Near Osaka, Kobe is renowned for its world-class beef and amazing scenery and activities supplied by Mt Rokko and the surrounding mountains.
With so much to offer, Kobe, Japan has become increasingly popular, but there are only a handful of hostels and they get booked very fast. This is the exact reason we put together this backpacker’s guide to the best hostels in Kobe, Japan.
With the aid of this insider guide, you’ll be able to easily find which of the best hostels in Kobe, Japan you want to book, so you can ensure you have an affordable place to stay.
We organized the hostels in this list by YOUR needs, making sure to include the best hostels in Kobe, and then organizing them by category, so you can quickly find which one is best for you.
Let’s take a look at the top hostels in Kobe, Japan.
Quick Answer: The Best Hostels in Kobe
- Best Hostel for Couples in Kobe – Guesthouse Maya
The 10 Best Hostels in Kobe
We’ve gone through the best hostels in Kobe and split them into different categories to make choosing the perfect Kobe base even easier.
Check into the cheapest hostel to save some cash, meet new people at the best hostel for solo travellers in Kobe, and enjoy a romantic escape at the best Kobe hostel for couples.
Guesthouse Maya – Best Hostel for Couples in Kobe
Guesthouse Maya offers free airport transfers, meaning you don’t need to stress about finding a Kobe hostel near the airport. One of a few youth hostels in Kobe with private double rooms, in addition to mixed and female-only dorms, it’s our pick for the best hostel for couples in Kobe. With a kitchen, laundry facilities, round-the-clock security, and a common room, you’ll be more than comfortable in this home from home. The location is fab too, offering loads of local vibes at the heart of Nada town and close to the bustling Suidosuji shopping street.
Galo Hostel Kobe – Overall Best Hostel in Kobe
Why do we travel? To see new places, meet new people, and learn more about different cultures. Galo Hostel Kobe’s awesome location makes doing all of these things a breeze. Within walking distance of major attractions and close to Shin-Kobe Station, Galo Hostel Kobe is one of the most centrally located backpacker hostels in Kobe. It’s not just the location that makes it our choice for the overall best hostel in Kobe in 2021, though. It’s the plethora of activities available that truly sets it apart.. You can cook your fave meals in the kitchen, chill in the lounge, and enjoy the traditional retro décor.
Galo Hostel Kobe is one of our favourites in Kobe but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.
Guest House Kobe Nadeshikoya – Best Hostel for Solo Travelers in Kobe
Guest House Kobe Nadeshikoya is our choice for the best hostel for solo travellers in Kobe. The large mixed dorms can accommodate 22 people, and there are also female-only dorms for eight. That’s tons of potential new mates right there! Each pod-like bed has curtains for privacy, a small shelf, power outlets, and a light. There are single-gender bathrooms and lockers are available. This top hostel in Kobe has free Wi-Fi, and also kettles and fridges for food storage and hot drinks.
Yume Nomad – Best Cheap Hostel in Kobe
Yume Nomad is the best cheap hostel in Kobe. Being cheap doesn’t mean it’s low on facilities, though! The newly-renovated Kobe backpackers hostel has a kitchen and a common room as well as mixed dorms for eight, female-only dorms for four, and private rooms in different sizes. You can rent a bike to explore Kobe, chill in the café, and surf the free Wi-Fi. Lockers are available to keep your stuff safe while you’re out exploring Kobe.
Yume Nomad is one of our favourites in Kobe but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.
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Hide Yo’ Money!More of the Best Hostels in Kobe
Don’t choose just yet; here are another three of the best hostels in Kobe.
Kobe Sannomiya R2 Hostel
A top youth hostel in Kobe close to Sannomiya Station, Kobe Sannomiya R2 Hostel has mixed and female-only dorms with pod-style beds, and private rooms for one, two, or three. Wi-Fi is available throughout the hostel and the staff members are friendly and helpful. This recommended hostel in Kobe is peaceful and the doors are locked between 10pm and 8am. You can meet other people and trade travel stories in the cosy lounge and prepare basic meals in the kitchen.
Capsule Hotel Kobe Sannomiya
A top hostel in Kobe for people who value their privacy, Capsule Hotel Kobe Sannomiya offers safe, quiet, and clean pod-style beds. A great Kobe backpackers hostel for active people who prefer to spend their days out and about, the hostel also has basic wellness facilities, like an onsen and an indoor pool, as well as a TV lounge and guest computers. Wi-Fi is also available. Each private pod has a light, power sockets, a radio, and a TV, as well as curtains.
