Breakfast
Vegetarian hostel on the site of a former Japanese onsen. Offers a veggie pizza for dinner and vegan pancakes with fruit or muesli for breakfast. Formerly SPACE Riverhouse. NOTE: Menu currently only available to guests. Closes in Winter.
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- Outdoor seating
- Cash only
- Free Wi-Fi
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Last update on 15 Jan 2024 by wanderlust.menu
Update business info -
Added by Nancy Cadet on 19 Oct 2013
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17 Reviews
First Review by Nancy Cadet
KristinaLR
Points +177
Great veggie accomodation - Edit
We stayed two nights in one of the riversides annexes and had three meals. Scout looked after us very well - he's a great cook and he keeps this whole place running smoothly. First, the location is fantastic, on a river in the woods. Our private room was big and comfy. We only travelled to the area because this guesthouse was vegetarian and looked great, and I'm so glad we did. We had the yaki udon and the veggie soup for dinners, both great. And the pancakes and vegan yogurt with fruit was a delicious breakfast. This is a relaxing place with plenty of amenities. It's not for people who like everything "just so," but if you like things more authentic, unique and off the beaten track, then you will not be disappointed.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2023-10-11
Pros: beautiful setting, great amenities, excellent food
Guest
AmyWoods-Ryan
Points +342
Awesome stay - Edit
Stayed in May 2024. Located in the middle of nowhere, fall asleep to the hum of the river and chirping of frogs. Bring a car or lifts can be arranged with Scout. Awesome vegan dinner and breakfast prepared by Scout and exceptional hospitality. Can prep own food/drinks in kitchenette too. We stayed in one of the annexes which has its own toilet and sink which we were not expecting so was a nice extra.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2024-09-15
Guest
lilinaomi
Points +59
Yummyyy vegan food - Edit
We enjoyed our stay at the hostel so much, definitely one of our highlights 💕. Apart from the beautiful environment, we were so lucky that the host took very good care of us vegans 😋. He made a great effort to provide us with different meals (breakfast and dinner - lunch is also available), such as Ramen, Yaki-Udon, vegetable soup, blueberry pancakes, chickpea omelet and guacamole toasts... we stayed for 5 nights and enjoyed every meal! Loved the vibe and appreciated the hospitality. Thank you!!! 💫
Read moreGuest
thecite
Points +85
Great hospitality! - Edit
We had a wonderful 2 nights here. Scout was very accommodating, cooking us a delicious vegan dinner and breakfast both days, and giving us a lift to and from the train station on request.
Read moreThe hostel is located in a beautiful spot along the river, perfect for enjoying the local nature. Will be back again!
Guest
HollyCow
Points +785
Amazing hospitality, delicious vegan soup and pizza - Edit
A great place to relax in a fantastic location with a view on the clear waters of the Kurokawa (Black river). Check out the awesome drone footage at https://earthhostel.com
Read moreThere are many🌸 cherry blossom trees 🌸near earth hostel that are in full bloom around this time (early to mid-April) of the year.
The host Scout is very kind, helpful and knows all the good spots in Nikko and surroundings. Their free shuttle bus service from/to Nikko station is a great experience. The drive is very scenic and thrilling. Organize your departure (as early as you like) and breakfast time the night before.
He provides breakfast and dinner for vegans and vegetarians as there is no meat on the menu. He serves two types of delicious homemade pizzas and soup for dinner. I tried his vegan soup and it tasted awesome. Scout mentioned that all the vegetables are bought at the local farmer market or grown in earth hostel's several gardens and greenhouse. You can almost order vegan pizza for lunch topped with vegan cheese which I strongly recommend😊
There is also a mini guest kitchen with hot plate and microwave available. For breakfast he served that morning was vegan blueberry pancakes and cereals with soy milk,loads of fruits and rich, buttery Pecan nuts halves. It changes every day you are there. I also tried his vegan yoghurt which was to die for with some apple chunks and chia seeds😊
Updated from previous review on 2021-04-04
Pros: inexpensive, cozy atmosphere, great service
Guest
AlexHallifax
Points +86
Highlight of Japan Trip - Edit
This hostel was a major highlight on my trip to Japan. It is a one of a kind place to stay. Remote, personal, clean and friendly. All thanks to Scout the owner who works extremely hard. His vegan breakfasts were so delicious, I looked forward to them every morning I stayed. I had his noodles for dinner one night and they were incredible as well. It was so nice to stay somewhere with vegan food which is very hard to find in Japan and cheap as well! Would highly recommend and hope that I can return one day.
