Unbelievable Japan Guesthouse: Taiken Inn's Secret Revealed!
Unbelievable Japan Guesthouse: Taiken Inn's Secret Revealed! - A Hilariously Honest Review
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because I just got back from a trip to Unbelievable Japan Guesthouse: Taiken Inn, and let me tell you, it was… an experience. Forget those meticulously curated Instagram posts. This is the REAL deal, warts and all, from someone who actually stayed there. And yes, I'm here to spill the tea, the sake, and maybe a little bit of my own spilled ramen (more on that later).
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Accessibility: (Gotta Start Somewhere, Right?)
First things first: Accessibility. They claim to have facilities for disabled guests. Okay, that's a START. I didn't personally need them, but I did see an elevator, which is always a good sign. The website mentioned wheelchair accessibility, but I'd definitely advise checking specifics with the inn directly before you book. Don't take my word as gospel on this – I'm more the “trip and fall into a cultural experience” type.
Rooms: More Than Just a Place to Crash (Mostly!)
My room? Well, let's just say it was… functional. The air conditioning was a lifesaver (because, Japan summers, am I right?). The blackout curtains? Genius. (Needed 'em after those late-night karaoke sessions. Don't judge.) They had a complimentary tea selection, but frankly, I'm more of a coffee fiend. The bed was extra long, which was awesome because I'm quite tall and I didn't want my feet hanging off the edge. There was even a desk for pretending I would work, and a laptop workspace. But let's get real, I mostly used it to watch those on-demand movies! They also had a mini-bar, which was convenient for a midnight snack, and a mirror for taking a quick selfie before my daily adventure. The Wi-Fi was free (praise the travel gods!) and there was Internet access – LAN. I'm a wireless kinda gal, but good to know the option existed. The shower was good, and the bathtub was a nice extra, but it wasn't as fancy as those luxurious five-star hotels. There was also a seating area and a sofa to chill out in. The hair dryer was a blessing, and also the slippers! I forgot those. The smoke detectors, safety deposit boxes, and in-room safe box were all reassuring. I wasn't sure if the interconnecting room(s) available would interest me, but they were definitely there.
Bathroom Breakdown: The Real Deal (Sometimes Literally)
The private bathroom was small but clean, equipped with the usual toiletries. Having a separate shower/bathtub was a plus. The towels were fluffy, but sometimes they smelled a bit… damp? Honestly, it added to the slightly lived-in charm. I’m not going to lie, on the second day, the drain in the sink got clogged. I tried to fix it, but ended up just splashing water everywhere. That's when they sent a cleaner after me, so no complaints after that.
Cleanliness and Safety: (Putting My Germaphobe Tendencies to the Test!)
Alright, let's get to the juicy stuff. Cleanliness and safety were clearly a priority. They used anti-viral cleaning products, had daily disinfection in common areas, and the staff was trained in safety protocol. There was hand sanitizer everywhere. Everywhere. I felt pretty safe considering the past two years. They also had first aid kits, smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, and 24-hour security. The room sanitization opt-out available was fantastic. I’m not one for a full fumigation after every stay. Individually wrapped food options? Yes, please! They had shared stationery removed. They also provided a safe dining setup. The daily housekeeping was efficient. I did see a staff member using professional-grade sanitizing services when I was around once. Honestly, the whole thing was reassuring in the current 'rona climate.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: (My Personal Paradise!)
The restaurants… okay, let's talk food. They had a restaurant offering Asian cuisine and also international cuisine – it's Japan, so of course the basics were good, but I wouldn't say it's a culinary adventure. The Asian breakfast was decent. The Western breakfast was… well, it was there. The coffee shop was a lifesaver in the mornings. They had a poolside bar, too. Now, the Happy hour was a real find. I sampled the local Sapporo, and let me tell you, it went down. The a la carte in the restaurant was pretty good, and they had soup in the restaurant. Sometimes, I'd sneak a little salad in the restaurant. They also had a snack bar, because, you know, emergencies. Oh, and a bottle of water in the room!
Let's talk about the buffet. This is where it gets… interesting. The breakfast buffet was a sight to behold. Mountains of beautifully arranged food. I went in with high hopes. But then I got the infamous Ramen Incident. I was balancing a loaded plate, thinking “Gosh, this is great!”, then BAM! My plate went sideways, and I was covered in lukewarm noodles and a mysterious orange sauce. Everyone stared. I wanted to disappear. Fortunately, the staff were incredibly understanding, but it was a defining moment in my trip.
Services and Conveniences: (Making Life Easier… Mostly)
The concierge was super helpful with recommendations (karaoke bars, naturally). Conveniently, they offered cash withdrawal, a currency exchange, and even food delivery. The daily housekeeping was efficient, but there were times I felt like I was being watched while I put on my shoes. The luggage storage was a lifesaver, as I was constantly buying more stuff than I needed. The elevator was a lifesaver. They’ve got an airport transfer, so I didn't have to figure out the public transport.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax: (Spa Day? Maybe?)
