I could stay in the room across the street. Which was nice and comfortable, but still. Poor form.
Review 65：Comfortable rooms, coffee and tea available, kitchen facilities.
Review 66：The room was shared with two other people and consisted on a matress on tatami flooring. I had no issue with this at all however the space allocated for my mattress was too small for my mattress to fit or for me to lay down (I'm only 5'9") so i had to turn my mattress at an angle where half of it was on floorboards. Additional to this the room was located directly next to the kitchen and the common room and the staff/people that lived in the house stayed up past 1am (on a Wednesday night) talking and making food. With all of the lights on and with paper thin walls that let in every bit of noise and light it made it impossible to sleep. I ended up asking them to be quiet and go to another room which thankfully they did but only half an hour later and after noisily washing their dishes and leaving the lights on when they left the room.
Review 67：The guest house is very near to Himeji Castle and walking distance from Himeji JR Station. The owner was very nice and helpful in providing tips for places to see and which busses to catch.
Review 68：Sheets weren't changed from previous people Bathroom could becleaner
Review 69：Friendly and helpful owner Very intimate and lovely traditional house,feels like home Free tea and coffee Close to the castle in a quietlittle street Cheapest accommodation we found in japan
Review 70：Tight spaces, one bath for all.
Review 71：Great camaraderie, great people.
Review 72：not clean.
Review 73：good hostel in traditional japan style. Friendly staff. We was in older part of hostel and now guys are building another newer part.
Review 74：A little far away from the station, about 24mins walk. Old equipment.
Review 75：Near Himejijyo and quiet place, nice staffs and lovely rooms. Good price.
Review 76：Maybe cold in winter
Review 77：Super nice owners! Had barbecue with them
Review 78：Very nice and friendly staff, close to the castle
Review 79：I was a bit unsure about this style of accomadation when booking but loved it. Super friendly and hospitable staff and awesome location
The Fine Print
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