Shima's Hidden Gem: Tobi Hostel & Apartments—Unbeatable Japan Experience!
Shima's Hidden Gem: Tobi Hostel & Apartments - Unbeatable Japan Experience? (A Review That's Probably Too Honest)
Okay, so I've just stumbled out of Tobi Hostel & Apartments in Shima, Japan. "Unbeatable Japan Experience," they say. And honestly? They're not entirely wrong. This place… it's got stuff. Loads of it. Let's hack through this review, shall we? Buckle up, buttercups, because I'm about to spill.
Accessibility: (Okay, let's actually be serious for a sec)
- Wheelchair Accessible: Now, I didn't test this myself, but I saw ramps and elevators. They say they're accessible. I'd give them a call beforehand to really confirm, especially about room specifics. Japan isn't always perfect on this front, and I'd hate for anyone to have a bad experience.
- Facilities for Disabled Guests: (See above!) I'd double and triple-check. Really. Contact the property.
Cleanliness and Safety: (Pandemic-era Realities - Ugh!)
Alright, this is where Tobi really shines. They're clearly taking this whole Covid thing seriously.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Yep, smelled the telltale scent of "industrial clean." Nothing like a good dose of disinfectant to make you feel kinda safe, right?
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Check. Saw it happening multiple times.
- Hand sanitizer: EVERYWHERE. Seriously, by the elevators, in the lobby… it's a hand-sanitized paradise. I felt like I could eat off the floor (though I'm not recommending that).
- Rooms sanitized between stays: They claim it, and based on what I saw, I believe it.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Definitely. Everyone was wearing masks (properly!), and they seemed to know their stuff.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: More or less. It's Japan. People are generally politely spaced anyway.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Looked spotless.
- Breakfast takeaway service: More on that later.
- Individually-wrapped food options: Again, later.
- Cashless payment service: Easy. No need to fumble with yen if you don't want to.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: This is a good thing. Leave a note if you want.
- Shared stationery removed: (Thank goodness!)
- Sterilizing equipment: I saw a few of those UV-light things zapping things. Effective or not, it looks impressive.
- Safe dining setup: Again, later.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Yes, they looked like they'd seen a pandemic or two.
- First aid kit: Present.
- Doctor/nurse on call: I didn't need one, thankfully, but good to know.
- Hot water linen and laundry washing: Hope so - my stuff came back clean, at least.
- Hygiene certification: (Didn't see it, but they seem to be trying.)
…But Seriously, The Breakfast… (An Ode to Overthinking a Croissant)
Okay. The Breakfast. This is where Tobi gets weird. They advertise "Asian Breakfast" and "Western Breakfast" - and a "Buffet." You get a takeaway breakfast. Like, they hand you a brown paper bag.
Now, I’m usually a happy camper. I'm not picky. But the first morning? I got… a croissant (pre-packaged, naturally), a tiny yogurt (seriously, tiny), and something that might have been a piece of fruit. It was like a sad, solo picnic. I felt a pang of the lonely traveler, for a moment. This didn't align with my expectation of "buffet." I imagined fluffy omelets and steaming miso soup. Instead, I got… a croissant.
Here's the thing: the food wasn't bad. It just wasn't the "Unbeatable Japan Experience" breakfast I'd been hoping for. This seems to be the common problem, in many of the reviews, so they haven't improved.
The second day? Better! The croissant was slightly less sad (maybe a different day, different batch?), and I got a small container of fruit salad. Okay. Progress.
The takeaway is: Manage expectations. If you're a breakfast snob, pack your own instant oatmeal. If you're not, you'll survive and be happy there with everything else.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (Beyond the Brown Paper Bag):
- Restaurants: A couple. I tried the Asian cuisine one.
- Asian Cuisine in Restaurant: Okay, it was decent! But nothing to write home about.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Yes. Essential.
- Coffee shop: Didn't see one.
- Bar: Yes! Fun, social.
- Poolside bar: Yes!
- Snack bar: Didn't see one, but maybe I missed it.
- Bottle of water: Given in room, good.
- Desserts in restaurant: Yes, and they looked tasty.
- Salad in restaurant: Present.
- Soup in restaurant: They had soup.
- Western cuisine in restaurant: Didn't try it.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax (Spa Day Dreams and Poolside Schemes):
- Pool with view: Oh, yes. The pool is actually pretty great. A good size, clean, and the view is stunning. Makes up for the croissant, almost.
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: Yes
- Spa/sauna: They have one.
- Sauna: Yes.
- Spa: Not a full service spa, but the sauna and other relaxation options are there.
- Fitness center: Small, but functional.
- Gym/fitness: Again, gym.
- Body scrub: Nope.
