Sapporo Sky High Hostel: Keikyu's Best Kept Secret?
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the Sapporo Sky High Hostel: Keikyu's Best Kept Secret? … or so they say. I've been promising myself this review for weeks; it's time to get messy, honest, and hopefully, helpful.
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- Meta Description: Unpacking my stay at Sapporo Sky High Hostel: a candid review of accessibility, amenities, and that all-important "best kept secret" status. Is it worth it? Find out inside, filled with quirky observations, honest insights, and a messy, human perspective. (Spoiler: Expect the unexpected!)
Alright, here we go…
First Impressions & the Accessibility Factor (and a little rant)
Okay, so “Sky High”? Maybe that’s metaphoric, because getting to the hostel felt like an actual climb. (My knees were screaming after I was searching for the place, in the Sapporo winter. That’s a story for another time!) The Keikyu Line is the closest, which is convenient, but the walk… well, let's just say it involved some serious snowball dodging and a frantic search for a decent coffee.
Now, the accessibility. This is critical for me, and frankly, this is where a hostel can either win hearts or lose them. Wheelchair accessible? That's what they claim. I didn’t have a wheelchair at this time, but I always look for it for my elderly parents, and from what I could tell, it seemed mostly okay. The elevator worked, and the main areas seemed navigable. There were, however, some tight corners and doorways that might be a problem for wider chairs. I'd advise checking specific room accessibility with the hostel directly. And if you're like my mother, and need a specific type of wheelchair accessibility, call before you book. Seriously.
Internet Access - The Digital Age Survival Kit
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! YES! Praise be! And it actually worked. Blessedly. I used it for everything, including my usual binge-watching habits of a certain British baking show. The Internet [LAN] option? I didn't even try it, but it's there if you're a purist or have some ancient tech. And the Wi-Fi in public areas was decent too. Reliable enough to check emails, which is pretty much all I need nowadays.
Things to Do That Made Me Forget I Was Supposed to Be Working
Sapporo itself is amazing. Okay, I'm veering off topic. Back to the hostel. They had… well, they had information about things to do. Brochures, that sort of thing. Not a particularly exciting offering, but it's a hostel, not a travel agency. The real "things to do" were outside the door. The Sapporo Snow Festival (if you catch it at the right time) is a must-see, even if it means braving the cold.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking - Fueled by Convenience Store Runs (and maybe some ramen)
Restaurants, Restaurants, Restaurants! The hostel itself wasn't a foodie paradise. There was a Coffee shop, which was life-saving in the morning, honestly. Otherwise, you’re looking at the Asian cuisine in restaurant (which was fine; I had a decent bowl of ramen one night) and Western cuisine in restaurant. I'm not gonna lie, most of my meals were grabbed from convenience stores. Japan is amazing for convenience stores, and the hostel was close to a few. Breakfast [buffet] was available, and it was… fine. Basic, but it filled the void. I skipped my Breakfast takeaway service option, as I'm not that organized. Poolside bar, Pool with a view, that was not there at this hostel, in the winter!
Relaxation & Relaxation - The "Spa" Whisper
Okay, the “Spa” bit. They listed a whole load, but the reality was… limited. No Body scrub, no Body wrap, no Steamroom, no Sauna. There was mention of a spa, but I didn’t actually see one. Massage wasn't offered on site. Did they have a Pool with a view? Nope. Not in January, anyway. This felt a little misleading, to be honest.
Cleanliness & Safety – The COVID-19 Aftermath
Okay, the post-pandemic stuff. They tried. Hand sanitizer stations were everywhere, and they talked about Daily disinfection in common areas. There was also Staff trained in safety protocol. I didn’t witness anyone being lax, and I felt safe. They also had Hygiene certification, which is reassuring. Rooms sanitized between stays? I’m going to assume so; everything felt clean. Rooms sanitized between stays. I felt a bit secure about them, because of all the COVID rules.
Services and Conveniences – The Little Things That Matter
Convenience store nearby? YES! Daily housekeeping: pretty standard. Elevator: Thank the heavens. Luggage storage: essential for a hostel. Currency exchange: handy, though I usually used ATMs. Food delivery: Didn't use it, given the convienence store options. Reception is open 24-hours [Front desk [24-hour]!]. A lifesaver when you arrive at a ridiculous hour. Cashless payment service I'm not sure about, because I paid in cash.
