If they had had meal services it would have been a solid 10.

The staff was really nice and helpful, they gave us information about the surrounding area and even picked us up from the nearby onsen in the evening. The place is very near Magome-juku and a bus stop. It was very clean and the bunk beds were extremely spacious. There was a large kitchen and cooking utensils.

Stayed in September 2025

It was a very unique experience to sleep in a former school, it is really fun you can even play some badminton in the sports hall! The staff was also incredibly nice they helped us a lot and we felt very welcomed. We definitely recommend this place and would love to come again one day!

Stayed in September 2025

Nothing

The facility that brings back childhood memories from the manga / J series. Everything is so comfortable and clean, the facility is new. Staffs are super duper nice and willing to help. Will definitely come back and highly recommend for anyone who looking for hotel in Magome!

Stayed in August 2025

I liked its history that it had once been a school. Lovely spot, a short walk to the Nakesendo Trail. Really clean and spacious and staff were very friendly and helpful

Stayed in August 2025

Some advertised facilities weren't available (gym) (onsen shuttle)

What an amazing facility in an amazing place. Spotlessly clean and beautifully maintained. Staff were cheerful and multi-lingual. The mountain view was simply to die for.

Stayed in August 2025

Amazing experience staying here! The location is perfect and very convenient for accessing the trekking path. The staff were incredibly helpful and made everything easy. Highly recommended!

Stayed in August 2025

My dormitory bed had space for luggage, but most didn't.

Dormitory sleeping space is small, but shared lounges and kitchen are huge. Shower and toilets clean. Interior has been renovated with clean wood panelling everywhere. Other guests very friendly.

Stayed in August 2025

The beds in the dorm room were quite firm, but I was able to get an extra mattress base which was helpful as I’m a side-sleeper. There was also nowhere secure to put your bags in the dorm room, although this didn’t really bother us as Japan feels very safe and there were very few other hikers staying in the dorm with us.

This was one of our favourite places in Japan! It is a converted school building but it feels like it has been very recently renovated as all the facilities are in amazing condition. There is also a full-sized gymnasium complete with basketball hoops, table tennis etc. The staff were very helpful and friendly in assisting with our bag transfer to Nagiso. We stayed in a dorm room which was really clean and the bunks were spacious. There is also a full kitchen and lounge area to relax with free tea and coffee. The location is about a 5-10 minute walk to the bus stop and the start of the Nakasendo. I would definitely recommend staying here!

Stayed in August 2025

You get what you pay for and what you need as convenient starting base for hiking and trails adventure. For a change, I liked the rustic and essential features of the Gakkou! Most importantly, very very clean.

Stayed in August 2025

Nothing, all great perfect

A really unforgettable and experience unique in this old school converted in a dormitory where I had a great time in all aspects and I received a really warm welcome after I coming from the Nakasendo Route. The dormitory is very big and silent with many rooms, the bed was very confortable, all the place and bathrooms were very clean, there is a common area for relax with free drink, a kitchen and a big gymnasio where you can play to basketball and other sports with many balls at your disposal. The wifi it's free and very potent, you can leave free your luggage before checkin and after checkout. It's completely a nice place for family, backpackers or somebody that looking for relax and visiting in simply Magome. The bus station it's near the place and like the heart of the town very easily reachable by walking. A special thanks to all the very kind staff who provided me with lots of information on how to get around the town, advice on where to go to eat and helped me find the right itineraries for my next destinations. I hope absolutely to return in future and I advise it to everybody that looking an experience like this!

Stayed in July 2025

It's an awesome location. Try to get bunk bed #10, you'll understand if you get it.

Stayed in July 2025

A bit pricey compared to other (business) hotels in Japan, but there aren't many options in Magome.

Friendly staff, beautiful old school building, lovely views. Cool gym. Comfortable beds. The shared bathrooms were very clean. There are only 2 restaurants open for dinner in Magome, but there was a range of frozen dinners and cup noodles for sale at the hostel.

Stayed in July 2025

They do advertise that there aren't many restaurants in Magome and this was certainly true. The staff can let you know which ones are open during your stay, but I would recommend working out where you are going to eat WELL before you get hungry. During our stay there was only one restaurant open at night and we ended up eating there twice, as there was nowhere else to go. This was during the week and it did appear that there were more shops open at the weekend.

Being in an old school is certainly a novelty and we really enjoyed our time there. The staff were super friendly and the rooms were basic, as expected, but clean and well air conditioned which was fantastic in the July heat !

Stayed in July 2025

Really cool place to stay for Nakasendo

Stayed in June 2025

Amazingly helpful and available staff. Very clean place, and very comfortable for a dormitory. You still have some privacy. The fact that it is a former school definitely adds some charm to it.

Stayed in July 2025

An incredibly pleasant stay — the facilities were spotless and well-maintained, the view was stunning, and the staff went above and beyond with their warm and welcoming service. The atmosphere was peaceful and ideal for relaxing after a long day exploring the Nakasendo Trail. Highly recommended. おすすめします！

Stayed in July 2025

The meals were amazing. Unfortunately as I have big tattoos, I was not able to try the public bath house but we had a small private bath in our room and were happy with that. The sleep was great, no noise or bugs. The room was beautiful and comfy.

Stayed in May 2025

There's no breakfast here and everything in the town closes at 17h. We found one restaurant still open at 19.30 but were getting ready to go to bed without eating. The last bus back from Tsumago leaves at 16.40 so staying in the town for two days might be necessary. The town is beautiful but at night there is absolutely nothing there.

This is a primary school for most of the year but in the summer they rent it out. I wouldn't normally stay in a dormitory at my age, but it was actually alright ( for one night). The staff were friendly and helpful and it's ideal for using as a base for hiking to Tsumago. The bed was comfortable and the shower facilities, although communal, were private enough for it not to be a problem. You have to be barefoot in the building but that's fine as it's spotless and all wooden and lovely.

Stayed in July 2025

Nothing

Staying at the School House felt like summer camp meets a cozy farm visit with my cousins, with a sprinkle of grade school nostalgia. The care and creativity they pour into every detail made us feel less like guests and more like family. It was sparkling clean, delightfully charming, and filled with kindness you can’t quite put into words. My only regret? We didn’t stay longer. So until we return, go enjoy it for me and my son—we’re already missing it.

Stayed in June 2025

Lovely

Stayed in July 2025

No showers on first floor

Unique location, near beaitiful Magome

Stayed in July 2025

old style japanese aesthetics. very clean and tidy.

Stayed in June 2025

the staff are so helpful and friendly

Stayed in May 2025

.

To be able to meet peoples from around the world, and to discover a Japanese school.

Stayed in April 2025