Okay, so this is where things get a tad… fuzzy. They had a fitness center that I peeked into once. Looked clean but I wasn’t about to sweat. I saw a swimming pool (outdoor), with a pool with a view which was nice. I'm not sure about the spa situation, because I'm a simple person, not a spa person. They claim to have some of those spa things. Didn't notice any body wraps or body scrubs. Might've missed it, too busy eating noodles, I guess.
For the Kids: (If you happen to have any… or want to borrow one!)
They are family/child friendly and have babysitting service, so parents, rejoice! I didn’t test it. They had kids facilities though, so I’d expect some kids.
Getting Around: (Navigating the Maze)
The car park [free of charge] was a bonus (if you're driving, which I wasn't). They also have a taxi service.
The Verdict: Unpredictably Excellent
Look, Unbelievable Japan Guesthouse: Taiken Inn is not a five-star luxury hotel. It's not flawless. But it is an experience. It’s like staying at your quirky, slightly messy, but incredibly hospitable friend's place. The staff try really hard, even if the buffet sometimes has a mind of its own.
Despite the occasional spilled noodles and slightly damp towels, I’d go back. The location was great, the staff were lovely, and the whole thing just felt… real. It's got that “Unbelievable” name for a reason! Just pack your sense of humor, a willingness to embrace the unexpected, and maybe a bib for messy buffets. You'll have a blast. Just don't expect perfection. Expect adventure!
Escape to Paradise: Hotel L'Isola, Italy - Your Dream Vacation Awaits!Guesthouse Taiken Inn: My Chaotic, Wonderful Japanese Adventure (Itinerary…ish)
Okay, so I'm technically supposed to be organized, but let's be honest, my plans are more of a… suggestion. And this is my suggestion. This is what actually happened, and believe me, it was a wild ride. Buckle up.
Day 1: Arrival & Culture Shock (Level: Moderate. Mostly just the toilet.)
- 14:00 - Arrive at Narita (NRT). Travel: Plane. Yeah, yeah, standard. Felt like I'd been crammed into a tin can for twelve hours. My back is screaming. First impressions of Japan: cleaner than my apartment back home (and frankly, way more polite).
- 15:00 - Train to Tokyo Station (via Narita Express). Ugh, the train. Expensive, but fast. And spotless. I even tried bowing to the conductor. He just gave me a slightly bewildered smile. Maybe I overdid it.
- 16:30 - Arrive at Tokyo Station. Find the damn Yamanote Line. Okay, this is where the adventure really begins. Tokyo Station is a labyrinth! I swear I saw a portal to another dimension in a noodle shop. Finally, I wrestled with the ticket machine (and lost), and got on a packed train. I think I may have stared at the same guy's back for a solid fifteen minutes. Awkward.
- 17:30 - Yamanote Line to Ueno. More trains. More people. More… silence. Everyone's incredibly respectful. I felt like a clumsy bull in a china shop.
- 18:00 - Check-in at Taiken Inn. This place is charming! Tiny room, perfectly clean, and a communal kitchen that already smells of deliciousness. The host, bless her heart, has the patience of a saint. She tried to explain the rules for the onsen (communal bath), but I'm pretty sure I just nodded and smiled. My Japanese vocabulary tops out around "konnichiwa" and "arigato."
- 19:00 - The Toilet Saga. Okay, this deserves its own subheading. The toilet. It's a space-age throne of porcelain glory. Heated seat? Check. Bidet functions with enough settings to launch a rocket? Double-check. The button panel looked like the cockpit of a spaceship. I stared at it for a solid five minutes, terrified of accidentally giving myself a colonic. Eventually, I figured out the "spray" function. Let's just say…it was a learning experience. And a slightly embarrassing one.
- 20:00 - Dinner at a local ramen shop (near Taiken Inn). The BEST ramen I've ever had. Broth so rich, noodles perfectly chewy, and a tender piece of pork that practically melted in my mouth. I slurped so loud, I think the chef gave me a thumbs up. Score!
- 21:00 - Attempted exploration of the neighborhood. Failed miserably. Got lost, wandered around for an hour, ended up buying a weird, green, vaguely sweet drink from a vending machine. Still not sure what it was. Pretty sure it wasn't supposed to be green.
- 22:00 - Collapse in bed. Jet lag is a cruel mistress.
Day 2: Culture Immersed (and Slightly Overwhelmed)
- 08:00 - Breakfast at Taiken Inn. Toast, instant coffee, and a lot of watching other guests gracefully navigate the kitchen. Pretty sure they all know the secret handshake of guesthouse living. I'm still using the microwave wrong.