Read morePros: Delicious, Cheap, Homemade
Guest
MaddisonHely
Points +22
Amazing - Edit
We stayed here a few nights and wish we stayed longer! Our favourite of the trip. Scout is a legend and makes delicious vegan food to accommodate brekky and dinner. 10/10 will be back to stay again
Read moreGuest
RuthAlice
Points +46
Amazing food/location - Edit
I stayed at the River Hostel for two nights and LOVED IT. It is a great location, being right next to a river and surrounded by trees and peace and quiet. I went swimming in the river before breakfast and after hiking, which was amazing.
Read moreBest thing was the food though - the vegan soup for dinner was unreal (over 20 different vegetables, really filling and perfect after a hike), and I also had great blueberry vegan pancakes and waffles for breakfast. The owner, Scout, also made vegan yogurt with chia seeds on top which was lovely :)
The other guys who were staying had vegetarian breakfasts with French toast etc (which to be fair also looked great).
I would hugely recommend this place for both atmosphere and food.
Pros: vegan blueberrry pancakes & soup, swim in the river anytime, lounge area overlooking the river
Guest
thekraken
Points +16
Best food you'll find in Nikko - Edit
It is so awesome words can't describe it....
Read moreThe soup has over 25 vegetables in it, so filling and delicious you can't wait to have more the next day. Best thing ever after long hikes or walks.
The breakfasts are all wholesome and home made, plus you'll eat facing the river which is unique by itself.
Deffenetly a place to try for anyone how loves nature and good food😄
Pros: All food is vegetarian or vegan , All vegetables are local
Guest
Elvie
Points +325
Go here! - Edit
I’ve rarely been so well looked after as a vegan at any hostel or hotel. We stayed four nights and had four different breakfasts: blueberry pancakes, toast with various toppings, waffles and banana pancakes. The owner asked what we liked for breakfast and it just appeared the next day! Home made bread and almond yogurt, and he gave us the lid of a soy yogurt pot so we could find it elsewhere. So considerate, can’t recommend it highly enough.
Read morePros: Really considered, and considerate, meals, Delicious and filling, Beautiful setting
Guest
Tamars
Points +52
Most memorable stay in Japan - Edit
Earth Hostel is one of a kind. Secluded and surrounded by amazing nature, few stairs away is the river, open air lounge where you can chill, and many hiking options. But most of all Scout the owner is who made our experience so unique. He is so kind and generous, and does everything he can to make sure everyone enjoys their time. He picked us up from and to the train station, answered any questions and helped with anything. He sat to explain the area map and to help plan the hikes, and most importantly - he made the BEST VEGAN FOOD! blueberry pen-cakes and chia puuding for breakfast, amazing soup for dinner, and many more treats. DELICIOUS and full of love. I strongly recommend earth hostel if you look for a once in a lifetime experience.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2018-10-20
Pros: excellent food, good vibe, very friendly staff
Guest
FredBran
Points +298
What a place! - Edit
Lovely place with amazing view and a very knowledgeable host.
Read moreThe vegan breakfast is amazing and the vegan soup for dinner is insane!
Pros: Great food, Great location, The sound of the river
Cons: None
Guest
FarronRickerby
Points +18
Incredible vegan food, amazing location! - Edit
Scout makes the most AMAZING vegan food! We all looked forward to it each day. Breakfast was included and the pancakes and the French toast were both superb! The soup was full of vegetables and was the best thing to come home to after a long hike! The hostel is in a beautiful location - right in nature, on a riverbank in the forest! Overall - incredible!
Read morePros: Delicious vegan breakfasts and dinner! , Lovely hostel!, Beautiful location - right in nature.
