Little Barrel

Very stylish and cozy hostel! Exactly like the pictures. The bathrooms were very clean and the bed was very comfortable. Friendly staff and friendly people in the hostel. There is a black hot water kettle (for lack of a better word) in the kitchen and I struggled figuring out how to use it. But there’s an “unlock” button that you have to press first then press the button for water. I had a fellow guest help me. Just a helpful tip for the next foreigner that can’t read Japanese. I attached a photo of the hot water kettle. Lovely lovely stay and would absolutely book it again!

Group of 9 so we booked 3 rooms (1 family, and two twin rooms). My husband and I have stayed in a few guesthouse/hostel accommodations in Japan and this is the best one we've used! Very clean, staff really helpful, kitchen has everything you need and they have free tea and coffee (drip coffee) available. The family room had heaps of space to fit 5 of us and we were on the second floor so the female toilets and bathroom were easily accessible for my two daughters. Our family of 4 booked the private bathroom as well and it was really nice - all got to have a soak after a day up the mountain, worked out cheaper than us all paying for the local bathhouse. Loved the decor of the place as well!

This is a tastefully decorated, exceptionally clean, comfortable place to stay in Otaru. Worked perfectly for my family of four visiting Hokkaido to ski. My wife and I had the triple room, and my boys (16 and 13) had a double room. We made our own breakfasts and sack lunches in the kitchen before heading out to ski each morning, and loved the complimentary coffee and made pour-over coffee for our thermoses. The common area was quiet and very comfortable, with an amazing jazz soundtrack going from 7am-9pm and wifi fast-enough to zoom into meetings. The hosts were flexible and exceptionally kind. The Lawson across the street is almost too easy to get to, and the COOP grocery store and public Onsen are both easy 10-minute walks away--and there are endless dining options with 15 minutes by foot (yakitori, ramen, okonomiyaki, tempura, and, of course, world-famous sushi!). Seriously, I can't recommend this place enough! We'll stay there again when we visit to ski Kiroro, Kokasai, and Teine--and maybe even Niseko, tho' we didn't make the drive that far south as the snow was too good at the closer areas.

The stay is amazing! The hotel is located in a beautiful western-style house and the decoration is classy. Our room come with seaview over the lovely neighborhood. The hotel staffs are super friendly. We were able to leave our luggage before we check in because we arrived earlier than the check in time. The neighborhood is quiet but also very close to the main street. Would recommend to anyone who is visiting Otaru.

Favorite hostel I stayed at in Japan. Very cute common space and interior. Plenty of space to get some work done, nice and cosy and warm. Staff was very friendly, let me store my stuff there all day after checking out. Showers were nice and warm, and dorm room had a nice layout leading to some privacy with walls around the bed rather than just flimsy curtains. High praise for a great place to stay!