Rusutsu Grand Cabin

Japan is one of a very small number of countries where I consider hostel-style accommodations. The Grand Cabin Rusutsu did not disappoint. I stayed in their shared room, in the style of a simple capsule hotel, with shared bathrooms and other facilities (there are also 'private' rooms but I believe they all share the common facilities). The capsule is quite private, with your own individual blind, a light, one 110V and one USB (A) socket; see attached photo. Shared facilties are impeccably clean (no idea how they do that). Surprisingly, although I was in a room with 19 other people, everybody was extremely polite and considerate. Most of the time you barely heard that there were other people around. The staff is very nice and friendly. Shuttle goes 3 times in the morning to Rusutsu resort (8,9,10am) and back 3 times back (I always took the first one, at 4pm, not sure about the other times). The Lawson conbini 2 minutes away is super convenient for food etc. There is a restaurant on the first floor which is open to the public. This is the 'grill your own meat' style. I tried it once and it was OK. I was the oldest guest (by quite a margin) but I did not feel out of place. Had nice conversations with some of the others, about half from Asia (various countries) and the other half Westerners (Aussies, Canadians and a single American). Costwise, it is an enormous bargain compared to the Resort itself. In particular of course for solo travelers. If I come back to Rusutsu I will for sure stay there again!

The dorm room I was in was very packed, lacking good ventilation and reasonable storage for suitcase or even racks to hang jackets - people just hang towels and stuff at the windows or anywhere you can hang something. Only space I found for my suitcase was the hallway. Yakiniku restaurant smoke and smell permeated everywhere, even when it is just one or two customers, again very inadequate ventilation.

It was a nice stay. The hostel is clean and surprisingly quiet in the 20 bed dorm. The shuttle bus service was great but make sure to book at least a day in advance. Couple of downsides, it is very isolated so can be difficult if you are solo travelling and the bathroom/shower facilities are limited and not near the dorm room

No problem with pods but the mattresses are really uncomfortable. Too thin to sleep well. Probably okay for smaller lighter peeps. Location is good and staff are friendly and helpful.

Clean and warm, comfy beds, I was surprised how well the cubby bunks in the 20-bed dorm made everything quite quiet. The showers are hot, such a plus after a day on the slopes. There are some simple cooking facilities so you can take advantage of the convivence store just up the road. The restaurant is pretty good too!

Good pricing, with a very attentive staff! They made sure I got the shuttle arrangements that I needed and were always timely on pickups as well. Extremely friendly and down to earth crew that made sure that we had everything we needed. Surrounding food options were a bit limited but a nearby Lawson fulfilled all my needs.