Guest House Pongyi

We had a wonderful stay at Pongyi! From the moment we arrived, Nina welcomed us with incredible kindness and warmth. She took the time to explain the history of the place — and you can really feel that Pongyi is filled with soul and stories. The guesthouse is spotlessly clean, comfortable, and very well located. Everything is thoughtfully organized, and you can tell how much care and love go into this place. We also loved the convivial moments shared with Nina and the other travelers — it felt more like staying with friends than in a guesthouse. Her explanations, recommendations, and small attentions made our stay in Kanazawa truly special. Thank you again, Nina, for your generosity and hospitality! We’ll keep this memory close to our hearts 💛

Staying at this small guesthouse in Kanazawa was truly the highlight of my trip, feeling more like a home than a traditional stay, thanks to the incredible atmosphere and staff. Nina, the manager was exceptionally friendly and helpful from check-in, going above and beyond to offer local tips and making everyone feel immediately comfortable. Its location is absolutely ideal, being just a short 5-10 minute walk from Kanazawa station. Moreover, the excellent communal spaces made it wonderfully easy to meet and connect with fellow international travellers and sharing stories. I highly recommend this guesthouse if you are looking for a comfortable, social, and perfectly located base for your Kanazawa adventures.

I had the absolute best time staying at Guest House Pongyi! Nina is incredibly kind and welcoming, from the moment you arrive, you feel completely at home. In the evening, Nina organises fun activities that bring guests together. She even taught us origami one night, which was such a sweet and memorable experience! The rooms and bathrooms were spotless, and the beds were comfortable with privacy curtains and personal outlets. The location is also perfect, close to public transport, great restaurants, and the main sights. Nina also has wonderful insights into Japanese culture and local life, making every conversation meaningful. I can honestly say this is the best hostel I’ve ever stayed at. I’d come back in a heartbeat and recommend it to anyone looking for a warm, social, and unforgettable stay in Kanazawa! 💛

One of my favourite places I have ever stayed in (and I’ve stayed in over 100 hostels). Pongyi has such a beautiful story and the hosts are so unbelievably kind, generous and welcoming. The rooms and communal spaces are so cosy and feel like home. You can walk to everywhere in Kanazawa and it’s a short walk from the station. Various social activities were hosted whilst I was there such as origami, a cooking class and kangi writing which made the stay particularly special. The activities also make it a perfect place for solo travellers. We were given complimentary delicious tea every night. I really cannot recommend this place enough and would give more stars if I could. Thank you so much Pongyi, you created such wonderful memories for me in Japan!

Believe the reviews! This is the best hostel I’ve ever stayed at! Nina is an amazing host, incredibly friendly and always willing to help with recommendations or just have a chat. The rooms and bathrooms were clean, and the beds were really comfortable with privacy curtains and individual outlets. The common area had a warm, welcoming vibe—perfect for meeting other travelers. I especially loved the evening activities organised by Nina, which made it easy to connect with people right away. The location couldn’t be better—close to public transport, good restaurants, and some of the main sights. Overall, it felt like a safe, social, and affordable place to stay. Nina and Masaki also provided a lots of information on Japanese culture and language, as well as tips on local sights, creating engaging conversations between traveler's. I’d definitely come back and strongly recommend it to anyone looking for a fun and relaxed hostel experience!

I've been backpacking all over Japan and have even studied abroad in Japan, and i can say for certain that there is no guesthouse quite like Pongyi. Niina was an extraordinary host and will go above and beyond to make sure you're settling in well at Kanazawa. She introduced me and other fellow guests to many differents aspects of Japanese daily life and culture that i wasn't able to attain elsewhere. The guesthouse has a rich history and very traditional, yet kept very clean throughout. The atmosphere of the guesthouse is one that i will never forget - you'll get an authentic taste of family life experience in Japan. Each evening, Nina hosts a unique japanese cultural activity with fellow guests, and is a great way to not only connect with the rich Japanese culture but also with other guests so i highly recommend participating! Do yourself a favour if you're still thinking, as i guarantee that you won't get this experience elsewhere. It's certainly one that I'll never forget :)

Incredible guest house that's in a building that is over 100 years old - still maintaining its antiquity and charm. The owners Nina-san and Masaki-san are very warm and loving people. There are fun activities organized every evening if you're up for it. Overall a great stay, great time, and great conversations!

Although we only stayed for one night, it was sure enough to experience the hospitality of Nina-san at Pongyi. She have us precious info for exploring Kanazawa, and held onto our luggage until check-in. When we came back, she explained everything in the Guest House (which by the way is very complete! it felt like home), and introduced us to the other guests. Then, she invited us to have tea and do Peace origami, which we gladly enjoyed. We stayed until late sipping tea and talking with all the guests. Whenever we want to come back to Kanazawa, we will be sure to stay some days at Pongyi. It is good for your soul.

1000/10 If you don't book this place for a Kanazawa stay then you are missing out. When we were greeted, it was by Maru, a very nice and knowledgeable lady that will tell you all you need to know about your visit/stay. The rooms are in the Japanese traditional style and very cozy with very good bathrooms and lounge area. Our stay in the city was hindered by a snow storm but at night when it quieted down after a calligraphy class Maru's son, Masaki, took us to a sento and around the town. Great!