Looking for a budget-friendly yet unique youth hostel experience in Takamatsu? Look no further than Hostel JAQ Takamatsu! This inviting hostel offers an exceptional stay with engaging activities and a complimentary udon noodle breakfast every morning. Plus, when it’s time for dinner, you’ll savor the flavors of traditional Shikoku cuisine, making each meal a delightful adventure. In this post, I’ll share my stay at Hostel JAQ Takamatsu, conveniently located near Ritsurin Garden, where you can enjoy a high-value stay for approximately 3,000 yen per person.

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Hostel JAQ Takamatsu: Where Comfort Meets Affordability

Opened in February 2024, Hostel JAQ Takamatsu is a fresh new option for budget-conscious travelers. The “J” in JAQ stands for Japan and Joyful, capturing the essence of the hostel’s mission to deliver a “Japan Adorable Quality” experience. It’s also the sister hostel of Hostel PAQ in Tokushima, sharing the same commitment to hospitality and top-notch service.

The hostel boasts 60 beds across a variety of room types, including budget-friendly double rooms, four-person rooms, and dormitory-style accommodations. Whether you’re a solo backpacker or traveling in a group, Hostel JAQ has something for everyone. With prices averaging just 3,500 yen per night (and free breakfast included), it’s easily one of the best value-for-money stays in Takamatsu!

Hostel JAQ takamatsu Adress:  〒760-0008 香川県高松市中野町28-18 Phone: +81 087-813-4075 Email:  info@hosteljaq.com Check in : 15:00-22:00 Check out: 10:00 Facebook Official website Instagram

<CHECK IN >

Check-in at Hostel JAQ Takamatsu is available between 3:00 PM and 10:00 PM. If you arrive after 10:00 PM, there’s an additional charge of 1,000 yen per hour. You’ll be greeted by two friendly and energetic local university students at the reception, who make the check-in process smooth and welcoming. They’ll patiently guide you through the hostel’s amenities and rules, and you can communicate with them in either Japanese or English. Even while traveling, you’ll feel the warmth of home here!

How to Get to Hostel JAQ Takamatsu

◇ By JR Train: A 5-minute walk from Ritsurin Koen Kitaguchi Station on the JR Kotoku Line
◇ By Bus: Get off at Nakanomachi

Room Types at Hostel JAQ Takamatsu

Hostel JAQ Takamatsu offers a variety of room options to suit different travelers. In addition to mixed and female-only dormitory beds, the hostel features budget-friendly double rooms and traditional Japanese-style rooms for four, making it an ideal choice for couples, families, or small groups.

Budget Double RoomFor 8,000 yen per night, the budget double room includes two single beds, a private bathroom, and a bathtub, perfect for those who enjoy a relaxing soak after a long day of travel.

Japanese-Style Room for Four
At 12,000 yen per night, this room comes with four traditional Japanese futons, making it a great value for families or groups. It provides a more affordable option compared to dormitory beds when traveling in a group.

While the corridors retain the charm of the building’s original era, everything is impeccably clean. Entering the room is a pleasant surprise—the traditional Japanese-style room has been thoughtfully converted into a modern hostel space, complete with a genkan (entryway), paper sliding doors, and the fragrant scent of tatami mats.

Female-Only Dormitory

I stayed in the female-only dorm located on the second floor. While there’s no passenger elevator, there is a luggage lift for heavy bags, so there’s no need to worry about carrying large suitcases up the stairs.

The room is around 30 square meters, with six bunk beds. It features an en-suite bathroom and toilet, making nighttime trips to the bathroom hassle-free! Although the bathroom is compact, it’s designed with a separate wet and dry area, with a curtain for privacy.

If the bathroom is in use, there’s also a larger, more modern women’s public bath on the first floor. I stayed for two nights: the first night I used the bathroom in the room, but on the second night, many of my Japanese roommates opted to use the first-floor bathroom even if no one was using the en-suite. I think they wanted to avoid disturbing others.

The bed space itself is comfortable, with plenty of headroom, so you won’t feel cramped or risk bumping your head. The bedding is thick and cozy, and the pillow has just the right firmness.

The bunk beds have stairs instead of a ladder, which makes it easier and safer for those who aren’t comfortable climbing. Each bed has a curtain for privacy, and I was lucky to get a spot with extra storage space next to my bed.

I was particularly touched by the small rechargeable night light next to the bed. It’s convenient for moving around safely after lights-out, and it’s a great safety feature in case of emergencies.

There’s also a traditional Japanese wardrobe where you can store large luggage, freeing up space in the walkway, and a clothesline for hanging wet clothes.

While this isn’t the first Japanese-style hostel I’ve stayed in, many hostels simply provide futons in a large shared space. The six-bed arrangement here is much more comfortable and offers a better level of privacy.

Hostel Facilities

The common lounge is located right next to the check-in counter, featuring cozy sofas and a fully equipped kitchen where guests can also enjoy dinner.

The kitchen has all the utensils and condiments you need, or you can buy ingredients from a nearby supermarket and cook your own meals.

There’s a complimentary self-service coffee station, iced tea, and a water dispenser available at any time. Feel free to share specialties from your hometown with fellow travelers while relaxing in this space.

The hostel provides a wealth of travel information, including a homemade udon restaurant guide and resources on exploring nearby islands.

The lounge area is spacious, making it ideal for dining, studying, or working remotely. The hostel also hosts a variety of cultural and interactive activities from time to time, such as udon-making workshops and yukata experiences.