Guest
PhilipMousley
Points +34
Great relaxing get away - Edit
This is an awesome B and B which is located in a fantastic rural area away from the main town. Scout (the owner) was amazing and does a fantastic job - providing vegan food options in the morning and the evening, as well as lifts to and from the main stations (TOBU nikko and JR Nikko). I highly recommend this to people wanting to stay somewhere away from the main town.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2016-07-08
Pros: Very friendly owner, Accommodates Vegan food , Amazing setting
Guest
thepianowindow
Points +93
A Really Great Experience - Edit
Staying at this hostel was awesome. When you stay here, the service you recieve isn't like a hostel. It feels like you're staying at a very hospitable bed & breakfast, but paying the low price of a hostel, which is just amazing.
Read moreI called to tell Scout before I came that I was vegan– and after that he never once forgot. Many people who have hosted me in various settings in the past have forgotten about me being vegan, but Scout never did. I appreciated so much never having to worry about that.
He adjusted all the food he was offering to others at the hostel to my needs. He made me two days of awesome vegan pancakes with nuts for breakfast (nuts in Japan are expensive!) and gave me really delicious muesli with soymilk one day, all for free. I also ordered a personal veggie pizza from him one night. He makes it entirely himself, and it too was super delicious and satisfying.
On top of all the great food I recieved from him, the hostel itself is extremely nice. I slept in the 8-person room with bunk beds. Everything- the pillows, the blankets, the mattress- were so comfortable! I slept great. He will provide blankets, sheets, and a pillow for your for free! You can also request a towel to use also free.
The common room inside on the second floor of the hostel is very spacious, quiet, and ambient. I really enjoyed spending time there. You can use the one Mac computer Scout has there in the common room for free. There is also free, easily-accessed high-speed internet everywhere around and inside the hostel, which was awesome!
Scout also, as other reviewers have said, offers plenty of maps for you to look at and use to plan your trips around Nikko.
In terms of the setting of this hostel, is very deeply set inside a foresty terrain with a large river on one side. For this reason, you have to wait for Scout to take you by car into the main area of Nikko. If you want to get your days started early, make sure to work out that (and your breakfast time) with Scout the day before. Otherwise you might end up waiting until around 11:00am before leaving with everyone else to go into Nikko and explore!
For a hostel, this experience was amazing. I was expecting so much less because of the price I was paying (only $35 a night) and the fact that it is supposed to be a hostel, but I was blown away. Thank you Scout!!
Pros: Amazing service- remembers you are veg*n, Free breakfast, internet, & sheets, Low price yet comfortable & high quality
Cons: Difficult to get early morning depart.
Guest
Tricia_gonz
Points +16
Pure Hospitality & The Best Vegan Pancakes This Side of the Pacific - Edit
With a kind host and a clean, comfortable, and welcoming environment, my trip to Nikko was made all the more merrier at SPACE Riverhouse. Definitely going to try and make it back out there during the summer to swim in the river!
Read moreAnd a note on the vegan thing: I called ahead about my dietary needs/allergies and the host was very gracious about listing ingredients and coming up with alternatives. The blueberry vegan pancakes were better than the ones they serve at Ain Soph in Ginza!
Pros: Shuttle service to and from the station/destinatio, Assistance in planning itinerary/awesome recommend, Great location on the river
Guest
Nancy Cadet
Points +950
Tranquil setting, great host, wonderful stay - Edit
location: on riverside in Nikko . The host will pick up/drop off guests at train /bus station for Nikko UNESCO sites & national park. Has private rooms & bath or dorm beds. Well heated, also has air con.
Read moreFood & ambiance: with advance notice, owner Scout will prepare veg-topped pizza, vegan pancakes & provide muesli , soy milk, fruit, yogurt. A lounge, tea kettle and green tea always available for guests. We stayed two wonderful nights, took advantage of host's excellent advice & maps for seeing the area, both town and national park, and one evening brought back vegan meals from Nikko restaurant Asian Garden: dal, curry, salads, nan. Site is perfect for JR pass holders, tourists and hikers. It's not on Main Street of Nikko, so be prepared for pick up/drop off in town, which worked well for us.
Updated from previous review on Sunday October 20, 2013
Pros: Beautiful greenery & river, Friendly English speaking host, Warm, comfortable rooms
Guest
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