When planning your trip to Japan, you probably want to put Tokyo and Osaka at the top of your list. But after you touch down in the country and start talking to the other travelers, you’ll quickly realize that many backpackers’ favorite city in Japan is Kanazawa. Spared from much of the carnage of World War II, Kanazawa is one of the few places in Japan that has original neighborhoods filled to the brim with traditional wooden houses. With a geisha district, historic samurai homes, and even a ninja temple, travelers visiting Kanazawa will be able to step back in time.
We know you’re ready to start packing your bags, but pump the brakes for a few minutes. One speed bump you may hit when planning your trip to Kanazawa is finding that perfect backpacker’s hostel to call home. With boutique stays and traditional Japanese hotels, one could easily spend hours tabbing through all the different hostels in Kanazawa.
No need to tear your hair out when it comes to choosing a hostel; we’re bringing all the best hostels in Kanazawa straight to you! In just a few minutes, you’ll be able to find the perfect stay that fits how you like to travel!
Get ready to say “Konichiwa” to Japan – your Kanazawa adventure is just a few clicks away!
Quick Answer: The Best Hostels in Kanazawa
- Best Overall Hostel in Kanazawa – The Share Hotels HATCHi
- Best Hostel for Solo Travelers in Kanazawa – K’s House Kanazawa
- Best Hostel for Couples in Kanazawa – Guest House Pongyi
- Best Cheap Hostel in Kanazawa – Eight Point Inn Kanazawa
- Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Kanazawa – Kanazawa Guest House East Mountain
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The Best Hostels in Kanazawa
We know you can’t wait to step back in time with the centuries-old castles and neighborhoods of Kanazawa. But first, let’s find out where you’ll be calling home. With each stay a little different from the next, keep your eyes peeled for the one hostel that best fits how you like to travel! Accommodation can make or break your Japan backpacking trip, so choose wisely.
The Share Hotels HATCHi – Best Overall Hostel in Kanazawa
Prepare to have every hostel you stay at after visiting Kanazawa ruined for you. The Share Hotels HATCHi will raise the bar so high, no other stay can quite compare. The Share Hotels HATCHi is a boutique-style stay hooking up weary travelers with some of the cheapest beds in town. But it isn’t just the price that will have you falling in love with this youth hostel; the hotel is home to a trendy coffee shop, serving some of the best brews in Japan. Not only that, but guests will also find an onsite cafe and bar, meaning no matter what time of day it is, you can always grab a bite to eat and drink at The Share Hotels HATCHi!
K’s House Kanazawa – Best Hostel for Solo Travelers in Kanazawa
Traveling alone can be rewarding, but after a while, even the most seasoned solo travelers will want to find a laid back youth hostel to call home for a few days to meet up with fellow backpackers. While in Kanazawa, K’s House should be your go-to hostel for kicking back and socializing. With cheap beds and an inviting lounge, you’ll find yourself swapping travel stories in no time! Putting guests just a few minutes away from the Kenrokuen Gardens and the 21st Century Modern Art Museum, you couldn’t ask for a better location. If you really want to the thorough, rent a bike from the hostel so you can see every corner of historic and beautiful Kanazawa!
Guest House Pongyi – Best Hostel for Couples in Kanazawa
We know you and your other half need to save money while traveling through Japan, but after a while, every couple needs some alone time. While in Kanazawa, backpacking couples can cozy up in their very own private room while saving money and experiencing traditional Japanese culture!
Guest House Pongyi offers traditional-style rooms where you can don a fashionable yukata while lounging on your bamboo mat! When you aren’t hanging out at the guest house, head to some of the best sights in Kanazawa nearby, such as the castle park and the Kenroku-En Garden. The hotel itself is situated along the canal, putting you right in the heart of Kanazawa’s historic district.
Eight Point Inn Kanazawa – Best Cheap Hostel in Kanazawa
Nearly everyone wants to travel to Japan. The only wrench in your plans may be the astronomical cost of travel around the county. Lucky for you, while you’re visiting Kanazawa, there is one backpacker’s hostel that won’t have you running straight to the bank! Eight Point Inn has some of the cheapest beds in the country, making it the perfect spot to save money and immerse yourself in the culture of Kanazawa.
With a location just minutes away from the castle and many of the museums, you’ll be staying in the heart of the city. What will really have you jumping out of bed every morning is the delicious breakfast served at the cafe, starting every day on the right foot! With a shared kitchen and boutique vibes, you can’t help but fall in love with Eight Point Inn!
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View on Osprey View on REIKanazawa Guest House East Mountain – Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Kanazawa
If you’re living out of your backpack while traveling through Japan, you’ll eventually need to find a hostel to call home for a few days to catch up on some writing and editing. There’s no better place in Kanazawa to cozy into and get to work than Guest House East Mountain! This traditional-style guest house will have you hanging out in a typical Japanese home with all the laid back vibes of a youth hostel!
