With the number of school trips I have lead to Japan there have been a few youth hostels I have stayed at, some good and some well....
The
Tokyo International Youth Hostel is in a great location and right above the 飯田橋 railway station, which is convenient, but the food in the past couple of years has deteriorated. My recommendation would be to try some of the local restaurants on the basement floor of the railway station or if want おこのみやき then there is an awesome little shop close by but be prepared to line up caus it is very popular. To get there from the youth
hostel - just walk past the railway station and turn left at the next corner. The restaurant is about 100m down the street on the left. Check out the photo I took there last year!
The Youth Hostel at 宮島口 is very basic and rather dirty. It is only a 3 minute walk to the ferry but I think it would be wiser to stay in Hiroshima and catch the train down for the day. Again, I have stayed at this Hostel 3 times and although the host, Chris, is great, the dorms are in need of some paint and the cockroaches are familiar friends there. Unlike most Hostels which have a night curfew, Chris will allow a late return provided you let him know what time.
I have only stayed at the 東山 Youth Hostel once in Kyoto but it was okay. It is about a 20 minute walk to the main shopping district and a similar distance to the Handicraft Centre.
There is a Youth Hostel in 岩国 but it is so far away from any form of transport which is a pity because the hosts are amazing. I have stayed there twice and each time the hosts have arranged for a friend to bring 着物 to the Hostel for all the students to try on and have photos taken wearing them.
Anyway, I hope that might give you a little insight to some of the Youth Hostels. If you want to know more specifics just ask.
Okay, forget about all the traditional places to visit. If there is one shop to step into it has to be Mr Donut. I have never seen nor tasted so many yummy donuts. The dough is so light but unfortunately the weight you put on isn't. Who cares!! This is worth every single gram of fat. My favourite is the double chocolate donut and I know my son loves the golden crunch one. For drinks, I recommend the melon soda. For those South Australians who might order an iced coffee, it is black coffee with a teeny weeny container of cream that you add in yourself. The iced chocolate is great. Actually, it is all good. Go on, walk in and try and have just one donut!
