Reviews of Hostel Fish in a River 1 stars
506-0053 Gifu, Takayama, Showacho 2-16-2, Japan
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Reviewed: 2 August 2025 · Stayed in August 2025
Verified reviewThe owner was kind and gave us the best service you could ask for. We enjoyed a very nice conversation and he also gave us all the recommendations about what to do in Takayama. The place was super clean, and very beautiful. Location perfect as well.
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Hi guys!!! How are you doing?? Hope 2 of you are doing good!! Thank you for your great review:) It was good chat with you guys. I could talk more;) Cheers, Taku
Reviewed: 23 July 2025 · Stayed in July 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 10 July 2025 · Stayed in July 2025
Verified reviewAbsolutely amazing host. Me and him conversated for a few hours and it was absolutely a highlight of my trip so far! He’s very outgoing, easy to talk to, and kind spirited. He will talk to you about anything really and was a great help giving me recommendations not only for Takayama but the spots i’ll be going the rest of my trip! Thank you Taku for the unforgettable stay, i’ll be sure to come back when I visit Takayama again! Excellent Room Very quiet and peaceful atmosphere Own designated shower Cozy common room Great location
Hi Aiden, How are you doing? I am sure you are doing great in somewhere else in Japan. It was a great talking to you. We talked many topics;) I got power through talking to you!! Thank you again!! Taku
Reviewed: 5 July 2025 · Stayed in June 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 1 July 2025 · Stayed in June 2025
Verified reviewWe liked the location and the possibility to clean our clothes (even though we were charged for it). There is also a kitchen and we could interact with other guests.
We could not walk into the garden, and there was no food available.
Reviewed: 25 June 2025 · Stayed in June 2025
Verified reviewHost just exceptional is recommended to us a lot of good restaurants and give us so many tips in the city and for Japan, he is perfectly fluent in English. The room was amazing and really clean we got our own toilet and shower for the night that we booked. One of my best accommodation in Japan 👍
Hi Joseph!!! Thank you for the brilliant review! I hope you enjoy the restaurant I recommended. I will share your souvenir with my family!! Thank you again Taku
Reviewed: 24 June 2025 · Stayed in June 2025
Verified reviewEverything
Hey guys;) How are you?? I think you are back home. How was your travel in Japan? Hope it was great to you guys!! It was so fun, interesting chat with you guys;) Take care, Taku
Reviewed: 25 May 2025 · Stayed in May 2025
Verified reviewTaku was a lovely host, very chatty and had some great local knowledge/recommendations for the area
Hi Johan, Thank you for coming our hostel and giving us great review!!! I am so glad to have 2 of you:) Take care in the mountain!!!
Reviewed: 23 May 2025 · Stayed in May 2025
Verified reviewReviewed: 19 May 2025 · Stayed in May 2025
Verified reviewVery helpful owner, very clean and comfortable room, not too far from the station
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Hi there, It is nice to hear from you Zachary!! Was your travel in Japan good?? I hope it was!! I didn't talk to you so much. So I was not sure our place was good to you guys.. You seem to be good with us:) that is great to hear!! Arigatogozaimasu!
Hi there, It is nice to hear from you Zachary!! Was your travel in Japan good?? I hope it was!! I didn't talk to you so much. So I was not sure our place was good to you guys.. You seem to be good with us:) that is great to hear!! Arig… Show more
Reviewed: 16 May 2025 · Stayed in May 2025
Verified reviewTaku was very warm and helpful, taking time to share helpful information with us about places to go to and eat in around Takayama. He was very approachable and was always ready to help. The hostel itself was also amazing. Very close to the station, very comfortable room and super clean.
Hello Edilberto!!! How are you doing?? I hope 2 of you doing well!! Thank you so much giving me such a great review!! Let me know when you would stop over in Japan next time. Cheers, Taku
Reviewed: 11 May 2025 · Stayed in April 2025
Verified reviewThe owner was superb, friendly and accommodating. He has done amazing work to make the place comfortable whilst maintaining the vibe of the town. His recommendations, even though I didn't get to see all of them, were on point and made my stay memorable.
Nothing.
Hello Martin, It's been a while since you visited Takayama. I hope you are well. It is a pleasure to know that you still remember our accommodation. Of course, I remember you too :) Thank you!!! Taku
Reviewed: 6 May 2025 · Stayed in May 2025
Verified reviewTraditional neighbourhood, 5 minutes walking from station. Shared area very clean. Friendly owner who speaks English and explain everything.
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Hello Riccardo, It is so nice to hear from you. Thank for your great review!! Hope you had good sleep in this hostel. Thank you again for coming here:) Taku
Reviewed: 4 May 2025 · Stayed in May 2025
Verified reviewThe host was very welcoming! The location was very central and everything about the place was perfect: how clean it was, everything was very clear, the place was very cool!
Nothing, everything was very nice!
Hi Sosa!! How are you guys doing? I hope 2 of you are doing good. Thank you for your great review!! I hope that your trip to Japan will be a wonderful memory for 2 of you. Take care Taku
Reviewed: 30 April 2025 · Stayed in April 2025
Verified reviewThe host was lovely, very welcoming and helpful. He also spoke English, which made it very easy to converse with him. Great property too, there’s only two hostel rooms available, so it was quiet, gave us undisturbed privacy and easy access to the bathroom and shower.