- Body wrap: Nope.
- Massage: Yes. And based on the reviews, it's pretty good.
- Foot bath: Didn't see one.
- Steamroom: I'm not sure if they actually have a steamroom.
Services and Conveniences:
- Concierge: Helpful.
- Daily housekeeping: Excellent.
- Air conditioning in public area: Important! Japan gets hot.
- Cash withdrawal: ATM for all the yen you need.
- Convenience store: Across the street. Essential for snacks and emergency ramen.
- Currency exchange: Check.
- Doorman: Present.
- Dry cleaning: Yup.
- Elevator: Yes.
- Food delivery: Check.
- Gift/souvenir shop: Small, but stocked with the basics.
- Invoice provided: Yes.
- Ironing service: If you need crisp clothes.
- Laundry service: Yes.
- Luggage storage: Yes.
- Meeting/banquet facilities: They have those
- Projector/LED display: Yes.
- Safety deposit boxes: Secure
- Smoking area: Yes.
- Terrace: Yes.
- Xerox/fax in business center: Yes.
- Air conditioning in public area: Yes.
- Audio-visual equipment for special events: Yes.
- Business facilities: Yes.
- Essential condiments: Essential
- Facilities for disabled guests: Yes.
- Food delivery: Yup.
- Gift/souvenir shop: They have those.
- Indoor venue for special events: Check.
- Luggage storage: Present.
- Meeting stationery: No.
- On-site event hosting: Present.
- Outdoor venue for special events: Check.
- Seminars: Not sure if they hold those.
- Shrine: Present.
- Wi-Fi for special events: Yup.
- Wi-Fi in public areas: Present
- Daily housekeeping: Present.
- Doorman: Always useful.
- Essential condiments: Essential.
- Facilities for disabled guests: Okay.
For the Kids (Babysitting Service? Maybe!):
- Babysitting service: Check with the front desk.
- Family/child friendly: Yes.
- Kids facilities: Didn't see any dedicated ones.
- Kids meal: Check with the restaurant.
Access (The Fundamentals):
- CCTV in common areas: Yes.
- **CCTV outside property
Okay, buckle up, buttercups. This isn't your grandpa's meticulously planned itinerary. This is a diary of my impending (potentially disastrous) adventure at Tobi Hostel and Apartments in Shima, Japan. Consider this a pre-emptive therapy session, a cry for help, and a love letter to instant ramen all rolled into one.
Pre-Trip Anxiety Bonanza (aka, the "Oh God, What Have I Done?" Phase)
- Days -3: Okay, passport? Check. Phrasebook (mostly filled with "sumimasen" and "kawaii")? Double-check. Luggage? A chaotic, unyielding beast begging to be tamed. I'm pretty sure I packed five different types of socks but forgot my actual travel adapter. Classic.
- Day -2: Went down a rabbit hole reading Amazon reviews for travel pillows. Apparently, the perfect pillow is a mythical creature. Also, spent an hour learning to bow properly (apparently, it's way more complicated than just bending over). I'm already picturing myself face-planting during my first temple visit.
- Day -1: The guilt of leaving my cat, Mittens, is overwhelming. Left her with my neighbor, who claims she "loves cats." I can only hope she doesn't secretly hate-feed her only tuna. Bought a tiny, ridiculously overpriced travel-sized bottle of green tea face wash. Because apparently, my skin needs to be pristine while I'm sweating profusely in the Japanese humidity.
Trip Itinerary: (Or, "How I Plan to Muddle Through Japan")
Day 1: Arrival and Existential Dread (Shima Station to Tobi Hostel)
- Morning: The hell of international travel. Long flights, questionable airplane food, and the existential dread of being crammed into a metal tube for what feels like eternity. I’ll land bleary-eyed in Narita, hopefully, and navigate the train to Shima. Praying the "Lost in Translation" effect won't hit me hard.
- Afternoon: Finding the train! This could be a challenge; I'm notoriously bad at public transport. The Shima Kintetsu Line to Toba Station. Hopefully get a seat. Picture me, sweaty, clutching a map that looks suspiciously like hieroglyphics, and possibly crying.
- Late Afternoon: Arrival at Tobi Hostel. Deep breaths. Booking says it's near the beach. I'm picturing myself, happily strolling along the shore… the reality is probably me looking confused, lost, and desperately searching for a decent coffee.
- Evening: Check-in. Unpack…or more accurately, attempt to de-vomitify my suitcase. Assess the hostel situation. Does it have a cool common area? Do I need to bring my own lock? Will the dorm be filled with snorers? Please let it be quiet. Dinner: Instant ramen purchased from a convenience store. The ritual begins. Possibly a stroll around the beach if I can find it. Maybe a cry.
