Matsuyama Youth Hostel

The first sign of the hostel was going to be hard work was actually getting to it. If you get a taxi from JR Matsuyama station after 10:00 PM then make sure you tell him that its the HOSTEL you want to go to and not Dogo Onsen!

From then on, it was an incredibly eccentric experience. The owners are nice enough and speak a modicum of English, but tend to run the place like Butlins redcoats trained by the North Koreans. Lights out is strictly observed, too much time on the internet is strictly frowned upon and they will not let you check out until after 10am. My advice is to leave and leave the money for your stay on desk in an envelope with a note explaining things.

On the good side, there is a plethora of wacky massage devices for you to try, a large and expansive Manga library and the location is great if you want to sample every possible delight that the Dogo Onsen and the nearby temples offer. The rooms are to a reasonable standard as are the bathroom and shower facilities.

In short, if you can hack the eccentric and pedantic behavior of the owners then you'll like the place.