2 bunk beds
Tempat tidur 8.6/10 · disebut oleh 203 tamu
“Social and memorable, cant wait to come back”
The staff and facilities were solid, especially the friendly Makoto, and the hostel felt very social. It can get a bit warm and the shower is shut down most of the day, but that’s never a major hassle.
I had a fun stay and left a review on Google; I hope you’ll check it out if you’re interested.
“Tranquilo”
It’s quiet and close to a station, but they ate my food, haha.
“A fun adventure for curious travelers on a smart budget…this is the place you want!”
Makoto’s Guest House turned out to be the highlight of my Japan trip; after staying at a fancy hotel that felt too safe, I switched to a hostel for more adventure and was relieved to pick MGH over other options. It was very affordable and, more importantly, had a unique, calming vibe that made my stay relaxing and memorable. I met wonderful people from many backgrounds, and almost everyone spoke English, which was great for me as an American. The hostel sits in a small, tranquil neighborhood on the outskirts of Tokyo called Kameari—about a 10‑minute walk from the train and a short stroll to grocery stores, a laundromat, and restaurants. It has a small‑town feel but plenty to do, and I highly recommend it to world travelers looking for a fun, different experience that will stay with them forever. The only downside is a few strict rules that are fair when you consider the whole package; I’d advise anyone staying to read them carefully, as MAKOTO is often on site and will enforce them. Things like proper house etiquette (no shoes, wash dishes immediately, no food upstairs, no shower 11 am‑5 pm, etc.) aren’t a big deal, but FYI.
“Cannot recommend this guesthouse.”
My stay at Makoto Guest House was extremely negative. I had a reservation until Wednesday. At check‑in, Makoto, the owner, explained many rules, which I accepted without issue. On Saturday I spent all day walking around Tokyo under the sun, returned around 20:30 exhausted and with all my electronics dead, went straight to bed, and didn’t shower that evening. The next day Makoto told me I smelled bad and asked why I hadn’t showered. I calmly explained and immediately showered, thinking the matter was resolved. Instead, he said the situation would be reported and that I had to leave the guesthouse two days before the end of my reservation. The remaining nights were refunded and I had to find another place. I want to be clear: I have no problem being asked to shower; if I had been politely told that a daily shower was required, I would have complied. The problem was how the situation was handled. Makoto also told me, “I told you, you smell bad. I am not your mother.” He could not know this, but my mother died in 2024 after two very difficult years with dementia. Of course he couldn’t know my personal history, but mentioning my mother in that way was completely unnecessary and deeply hurtful. I also found the number of rules and their enforcement excessive. In my experience, the atmosphere felt more like a military barracks than a guesthouse. Hygiene rules are legitimate, but I found the lack of flexibility, the communication, and the decision to remove me unacceptable, especially after I immediately addressed the issue. I’m not leaving this review because I refused to shower; I accepted the request immediately and showered. I’m leaving it because I believe a professional host should communicate respectfully with guests, even when there is a problem. Cannot recommend this guesthouse.
“Social and memorable, cant wait to come back”
The staff and facilities were solid, especially the friendly Makoto, and the hostel felt very social. It can get a bit warm and the shower is shut down most of the day, but that’s never a major hassle.
“A fun adventure for curious travelers on a smart budget…this is the place you want!”
Makoto’s Guest House turned out to be the highlight of my Japan trip; after staying at a fancy hotel that felt too safe, I switched to a hostel for more adventure and was relieved to pick MGH over other options. It was very affordable and, more importantly, had a unique, calming vibe that made my stay relaxing and memorable. I met wonderful people from many backgrounds, and almost everyone spoke English, which was great for me as an American. The hostel sits in a small, tranquil neighborhood on the outskirts of Tokyo called Kameari—about a 10‑minute walk from the train and a short stroll to grocery stores, a laundromat, and restaurants. It has a small‑town feel but plenty to do, and I highly recommend it to world travelers looking for a fun, different experience that will stay with them forever. The only downside is a few strict rules that are fair when you consider the whole package; I’d advise anyone staying to read them carefully, as MAKOTO is often on site and will enforce them. Things like proper house etiquette (no shoes, wash dishes immediately, no food upstairs, no shower 11 am‑5 pm, etc.) aren’t a big deal, but FYI.
I had a fun stay and left a review on Google; I hope you’ll check it out if you’re interested.
“Cannot recommend this guesthouse.”
My stay at Makoto Guest House was extremely negative. I had a reservation until Wednesday. At check‑in, Makoto, the owner, explained many rules, which I accepted without issue. On Saturday I spent all day walking around Tokyo under the sun, returned around 20:30 exhausted and with all my electronics dead, went straight to bed, and didn’t shower that evening. The next day Makoto told me I smelled bad and asked why I hadn’t showered. I calmly explained and immediately showered, thinking the matter was resolved. Instead, he said the situation would be reported and that I had to leave the guesthouse two days before the end of my reservation. The remaining nights were refunded and I had to find another place. I want to be clear: I have no problem being asked to shower; if I had been politely told that a daily shower was required, I would have complied. The problem was how the situation was handled. Makoto also told me, “I told you, you smell bad. I am not your mother.” He could not know this, but my mother died in 2024 after two very difficult years with dementia. Of course he couldn’t know my personal history, but mentioning my mother in that way was completely unnecessary and deeply hurtful. I also found the number of rules and their enforcement excessive. In my experience, the atmosphere felt more like a military barracks than a guesthouse. Hygiene rules are legitimate, but I found the lack of flexibility, the communication, and the decision to remove me unacceptable, especially after I immediately addressed the issue. I’m not leaving this review because I refused to shower; I accepted the request immediately and showered. I’m leaving it because I believe a professional host should communicate respectfully with guests, even when there is a problem. Cannot recommend this guesthouse.
“Tranquilo”
It’s quiet and close to a station, but they ate my food, haha.
