Welcome to Earth Hostel – Nikko Hostel Riverhouse

Earth Hostel – Nikko Hostel Riverhouse is more than just a place to stay while backpacking in Japan; It is a cozy place to connect with nature, with yourself, and with other travelers; a destination on your journey.  We are located directly on Black River, just a quick staircase to the beach. Black River is a refreshing stream that originates in the southern mountains of Nikko in the village of Okorogawa.  This Nikko hostel is not your ordinary hostel. 

No curfew / No Lockout – You can enjoy the stars at night, hang out in the open air lounge area on the river, or take midnight strolls. There are no souvenir shops and no city lights nearby. Only stars, trees and mountains and a beautiful river.  We offer free wifi internet everywhere (from optic fiber connection) including the beach, the open air lounge, common room, dorm rooms and annex rooms. We have lockers and safes available for your valuables. 

There is an outdoor lounge eatery & event space (wanderlust.earthhostel.com) with vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options. 

This Nikko hostel is great for friends traveling together and solo travellers. 

Free Roundtrip Shuttle Service

We provide free pickup and drop-off shuttle service for our guests. Please read the following information carefully and contact us if you have any questions :

Pickup Service

We offer free pickup service for checking-in from Nikko station (JR or Tobu line), Shimogoshiro station (Tobu line) or Fubasami station (JR line). Please send us a message until 2 hours before the times listed below to reserve your spot. We only go if there is a reservation for each time listed. Please specify which train line you are traveling on.

The free pickup times and locations for our Nikko hostel are:

• 4:30 PM from Nikko station (JR line, bus stand 1a) or Tobu Nikko station (in front)
• 6:30 PM from Nikko station (JR line, bus stand 1a) or Tobu Nikko station (in front)
• 9:00 PM from Nikko station (JR line, bus stand 1a) or Tobu Nikko station (in front)

If you arrive later than 9:01 PM, we can pick you up from Shimogoshiro station on the Tobu Nikko line or Fubasami station on the JR Nikko line. Please arrange a time with us a day in advance.

Drop-off Service

We offer free drop-off service for checking-out or sightseeing from our Nikko hostel. The drop-off times and locations are:

• 6:00 AM to 11:00 AM to (JR) Nikko station Tobu-Nikko station) to catch the Tobu bus to Kegon Falls, Lake Chuzenji, Ryuzu waterfall, Senjogahara, Yutaki, Yunoko, Yumoto Onsen or the Unesco world heritage temple and shrines.
• 6:00 AM to 11:00 AM to Shinkyo Bridge / Toshogu Shrine Unesco world heritage area.  Busy holidays only to (JR) Nikko station or Tobu-Nikko station.

Check-in and Check-out

• The normal check-in time is anytime from 4:00 PM to 11:30 PM. The normal check-out time is before 11:00 AM.  There are lockers at the train stations.
• If you want to check-in early or check-out later, you can use our day use service for a fee. This is only possible with your own transportation or our Nikko hostel shuttle pickup from Shimogoshiro or Fubasami stations. The fee is 1,000 yen per person for guests staying 2 or more nights and 2,000 yen for guests staying just 1 night. Children 12 and younger, no charge. The arrival time for early check-in is anytime between 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM. The departure time for late check-out is until 4:00 PM.
• Day use for non-overnight guests is 2,000 yen per person and 1,000 yen per child (3-6 years old).

Free Parking 

• please let us know that you have a car and we appreciate an ETA (estimated time of arrival)

Meals and Drinks

• We serve breakfast until 10:00 AM, and lunch and dinner are also available for purchase.
• Alcohol available for sale 
• We have vegetarian, vegan. 
• Cook your own meals in the fully stocked guest kitchen or order from the menu at https://wanderlust.earthhostel.com/nikko-riverhouse-food-menu
• Dinner is available from the kitchen (need to know by the day before) or nearby restaurants.

Bikes for Hire

You can hire 2 bikes and explore the countryside area (~15k radius).

Nikko Hostel Accommodation

• variety of sleep options, from traditional tatami rooms to cozy annex rooms. All rooms have access to free wifi. Annex rooms have safes.  A/C Heating & A/C cooling in all rooms.
• There is a spacious common room, an open-air lounge where guests can mingle or play games and a guest kitchen.

Nikko Local Buses

• covering transportation to Nikko National Park and the Unesco Temples and Shrines, learn about them here :  https://earthhostel.com/nikko-japan/nikko-bus-pass-timetable/

Policies

• Absolutely no snorers allowed unless they’re part of a group that reserved the whole room.  
• We have a 2 week cancellation policy for full refund, and a 2 day policy to cancel following nights for direct booking reservations.  Cancellations within the 2 week period, the 1st night is due. 
• Third party reservations full amount due at check-in.  
• Infants or babies 2 years old and under, no charge.  Children 3-6 are half price ONLY with homepage reservations, not 3rd party booking sites.
• We also welcome dogs in the annex rooms, but please bring some blankets to cover the carpeting and the bed. 
• We are English-speaking and open from late-March to mid-November.

Payment Method

• Please reserve on this website using the security of Stripe.  Your card is not charged, it is only used to secure your reservation.
• Please pay cash in yen when you arrive.  If you want to pay by credit card, 5% will be added. 
• Deposits or commissions paid through third party sites don’t apply if you are fewer guests than your online reservation.

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