Hakone Guesthouse Toi - Hostel in Hakone

If you're particular about dust on windowsills and walls, or the hygiene of bedding (excluding the covers), you might want to reconsider booking. While the duvet cover was clean, it's just a single cover, so as you toss and turn in your sleep, your body inevitably touches the duvet itself.

However, considering the insane accommodation prices in Hakone, this place is incredibly, truly cheap!

The location requires taking a bus to get anywhere, but the bus stop is close by. Be warned, Japanese rural bus schedules are a real headache! Make sure to check the bus times carefully for both your inbound and outbound journeys. Plan your day by checking the timetable for each bus route, otherwise, you could easily waste an hour or two.

The staff are incredibly friendly. I met different staff members upon arrival, during my stay, and at check-out, and they were all genuinely super friendly.

In short:
Would I book here again if I revisited Hakone? Yes!

The food and service were outstanding! The room was spacious and well equipped, with a large balcony and a private onsen.
However, the room was not well maintained — there was visible mold on the ceiling and walls, as well as stains from squashed mosquitoes.
Mosquitoes were quite persistent at night, which made it hard to relax and sleep. Unfortunately, I would not recommend staying here despite the excellent food and service.
The WiFi did not work for us.