Uncover ENRAKU Japan: Secrets the Tourist Guides Don't Want You to Know!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups! Because we’re diving headfirst into a review of something something hotel – or whatever it's called! (I’ll figure that out eventually, promise). And trust me, this ain't your grandma's travel blog. We're going full-on, unfiltered, probably-needs-editing-but-who-cares experience. Ready? Let's get messy!
First Impressions & The Accessibility Angle (because, you know, real life):
Okay, so the hotel thingy – let's call it The Grand Splurge for now, yeah? - The Grand Splurge seems pretty meh from the outside. But appearances can be deceiving, right?! I actually care deeply for accessibility because I understand how hard this is for my parents. First thing's first. Is this place truly accessible? That's always my biggest worry. Let's see… Wheelchair accessible…Check! Elevator… Check! Accessibility in public areas… Double check! Okay, so far, so good. I'm thinking about my parents, they are always so concerned about accessibility. That's usually enough to put my mom at ease.
Accessibility Score: 8/10 (because nothing is perfect).
On-Site Restaurant/Lounge Chaos (and my love for a good cocktail):
Right, restaurants/lounges. This is where I expect to REALLY get into the deep end with my impressions and my preferences begin to make their mark. On-site accessible restaurants/lounges… Check! Good start. I need my happy hour and I need it NOW. The Grand Splurge says it has a bar, a poolside bar, and several restaurants (International, Asian, Vegetarian even!). Now, I haven't actually eaten at all of them yet (been here, like, five minutes), but the promise is there. I'm a sucker for a good pool bar. You know, the kind where you can stumble in, dripping wet, no shame. And the cocktails? Please, let them be strong. Please. Please, PLEASE. I need it to be accessible so everyone can get there.
Restaurant/Lounge Score: 7.5/10 (potential is high, execution remains to be seen – and I'm a tough critic when it comes to cocktails).
Internet Shenanigans (because we all need our fix):
Wi-Fi! Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Hallelujah! Wi-Fi in public areas! Double huzzah! Internet [LAN]! Triple woot! Okay, okay. I'm getting ahead of myself. But the whole Internet access situation is important! I'm thinking about uploading my thoughts on Instagram! So, let's see if they actually deliver, because what's a hotel without Wi-Fi these days? It's like, a desert without water! I’m looking for a consistent connection to write that great novel I've ALWAYS been meaning to write. I will update later. I just know I've seen hotels skimp on its internet promise.
Internet Score: TBD (will update when I actually use the internet. Cross your fingers).
Things to Do & Relaxing Your Cares Away (or at least, trying):
Alright, this is where The Grand Splurge should shine. Swimming pool [outdoor]… Check! Spa/sauna… Check! Gym/fitness… UGH, check. (I should be more inclined to go to the gym, but the cocktail bar is calling.) Seriously does this hotel have it all? Sauna, Steamroom, Massage, Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, Pool with view. This is bordering on excessive, people! I guess that's the "Splurge" part! I'm all about the relaxing. I'm picturing myself in the pool. I’m going for the massage, definitely the massage. I will definitely report back on the massage.
I'm even thinking of getting a body wrap. I’m going to lose myself in the spa. Spa/sauna I’m going to get the full experience. I want to walk around the pool and feel the sun, get a tan and a cool drink.
Things to do/Relaxation Score: 9/10 (potential for complete bliss is very high).
Cleanliness & Safety – Because We’re Still In a Pandemic World (and who isn’t still paranoid?):
This is where things get serious. *Anti-viral cleaning products… Check! Daily disinfection in common areas… Check! Rooms sanitized between stays… Check! Hand sanitizer…Check! Safe dining setup…Check! Staff trained in safety protocol… Check! *Okay, they’re saying all the right things. But the proof is in the pudding. Hygiene certification… I need to see the actual thing. Physical distancing of at least 1 meter… Good, good. I love to see it. Room sanitization opt-out available… Okay, that shows commitment. (Hopefully this wasn’t a pre-written list. Hopefully.) I'm extra sensitive on this front, for sure.
Cleanliness & Safety Score: 8.5/10 (Trust is earned, folks – and I'm only halfway there. Also, I saw a rogue dust bunny earlier.)
Dining, Drinking, & Snacking – The Crucial Stuff:
Alright, let's dive deeper! The food! The booze! The snacks! A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant. Holy moly! They weren’t kidding!
Rooms sanitized between stays is not an option. I want to eat. I was starving for lunch. So I went downstairs to find the buffet. You know, just to test the waters. You get right up to that buffet table, with little dishes and the clear plastic dividers. It makes you feel like you're in a laboratory. I'm a huge buffet person, and in the middle of the chaos of the buffet, I felt strangely comforted.
Dining Score: 8/10 (because I haven’t tried everything… yet. But the selection is impressive.)
Services & Conveniences – The Extras (that can make or break a stay):
These are the bits and bobs that can really solidify an experience. Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center.
Seriously, this place is equipped to handle anything. Concierge, check! Is this a good concierge? That can really change the experience. Contactless check-in/out… I am so grateful. Daily housekeeping… Awesome. I need a terrace. I need to relax. I need space.
Services & Conveniences Score: 8.5/10 (so far, so good. Seems like they've thought of everything.)
For the Kids (Even though I don’t have any… yet…):
Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal. Okay, this is definitely geared towards families! That's cool. I'm not in that demographic right now, but good to know.
For the Kids score: N/A (I’m not the target audience here).
The Room – The Make-or-Break Factor:
Available in all rooms, Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.
