1166 Backpackers

It was a lovely stay. The Japanese style toilet was a fun experience. I can say confidently that it requires a lot of skill. Nagano, was one of the most comfortable stays that I had the opportunity to be in. Lovely atmosphere, amazing food, this destination was probably the highlight of my whole trip!

We had a fantastic time at 1166 backpacker. It is perfectly located to explore the city (the famous Zenkoji temple is at 5min walk) and it is also at 20 mins by foot from the train station. This is a traditional japanese house with futon bed and we had our best sleeps in Japan there. The team was super kind and friendly and we enjoyed chatting with them.
Merci Etsuko c'etait un plaisir de parler avec toi :)

I have to thanks for Orie and her peers for the best accommodation. We're really appreciated the best service of this hostel and I think you guys are the best.

We were in a short trip to the snow monkey park and we left the hotel in the early morning next day. Unfortunately, I left my necklace in the room. Orie tried all her best to return it back when I was in Osaka before leaving Japan and the package was arrived in time!!! I hope to visit back to this hostel.

the staff are very nice and heart-warming.
I am having a memorable and good time in my stay.
The room is big enough. If there is a full body mirror in room or in somewhere would be perfect.

I stayed one night at 1166 Backpackers. The other guests were very friendly and the staff were very fun to speak with. I happened to be there during the lunar festival, and the temple very near to the hostel was beautiful.

My number one feel good place in Japan. Every time I come to Japan I try to stay for a few days at 1166 backpackers. The little guesthouse is equipped with simple but beautifully designed facilities and its wonderful people create an atmosphere of peace and good mood. You can enjoy your time for yourself as well as take part in a lot of nice and stimulating conversations. It’s a place with a big heart where everyone feels welcome.

This guesthouse is perfect for travelers who want to stay in Nagano for an affordable Price, in a confortable guest house, and to enjoy Japanese culture.

In fact, the guesthouse is very clean, the beds are confortable, it's well located. Besides this, the staff is very kind and nice. They speak a perfect English, you it's perfect for foreign travelers.

I had a dinner in the common with everyone (the staff, customers, travelers etc...). It was a memorable and a magical experience. People were so kind, I really felt like I was home.

I Can only but recommand you this guest house

I came to Nagano on a whim in 2018 while on a university summer break and stayed here. The staff are kind, friendly, and helpful, providing many helpful recommendations for food, activities, and hiking.

The location is easily accessible by bus, only a 3 minute walk from a bus stop, and the hostel itself is a mix of backpacker and traditional Japanese aesthetics with numerous amenities built for both function and form, such as the design of the bedrooms.

I enjoyed my stay so much I came back in 2019, and the owner remembered me after a conversation. I liked my stay so much then I came back yet again in 2023, and the owner instantly recognized me.

This is all to say that on top of great amenities, the people who work here are what make this hostel special, and if I come to Nagano again, I’ll surely stay here again.

Only con is the traditional style squat toilet.

My mother and I had a wonderful stay at this century-old house-turned-hostel. We had a private room on the second floor. It's a traditional tatami room but quite spacious for two. The hostel is run by a young travell-loving start-up businesswoman and a group of young female helpers. All of them are very helpful and friendly! I love the reception area with large wooden table and a small but well-equipped and well-maintained kitechen. We were able to prepare breakfasts and dinners there during three days we stay. There's also a nice working space in the back for me to use computer quitely. The hostel offers wash and dry machine for small money and there's an outside veranda to hang dry clothes. The hostel is right in front of Zenkoji (easily walkable) and very close to all bus/train stops (to train station, to Togakushi, to Obuse) and restaurants. In short, its' the perfect hostel that backpackers love. I booked my room directly with the hostel through its website.