Hostel Nakamura
A budget youth hostel in Kobe, Hostel Nakamura has a great location close to Kousoko Kobe Station and Harborland. The prices are cheap and it has mixed and female only dorms. Rent a bike to discover Kobe and come back to refresh in the steam room, chill in the arty lounge, or use the work desks and free Wi-Fi to catch up with emails and update your Instagram to make folks back home jealous. You can whip up a storm in the kitchen too. Privacy curtains around capsule-style beds make for a peaceful and private slumber at this recommended hostel in Kobe.
Hostel Nakamura is one of our favourites in Kobe but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.
The best budget hostels in Kobe
With only only seven highly reviewed hostels in Kobe, they might get booked, or your just may prefer to treat yourself to a stay in a hotel instead!
Here are three of our favourite Kobe hotels, with a stay to suit all budgets.
Hotel Gallery – Best Budget Hotel in Kobe
Hotel Gallery is a cheap and cheerful love hotel in Kobe, with en-suite double rooms for adults only. Rooms come with free toiletries, a TV, microwave, free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and a separate seating area. Rooms have cute and romantic décor. Room service is available and breakfast is available each morning for an additional fee. The building has a lift and there’s on-site parking.
Hotel Piena Kobe – Best Mid-Range Hotel in Kobe
Hotel Piena Kobe has a wide choice of private rooms for one, two, three, and four. All rooms have a private bathroom, free Wi-Fi, a TV, a fridge, a kettle, and a hairdryer, and there are more amenities and space as you upgrade the room type. Close to Kobe’s Chinatown and Mount Maya, the hotel has an on-site restaurant and you can arrange massages for a little TLC.
Arima Onsen Tosen Goshobo – Best Splurge Hotel in Kobe
Arima Onsen Tosen Goshobo is a gorgeous ryokan (traditional Japanese accommodation) with superb services and high standards of comfort. If you wanted to experience traditional life, this is a top place to do so. There are various room types, some with private bathrooms and others with shared bathrooms, and rooms are available for between one and four guests. Bathe in outdoor natural hot springs, enjoy the delicious local cuisine, and drift off to sleep on tatami mats and futons. The vibe is super chilled and you can meet other guests in the tea room.
What to Pack for your Kobe Hostel
Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from me, packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straightforward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art I have perfected over many years.
Ear Plugs
Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.
Hanging Laundry Bag
Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.
Sea To Summit Micro Towel
Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.
Monopoly Deal
Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.
Grayl Geopress Water Bottle
Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator. Boom!
Check out our definitive Hostel Packing list for our top packing tips!
Why you should travel to Kobe
Traveling to Japan? Check out our monster guide to traveling Japan on a budget!
Kobe might seem like an unknown destination, but once you get there you’ll realize the tourism scene is strong, and there aren’t always enough hostels for all of the backpackers!
So whether you like the best hostel for solo travelers, or the best hostel for Digital Nomads, make sure to book your hostel ahead of time so you can save money in this expensive city.
And if you still can’t pick, then go with Galo Hostel Kobe – our pick for best hostel in Kobe for 2021!
FAQ about Hostels in Kobe
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Kobe.
How much does a hostel cost in Kobe?
The average price of hostels in Kobe varies on the room type. The price is around $21 for dorms (mixed or female only), while a private room costs $30+.
What are the best hostels in Kobe for couples?
Guesthouse Maya is a highly-rated hostel for couples in Kobe. It is located at the heart of Nada town and close to the bustling Suidosuji shopping street.
What is the best hostel in Kobe near the airport?
While there aren’t any hostels in Kobe that are particularly close to the airport, some offer airport shuttles or will help you arrange transport. Check the Guest House Kobe Nadeshikoya, which is 40 minutes by airport limousine bus from the property.
Travel Safety Tips for Kobe
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
More Epic Hostels in Japan and Asia
Hopefully by now you’ve found the perfect hostel for your upcoming trip to Kobe.
Planning an epic trip all across Japan or even Asia itself?
Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered!
For more cool hostel guides around Asia, check out:
Over to you
By now I hope our epic guide to the best hostels in Kobe has helped you choose the perfect hostel for your adventure!
If you think we’ve missed anything or have any further thoughts, hit us up in the comments!
- Check out our extensive guide to backpacking in Japan for a wealth of info!
- Check out the best places to stay in Japan before you arrive.
- Remember to grab yourself an international sim card for Japan to avoid any issues.
- Prepare for your trip with our backpacking packing list.
And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links. That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!
