Earth Hostel Nikko Riverhouse

It doesn’t matter what I write for a review. Scout the owner will take it down anyway.

Scout is a really cool dude but it seems that overbuffs the review of this place. Bugs all over. It was freezing in the common areas and the beds were very mediocre. Bathrooms really need and update and smell terrible. I’m a chill person but this was at least double the price it should be.

The building and its surroundings are beautiful, the facilities very basic (cold bathroom, very very basic kitchenette far from the fridge), you depend on the owner for the transport and he seems to insist you order food/complains about guests, which is not great. Very helpful in planning though, and the overall atmosphere is great.

This is the hardest review we have written after a year of travelling. The owner Scout is so caring and cooks really good meals. The hostel has a very sociable vibe and the location by the river is gorgeous. The free transfers were very useful and essential for visiting the area.However, the hostel is very remote and isloated, hence the free transfers. Scout does everything within his financial abilities to ensure you have a lovely time. But the reality is the premises are old and run down i.e

The Bedrooms are not my thing , Bugs everywhere and the beds were really old and not stable, The shuttle service was great tho and the location next to the river is cool with the perfect and I mean perfect hang out area outside with a great view, the showers and toilets just need some renewing as you can really tell, A great volunteer named Rob is always down to help and is a very social guy. The host (Scout) is also very polite so definitely can’t complain about the people who work there

Great hostel for exploring Nikko national park. The host Scout is really lovely and accommodating, helped plan hikes, plus an excellent chef. Perfect riverside hostel getaway in all weather!! Shuttle/lift service super convenient for getting in and out - don’t be put off by the map location! Would highly recommend

Nice hostel in a beautiful setting, was a nice place to recoup and reset as it’s incredibly quiet. However the hostel owner has a weird bugbear against people who book through the website and charges more for meals than those who book direct. Other than that he was super helpful with lifts into town as it’s a 30 min drive.

Right next to the river, classic cabin vibe in the woods. Great meals and relaxing to hang out/read. Takes 30 minutes to get to the bus stations, but free shuttle to and fro!

Super unique hostel, its remote but that's what makes it cool. Scout is very attentive and helped us all out with whatever we needed. I really liked hanging out in the big tatami room.

Mixed feelings. Very chill & casual place. Perfect to meet people when full. Limited information provided by the staff about hikes & shrines Although remote the place is by a beautiful river in the nature Upon arrival, took me 15 minutes to tour the building until I could find a recently hired staff. Because of the low season I imagine. I wouldn't recommend that place to people staying 1-2 nights in Nikko. More for people travelling slow that want to connect with nature with chill casual...

perfect getaway to nature after the hustle and bustle of Tokyo. River flowing right next to the hostel is a huge bonus and probably even more so in summer when the water warms some more, and the homemade meals were cheap and delicious. location is out of the way but very easy to reach with free hostel organised transfers morning and evening - just need to let staff know at least a few hours in advance. Plenty of info about nearby hikes and onsens in wider Nikko. Basically all a hostel should be

The Bedrooms are not my thing , Bugs everywhere and the beds were really old and not stable, The shuttle service was great tho and the location next to the river is cool with the perfect and I mean perfect hang out area outside with a great view, the showers and toilets just need some renewing as you can really tell, A great volunteer named Rob is always down to help and is a very social guy. The host (Scout) is also very polite so definitely can’t complain about the people who work there

It doesn’t matter what I write for a review. Scout the owner will take it down anyway.

Scout is a really cool dude but it seems that overbuffs the review of this place. Bugs all over. It was freezing in the common areas and the beds were very mediocre. Bathrooms really need and update and smell terrible. I’m a chill person but this was at least double the price it should be.

We absolutely loved our stay here! Scout is incredibly helpful and lovely! The scenery is beautiful and peaceful. Great food as well if you decide to have breakfast and dinner at the hostel. Really well priced for everything you get! We really recommend a morning dip in the river too or going out by the river at night to see the stars!

super nice hostel in the nature. Very comfi beds. good organized with pic ups and drop offs. enjoyed my staying. 🤗

Home away from home along a beautiful river! *cold plunge if you’re brave* location about 25ish minutes from the Center. Host provides FREE shuttle pick up and drop off daily so it is easy to get to buses/trains to explore hikes and temples. You can order meals which make eating convenient and a delicious breakfast before you start your long exploration days was my fav. Comfy beds with a lot of blankets and duvet. Social yet relaxing vibes met great people and loved my experience! 4 nights

Great stay, the blueberry pancakes and eggs are out of this world. I preferred the breakfast to dinner tbh. Scout is a great host - a bit of an acquired taste, but once you come around to his personality he really opens up. The building itself is so unique and surprised me in the best way. Only downside, is that it is a bit of a commute from Nikko, but there are pickup times of 4:30, 6:30, and 9:30 which allow you to plan around that time.

The host makes this stay worth it alone. Great atmospheric hostel which is arranged to make encounters with other people as social as possible. The host himself is really attentive and does a lot to make sure your stay is comfortable. He also drives you between Nikko station and the hostel. Would definitely come again.

lovely wholesome hostel

One of those hostels where travelers book a couple nights and end up staying a week. So glad I found this place! Thank you Scout and Sonia for making it home!

Great clean hostel. It’s very nature forward and has great access to the main part of Nikko via the shuttle service back and forth. Awesome chill vibes you want in any hostel. also the river is cool.

I have traveled the world and this is the best in every way: very helpful staff who cook delicious meals in an outstanding location for relaxation. Nikko temples are also outstanding- astonishing architecture set amid towering pines and ancient cedars.

Amazing hostel, awesome staff, insane location, and delicious breakfast. Would recommend for anyone feeling like being a bit more adventurous and having a morning swim in the river.

propaply the best hostel i have been to. it was so unique and the owner was very accomodating. if i ever go back to japan, i'll have to visit nikko just to go there again :)

Amazing location with an amazing host who arranges transportation from and to the city and cooks great food. I was tempted to skip visiting the city and instead stay at the hostel to simply absorb the atmosphere and swim in the river.

Cet hostel est situé loin du centre mais c’est un vrai havre de paix qui vaut le détour. Il y a quelques navettes qui vous permettent d’y arriver plus facilement et de profiter des randonnées aux alentours. Sur place, vous dormez au calme, près d’une rivière où l’on peut se baigner. L’espace extérieur est top avec un sublime mobilier en bois. Petit coup de cœur pour les douches qui ont un charme fou. Scout, l’hôte est très accueillant et fait de bon petit dej’. Une adress...

Really cool hostel on the edge of a beautiful river surrounded by trees. It’s about a 20 min drive from town but there’s a free shuttle service to take u in and out for the day ! It’s worth it to be in such a peaceful place. Big hostel and lush outside area with decks and a disco ball for the right occasion Super yummy food as well- for vegen/veggie/meat eater. Highly recommend :)

Great hostel for exploring Nikko national park. The host Scout is really lovely and accommodating, helped plan hikes, plus an excellent chef. Perfect riverside hostel getaway in all weather!! Shuttle/lift service super convenient for getting in and out - don’t be put off by the map location! Would highly recommend

Nice hostel in a beautiful setting, was a nice place to recoup and reset as it’s incredibly quiet. However the hostel owner has a weird bugbear against people who book through the website and charges more for meals than those who book direct. Other than that he was super helpful with lifts into town as it’s a 30 min drive.