Oak Hostel Zen is a highly affordable hostel in a quiet location to the north of JR Ueno Station. This hostel has all the essential facilities, friendly international staff, and a good range of rooms and dorm beds to suit different budgets. Oak Hostel Zen is convenient for local attractions such as Ueno Park and Zoo and there are plenty of shopping and dining facilities nearby too.
The entrance to Oak Hostel Zen
Guest Rooms
This hostel has both dormitory beds and private rooms. There are mixed dormitories, as well as male-only, and female-only dormitories. Some dormitories have bunk beds and some have single beds. All dormitory beds have privacy curtains, power outlets, reading lamps, hangers for clothes, and lockers. Private rooms come with single, double or twin beds, or as “Family Rooms” with four beds. Some private rooms have private bathrooms with a toilet and combined bathtub and shower. All private rooms have a refrigerator, TV, and desk. Slippers are provided for free.
Dormitory room
Private double room
All sleeping areas are non-smoking but the hostel does provide a smoking area.
There five shared showers which all guests can use and also two showers and a bath which are for the exclusive use of ladies. Shampoo, conditioner, body soap, and facial lotions are supplied for free. Towels can be rented from reception, and disposable shaving razors and toothbrushes are available for a small fee.
Check Room Rates and Availability
Oak Hostel Zen
Self-Catering & Dining
This hostel does not provide meals. However, there is a kitchen which has a refrigerator, microwave oven, toaster, rice cooker, stove top, sink, and utensils. Free seasonings, coffee and tea are provided.
There are a large number of restaurants in the area around this hostel. There is also a 24-hour Family Mart convenience store, which is just 2 minutes from the hostel, where you can buy cheap drinks, snacks and groceries.
The lobby lounge area
Other Services and Facilities
Staff at reception are friendly, helpful, and speak multiple languages. Check-in is from 15.00 and check-out is by 10.00. Luggage can be left at reception before checking in and after checking out.
The following items are available to borrow from reception: a hair iron, curling tongs, a humidifier, games consoles, and a DVD player.
The lobby lounge area on the 1st floor is open between 6.00 and 1.00 in the morning. There is a computer here which guests can use freely. There is also a drinks vending machine.
This hostel has a self-service laundry on the 3rd floor with coin-operated machines.
Free Wi-Fi internet access is available throughout the building.
Bicycles can be rented for 500 yen a day.
A street view of the hostel
Location
Oak Hostel Zen is a 4 minute walk from Uguisudani Station on the JR Keihin-Tohoku and Yamanote lines, 7 minutes from Iriya Station on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line, and 12 minutes from the Iriya Exit of JR Ueno Station. Here is a map showing the location.
Article and original photos by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved.