Hi He!!! How are you?? Hope you are well now. Where are you traveling in Japan? I hope you see some wild animals:) Thank you for coming here!! It was good time with you guys:) Take vitamine C a lot. Cheers, Taku
Reviewed: 20 April 2025 · Stayed in April 2025
Verified reviewThe charm of the property, it was very clean and great location.
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Good evening Leopold!! How are you?? Hope 2 of you are doing well!! Thank you for staying our hostel and giving your great review. I was happy to hear both of you loved my recommendation restauraunt so much:) It was great, wasn't it;) Cheers, Taku
Good evening Leopold!! How are you?? Hope 2 of you are doing well!! Thank you for staying our hostel and giving your great review. I was happy to hear both of you loved my recommendation restauraunt so much:) It was great, wasn't it;) … Show more
Reviewed: 20 April 2025 · Stayed in April 2025
Verified reviewHostel was very clean and comfortable. The owner was super friendly and gave very helpful recommendations about where to visit in takayama. Also great location!
Hi there! How are you doing? Thank you for coming our hostel and leaving a great review!!! You guys seemed to enjoy in this town ;) It made me happy!! Keep enjoying in your trip in Japan!! Take care Taku
Reviewed: 16 April 2025 · Stayed in April 2025
Verified reviewTaku was an amazing host, providing a very comfortable stay within walking distance of all the main sights
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Hello!! How are you? It was snowing chilly day when you check out!! I hope you were okay with it. Thank you for leaving great review!! I hope you would come back to Japan and stay in my 2nd accomodation in the future;) Cheers, Taku
Reviewed: 15 April 2025 · Stayed in April 2025
Verified reviewBeautiful stay, great host & location. The host was very hospitable helpful of our needs and concerns. Highly recommended!
Nothing to dislike
Hey!!! How are you doing!? Did you see cherry blossam?? I hope you did a lot;) It was fun to chat you guys for hours!! See you someday in your hometown!!
Reviewed: 19 March 2025 · Stayed in March 2025
Verified reviewEverything!!
Thank you so much for coming our hostel and leaving super good review!!!
Reviewed: 9 March 2025 · Stayed in March 2025
Verified reviewThe hostel is in a beautiful traditional Japanese house. It has all the necessary equipments for travelers. Also, our host Taku was extremely nice and helpful with a lot of good advices for cafés, restaurants, breweries...thank you so much!
Hello Eloi, It has been a while since you left this city. How are you doing? Hope 2 of you are doing good!! Thank you so much for staying our hostel and leaving your great review. I appreciate it!!!
Reviewed: 5 March 2025 · Stayed in March 2025
Verified reviewTaku was an incredible host - incredibly friendly, kind, and helpful. All his recommendations of things to do in Takayama were spot on and Taku has a sunny and playful personality that made him a joy to be around. The house was spotlessly clean with a well decorated and cozy common area with awesome music playing in the background and a kitchen stocked with coffee/tea, utensils, dishes, etc. Showers were even nicer than expected - private rooms with a changing area and plenty of hot water. The location was excellent, both close to the train station and a short walk from central Takayama. This place is amazing value for the quality of accommodations and experience you get and I can’t wait to come back for another stay.
If you’re a light sleeper, this may not be the place for you since walls between the common areas and bedroom aren’t sound insulated. However, during our stay we experienced no issues since other guests were very respectful of quiet hours.
Hi!!! How are you guys? Hope you are doing well! Thank you for giving me such a long great review! It took me an hour to read it ;) I and 2 of you chatted a lot:) At least 3 hours was't it?? It was great time having you guys. Yes, poorly insulated walls are one of our uncomfortable parts. This is great review for both I and the people who are trying to book this hostel!! Thank you again for having good time with me!!!
Hi!!! How are you guys? Hope you are doing well! Thank you for giving me such a long great review! It took me an hour to read it ;) I and 2 of you chatted a lot:) At least 3 hours was't it?? It was great time having you guys. Yes, poor… Show more
Reviewed: 16 February 2025 · Stayed in February 2025
Verified reviewSimple and cute house with a wonderful host. He helped us a lot and gave us great recommandations. Would definitely go again!
Hi Andree, Thank you for staying at our hostel. It was a good time with 2 of you :) I laughed a lot with you!!
Reviewed: 12 January 2025 · Stayed in January 2025
Verified reviewThe facility is very clean and cozy, the owner is very nice and helpful
a bit further way (just a bit difficult to walk there in winter with heavy snow) but should be ok in other season.
Hi Thammapinan, Thank you for coming our hostel. And gave us a great review!! I am sure you have a wonderful snowy winter!! Take care.
Reviewed: 3 December 2024 · Stayed in December 2024
Verified reviewThis place is so wonderful! It lies in a residential area not far from the city center of Takayama, thus it’s quiet in the night — and I slept really well in a comfortable bed. Everything was always clean and the kitchen has a lot of utensils in case you feel like cooking yourself. If not, Taku, the host, has a lot of recommendations for good meals around town. And hikes (!) if that’s your thing. He made my stay at this beautifully thought-out and crafted place truly worthwhile, arigatō gozaimashita.
Lena!!! Hope you are doing well in the next city:) You made me laugh a lot while you were here! Thank you for staying here!! Yes, you know the past tense of Arigatou gozaimasu;) Cheers!!!!