Urahoro Town is located in the southeastern part of the Tokachi area of Hokkaido, roughly halfway between Obihiro and Kushiro. Hahaha Hostel in this town is a guesthouse built in a 35-year-old building, which was renovated through DIY projects with the help of local residents. While all rooms are private, there is also a large living room with a wood-burning stove, where staff and fellow travelers can interact. We will introduce the charm of Hahaha Hostel and some recommended ways to stay and "experience Urahoro"!

A bookshelf in the shared living room made by a furniture craftsman living in Urahoro Town

Urahoro Town is located exactly halfway between Obihiro City and Kushiro City, about an hour's drive from either town. Hahaha Hostel is located in this small town of around 4,000 people. The hostel was founded by Komatsu Teru, who is involved in various projects to revitalize Urahoro Town, including promoting immigration and running the Torinome Shoten store. In fact, Komatsu was originally active as a local revitalization volunteer (hereafter referred to as the volunteer) in Urahoro Town.

At the time, the only main place to stay in Urahoro was a long-established inn in front of the JR station, and it was difficult to get a reservation. Even when they tried to attract people to the town by organizing bird watching tours and coal mine tours, there was no place to stay, and they were unable to fully discover the good things about Urahoro. To solve this problem, they decided to open a hostel.

The building is a former dormitory for single people from the "Shinrinshitsu" group, which is over 35 years old. Hahaha Hostel was opened in July 2021 after undergoing self-renovation with local residents from the end of 2020.

Self-renovation of a former dormitory

One thing they focused on when doing the self-renovation was to use wood lavishly. Not only does it have a log cabin-like exterior, but it also reflects their desire to "cherish the local character of the town as a forestry town." In particular, the original tatami mats in the Western-style rooms on the second floor were removed and replaced with solid wood flooring from Urahoro Town, and even now, several years after opening, you can still smell the faint scent of wood.

The front entrance is made of plenty of wood

Immediately to the left of the main entrance is the check-in counter.

What kind of space is this room packed with the local characteristics of Urahoro Town? Let's take a look!

Hahaha Hostel has a total of eight rooms, seven Western-style rooms and one Japanese-style room. All of the rooms are private, so you won't be sharing a room with other guests. These rooms are perfect for those who don't like dormitories or those who want to stay in a "secluded" room to work or read.

In particular, all six single twin rooms are equipped with a table and chair, and a working space that has been converted from a closet into a desk. There are even extension cords, and every detail has been thought out. Perhaps because it is so comfortable, most business travelers seem to stay in their rooms.

Single twin room. Equipped with a table, chairs, extension cord, TV, clothes rack, air purifier, stove, and circulator.

In the morning, sunlight streams in gently (all rooms have the same curtains).

For three people staying, we recommend the triple room. In addition to lighting that illuminates the entire room, there is also a separate light for each bed, so it's perfect for when everyone else has fallen asleep but you still want to read a book a little longer. There are three different wall colors for the Western-style rooms, so it's fun to think about which room you'll be staying in.

Triple rooms are equipped with a folding table, folding chair, extension cord, TV, clothes rack, air purifier, stove, and air circulator.

There is also a Japanese-style room on the first floor where you can sleep on a futon. Since you don't have to use the stairs, it is recommended for those with weak legs or those with children.

The Japanese-style room on the first floor is recommended for elderly people with weak legs and those traveling with children.

The Japanese-style room is equipped with a table, cushions, extension cord, TV, clothes rack, stove, circulator, and hair dryer.

All rooms are private, but toilets and showers are shared. The shower room on the first floor of the building is simply equipped with a shower room and changing room, as well as luggage storage, towel racks, shampoo, conditioner, and body soap.

Shared shower room on the first floor of the building

There is also a washbasin on the first floor of the building. It has a large mirror and a hair dryer, making it easy to get ready. Another nice feature is that you can use testers of cosmetics and lotions from "rosa rugosa," an organic cosmetics brand that uses the rosehip flower of Urahoro Town.