Rooms – The Nitty-Gritty
Air conditioning - I didn’t try this. Alarm clock: Yup. Blackout curtains - absolutely essential. Coffee/tea maker: Sadly, no, but the coffee shop downstairs saved the day. Free bottled water: Yep. Hair dryer: Standard. High floor: I think my room was high. Internet access – wireless: Fantastic. Ironing facilities: not that I saw or used them. Mini bar: Nope. Non-smoking: YES! Private bathroom: My relief. Reading light: Present and functional. Shower: Worked. Slippers: Nah. Smoke detector: Yes! Wi-Fi [free]: Double yes! Window that opens: Thank goodness! Being able to breathe is critical.
Getting Around – The Transportation Tango
Airport transfer… I took the train. It was easy and quick from the airport. The hostel is in a fairly convenient location, but be prepared for those walks I mentioned before.
The Verdict – Is it the "Best Kept Secret"?
Honestly? No. It's not a secret. People seem to stay here, and I can see why. It's clean, reasonably priced, in a decent location, and has the essentials covered. I definitely think it is a great place to stay, but it doesn't feel like a hidden gem. The accessibility is a bit of a question mark, but the staff were helpful. The spa listing is misleading. The overall experience was perfectly acceptable for a hostel. It's a solid choice for budget travelers and the well-prepared, but don’t go expecting luxury. Go in with the knowledge that it's functional, and you’re likely to have a good time. Worth it? Yeah, probably. Would I stay again? Most likely. Just, you know, with realistic expectations. And maybe a bigger coat.
Atlantic City's BEST Kept Secret: Unbeatable Value at America's Best Value Inn!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because my Sapporo adventure planning? It's less a finely tuned Swiss watch and more like… well, me trying to assemble IKEA furniture after a double espresso. Here goes nothing, my slightly-chaotic itinerary for Plat Hostel Keikyu Sapporo Sky…
Day 1: Arrival – The Great Sapporo Snow Swirl & Initial Ramen-Induced Bliss
- Time: Late Afternoon (because planes, am I right?)
- Location: Shin-Chitose Airport (CTS) to Plat Hostel Keikyu Sapporo Sky – My home for the next few days!
- Vibes: Exhilarated, slightly terrified of the luggage carousel, desperately hoping my winter boots actually fit.
- Reality Check: Landed! The airport felt like a giant, gleaming snow globe. My boots? Success! Mostly. The jetlag is already starting its insidious creep, but nothing a good coffee and ramen can't fix.
- Transportation: Airport Express Train to Sapporo Station. Easy peasy. Finding the right platform? Let's just say I may have accidentally joined a tour group of overly-enthusiastic Obon dancers for a hot minute.
- Check-in: At the hostel, I hope the staff understands my broken Japanese. I think they do, because the hostel so nice. So many rooms and floors, I hope I don't get lost.
- The Ramen Hunt: Okay, this is crucial. Tonight, Sapporo Ramen is the mission, and I'm not messing around. I've done my "research" (read: googled "best Sapporo ramen near me" for like, an hour), and I THINK I have a plan. Wish me luck, especially because I am very hungry.
- Ramen Report: Okay, okay, deep breath. I found this tiny, hole-in-the-wall place - "Sumire Ramen" - the kind you see in movies, right? It was everything. The broth? A damn symphony of flavors. The noodles? Perfect texture, just a little bit of chew. I swear I could feel my soul warming up. My stomach felt blissful, even though I was freezing outside. The perfect welcome to the city.
- Emotion: Pure, unadulterated joy. And maybe a little bit of regret for eating all the noodles.
Day 2: Sapporo Beer Garden - A Bit Much
- Time: Late morning, early afternoon, and potentially into the evening (let's be honest).
- Location: Sapporo Beer Garden and the Sapporo Beer Museum (nearby).
- Vibes: Eager. Thirsty. Determined to conquer this beer thing. (Okay I am really worried about getting too drunk)
- Reality Check: Today is beer day! I think I'm ready? I don't think I'm ready.
