Reviews of Couch Potato Hostel
390-0874 Nagano, Matsumoto, Ote 4-9-3, Japan
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Reviewed: 1 September 2025 · Stayed in September 2025
Verified reviewVery clean, the host was really helpful and gave good recommendations to check out in the city.
Reviewed: 1 September 2025 · Stayed in September 2025
Verified reviewGreat hostel with a great vibe. One of our favorite stays so far on our trip. Staff are very welcoming and helpful. Lots of in-house made local guides with cute potato characters :) We were sad to leave this location as we enjoyed it so much!
Nothing. Perfect in every way.
Reviewed: 30 August 2025 · Stayed in August 2025
Verified reviewFriendly and helpful staff. Great location.
Reviewed: 27 August 2025 · Stayed in August 2025
Verified reviewLocation: 10 minutes walk from the bus and train station, close to lots of cute bars and coffee places. 7eleven 5 min walk and close to a nice temple. The hostel itself is beautiful and it makes you feel like you are at home. The building (ex high class restaurant) is very well kept, everything is clean and everything works. Washing machine and dryer available 👍 Super nice common area and fully furnished kitchen (even with different spices available). Free coffee and tea. But the best part were the owner and the staff! They made us feel very welcome and they helped us with anything we needed. The also made a book and cards with tips on where to eat and what to do in the surroundings (with a really nice design). Thank you again! 100% recommended!
Nothing.
Reviewed: 22 August 2025 · Stayed in August 2025
Verified reviewReally good vibes. Has that European style hostel feel with a Japanese look. Friendly and helpful staff.
Reviewed: 21 August 2025 · Stayed in August 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 19 August 2025 · Stayed in July 2025
Verified reviewHome feels
None
Reviewed: 19 August 2025 · Stayed in August 2025
Verified reviewPerfect stay! Warm atmosphere and wonderful position
Reviewed: 19 August 2025 · Stayed in August 2025
Verified reviewGreat vibe. Feels like family. Quiet time at night
Reviewed: 12 August 2025 · Stayed in July 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 10 August 2025 · Stayed in July 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 7 August 2025 · Stayed in August 2025
Verified reviewThe place has a fun, community vibe. The owner obviously put a lot of time and effort into retaining the original architecture that reflects the Matsumoto Castle nearby. But he also updated the facilities to meet the needs of a variety of ages of modern travelers. Everything was really awesome - especially for a hostel. I was nervous about being on the top bunk, but it has the most easy, stable ladder to climb up, I need not have been concerned. I was in a lot of long sessions for work and the owner even offered to have his staff do my laundry for free, although I ended up having time to do it myself. Walking distance to the downtown landmarks and plenty of restaurants. Right along several bus lines. The owner took a lot of time creating maps of all the surrounding regional attractions and transportation schedules to get there. It's a well-organized business. Altogether a wonderful, hidden gem and I truly hope to return.
Only situation that came up was a neighboring bunkmate who got ticked off with another one who was snoring. She was knocking on the wall and swearing in French until 2 am. Not sure why she just didn't use the supplied earplugs. She only succeeded in waking everyone else but the person snoring. Not the host's fault. I've been in some mid-range and crappy hostels. As I said, this was, by far, the best hostel I've experienced globally.
Reviewed: 5 August 2025 · Stayed in July 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 29 July 2025 · Stayed in July 2025
Verified reviewAtmosphere. Close to matsumoto castle
Could use more sinks. Many steps up and down that could be better marked in yellow or white
Hi Malcolm, I'm Take :) Thank you for staying with us and your kind feedback! Our hostel was originally an old traditional Japanese restaurant (料亭 ryoutei). Because of this, there are some steps inside the building. In traditional Japanese architecture, guest rooms are usually built a little higher than the hallway. We have left these steps on purpose so that guests can feel the Japanese tradition. About the step markers, we have already put tape on the places where the steps are hard to see, using the same color and material, so please be assured :) Regarding the sinks, there is a larger sink on the second floor as well as one on the first floor. We try to explain this when we guide guests to their rooms, but we apologize if it was not clear because we might have said a lot at that time. Also, there are signs near the sink on the first floor showing where the second-floor sink is, but we are sorry if it was still hard to find. We are happy to hear that you like the atmosphere! Have a great trip to Japan :)*
Hi Malcolm, I'm Take :) Thank you for staying with us and your kind feedback! Our hostel was originally an old traditional Japanese restaurant (料亭 ryoutei). Because of this, there are some steps inside the building. In traditional Japa… Show more
Reviewed: 27 July 2025 · Stayed in July 2025
Verified reviewMatsumoto is a very pleasant city and Couch Potato Hostel is an excellent base for its discovery. The energy of the place is wonderful. Because of all the effort of owner. It is located short walk from station (cca 13min) and few minutes to castle. Everything is around the block. Our private room was really nice. And beds (futons) were really comfortable amd thick. Shared bathrooms were clean. I really liked the booklet, prepared by owner and placed in shared kitchen, in which he presents his choices for restaurants, bars, icecream. You can use washing machine. You can use refrigerator. You can bring in baggage before check in. There are also 4 bikes on disposal to use!
Nothing. All was good.
Reviewed: 21 July 2025 · Stayed in June 2025
Verified reviewOne of the best hostels I’ve ever stayed. The coolest staff make you feel like family. Everything is always very clean. Traditional tatami mat beds are very comfortable. 10-15min walk to main station.
Reviewed: 17 July 2025 · Stayed in June 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 17 July 2025 · Stayed in July 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 14 July 2025 · Stayed in July 2025
Verified reviewExcellent blend of tradition and comfort
Reviewed: 13 July 2025 · Stayed in July 2025
Verified reviewThis is genuinly the nicest Hostel I ever stayed in! It's so cozy, you get to meet people and the staff is soo lovely and passionate about the region, giving amazing recommendations for hikes, food and activities It's very clean and the futon beds are super comfy :)
Reviewed: 6 July 2025 · Stayed in July 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 5 July 2025 · Stayed in June 2025
Verified reviewCosy place where you like to stay and feel at home. The staff is very welcoming and helpful. The best stay during my Japan Visit
Reviewed: 3 July 2025 · Stayed in June 2025
Verified reviewVery friendly and considerate owner and clean facility
No lift
Reviewed: 27 June 2025 · Stayed in June 2025
Verified reviewThe hostel team is super nice and welcoming!
Reviewed: 18 June 2025 · Stayed in June 2025
Verified reviewThe right size to meet people. The bed was confortable ❤️, the laundry service is free as long as you don’t use the dryer ❤️ +The owners are lovely
🤷🏼♂️