Day 2: Shima Exploration (The "Lost in Translation" Chronicles)
- Morning: Sleep, if I'm lucky. Breakfast at the hostel (fingers crossed it includes coffee. Strong, dark, coffee). Attempt to decipher the local map. Considered buying a pocket translator app. It's too late; I'm already on the plane.
- Mid-Morning: Okayama Prefecture Oyster Hut (if I can find it!). If I get lost for an hour, I am making a beeline for the nearest karaoke place.
- Afternoon: The Mikimoto Pearl Island: A classic tourist trap? YES! But… Pearls! And a diving demonstration if I'm lucky? I hope the diver doesn't see me, because I get nervous and I will probably laugh to hard at her.
- Evening: Dinner at a local restaurant. The "point and pray" method of ordering. Praying it ISN'T raw fish. Or pufferfish. Or anything that might kill me. Maybe try the local sake. Maybe regret it immediately. Possibly a journal entry full of misspelled Japanese words and incoherent observations. And then a good night's sleep, hopefully.
Day 3: More Shima, More Chaos
- Morning: Waking up. Assuming I'm not experiencing a hangover from the sake. Finding coffee. Again, essential. Possibly a second breakfast of instant ramen.
- Morning/Afternoon: The beach! Or, at least, the attempt to find the beach. I'm hoping to find out where the sunrise is. A very beautiful walk along the beach to observe the sunrise.
- Afternoon: Trying to find a local market to buy some snacks. My goal is to bring some treats back home.
- Evening: Thinking about dinner! Maybe find a good meal at a local restaurant.
Day 4: Wrapping Up, Wallowing in Anticipation, and Ramen Obsession
- Morning: Packing for the departure. This is always the worst part. Trying to figure out what to throw away and what to bring home.
- Afternoon: A final, desperate attempt to see something I missed in Shima.
- Evening: Last ramen meal, maybe with a view. A good night's sleep.
Day 5: Bye-Bye Japan! (And, the Epilogue)
- Morning: Depart from Shima and get on the train! (I hope I don't miss it).
- Afternoon: Arrive at the airport.
- Evening: Flying home. I miss the ramen already.
Quirky Observations & Emotional Reactions (Because Honesty is the Best Policy)
- On the Language Barrier: I've downloaded a translation app, but I'm fully expecting to point at things, make ridiculous hand gestures, and generally look like a bewildered otter for the entire trip.
- On Japanese Restrooms: Heated toilet seats? Bidet? Sound effects? I'm both intrigued and terrified. My bladder is already experiencing anxiety.
- On the Food: I'm a notoriously picky eater. My taste buds are prepared to be both challenged and delighted. I fully expect to fall in love with something unexpected and probably hate something that everyone else raves about.
- On Loneliness: I may feel a bit lonely now and again. I have the option to cry or just laugh at myself.
Imperfections and Messes (Because, Again, Honest):
- Expectations: I'm going to be lost. Frequently. I'll probably buy the wrong train ticket at least once. I'll probably offend someone unintentionally. That's okay. This is part of the experience. This is part of being human.
- The "I Need Coffee" Phase: This will strike early and often. I'll probably become a walking, talking, coffee-fueled mess.
- Over-Packing: I'm going to carry way too much stuff, and I'm going to regret it almost immediately.
- Homesickness: There will be moments of pure, unadulterated longing for my cat, my own bed, and food that isn't ramen.
Final Thoughts (Before I Depart)
This trip? It's already an emotional rollercoaster. Part excitement, part abject terror, and a whole lot of anticipation for instant noodles. I'm hoping I survive. I'm hoping I learn something. I'm hoping I come back with a suitcase full of souvenirs and a head full of stories (even if most of them involve me getting lost). Wish me luck, I'm going to need it. And if you see a frazzled person on a train in Shima, looking bewildered and clutching a map upside down, that's probably me. Come say hi. Or don't. I might be crying.
Escape to Paradise: Luxury Condos in Tulum Await!
Shima's Hidden Gem: Tobi Hostel & Apartments – Unfiltered FAQ
Okay, spill. Is Tobi Hostel *really* as good as everyone says? Or is it just... hype?
Alright, alright, lemme tell you. Hype? Maybe a LITTLE bit. But mostly... YES. Look, I've stayed in my share of hostels, the ones that smell of stale beer and existential dread. Tobi? It's different. It's like… stepping into a friend's incredibly stylish, slightly-disorganized, and totally welcoming apartment. I went expecting a place to crash. I left feeling like I'd actually *lived* somewhere. The photos are beautiful, sure, but they don't capture the *vibe*. It’s the kind of place where you’ll be doing karaoke with a group of people you met five minutes earlier, and then you’ll all stumble into the ramen shop down the street at 2 AM. Yeah, it's that good. (Speaking of the ramen… more on that later... I’m getting hungry just thinking about it…). There were a few minor hiccups, okay... more on that later too... mostly good though!