- The Beer Museum:
- Experience: I had a great time, reading about the history of beer was enlightening. This museum isn't just about drinking. It's historical, it's cultural, it's a story of how beer came to be, and how the local area affected all of it.
- Emotion: I enjoyed the museum.
- Sapporo Beer Garden:
- Experience: I got a giant plate of Genghis Khan (lamb) and just basically drank. I thought about beer pairing tips that I had, and tried some "sophisticated" beer tasting, but quickly gave up and just gave into the beer, the meat, and the joy of the moment. Everything here is BIG, which I love.
- Emotion: I started feeling giddy and happy. It's a fun place, everyone is happy, I'm happy, and the food is great.
- Post Beer Day:
- Experience: This is kind of a blur. I'm walking and walking, and I saw the clock tower. But I can't remember anything else.
- Emotion: Oh man, I'm happy, but tired. But the beer was so good.
Day 3: Day Trippin' like a Tourist (and possibly needing a nap)
- Time: Morning to Early Evening.
- Location: Otaru, a charming canal town with a history of glassblowing and… well, more food.
- Vibes: Tourist-y, ready to Instagram everything, and probably a bit hungover.
- Reality Check: Okay, Otaru is cute. Really cute. Like, aggressively adorable. The canal is perfect for photos. The glass shops are tempting my money.
- Transportation: Train to Otaru. Easy. Beautiful. And, thankfully, no more accidentally joining dance troupes.
- Activities:
- The Canal: Walk along the scenic canal. Take photos. Pretend I'm in a movie.
- Glassblowing: Check out some glass-blowing studios. Maybe even try my hand at it. Or, more realistically, watch someone else do it and buy something stunning.
- More Food (because, duh): Seafood. Ice cream. Literally anything that looks remotely delicious. I've already got my eye on some fresh uni (sea urchin). It's a must.
- The Great Uni Debacle: Okay, maybe "debacle" is dramatic. But the uni? It was… intense. Like, a tidal wave of briny flavor. I loved it, but my taste buds are still reeling.
- Emotion: Mostly a mix of awe and a slight food coma. It's beautiful, I'm full of seafood, and I'm happy. And maybe on the brink of a serious nap.
Day 4: The Botanical Garden and A Bit of a Panic
- Time: Morning.
- Location: Sapporo Botanical Garden
- Vibes: Trying to feel calm. A bit frantic.
- Reality Check: I really enjoyed the garden. Very calming, beautiful plants. I felt like I was in another world.
- Panic: I'm leaving tomorrow and haven't done enough. Should I do more? Where do I even go?
Day 5: Goodbye, Sapporo Sky - Until Next Time?
- Time: All day.
- Location: Plat Hostel Keikyu Sapporo Sky -> Airport.
- Vibes: Sad. But also excited to go home!
- Reality Check: What happened? Is it over? Did I enjoy myself? Yes! Yes! I spent a solid week in Sapporo. I didn't get lost, I ate good food, I loved every moment.
- Transportation: Airport Express.
- Final Thoughts: Sapporo, you were a blast. Your ramen, your beer, the people, everything was perfect. I can't wait to come back and do it all again (and maybe remember more this time!).
So there you have it. The messy, imperfect, and utterly human account of my Sapporo adventure. And yes, I am still slightly jet-lagged, and possibly still slightly hungover. But hey, that's life, right? Cheers!
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Sapporo Sky High Hostel: Keikyu's Best Kept Secret? - (Or Was It Mine?)
Alright, alright, let's talk about this Sapporo Sky High Hostel thing. The "Keikyu's Best Kept Secret?"...well, let's just say that's what they claim. Whether it's *my* best kept secret is another story entirely. Prepare for a messy, honest, and probably slightly rambling journey. Here we go...
1. So, where *is* this magical place anyway? And is it actually convenient for train travel?
Okay, deep breaths. It's in Sapporo. Duh. And, yes, it *is* conveniently located. Think, a brisk waddle from Sapporo Station. Seriously, you could probably roll your suitcase there (though I wouldn't recommend it on those snowy Hokkaido streets). I’m talking, grab-a-coffee-and-still-make-your-train kind of convenient. That Keikyu claim? Not entirely wrong. You're basically a stone's throw from the train tracks. Which, depending on your sleep, can be a *blessing* or a curse (more on that… later).
