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! ✌️
Is is worth it to save on lodging by taking a hostel, than by having an AirBnB or a low cost hotel on a little higher rate that the hostel?
Hi EJ, thank you for visiting my site. Staying in these types of lodging has their own advantages & disadvantages. I personally prefer staying in hostels rather than AirBnB’s & hotels because it’s cheaper; but then again you share the room & facilities with everyone (which I don’t mind). If you prefer having the whole place or room to yourself, I suggest that you get a hotel room or an AirBnB. Book early so that you’ll get the rates cheaper. If you are undecided, I wrote an article before about the ups & downs of staying in a hostel. Check this out —> http://www.thewkndtravel.com/2017/05/26/the-ups-downs-of-staying-in-hostels/. Hope this helps.