About our hostel
Q：What is a guesthouse (hostel)?
A：A guesthouse (hostel) is a type of accommodation where guests share spaces such as dormitory rooms, common areas, and kitchens. Unlike a traditional hotel, staying at a guesthouse can be a great way to meet fellow travelers from Japan and around the world, exchange travel tips, or simply enjoy a casual conversation.
That said, you never have to socialize if you don't want to. You can relax in the common areas, enjoy some quiet time, or simply travel at your own pace.
Guesthouses (hostels) also offer a simpler style of accommodation than full-service hotels, helping you enjoy your trip while keeping accommodation costs down.
At Hostel Knot, we aim to be a relaxed and welcoming place where you can slow down, feel at home, and take a break during your journey through Shuzenji and Izu.
Q：Do you provide meals?
A：Hostel Knot is a room-only guesthouse (hostel), so we do not provide meals. You can enjoy local food at restaurants around Shuzenji, or buy ingredients from nearby shops and supermarkets and prepare your own meals in our shared kitchen.
One of the fun things about staying at a guesthouse (hostel) is the casual interaction that happens in shared spaces. If the timing is right, you might even get to share a local dish with another guest or introduce someone to a favorite dish from your hometown.
These small, unexpected food exchanges can be one of the memorable parts of traveling. We hope you enjoy them during your stay at Hostel Knot.
Q：Is Hostel Knot suitable for women traveling alone?
A：Absolutely. We welcome many women traveling solo. Hostel Knot offers a female-only dormitory as well as a private room, making it a comfortable choice for first-time guesthouse (hostel) guests and solo travelers. If you feel a little unsure about staying at a guesthouse (hostel) on your own, please feel free to ask our staff if you have any questions. We’re happy to help you feel comfortable during your stay.
Q：I’m not sure about the rules for using the shared spaces.
A：No worries! Our staff will explain how to use the facilities and the basic house rules when you check in. You’ll also find simple etiquette signs throughout the hostel and in the shared spaces, so you can always check them if you’re unsure. Please be considerate of other guests so everyone can enjoy their stay, while still relaxing and spending your time at your own pace.
Q：What kind of guests stay at Hostel Knot?
A：We welcome a wide range of guests from Japan and around the world, including solo travelers, couples, and friends traveling together. Our guests vary in age and nationality, but many come to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of Shuzenji or stop by Hostel Knot while traveling around the Izu Peninsula.
About booking
Q：How late can I make a reservation?
A：Online reservations for Hostel Knot are accepted until 12:00 PM on the day of your stay.
If you would like to make a reservation after 12:00 PM, please contact us directly at:contact.hostelknot@gmail.com
When contacting us, please include your full name, phone number, address, desired check-in date and number of nights, and your transportation method (car or train/bus).
For reservations made after 12:00 PM, we generally require advance payment by credit card.
For same-day bookings, please make sure you can arrive during our regular check-in hours, 14:00–18:00.
If you plan to arrive after 18:00, staff will be unavailable and self check-in will be required, so please contact us in advance.
Q：Where can I book Hostel Knot?
A：You can book your stay at Hostel Knot through our official website or online booking sites such as Booking.com and Rakuten Travel. Please check availability and rates before choosing your preferred booking method. Please note that rates, cancellation policies, and payment methods may vary depending on the booking site. Be sure to check the booking conditions before making your reservation.
Q：Can I change or cancel my reservation?
A：Yes, you can change or cancel your reservation. However, the procedures and conditions vary depending on the booking site and rate plan you booked. If you booked through our official website, please check your reservation confirmation email or contact Hostel Knot directly. Please note that cancellation fees may apply depending on when you cancel. For details, please see “Are there any cancellation fees?”
Q：Are there any cancellation fees?
A：Yes. Cancellation fees apply depending on when you cancel your reservation. If you book directly through the Hostel Knot website, our cancellation policy is shown below.
【Cancellation Policy】
【Please note:】
・If you book through another booking site, such as Booking.com, Agoda, or Rakuten Travel, the cancellation policy may differ depending on the booking site and rate plan. Please check the cancellation conditions shown at the time of booking.
・For private dormitory rentals and whole-house rentals, separate cancellation policies apply. Please see “Private Rental” at the bottom of this page for details.
・Cancellation fees will be fully waived only if all public transportation services are suspended. Cancellations for any other reason are subject to the applicable cancellation policy.
In certain cases, we may consider an exception if you can provide official documentation supporting the reason for your cancellation, such as
- an airline cancellation or delay certificate
- a railway suspension or delay certificate
- a doctor’s note
However, providing documentation does not automatically mean that the cancellation fee will be waived. Each case will be reviewed individually.
Q：I haven’t received my booking confirmation email. What should I do?
