Kaido Hostel Otate

街道 Hostel おたて / Kaido Hostel Otate

Hostel in a former schoolhouse

Photo by Yoichi Fujita

Hostel Otate is the brainchild of Shichikashuku entrepreneur laureate Yoichi Fujita. Built in 1873, Yunohara Elemetary School in Shichikashuku was once filled with more than three hundred students. However, as the population of the town gradually declined, so did the number of students in attendance. Due to lack of enrollment, the school closed permanently in 2014. The school building remained abandoned for the next five years, until the town decided to renovate it into a hostel and event space.

The hostel has its own sento bathouse and serves homestyle Japanese fare for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Walking around the hostel, you’ll notice that the look and atmosphere of the old school building has been retained, right down to its completely functional gymnasium and an old classroom kept in its original state. Day-trippers are welcome to drop by for lunch or a bath. If you’re in town on the right day, you’ll even be able to join a soba-making class led by the staff of Bashoan.
Last Update
December 7, 2022

Area Mt. Zao

Details

ACCESS BY PUBLIC TRANSIT: About 75 minutes by bus from Shiroishi Station (白石駅) or Shiroishi-Zao Station (白石蔵王駅), followed by a 2-minute walk. Board a Shichikashuku Shiroishi Line (七ヶ宿白石線) bus bound for Yakuba・Nananiro Hiroba (役場・なないろひろば); alight at Yakuba, Family Mart Shichikashuku-ten, or Nanairo Hiroba (役場、ファミリーマート七ヶ宿店、なないろひろば) bus stop. Transfer to a Shichikashuku Kaido Line (七ヶ宿街道線) bus bound for Yubara・Hikaba (湯原・干蒲); alight at Yubara Aramachi (湯原荒町) bus stop. Bus timetables here (Shichikashuku Shiroishi Line) and here (Shichikashuku Kaido Line).

HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE: Partially (has elevator, handicap-accessible toilet, etc.)

CLOSED DAYS: Usually Tuesdays & Wednesdays, but negotiable if overnight guests want to stay those nights.

ONSEN: No, but there is a large, gender-separated sento (communal bathhouse)

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