The lounge area is spacious, making it ideal for dining, studying, or working remotely. The hostel also hosts a variety of cultural and interactive activities from time to time, such as udon-making workshops and yukata experiences.

On the second floor, you’ll find shared bathroom facilities with lockers where you can store valuables while you’re out or taking a shower.

Laundry services are available on the third floor, with coin-operated washing machines (300 yen per use) and dryers (100 yen for 30 minutes).

The rooftop terrace offers a tranquil spot to relax and unwind. There are yoga mats available if you feel like doing some light exercise or simply want to enjoy the fresh air.

For male guests, there is a dedicated bathing area that feels like a mini traditional Japanese bathhouse, offering a relaxing and authentic experience.

Hostel JAQ Takamatsu: Free Breakfast

When you think of breakfast in Tainan, beef soup comes to mind. In Kagawa, however, udon is the breakfast staple! At Hostel JAQ Takamatsu, guests are treated to freshly made Kagawa-style udon every morning from 7:00 to 10:00 AM, offering a perfect introduction to the local culinary culture.

The udon is lovingly prepared by RYO-san, served hot and fresh. The chewy noodles are paired with a light, flavorful broth and garnished with crispy tempura bits, green onions, and a sprinkle of shichimi spice, creating a simple yet satisfying breakfast.

If you’re staying for more than one night, you’ll have the option of rice or bread on the second day, but most guests still opt for the classic udon.

On this particular morning, they also offered an extra treat: a delicious onigiri (rice ball).

Since I arrived late on my first night, I missed the udon breakfast, but I was thrilled to learn that many udon shops in Kagawa only operate in the mornings until noon. Being able to enjoy authentic udon right at the hostel is a fantastic perk, and it made me even more excited to explore other famous udon spots around Takamatsu.

Shikoku Local Delicacies – JAQ Dinner Experience

It’s not uncommon for hotels to offer breakfast and dinner, but it’s a delightful surprise when a hostel provides an exquisite dinner experience! Hostel JAQ Takamatsu serves a specially crafted dinner featuring the unique flavors of Shikoku.

Dinner is reservation-based, costing 2000 yen per person, and is served in the hostel’s common area. Due to limited seating and ingredients, guests are encouraged to book in advance.

The meal includes drinks, with options ranging from beer and tea to juice and soda. The hand-drawn menu adds a cute touch to the experience.

The dinner, prepared by the talented in-house chef Ryo, features fresh, seasonal ingredients from Shikoku. The chef takes the time to explain how each dish should be enjoyed, making the meal even more interactive.

That evening, we had Hamachi (yellowtail) hotpot. In Taiwan, Hamachi is known as 青魽, and amusingly, the Japanese pronunciation resembles “how much.” The chef prepared fresh sashimi, which was so appealing that we couldn’t wait to dive in.

For the hotpot, the thinly sliced fish is quickly blanched in the hot broth and paired with a refreshing daikon sauce. Following the fish, we added pork and vegetables into the pot.

The meal also included sides like vegetable tempura, tamagoyaki (Japanese omelet), and pickled cucumbers—all classic Japanese dishes.

The tempura, with its light and crispy batter wrapped around fresh vegetables, was so delicious I wished for a second serving!

In addition to the hotpot, there was a braised fish dish. Despite my less-than-perfect photos, the rich sauce alone was enough to devour several bowls of rice. The Hamachi was tender and flavorful, perfect whether served as sashimi or cooked, without any fishy smell or tough texture.

As the dinner came to a close, the chef used the remaining broth to cook ramen, which absorbed the rich flavors of the seafood and vegetables from the hotpot.

Even though we were already full, we couldn’t resist having a few more bowls, making for a perfect ending to the meal.

Throughout the evening, Chef Ryo attentively took care of our dining needs and even played guitar to entertain us after the meal.

The cozy atmosphere made dining with strangers feel comfortable and welcoming. I shared the table with a couple from overseas who met at hostel years ago during a trip to Japan, eventually leading to marriage. Their return to Japan was filled with romance, and we couldn’t help but tease one of the staff members, joking, “Are you working here to find a girlfriend?”

Enjoying authentic Shikoku flavors without even leaving the hostel is an experience I highly recommend. The quality of the ingredients and flavors rival that of any restaurant, and there are even vegetarian and gluten-free options available.

How to Book Hostel JAQ Takamatsu

You can make a reservation directly on their official website. The average price per person, regardless of weekday or weekend, is about 3500 yen. Booking through major travel sites may offer discounts, bringing the price to under 3000 yen. Credit card payments are accepted, and all rates include breakfast.

Why I Recommend Hostel JAQ Takamatsu

I’ve always been a fan of youth hostels, not only for their affordability but also for the chance to meet fellow travelers and hear fascinating stories. Each hostel has its own unique charm, and while Hostel JAQ Takamatsu doesn’t offer services in Chinese, the staff’s warmth makes up for any language barriers, making you feel right at home. The hostel is also popular among Japanese travelers, with more than half of the guests being locals, making it a perfect opportunity to make new friends and practice Japanese.

The already budget-friendly rates include a free breakfast, which is a lovely way to start the day. However, the downside is needing to wake up early to fit the breakfast schedule. And once you’re full, you might miss out on trying other local meals outside!

Finally, I have to give another shoutout to their dinner—it was truly unforgettable. I can’t wait to try the chef’s other specialties. If they ever open a restaurant, I’ll definitely be back!

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