Located in the southeastern part of Hokkaido's Tokachi area, Urahoro Town lies about halfway between Obihiro and Kushiro. Here you'll find Hahaha Hostel, a guesthouse created by renovating a 35-year-old building through a DIY project with local residents. While all rooms are private, there's also a large living room with a wood-burning stove, perfect for mingling with staff and fellow travelers. Let's dive into the charms of Hahaha Hostel and share some recommendations for a stay that lets you truly savor Urahoro!

The bookshelf in the common living room, crafted by a furniture maker living in Urahoro.

Urahoro is a small town with a population of about 4,000, located right in the middle of Obihiro and Kushiro, about an hour's drive from each. This is where Hahaha Hostel is located. The facility was founded by Akira Komatsu, who is involved in various projects to revitalize Urahoro, such as promoting immigration and running the "Torinome Shoten" store. Mr. Komatsu was originally active as a member of Urahoro's Community-Revitalization Cooperator team.

At the time, the main accommodation in Urahoro was a long-established inn in front of the JR station, and it was often difficult to get a reservation. Even when they organized bird-watching or coal mine tours to attract people to the town, there was nowhere for them to stay, preventing them from getting to know the charms of Urahoro on a deeper level. He says he decided to create a hostel to solve this problem.

The building is a former dormitory for the "Shinrinshitsu" (Forestry Office), which is over 35 years old. Starting at the end of 2020, they began a self-renovation project with the help of local people, and in July 2021, Hahaha Hostel opened its doors.

Self-renovating the former dormitory.

A key focus of the self-renovation was the abundant use of wood. The log-house-like exterior reflects the desire to cherish the local character of this "town of forestry." In the Western-style rooms on the second floor, the original tatami mats were removed and replaced with solid wood flooring from Urahoro. Even several years after opening, you can still catch the faint scent of wood.

The main entrance, featuring plenty of wood.

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

So, what kind of space awaits in these rooms, packed with the local character of Urahoro? Let's take a look!

Hahaha Hostel has a total of eight rooms: seven Western-style and one Japanese-style. All of them are private, so you won't have to share with other guests. They are perfect for those who aren't fond of dormitories or are looking for a cozy retreat for work or reading.

The six single/twin rooms are especially well-equipped, with a table, chair, and a working space converted from a former closet. Thoughtful details like an extension cord are also provided. The rooms are so comfortable that most guests on business trips tend to stay in and work, they say.

A single/twin room. Equipped with a table, chair, extension cord, TV, hanger rack, air purifier, heater, and circulator fan.

Soft sunlight streams in in the morning (curtains are the same in all rooms).

For groups of three, the triple room is recommended. In addition to the main room light, there are individual bed lights, which are handy when you want to read a bit longer after everyone else has gone to sleep. The Western-style rooms come in three different wall colors, so it's a fun surprise to see which room you'll get.

The triple room is equipped with a folding table, folding chairs, extension cord, TV, hanger rack, air purifier, heater, and circulator fan.

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

The Japanese-style room on the first floor is also recommended for elderly guests with mobility concerns or families with children.

The Japanese-style room is equipped with a table, zabuton cushions, extension cord, TV, hanger rack, heater, circulator fan, and hairdryer.

While all rooms are private, the toilets and showers are shared. The shower room on the first floor is simple, with a shower and a changing area, and is equipped with a place for your belongings, a towel rack, and shampoo, conditioner, and body soap.

The shared shower room on the first floor.

Also on the first floor is a washstand area. With a large mirror and hairdryers, it's easy to get ready. A nice touch is that you can try testers of lotion and moisturizer from "rosa rugosa," an organic cosmetics brand that uses Rugosa rose, the town flower of Urahoro.

The washstand area on the first floor.

The shared kitchen on the second floor is available for all guests. It may look compact, but it's well-stocked with basic cooking utensils and appliances, including dishes, cups, cutlery, seasonings like soy sauce, cooking sake, salt, and pepper, as well as a frying pan, cutting board, knife, refrigerator, microwave, kettle, and toaster.

You could enjoy cooking with local ingredients bought at "Michi-no-eki Urahoro" or "The Vegetable Shop 21." For long-term stays, buying groceries and living like a local could be a great experience.

You can also add an optional breakfast to your stay. A handmade sandwich prepared by the staff is placed in the refrigerator the night before, so you can eat it whenever you like. These hearty sandwiches are very popular with guests and look incredibly satisfying.

There are few shops in Urahoro that open early in the morning. If preparing breakfast in advance seems like a hassle, we recommend adding the breakfast option when you book.

Next up is the shared living room. Here you'll find a large table, single-person sofas, benches, a wood-burning stove, a bookshelf, and a cafe bar. While catering to the demand for private, cozy stays, this space also embraces those who want to interact with other guests and staff or simply relax in a more spacious area.

You can eat and drink here, so it's often used by families and friends who want to enjoy a meal in a larger space. Of course, it's also recommended for those who want to work or read while feeling the lively presence of others.

The common area also has a cafe bar. Although it's primarily for guests, sometimes locals drop by to share vegetables. Currently, they only serve drinks, and to encourage guests to visit nearby establishments, they allow outside food and drinks.

One of Urahoro's characteristics is its many long-loved restaurants with rich histories. However, many of the owners have grown old with their establishments and are considering retirement. It might be a good idea to visit these local eateries and create your own memories, like thinking, "The Neapolitan pasta at that place was delicious."

"Jewelry Ice," a gem created by nature.

Urahoro may not be a typical "tourist destination," but it's full of things to enjoy. One of them is Jewelry Ice. This phenomenon occurs when ice from the Tokachi River flows into the Pacific Ocean and washes up on the shore. Tumbled by the waves, the sharp edges are smoothed away, making the ice sparkle like beautiful jewels. The best time to see it is from mid-January to late February, a very cold season, but it's great to have an activity to enjoy even in winter.

It's fun to hold up the ice like a mask.

If you're staying at Hahaha Hostel, bird-watching is also highly recommended. Urahoro is said to be an ideal spot for bird-watching because its diverse environments—farmlands, primeval flower gardens, forests, and wetlands—provide various habitats and feeding grounds, attracting a wide variety of birds.

Many birds are most active in the early morning, but their behavior naturally changes with the time, weather, and season. For those who want to increase their chances of seeing a specific bird, a stay of several days is recommended.

Urahoro also offers custom-made bird-watching tours led by a local guide who has been observing wild birds in the area for many years. All tours are private, with the local guide driving you around, making them great for beginners as well as seasoned bird-watchers from afar. In the summer, many people also enjoy cycling.

While we've focused on tourism, the true charm of Urahoro is its way of life. Long-time residents and a growing number of newcomers in their 20s and 30s who have moved here over the past decade have blended together, creating a diverse and unique environment.

Arisa Kudo, who manages Hahaha Hostel, says, "The charm of Urahoro slowly reveals itself as you stay longer and connect with the thoughts and stories of the local people." Hahaha Hostel is also looking for helpers who can stay for free in exchange for helping out at the inn. If you're interested in truly experiencing the town's charm, why not consider a long-term stay?