This is the best guest house I've encountered during my trip to Japan. I stayed there for two nights. The hosts are very friendly, always here for good advice on what to do and overall very cool. The guest house in itself is great : clean, traditional, etc. It's also close to the Zenko-ji temple and the bus line to Togakushi. The beds are very comfortable. I cannot recommend this enough : if you're in Nagano for a few days, you should definitely consider staying here. Great experience with great staff :)

Amazing place!
The staff are so nice and caring and helpful and it really makes the place feel like home.
It's also a great place for a solo traveler, because the common area is very inviting and it's easy to connect to other travelers in the guesthouse

Super clean, good bathrooms and shower, very comfortable beds and a beautiful atmosphere.

1166BP, ありがとうございます❣

After traveling to many places in Japan within the past week and a half, 1166 is my favorite hostel to stay at. The workers and owner are so kind and gracious and makes everyone feel welcome. Plus, their slippers are amazing!

Had the best experience here making new friends. Host Orie san was super helpful and can speak English pretty well so if you don't understand Japanese there's no issue. The area around the hostel is pretty quiet and suburban, yet it's just a few bus stops from the Nagano main station. Walk a few streets down at night and you'll also find rows of izakayas (bars) to chill at till late.

The hostel itself is really clean and sort of old school, with a rustic charm to it (the toilet is a squatting one, so don't expect high end bidets, you get what you pay for). Great place for solo travelling and mixing with both locals and foreigners. Overall perfect in its own way.

I enjoyed my stay here a lot! Probably my favourite accommodation for the whole trip. The design of the common room made socialising really easy, and i loved hanging out with the super friendly staff, their wonderful neighbours, and the other travellers! The staff were so hospitable and helpful too, sharing snacks and helping with itenerary planning. The beds and facilities were clean and great as well. I highly recommend staying here if you have the opportunity. I will definitely come again if i'm ever in the area!

We had a great time at 1166 Backpackers. Super nice atmosphere, lovely and helping staff, owner and guests.
It was a good location to visit nagano and around.
They even helped us shipping our bags to our next destination while we were doing the alpine route.

We loved our time in 1166 Backpackers. It's about a 20min walk from the station with a slight incline but totally worth it as it's close to the temple and all the shopping/ restaurants.

Hot Tip: if you are coming from Nagano station stop by the Tourist Information Center in the station to get free Nagano stickers (you just have to fill it a quick tourism survey) and scan the free audio tour. The audio tour starts at Nagano station and ends in Zenkoji temple - perfect to listen to as you make your way to the hostel. You'll probably get to listen to 13 out of the 15 recordings.

A fantastic place to stay. Short bus ride or quick taxi from the station. Walkable easily.
Great staff who were extremely helpful and generous. Morning coffees are a must do!
Thank you. We will come and stay again soon.

Really lovely place to stay. Comfortable beds, shared dormitories with lovely people. The staff were wonderful. Really friendly people who are always willing to help you with whatever you're planning. Very kindly they made coffee every morning. The communal areas were nice and homely.
I had a wonderful time.
ありがとうございます

Fantastic hostel with a great cosy feeling and superb staff!

The hostel is about a 15-20 minute walk from Nagano station, easily accessible by public transport. Great location, in the center of most things.

Inside it’s friendly and cozy, with a great common area and gas fire. Lots of space to meet people.

The staff are extremely knowledgeable about Nagano and around, recommending many places to visit and eat at. I got sick and they helped a lot. Very appreciative.

There is only one shower room for the whole hostel, however there’s a public bath about a minute walk away.

100% would recommend a visit here. Very nice hostel!

We had just one night in Nagano but I am so glad we stayed at 1166 Backpackers, and I would have loved to stay longer! The hostel is in a great location, walkable from the station but close to the main street (Chuo-dori) and the incredible Zenko-ji temple (good for getting to the atmospheric early morning service!). There's also lots of great restaurants, bakeries, cafes around. The welcome at the hostel was really greats, like we were old friends rather than new guests, Minami showed us tips for the city, shared her knowledge and very chatty. We had a dormitory to ourselves which wasn't huge, but fine for our purposes, and it was warm (not always the case in Japanese accommodation in January!). It was a fab stay and I would definitely recommend to others.