- 09:00 - Ueno Park. Beautiful! Temples, museums, ponds with giant lily pads. Wandered around, got serenaded by a busker playing a koto (Japanese harp). Pure bliss. Until I accidentally walked in on a group of elderly Japanese ladies doing their morning exercises. Oops. They just smiled. I think. I'm pretty sure they were smiling.
- 12:00 - Lunch at a street vendor (Ueno Park). Yakisoba! Delicious, cheap, and I managed to order it without too much trouble. Victory! Except I dropped half of it. On the ground. In front of a very fashionable Japanese woman. Regret.
- 13:00 - Tokyo National Museum. Wow. Ancient artifacts, incredible art. The samurai armor was particularly impressive. Felt a little bit like I'd walked into a history book. I could have spent a week here, but my feet were killing me. And the lack of decent coffee was starting to gnaw at my soul.
- 16:00 - Shibuya Crossing. The famous scramble crossing! Sensory overload! Crowds, lights, and enough crosswalks to make your head spin. Dodged a few Shibuya teenagers on scooters. Survived.
- 17:00 - Hachiko Statue. Got the obligatory photo. He's cuter in person.
- 18:00 - Karaoke! This was a mistake. A hilarious, possibly-scarring, beautiful mistake. The host from the Inn took us. My singing voice is, shall we say, "unique." Let's just say I murdered "Bohemian Rhapsody" and left everyone else looking traumatized. Definitely worth it.
- 20:00 - Dinner near Shibuya. More deliciousness! Found a tiny izakaya (Japanese pub) and gorged on yakitori (grilled skewers). Tried ordering some sake. Ended up with the strongest stuff they had. Oops.
- 22:00 - Stumbled back to Taiken Inn. Memory a little hazy. Regretting that sake, but hey, karaoke!
Day 3: Day Trip to Hakone & Onsen (Oh God, the Onsen!)
- 07:00 - Breakfast AND a mild panic attack. Realized I had to navigate the entire Japanese transport system again to get to Hakone. Used Google Maps. Prayed.
- 08:00 - Train to Odawara. Travel: Train. More trains. Started feeling like a pro at navigating the ticket machines. Small victories.
- 09:30 - Bus to Hakone. The scenery is gorgeous! Mountains, lakes, and a crisp, clean air. Finally feeling that “zen” everyone always talks about.
- 10:30 - Hakone Ropeway. Ride over a volcanic valley! Sulphur smelled horrible, but the view was stunning. Also, I think I saw a geyser erupt. So cool!
- 12:00 - Cruise on Lake Ashi. Beautiful lake! Sun, boats, and the promise of a traditional Japanese onsen experience. Excitement and abject terror! (The onsen.)
- 13:00 - Lunch overlooking Lake Ashi. Ordered some ramen. Again. It's becoming a problem, I think. But so good!
- 15:00 - The Onsen. This is where things got interesting. Or mortifying. Or both. Found a secluded onsen near the guest house. Spent a solid half hour psyching myself up. Naked bathing! With strangers! Eventually, forced myself in. The water was hot. Blissful. I managed to follow the basic etiquette (wash, sit on the little stool), but I'm pretty sure I splashed around like a walrus. Mortified. But also… incredibly relaxed. Like, I think I could sell the zen experience now.
- 17:00 - Train back to Taiken Inn. Tired, content, and smelling faintly of sulfur.
- 19:00 - Dinner at a small restaurant near Taiken Inn. A smaller restaurant this time! Trying to get more local. Ordered something by pointing at pictures. Ended up with a delicious bowl of noodles and some sort of… fried mystery meat. Delicious!
- 20:00 - Early night. Still processing the onsen experience. Also, my feet hurt.
Day 4: Departure (Reluctantly) & Final Thoughts
- 08:00 - Breakfast. Trying to be productive. Writing postcards. Failing.
- 09:00 - Last-minute souvenir shopping. Buying snacks at the local market! Realizing I'm going to miss this place. (And the toilets.)
- 10:00 - Check-out. Saying goodbye to the lovely host. A hug? A hug! Maybe I'm finally becoming a functional human being.
- 11:00 - Train to Narita (NRT). The final train journey!
- 14:00 - Flight departs. Saying goodbye to Japan. Feeling a mix of sadness and overwhelming gratitude. This trip wasn't perfect. I got lost. I made a fool of myself. I accidentally sprayed myself with a bidet on the first day. But it was also… incredible. The kindness of the people, the beauty of the culture, the food… Oh, the food! I'm already planning my return. Maybe next time, I'll master the art of silent slurping.
Final Thoughts: This trip was messy, imperfect, and utterly unforgettable. Japan, you stole my heart (and possibly my dignity). I'
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