Good Neighbors Hostel is a guesthouse located just 3 minutes from the JR Kanazawa Station.
The 40 years old guesthouse has been renovated, and offers now 2 dormitories and 3 private rooms.
●About the accommodation
・The kitchen and lobby are on the 1st floor, guestrooms are on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th floors.
・Showers and toilets are shared.
・WiFi access available in every room of the guesthouse.
◇Mixed dormitory:
Maximum capacity 8 people, 4 bunk beds (each equipped with a personal reading light and plug socket).
There are secure storage boxes in the room to keep your valuables safe.
◇Women-only dormitory:
Maximum capacity 6 people, 3 bunk beds (each equipped with a personal reading light, plug socket and mirror).
There are secure storage boxes in the room to keep your valuables safe.
◇Japanese-style room (10m²):
Maximum capacity 2 people, simple 10m² bedroom decorated in true Japanese style.
◇Family room (double bed & extra bed) (12m²):
Maximum capacity 4 people, 1 double bed, 1 single sofa bed (extra futon mattress provided in case of a 4 people group)
◇Mezzanine room (12m²):
Maximum capacity 3 people, 1 mezzanine bed and 1 double bed mattress, balcony.
●Access
Good Neighbors Hostel is a 3 minutes’ walk from the the Kenroku-en Exit / East Exit (兼六園口 / 東口) of the JR Kanazawa Station (金沢駅).
●Activities
◇Noh atelier
Taking place in “Kanazawa Machiya”, the residence of the Kawahara family, this atelier about Noh theater offers you the opportunity to discover a very traditional and fascinating aspect of the Japanese culture.
In Kanazawa, there is a saying that goes: “Noh chants fall from the sky”, which means that even gardeners working at the top of trees sing Noh to themselves. It proves that not only the richest or highest ranked people (samourais, merchants) but also the common people enjoyed Noh performances.
The art of Noh has been recognized as one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, and an intangible cultural asset of Kanazawa.
During this atelier, the organizer will show you videos of Noh performances and musical performances using traditional Noh instruments, teach you “seiza” and play a folk song.
You will also be able to see an authentic Ozashiki room, where Geisha used to gather and entertain guests. The house has been built after World War II and preserved through decades in its original state, which is why there is still an Ozashiki room on the 2nd floor.
This Noh atelier is the perfect occasion to discover what Noh is, and to practice “seiza”, the traditional formal ways of sitting in Japan.
□Details
Date: Every working day of the week (from Monday to Friday)
※Reservation required at least 1 day in advance (please reserve at the time of check-in).
※Due to regular holidays some dates may be unavailable. Please contact us.
Time: 10:00AM to 10:45AM
※Admission from 9:45AM. (You can enter earlier to admire the Noh masks, wooden fans and Kotsuzumi hand drums displayed.)
Place: Kanazawa Machiya, residence of the Kawahara family (next door to Good Neighbors Hostel)
Admission fee: ¥500 (※Please make sure that you wear socks, as you will be asked to remove your shoes at the front door.)
Maximum 4 participants (minimum 1 person)
Program: Ozashiki viewing, Noh performance (video), Kotsuzumi (hand drums) performance, how “seiza” helps mental concentration, folk song (“Takasago”)
・If you want to participate in the Noh atelier, thank you to submit your application before 9:00PM on the day before.
・Smoking is not allowed inside.
・No car parking. Possibility to park your bicycle or motorbike. Please ask us beforehand.