What's the deal with the "Hidden Gem" part? What makes it *hidden*? And is it REALLY a gem?
"Hidden Gem" is a pretty good description unless you count the fact that everyone online now knows about it... It’s nestled in a quieter part of Shima, a little off the main tourist track. You won’t find flashing neon signs screaming "COME STAY HERE!" (thank goodness). But that's the charm! It forces you to actually explore. And yeah, it's a gem, especially if you're looking for an authentic Japanese experience. Think less "packaged tour" and more "living amongst the locals." It feels less like a hotel and more like someone invited you into their *actual* home (with a lot more space and cooler furniture than my actual home, I’ll admit).
The Apartments – Worth the splurge? Or should I stick with the dorms to save money? (I'm on a tight budget, you know...)
Okay, this is a good one. The dorms are great. Seriously. Clean, comfortable, and the shared common spaces create a really social atmosphere. But the apartments? Ah, the apartments... Look, if you're budgeting *hard*, stick with the dorms. But if you can swing it, even for just a couple of nights… DO IT. I’m usually the budget traveler queen. But I splurged on an apartment for the last two days. And I regretted *nothing*. Having your own space to unwind after a day of exploring (and eating all the delicious food) is bliss. And, the kitchen! I'm a terrible cook, but I still managed to create some awesome meals with all the fresh ingredients from the local markets. Plus, some of them have balconies with incredible views. Just saying... The privacy was really worth it after a few nights of constant interaction in the hostel. My one tiny complaint? The lack of a proper toaster. (First-world problems, I know.)
Are the people at Tobi Hostel friendly? What kind of people stay there? (I hope I don't end up with a bunch of… well, you know…)
Friendly? Understatement of the century. The staff? Amazing. Seriously. They are genuine, helpful, and go above and beyond. They’re basically the heart and soul of the place. There was this one time I got spectacularly lost trying to find a hidden shrine (a story for another time), and one of the staff members, bless her heart, dropped everything and came to rescue my sorry butt. The other guests? A really eclectic mix. Backpackers, couples, solo travelers, families… I met people from all over the world. And everyone was just… cool. Honestly, the "bunch of… well, you know…" factor was remarkably low. The vibe is very collaborative, not competitive. No one was trying to be the "coolest traveler." It's the kind of place where you can feel comfortable being exactly who you are. You'll probably learn something new from them while you're at it.
Tell me about the location. Is the hostel close to everything? Do I need a car?
Okay, let me be honest right off the bat. It's not smack-dab in the middle of the busiest tourist area. But that's part of what makes it so great! It's a short bike ride (they have bikes!), or a pleasant walk, to the main attractions. I actually preferred this, because I felt like I was experiencing Shima like a local. Renting a car? Not necessary, unless you REALLY want to explore every nook and cranny of the surrounding area. Buses are readily available, and the staff can always help you figure out the best way to get around. The train station is also really close by, which made day trips super easy.
What's the food situation like? I'm a foodie!
Oh, the food. Prepare yourself. Shima is a FOODIE PARADISE. Especially if you love seafood. The local fish market is incredible – go early! Tobi Hostel provides you with a basic guide to the neighborhood's best places. The staff knows all the hidden gems (like... that ramen shop I mentioned… I'm still dreaming of that ramen). And there's a convenience store nearby, which is essential for late-night snacks (pocky cravings are real, people!). One tip: learn a few basic Japanese phrases. It will make your dining experiences SO much richer (and you might get bigger portions… just saying…). And if you *really* love food, take one of the cooking classes - they're offered periodically. I heard from someone that they were absolutely incredible... and delicious. I missed it, sadly. This is now number one on the list for my next trip.
What should I pack? Any essential items?
Okay, here's the deal: Pack light. Really light. You'll be moving around, and you don't need a suitcase the size of a small car. The hostel provides basic amenities: towels, soap, shampoo. So, leave the massive cosmetic bag at home. Here’s what I would suggest. * **Comfortable shoes:** You'll be doing a lot of walking. Trust me. * **A travel adapter:** Japan uses a different plug type. Don't be that person desperately trying to charge their phone in the lobby. * **A phrasebook (or a translation app):** Even knowing a few basic phrases can make a HUGE difference. * **A reusable water bottle:** Staying hydrated is important, and you’ll be doing a lot of exploring. * **A small backpack for day trips:** You’ll want something to carry your essentials: water, snacks, camera, etc. * **A sense of adventure:** This is theCozy Stay Spot
