A Must-Stay for Train Fans: Tokyo’s New “Sleeper Train Youth Hostel” for Just ¥700 a Night
▲ Check-in counter at the Hokutosei Train Youth Hostel.
Reported and photographed by reporter Tsai Wen-Jun / Japan
Japan’s renowned sleeper train “Hokutosei” was retired in 2015, much to the dismay of many train enthusiasts. To allow travelers to revisit the experience of staying on a sleeper train, a Japanese company reused various classes of berths and some equipment from the train to buildthe “Hokutosei Train Youth Hostel”in Tokyo. With a railway-themed accommodation environment and an affordable price of 2,500 yen (about NT$700) per night, the hostel attracted many train fans right after its opening in late 2016.
▲ Women-only floor room.
The Hokutosei Train Youth Hostel is located near Musashi-Kosugi Station on the JR Sobu Rapid Line, just a 10-minute walk from the station. The entire hostel has seven floors and can accommodate up to 78 guests.
Manager Nomura Yuriko said that the building belongs to JR East and that JR East had agreed to convert the building into a youth hostel before the Hokutosei was discontinued, but they hadn’t decided on the style of operation. Coincidentally, the Hokutosei was officially retired, so they decided to use the beds and other equipment from the sleeper train to create a railway-style hostel. Given that the Hokutosei had a large fan base both in Japan and overseas, they hoped to offer a unique lodging experience in Tokyo.
▲ Floor plan.
▲ Password required to enter rooms.
The sleeping floors of the Hokutosei Train Hostel are mainly on the 2nd to 5th floors, with the 5th floor designated as a women-only floor. Other floors have mixed-gender rooms, and access is controlled by password locks to ensure guest safety.
▲ Only two Deluxe A Private Rooms in the entire hostel.
Entering a room on the women-only floor, you’ll first see a semi-open independent space. Nomura Yuriko explained that this is the more luxurious “A Private Room.” There are only two such rooms in the entire hostel—one on the women’s floor and one in the mixed-gender section. Not only are they larger with more power outlets, but they also come with dedicated desks and chairs, plus a window offering views of the Tokyo streets. Although separated only by curtains, they offer more privacy than the berths, hence the higher price, starting at 4,500 yen per night, with prices varying by season.
▲ The same color-coded bunks found throughout the train are used in the youth hostel.
Train enthusiasts might get excited walking down the long hallway—apart from seeing the differently colored berths, even the ladders are taken directly from the sleeper train and installed in the hostel. Additionally, by closing the curtains and turning on the small hallway lights, you can feel like you’re on a sleeper train at night.
Nomura Yuriko explained that on the original sleeper train, different colors represented different classes and pricing, but in the youth hostel, the price is unified. However, she added with a smile, “If you’re a fan, you’ll specify which color you want to sleep in when booking.”
▲ Bedding such as sheets and pillowcases that guests need to set up themselves.
In response to past feedback about the original mattresses being too hard, the operator has added extra mattresses to each bunk for added comfort. Guests should note that after using the pillowcases and sheets provided, they must return them to the recycling area next to the front desk on the first floor.
▲ The same staff who served in the former dining car now work here.
▲ The sliding doors from the former dining car now serve as toilet doors.
The former dining car on the sleeper train has been recreated on the second floor of the hostel. Retro tables and chairs serve as the dining area in the public kitchen, the sliding doors from the dining car are now used as toilet doors, and even mirrors and cash registers from the train have been repurposed, allowing train fans to relive the nostalgic experience of staying on the Hokutosei sleeper train in every corner of the hostel.
▲ Entrance to the Hokutosei Train Youth Hostel.
Hokutosei Train Hostel (トレイン ホステル北斗星)
Address: 10-12, Musashi-Kosugi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Access: Get off at Toei Asakusa Line’s Toei Ningyocho Station, walk to Toei Shinjuku Line’s Musashi-Kosugi Station Exit 1, and walk about 3 minutes
Official Website:http://trainhostelhokutosei.com/
Share
This article is published by HowToTrip. Sharing and reposting are welcome — please credit the source.
Article URL: https://www.howtotrip.net/views-4120
Related Articles
- Shaoxing's "Grandpa Gourd" hangs the gourds back up: "If there are too many people, we'll interact less — just take a quick look from afar"
- Chinese authorities announce "reciprocal adjustment" to Japan visa fees — single-entry visa jumps from 2,250 to 16,750 yen!
- The "health stones" carried by a traveler were found to have radiation levels exceeding safety limits by a thousand times, potentially endangering fellow passengers on the same flight. Customs issues warning!
- Shenzhen Airport Issues Late-Night Notice: Unidentified Aerial Object Detected, Causing Widespread Flight Delays!
- “They only said it cost money after I opened the box and washed it!” 200g of grapes sold for 60 yuan on a high-speed train—12306 responds!
- Can't buy an airline ticket? Denied exit? Blocked from boarding? A large number of Chinese tourists have mysteriously become "discredited individuals"
- Adverse weather and economic fluctuations impact Colombia's coffee market
- Beach bathing area responds to 2 yuan/30 seconds fee for freshwater foot rinsing: Clearly priced!
- Taking off with an improperly closed cabin door? Wing malfunction? Multiple flights made emergency returns mid-journey!
- Experience the gifts of nature！ A countdown of the world’s ten most stunning coastlines