Kulture Kaiwa

Of all the hotels and hostels I’ve stayed at in Japan, this humble little hostel was by far my favourite accommodation across the country. With pristine amenities, comfortable beds, friendly locals, and hosts that truly make you feel at home, Hostel & Cafe Farolito is a place you will want to return to.

Hospitable hosts

I actually discovered Hostel & Cafe Farolito by chance. While travelling in Fukuoka, I spontanteously decided to hike up Mt. Koura to Koura Taisha Shrine and was looking for nearby hostels. A quick search on Google Maps led me to Farolito, a cute, well-kept, and cosy looking hostel in the town of Ukiha, just East of Mt. Koura. I contacted the hosts and promptly arranged a stay for two nights, expecting the usual hostel experience.

I’ll admit, I was pretty knackered on arrival after the hike, but after being warmly greeted by Kazuya and Kanako and shown to the room, I was energised again. I immediately clicked with Kanako’s friendly energy and I could tell that the couple loved meeting with travellers. It turned out that Kanako had spent time living in Perth, my home city, and I was able to pick up a hint of an Aussie accent in her English. The two of them had met while working at a hotel in Spain and are both seasoned travellers, so for any foreigners coming to visit, you’ll have plenty to connect over.

I learnt so much about the town and surrounding areas from Kazuya and Kanako, and once they learned of my interests, they were quickly pumping out recommendations of what to see and do during my stay. I highly recommend spending time chatting with the wonderful hosts during your stay and pulling up a chair at the cafe bar in the evenings to get to know their local, regular customers who are as warm and welcoming as Kazuya and Kanako.

Pick a room

The building itself holds so much history, having been built back in 1913. The cafe sits on the first floor and serves as the entry way, with a door leading into the back where you’ll find the shared areas of the hostel. Upstairs, you have a choice of two room types: a dormitory room or one of two twin rooms for more privacy.

The dormitory room has two bunk beds and one single bed to choose from, so 5 beds in total. I chose one of the lower bunks, as they have curtains that wrap all the way around for privacy. I’m also quite tall, so I tend to choose lower bunks anyway. Kazuya changes the bedding daily and the sheets are so lovely and soft, not like your average, dry-paper white sheets. There’s a small reading lamp on each bed with power points and a little shelf to keep some belongings, as well as two hangers provided per bed. The room itself is very spacious, so there’s plenty of room to have your bags or suitcase kept to the side, and there’s a small chest of drawers with a lock and key on each section to keep any valuables inside.

The smaller twin room contains two single beds with bedside tables, and the larger twin room contains the same with the addition of a small table and two large chairs for lounging in. All rooms have large, traditional style wooden-framed paper windows, dark wooden beam decor, and tall ceilings, so you don’t feel cramped.

Each guest is provided with a room key and a code to get into the building, so you can feel rest assured of safety for yourself and your belongings. Since the rooms do sit above the cafe, you may hear chatter up until close at 10pm, but it doesn’t get very rowdy. Kazuya and Kanako are very mindful of their hostel guests, and on one evening where some other guests were getting very rowdy in the shared area downstairs, Kazuya kindly reminded them to be quiet and considerate of the other guests (me), which I really appreciated.

Cafe Farolito dining

For a two-person kitchen, the cafe at Hostel & Cafe Farolito has a pretty extensive menu, with something to suit all tastes. Kanako spent her time in Perth attending culinary school and has a bunch of kitchen experience from working at hotels/hostels in-country and internationally. Her previous travel experiences really shine through in her choice of dishes at the cafe, with options like fish and chips, jerk chicken, and tomato curry. Kazuya is the drinks connoisseur here, with a good knowledge of wines and sake in the area and can recommend something to try based on what you like.

Kanako also keeps the bar stocked with home-baked goodies and can pump out some killer crepes with seasonal fruits and cream. I highly recommend a slice of her chocolate cake that’s delicately moist, not overly rich, and perfectly paired with a tart fig compote.

Many members of the local community are regulars at the cafe here, popping in for a delicious dinner or a drink at the bar. Prop yourself up on a stool to watch Kanako and Kazuya in their element and strike up a conversation with their customers for a properly immersive Japan experience. In my experience, most people are keen to test out some English, and Kanako is a great mediator when the barrier gets too difficult.

Hostel services and facilities

The hostel has everything you’ll need for a comfortable stay. The fully functional kitchen allows you to make use of some local produce and cook up a storm for yourself or together with your travel buddies. You can keep items in the fridge and help yourself to some complimentary tea in the common area. The hojicha (roasted green tea) in Ukiha is the best I’ve ever had, please don’t be shy to help yourself to a cup.

There are two spacious shower rooms, two toilets, and two separated vanity areas for shared use. The showers have body wash, shampoo, and conditioner, and each vanity has a hairdryer for guest use. Towels, some toiletry products, and washing services are available for small fees, which really came in handy during my two week stay. The washing machine does a thorough clean and dry all in one go, so you just have to whack your clothes in with some detergent and in a few hours they’ll be fresh, dry, and ready to pack back into your bags.

You can even rent the BBQ in the backyard if you’re keen on dinner under the stars, and there’s a cheap breakfast available to guests as an additional option.

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If you’d like to experience a lesser travelled area of Japan that’s rich in culture and community, as well as mouthwatering dining options, then please consider a stay in Ukiha at Hostel & Cafe Farolito. This area really has so much to offer and is the perfect scenic escape for those looking for a slow-paced and therapeutic getaway.