This page introduces what “Tomaru” is, why we started it, and who we are – information especially relevant for hostel and guesthouse operators.
Our Vision for Tomaru
Tomaru started with the goal of becoming an online guidebook for travelers looking for hostels and guesthouses across Japan.
We’re beginning in Osaka, where we’re based, and will gradually expand to cover hostels and guesthouses in Kyoto, Nara, and other Kansai areas. Eventually, we plan to cover all of Japan.
The website is available in both Japanese and English. We aim to share lots of useful information for both Japanese and international tourists using hostels and guesthouses in Japan.
Our long-term goal is to make Tomaru the go-to website for finding guesthouses and hostels in Japan.
Why I Started Tomaru
I actually have quite a history with backpackers’ hostels.
From 2005 to 2006, and then 2006 to 2007, I lived and worked at backpackers’ hostels in New Zealand and Canada for a total of 13 months. During my time in these countries, I got to experience staying at many different backpackers’ hostels.
These experiences made me consider running my own backpackers’ hostel in Japan.
Later, various opportunities led me to move to New Zealand in 2008, where I worked as a hotel manager and got permanent residency. In 2014, I moved to Wellington and worked as a freelance web developer and writer. In 2022, I returned to Japan with my family.
The stay at the Nara guesthouse rekindled my passion for backpackers’ hostels, inspiring me to create a website introducing the unique appeal of guesthouses and hostels.
With increasing inbound tourism and growing numbers of international visitors to Japan, I feel that introducing Japanese guesthouses and hostels to international tourists connects well with my earlier dream of running a backpackers’ hostel in Japan.