A：First, please check your spam or junk mail folder, as well as your promotions folder. If you still cannot find the confirmation email, please check your reservation details directly on the booking site you used. The sender and format of confirmation emails may vary depending on the booking site.
Please note that we do not generally recommend booking through Agoda.
With Agoda reservations, some guest information provided at the time of booking may not be fully shared with us. As a result, important information from Hostel Knot may not always reach the guest. In addition, if you need to discuss a cancellation or request a cancellation fee waiver due to circumstances such as public transportation disruptions, we may need to handle the matter through the booking site, which can make the process more complicated.
For this reason, we recommend booking through our official website or other booking sites where communication with Hostel Knot can be handled more smoothly. If you have already booked through Agoda and cannot confirm your reservation details or messages from us, pleasecontact Hostel Knot as soon as possible.
About accommodation
Q：Is the reception open 24 hours?
A：No. Our reception hours are 10:00 AM–6:00 PM. Staff are not available after 6:00 PM. If you have an emergency outside reception hours, please contact us using the emergency contact information posted inside the hostel.
※If you arrive after 6:00 PM, self check-in is required. Please see “Can I check in after 6:00 PM?” for more information.
Q：What are the check-in and check-out times?
A：Check-in is from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM, and check-out is by 10:00 AM. You can check out at any time before 10:00 AM using our self check-out system.
If you plan to arrive after 6:00 PM, self check-in is required. Please see “Can I check in after 6:00 PM?” for more information.
Q：Can I check in after 6:00 PM?
A：Yes. Late check-in after 6:00 PM and early check-out before 10:00 AM are both possible. However, staff are not available after 6:00 PM, so self check-in is required.
If possible, we recommend arriving by 6:00 PM so you can meet our staff and receive your check-in information in person. You can also take some time to enjoy the shops, restaurants, and hot springs around Shuzenji Onsen before returning to the hostel.
If you plan to arrive after 6:00 PM, please contact us by 5:00 PM on your check-in day.
contact.hostelknot@gmail.com
When contacting us, please include the following information:
- Reservation name (Full name)
- Approximate check-in hours
- Transportation (car/motorcycle, bicycle, train/bus/taxi, or on foot)
- Names of any accompanying guests
Please note that we do not respond to messages sent through booking sites after **6:00 PM**. To ensure that you receive the information needed for self check-in, please contact us directly at the email address above.
Q：Is there a curfew?
A：No, there is no curfew. When you check in, we will give you the key to your room and the entrance, so you are free to come and go at any time after check-in. However, Hostel Knot is located in a quiet residential area, where local residents and other guests may be sleeping at night. When returning late, please be considerate by closing the entrance quietly and keeping conversations inside the hostel to a minimum. Thank you for helping us maintain a peaceful environment for everyone.
Q：What payment methods are available?
A：For payments made directly at Hostel Knot, we accept the payment methods listed below.
Credit Card: (Visa ・ Mastercard ・ American Express)、Electronic payments: (QUICPay, iD, and transportation IC cards),QR codepayments: (We accept various QR code payment services.)Cash (Japanese yen only)
If you book through an online booking site, available payment methods may vary depending on the booking site and rate plan. Please check the payment conditions when making your reservation.
Q: Can I stay at Hostel Knot with children?
A：Yes, children are welcome at Hostel Knot. However, guests staying with children must book either a private room or an entire dormitory. Children cannot stay in our regular shared dormitories, so please check availability and choose a private option when making your reservation. Our private rooms are generally designed to comfortably accommodate two adults. Depending on the number and age of the children, the maximum occupancy and available space may vary. If you are traveling with children, please contact us in advance with the number and ages of the children if you have any questions about the room capacity.
Q：Are pets allowed?
A：Unfortunately, pets are not allowed at Hostel Knot. This policy is in consideration of guests with allergies and the comfort of other guests. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Q：What should I do if I lose my key?
A：If you lose your key, please inform our staff as soon as possible. At Hostel Knot, your entrance, room, and locker keys are attached to the same key holder. A ¥5,000 fee will be charged for key replacement and a new key holder. If the actual replacement cost exceeds ¥5,000, you may be asked to cover the additional cost. For security reasons, please contact our staff promptly if you lose your key.
About our facility
Q：Is parking available?
A：Yes. Hostel Knot has a dedicated parking area for guests. The fee is ¥300 per car, per night. If you would like to use the parking area, please let us know in advance. You must also contact us in advance if you would like to park before check-in.
After check-out, you may continue using the parking area until 1:00 PM. Please note that parking spaces are limited. If our parking area is full, you may need to use a nearby private parking lot.
The parking area next to Hostel Knot does not belong to us. It is private property belonging to a local resident, so please do not park there or enter the property.