Washbasin on the first floor of the building

Anyone staying at the hotel can also use the shared kitchen on the second floor. Although it may look compact at first glance, it is equipped with basic cooking equipment and appliances, including dishes, cups, cutlery, seasonings such as soy sauce, cooking sake, salt, and pepper, as well as frying pans, cutting boards, knives, a refrigerator, a microwave, a pot, and a toaster.

Another way to enjoy the experience is to enjoy cooking with local ingredients purchased at "Urahoro Roadside Station" or "The Vegetable Shop 21." If you're staying for an extended period, it might be a good idea to buy some ingredients and stay as if you were "living" there.

You can also add breakfast to your room rate as an option. The staff will prepare handmade sandwiches for you in the refrigerator the night before, so you can eat them whenever you like. The sandwiches, packed with ingredients, are a big hit with guests, and they look like they'll be filling.

Apparently, there are few restaurants in Urahoro that are open early in the morning, so if you think it would be a bit of a hassle to prepare breakfast in advance, we recommend that you request the breakfast option when making your reservation.

Next up is the shared living room, which is equipped with a large table, a single sofa, benches, a wood-burning stove, a bookshelf, and a cafe bar. While catering to the demand for "secluded stays," the space also caters to those who want to interact with other guests and staff, or simply relax in a larger space.

Eating and drinking is allowed here, so it's popular with people who want to enjoy a meal with family and friends in a spacious space. Of course, it's also recommended for those who want to work or read while enjoying the hustle and bustle of people.

There is also a cafe bar in the common area. It is primarily a facility for guests staying at the hotel, but locals sometimes drop in to share their vegetables. Currently, only drinks are served, and guests are allowed to bring their own drinks, as they would like guests to "make use of nearby shops."

One of the characteristics of Urahoro Town is that there are many restaurants with long-standing stories that have been loved for a long time. However, it seems that there are many restaurant owners who have aged along with their restaurants and are considering retirement. It might be a good idea to visit local restaurants with the intention of making memories at each restaurant, such as "The Neapolitan at that restaurant was delicious."

"Jewelry Ice" - A gem created by nature

Urahoro Town is not a so-called "tourist destination," but there are plenty of things to enjoy. One of them is jewelry ice. Jewelry ice is ice that flows from the Tokachi River into the Pacific Ocean and washes up on the shore. As it is tossed about by the waves, its edges become rounded, giving it a beautiful sparkle like a jewel. The best time to see it is from mid-January to late February, during the very cold season, but it's nice to know that there are activities you can enjoy even in winter.

It's also fun to use ice as a mask

If you stay at Hahaha Hostel, we also recommend bird watching. In fact, Urahoro Town is said to be an area where many different birds gather, thanks to its diverse environments and feeding grounds, including farmland, primeval flower gardens, forests, and wetlands, making it the perfect place for bird watching.

Many birds are active in the early morning, but of course the movements of the birds change depending on the time of day, weather, season, etc. If you want to increase your chances of seeing your target bird, we recommend staying for a few days.

Urahoro also offers custom-made bird watching tours led by local guides who have been observing wild birds in the area for many years. All tours are private tours where a local guide will take you by car, making them a great choice for bird watching beginners as well as veterans who have come from far away. In addition, many people enjoy cycling in the summer.

While we've focused on tourism, the charm of Urahoro Town is its lifestyle. A mix of long-time locals and the rapidly increasing number of immigrants in their 20s and 30s over the past decade has created a brackish water area, resulting in a diverse and unique environment.

Arisa Kudo, who is in charge of running Hahaha Hostel, says, "By staying in Urahoro Town for a long time and coming into contact with the thoughts and stories of the local people, you gradually come to understand its greatness." Hahaha Hostel is also looking for helpers who will provide free accommodation in exchange for helping out with the accommodation. If you're looking to fully experience the charm of the town, why not consider a long-term stay?