2. What's the vibe? Is it a party hostel, or am I going to be tiptoeing around grumpy backpackers?
Ah, the vibe. This is where things get… complicated. When I was there, it was *mostly* chill. Like, less "rave till dawn" and more "quiet conversations over instant ramen at 2 am" (which, honestly, is my preferred style). I did hear *one* snore that could shatter glass, but hey, you get that in any dorm, right? The common area? Nice and cozy. Lots of comfy chairs, books in various languages (thankfully, some were in English for me!). Met some real interesting folks from all over the place. There was a particularly quiet guy from Switzerland who only spoke in riddles. He was weird, but in a good way. Another one who kept trying to teach me to juggle, even though I only managed to drop the beanbags and nearly take out a lamp. Memories...
3. Okay, let's get to the nitty-gritty: The Rooms. Are they clean? Are they tiny? Seriously, tell me the truth!
Okay, okay. The rooms... Honestly? Pretty darn clean. They're not palatial, let's be real, this *is* a hostel. You’re sharing a space. Expect bunk beds. Expect... well, not luxury. But were they clean? Yes. Were the beds comfortable enough after a long day of traversing Sapporo's winter wonderland? Absolutely. I’m not exaggerating when I say I practically fell asleep the second my head hit the pillow. The only "complaint" (and it's a minor one) is that the rooms could be a bit close quarters. Like, if you're prone to claustrophobia, maybe request a lower bunk so you are not stuck with the feeling.
4. The bathrooms! I need to know about the bathrooms! Are there enough? Are they clean? Are they… Japanese?
Oh, the bathrooms. This is a MAJOR win! Yes, yes, and YES. Plenty of bathrooms. Seriously, I never had to queue. They were spotless. And yes, they totally had that awesome Japanese toilet technology. You know, the ones with the heated seats and the… other… features. Let me just say: you haven't lived until you've experienced a Japanese toilet on a chilly Hokkaido morning. It was an experience. A *good* experience. Pure luxury. Forget the hostel life sometimes, I could have stayed in the bathroom all day.
5. Any major downsides? Is there anything I should be wary of?
Okay, here’s where I unleash some of my "unfiltered" thoughts. The biggest potential downside? Noise. As I mentioned earlier, it's near the train tracks. If you're a light sleeper, bring earplugs. I, being a generally heavy sleeper, survived. But I *did* notice the trains. They weren't *horrendous*, but they were definitely... there. The walls are kind of thin. You can hear other guests. Like, really hear them. The Swiss riddle-man's rustling of pages in the middle of the night, the beanbag-juggling lessons that happened at 2 AM, all audible. So yeah, bring earplugs. And maybe a sense of humor. And possibly a restraining order against the Swiss guy if he tries to give you a riddle at 3 AM.
6. Okay, let's talk about the "Sky High" part. Is there a view?
Oh, the "Sky High" part... Well, I wouldn't exactly say *sky-high*. It's not on top of a skyscraper. You're looking at something more like… a decent view of the city. It wasn't breathtaking. It wasn't *bad*. It was… a view. Looked nice during sunset. Nothing to write home about, but it was alright. I spent more time looking at the snow falling outside the window of the common area. Which, I have to admit, *was* pretty magical.
7. The staff! Were they friendly? Helpful? Did they speak English?
The staff? They were… decent. Generally pleasant, helpful enough. English was... adequate. Let's just say there was a bit of a language barrier at times, which led to a few hilarious mishaps. Like the time I tried to order a "sandwich" and ended up with... well, I'm still not entirely sure what it was, but it involved some questionable ingredients. But they were always trying their best, and that's what mattered. And they had recommendations on good places to eat ramen, which is essential!. So, yes! They did a solid job.
8. Food! Is there anything to eat nearby? Or am I going to be stuck surviving on convenience store snacks?
Food! Blessedly, yes! You are in Sapporo! And the hostel is located in a culinary paradise! Convenience store snacks are *always* an option (and, let's be honest, a necessary evil),Coastal Inns