Get ready to pour yourself another cup of tea while you recline in the lounge, swapping stories with other travelers! Putting you minutes away from the Kanazawa Castle and the Omicho Market, Guest House East Mountain has its guests staying in the heart of Kanazawa!
Kanazawa Tabi-Ne – Best Party Hostel in Kanazawa
You won’t exactly be swinging from the rafters at this traditional-style homestay, but the owners will be sure to show you the time of your life by having the sake flowing every night! Party like you’re Japanese at Kanazawa Tabi-ne! With several bars and restaurants nearby, guests have the option of going out for a beer or cracking open some cold ones while lounging on the bamboo mat at the homestay!
With its very own garden and a lounge, there’s ample room to spread out here. Topped off with a location minutes away from the best museums and the Kanazawa Castle Park, and Tabi-ne is clearly one of the best places in town!
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Hide Yo’ Money!More of the Best Hostels in Kanazawa
Kanazawa offers some of the best hostels in Japan, but in case you haven’t found the right one for you yet, don’t worry, we’ve got more coming your way!
Blue Hour Kanazawa
Although Blue Hour Kanazawa may be tailing at the end of the pack of the top hostels in Kanazawa, this youth hostel still packs a punch with its cheap prices and design – perfect for kicking back and socializing! Located just a few steps away from the train station, travelers will have no problem getting from the platform to the hostel.
After a great night’s sleep, you’ll find all the best sights of Kanazawa within minutes of Blue Hour Kanazawa! With an onsite cafe, guests have the option of going out for a bite or grabbing a meal at the hostel. With low prices and laid back vibes, Blue Hour is the kind of hostel where you can easily see yourself extending your stay night after night!
What to Pack for your Kanazawa Hostel
Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from me, packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straightforward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art I have perfected over many years.
Ear Plugs
Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.
Hanging Laundry Bag
Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.
Sea To Summit Micro Towel
Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.
Monopoly Deal
Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.
Grayl Geopress Water Bottle
Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator. Boom!
Check out my definitive Hostel Packing list for even more top hostel packing tips!
Why You Should Travel to Kanazawa
With everything from ancient castles to modern art museums, Kanazawa is a city where no two days will be quite the same. One day you could find yourself exploring the bustling street markets and the next strolling down tranquil alleyways. Kanazawa is a city that embodies the best of what Japan has to offer!
Are you still torn between two or three great hostels in Kanazawa? We can totally relate! Let us point you in the right direction by giving you our recommendation. For the best backpacker’s experience, be sure to check yourself into The Share Hotels HATCHi, our pick for the best hostel in Kanazawa!
FAQ about Hostels in Kanazawa
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Kanazawa.
How much do hostels cost in Kanazawa?
Hostel prices can range between 20 USD (13 GBP) to 120 USD (90 GBP) per night. Prices also vary depending on the season, and tend to surge on weekends.
What are the best hostels in Kanazawa for couples?
If you travel to Japan, what better experience that to enjoy it traditionally? I highly recommend Guest House Pongyi, it’s a classic Japanese-style house that was built 150years ago. The hosts even offers a lot of traditional activities just to fully maximize the experience!
What are the best hostels in Kanazawa near the airport?
The nearest airport in the city is Komatsu (KMQ) Airport which is a little outside Kanazawa. Most hostels pretty much has the same distance away from the the airport, however if I were to pick one, I highly recommend K’s House Kanazawa.
Travel Safety Tips for Kanazawa
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
Over to you
Wander through the gardens, climb up the city walls, gaze at the modern art exhibits, and catch a glimpse of a geisha dashing down a back alley. Only in Kanazawa will you find so much history, culture, and life in one city. At the famous Kenroku-Ken gardens, you can witness a slower pace of Japanese life. At the nearby castle, travelers can easily imagine samurai fending off attacks from the city walls. With bustling markets, stunning art museums, and restaurants that will have you drooling come dinner time, Kanazawa will have you setting off on an adventure unlike any other!
One thing you might overlook when planning your trip to Kanazawa is where you’ll base yourself from. Will you be hanging out with fellow backpackers drinking till the break of dawn or embracing Japanese culture in a more traditional budget hotel? The stay you book yourself will set the tone for your holiday in Kanazawa.
Have you ever traveled to Kanazawa? We’d love to hear about your trip! Let us know in the comments below if there are any great backpacker’s hostels we may have missed!
- Check out our extensive guide to backpacking in Japan for a wealth of info!
- Not sure what to do once you arrive? We’ve got all the beautiful places in Japan covered.
- Skip the dorm and find a super cool Airbnb in Japan if you’re feeling fancy!
- Check out the best places to stay in Kanazawa before you arrive.
- Remember to grab yourself an international sim card for Japan to avoid any issues.
- Prepare for your trip with our backpacking packing list.
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