Q：Can I store my valuables safely?
A：Yes. Each bed has a locker for storing personal valuables. We recommend keeping items such as your wallet, passport, and smartphone in the locker rather than leaving them around your bed, especially when you are away. For larger items that do not fit in the locker, please keep them secure and manage them yourself.
Q：Is smoking allowed?
A：Yes. We have two designated outdoor smoking areas behind the hostel. Smoking is not permitted anywhere inside the building, including the lobby, shared dining area, and all guest rooms. Please use the designated smoking areas when smoking. Please note that the rooftop is not a smoking area. Smoking on the rooftop is not permitted.
Q：Is there accessible Wifi?
A：Yes. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout Hostel Knot. The Wi-Fi password will be provided by our staff at check-in. You can also find it on the key holder we provide and on our original Hostel Knot map of the surrounding area.
Q：Can I use the shared kitchen?
A：Yes. Guests are welcome to use the shared kitchen on the first floor. It is equipped with an IH cooktop, refrigerator, microwave, cooking utensils, dishes, and other basic kitchenware, so you can prepare simple meals during your stay. Drip coffee is also available for you to enjoy. After using the kitchen, please wash any dishes and cooking utensils you have used and return them to their original place, so the next guest can enjoy the space too.
Q：Is there a washing machine?
A：Yes. We have a washing machine and dryer available for guests.
The washing machine, including laundry detergent, costs ¥200 per load, and the dryer costs ¥100 per 10 minutes.
On sunny days, you can also use the rooftop drying area.
Please use the laundry facilities only during the designated hours. Our staff also use the washing machine and rooftop drying area during morning cleaning, so hostel use takes priority in the morning. On rainy days, the hostel also has priority for using the dryer. As other guests may be waiting to use the machines, please remove your laundry as soon as the washing or drying cycle is finished.
Q：Are there showers, toilets, and sinks at the hostel?
A：Yes. Hostel Knot has shared shower, toilet, and sink facilities. On the first floor, there is one shared shower room, one toilet, and one sink. On the second floor, there are two toilets, including one women-only toilet, as well as one sink. As a small guesthouse, our facilities are limited. During busy times, please be considerate of other guests and take turns using the facilities.
Q：Is there an onsen?
A：Yes. Guests can use a traditional natural onsen (hot spring) located about a 10-second walk from Hostel Knot. The bath is a local, old-fashioned onsen shared exclusively by local residents and Hostel Knot guests. It uses natural hot spring water directly from the source and is available from 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM at no additional cost. You can use the hot spring as many times as you like during your stay within the opening hours. An onsen bag with a face towel is provided at each bed or in the private room, so please bring it with you when visiting the bath.
For your first visit, please place your hot spring card in the box at the entrance. After your first visit, you can use the bath freely during your stay and within opening hours.
Shampoo, conditioner, body soap, and wash buckets are provided for Hostel Knot guests.
【Please note:】
This is a traditional Japanese bathhouse and there are no showers. Before entering the bath, use the provided bucket to wash and rinse your body with water from the bathtub, then enter the bath once you are clean.
Q：What amenities and facilities are provided?
A：Hostel Knot provides a range of amenities and essentials to make your stay comfortable.
Paid amenities: Bath towels are available for ¥150 each, and toothbrushes are ¥100 each.
Free amenities: Seasonal jinbei and hanten robes (rental), blankets during winter (rental), hair dryers, earplugs, shampoo, conditioner and body soap in the shower and hot spring, kitchen utensils and cookware, basic seasonings, dishes and cups, and drip coffee. Hair dryer is available at the sink on the first floor.
A hot spring bag with a face towel is provided at each bed or in each private room for use at the nearby hot spring.
Face towels are rental items and are replaced daily during your stay. Bath towels are not exchanged, but you can either rent another towel with additional fee or wash the towel yourself.
About luggages
Q：Can I store my luggage before or after my stay?
A：Yes. We can store your luggage at reception both before check-in and after check-out. Please feel free to ask our staff at reception.
Before Check-in：10:00〜13:00
After Check-out：〜13:00
※Please note that luggage storage after check-out is available until 1:00 PM only.
As Hostel Knot is a small hostel with limited storage space, priority is generally given to guests checking in or staying at the hostel that day. Please collect your luggage by 1:00 PM after check-out. Luggage storage after 1:00 PM may be subject to an additional fee depending on the situation.
Q：Can I send my luggage to Hostel Knot in advance?
A：Yes, you can send your luggage to Hostel Knot before your stay. Please contact us in advance through our contact form before sending your luggage.
・Check-in Date
・Reservation name
If you do not contact us in advance, or if we cannot confirm the necessary information, we may not be able to accept your package. When sending your luggage, please make sure to clearly write the name on your reservation and your check-in date on the shipping label.
About private use
Q：How can I book a private rental at Hostel Knot?
A：Private rentals can be booked in the same way as a regular stay. Simply select “Book” from the menu above and choose the available private rental option.
Q：How many guests can stay in a private rental?
A：Private rentals are available for 4 to 16 guests. The total private rental price does not change based on the number of guests, so the more people you have, the lower the cost per person. Private rentals are a great option for groups, families, and friends traveling together.
For a private dormitory rental, you can book a room for 2–6 guests or up to 8 guests, depending on the dormitory you choose.
Q: Are children allowed to stay as well?
A：Yes, children are welcome for private rentals. Young children may also stay in the same bed with a parent or guardian. However, private rentals cannot be booked by children or minors alone. A parent or legal guardian must accompany them.
Q：How far in advance can I book a private rental?
A：Private rentals are available year-round, and even a last-minute booking may be possible if we have availability. However, we recommend booking as early as possible, especially for group stays, so we have enough time to prepare for your visit.
Q：Are the check-in and check-out times the same for private rentals?
A：Yes. Check-in is from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM, and check-out is by 10:00 AM, just like a regular stay. For private rentals, please make sure to arrive by 6:00 PM. Our staff need to provide an orientation and prepare the facilities for your group, so late check-in is not available for private rentals.
Q：Can we freely use the hostel when we rent it privately?
A：Yes. With a private rental, you can freely use the shared spaces and facilities without having to share them with other guests.
However, please do not enter restricted areas such as the reception area or staff storage spaces. Please also treat all facilities and equipment with care and use them responsibly.
If you accidentally damage any facilities or equipment, please let our staff know immediately rather than trying to hide it. Depending on the damage, additional charges for repairs or replacement may apply.
Thank you for your cooperation in helping us keep Hostel Knot comfortable for everyone.
Q：Are BBQs, parties, or fireworks allowed?
A：Unfortunately, BBQs and fireworks are not allowed at Hostel Knot. We also ask guests not to hold loud parties or engage in activities that may disturb local residents or other guests.
These activities are prohibited for safety reasons, as they may cause fires or accidents. This is especially important for whole-house rentals, when staff may not be present at the hostel.
The entire building is also non-smoking, including during whole-house rentals. If you wish to smoke, please use the designated outdoor smoking areas.
Please remember that all Hostel Knot house rules apply even when you rent the hostel privately. Thank you for helping us keep the hostel safe and comfortable for everyone.
Q：Q: Can we buy food and groceries nearby?
A：There is no supermarket in the Shuzenji Onsen area. If you plan to cook during your stay, we recommend buying groceries at a supermarket around Shuzenji Station before coming to the hostel. There are also local shops around the hot spring town, including prepared-food shops, fish shops, and greengrocers, where you can pick up smaller items and local ingredients. There are also several restaurants nearby if you prefer to eat out.
Q：Are staff available during a private rental?
A：Our staff are normally available at the hostel from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. However, for a whole-house rental, staff will leave the hostel after your group has checked in. If you need assistance after check-in, please contact us using the emergency contact information provided during your check-in. A staff member will assist you when necessary.
Q：How and when do I pay for a private rental?
A：Private rentals require advance payment by credit card. If you would prefer to pay on-site, please contact Hostel Knot directly in advance. If you do not contact us beforehand, we may require payment by credit card in advance.
Q：Can I change or cancel my private rental reservation?
A：Yes, you can change or cancel your reservation. However, cancellation fees may apply depending on when you cancel. Private rentals are subject to a different cancellation policy from regular reservations. Please carefully review and agree to the cancellation policy below before making your reservation.
Q：What is the cancellation policy？
A：Yes. Cancellation fees apply depending on how far in advance you cancel your private rental reservation. Please see the cancellation policy below for details.
【Renting dormitory rooms】
21 days or more before check-in：30％
14–10 days before check-in： 50%
7 days before check-in to the day of check-in：100%
【Renting the whole hostel】
21 days or more before check-in：30％
14–10 days before check-in： 50%
10 days before check-in to the day of check-in：100%
If a cancellation fee applies, please make sure to pay it within two weeks of the cancellation date. Please note that cancellation fees will be fully waived only if all public transportation services are suspended. Cancellations for any other reason will be subject to the cancellation fee according to the cancellation policy above. Please review and agree to the cancellation policy before making your reservation.
Q：How do I pay the cancellation fee?
A：If a cancellation fee applies, we will provide you with the payment method and bank transfer details by phone or email when you contact us about your cancellation, or in the case of a no-show. After receiving the payment instructions, please make sure to complete the bank transfer within two weeks of your scheduled stay date. If we are unable to confirm payment of the cancellation fee, we may contact you again to follow up. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
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