Okay… this is intense. The rooms sound like a luxury prison cell, but I mean, it's a step up from a regular prison cell, isn’t it? *Black
Unlocking Russia: The Ultimate Guide to Studia Russia
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because you’re about to get my Enraku itinerary. Forget the polished brochures, this is the REAL DEAL. Prepare for a journey that's less "precision-timed clockwork" and more "slightly-chaotic but ultimately beautiful mess.”
Enraku: The Slightly-Lost-But-Wonderfully-Found Adventure (aka, My Itinerary of Glorious Chaos)
Days 1-2: Arrival in Tokyo - The Sensory Overload (and My Existential Crisis)
Day 1: Landing and Immediate Regret… (Just Kidding! Mostly.)
- Morning (Narita Airport - NRT): Okay, so picture this: I step off the plane, and BAM! Humidity hits me like a sumo wrestler. Instantly regretting wearing that too-thick sweater. Finding the train to Shinjuku station was a feat of (flailing) human navigation – thank GOD for Google Maps, even if it intermittently told me I was going the WRONG WAY.
- Afternoon (Shinjuku): Check into my ridiculously tiny hotel room. Seriously, my suitcase takes up half the floor. But hey, it’s clean, which is a massive win. Wandering through Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. The peace! The quiet! The complete and utter bliss… until a rogue mosquito decided my left ankle was lunch. (Note to self: invest in industrial-strength bug spray.)
- Evening (Shinjuku Golden Gai): This is where things get REAL. Found a tiny, smoke-filled bar with like, five seats. The owner, a tiny, grizzled man who looked like he'd seen it all, poured me a sake so potent I nearly forgot my name (and the aforementioned mosquito attack). I met a guy from Nebraska who was convinced he was a ninja, and the rest is a somewhat blurry, but ultimately beautiful, memory. My emotional reaction? Elation, and a slight fear of the morning.
Day 2: Shibuya Scramble and the Quest for Ramen Savior
- Morning (Shibuya): The Shibuya Scramble Crossing. Holy. Freaking. CROWD. It's a sensory explosion! I swear, I saw a dog wearing a tiny backpack. It’s overwhelming, amazing, and slightly terrifying. Taking a picture with the Hachiko statue, because, you know, tourist duty.
- Afternoon (Harajuku): Takeshita Street. I went from culture shock to sugar rush in approximately three minutes. Rainbow cotton candy, crepes the size of my head, and enough kawaii fashion to give a unicorn an existential crisis. I bought a ridiculously oversized bow for my hair. Judge me. I dare you.
- Evening (Akihabara): Now, here’s where things get weird… in a good way! Arcades blasting music, flashing lights, and a sea of flashing anime screens. My emotional reaction? A mixture of awe and bewilderment. I even tried to play a claw machine and lost five-hundred yen in the process.
- Dinner: The Ramen Quest. I was HUNGRY. I scoured the internet for the “best ramen in Akihabara” and ended up in a tiny, unmarked ramen shop. It was a culinary epiphany. The broth, the noodles, the perfectly cooked egg… I literally cried a single, happy tear. This is it, the reason why I came here.
Days 3-5: Kyoto - Temples, Tranquility, and Accidental Cultural Insensitivity
Day 3: Bullet Trains and Bamboo Forests (and a Near-Disaster with a Temple)
- Morning: Bullet train to Kyoto. So fast! So smooth! Felt like I was floating. Watching Mount Fuji zoom by was a dream come true.
- Afternoon: Arrived at my little Ryokan (traditional Japanese inn). OMG. Tatami mats, sliding doors, a tiny garden with perfectly raked gravel… It's like living in a postcard. And the kimono? So elegant, and so incredibly difficult to put on. I'm pretty sure I spent about half an hour accidentally flashing unsuspecting tourists.
- Evening: Strolling through Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. The sheer scale of it! The sunlight filtering through the stalks! It was ethereal… until I tripped over a root and almost took a tumble, nearly breaking my camera.
Day 4: Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) and My Lack of Zen
- Morning: Kyoto Temples. Feeling all spiritual. Visited Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion). It was, in a word, glorious. Absolutely jaw-dropping. Spent a ridiculously long time taking pictures, trying to capture its beauty.
- Afternoon (Fushimi Inari Shrine): The walk through the torii gates. Amazing, and really long. My emotional reaction? "Are we there yet?". The crowds were huge. The stairs were endless. Getting to the top was a real accomplishment. I bought a little fox figurine.
- Evening : Attempted a tea ceremony. Let's just say, my coordination skills are… lacking. I spilled tea everywhere, almost knocked over the host, and generally felt like a klutz. My emotional reaction? Humiliation.
- Dinner: Tried to order sushi. My attempts at speaking Japanese were met with amused smiles. I accidentally ordered something I didn’t recognize and ended up eating what I believe was a type of sea slug. Texture… interesting.
Day 5: Geishas (Maybe) and a Farewell Feast
- Morning: Gion District. Hoping to catch a glimpse of a Geisha. Wandered around, pretending to be a seasoned traveler, feeling very un-seasoned. Saw a woman in a kimono, but couldn’t tell if she was a real Geisha or just someone dressed up. The mystery will haunt me.
- Afternoon: I spent almost a full day wandering around the Nishiki Market. The variety and the sheer volume of food was truly incredible. I took so many free samples, I was more full than when I went to an expensive restaurant.
- Evening (Farewell Dinner): A fancy kaiseki (multi-course Japanese meal). Every dish was a work of art. The flavors were incredible. The presentation… exquisite. By the end, I was stuffed, slightly tipsy from the sake, and feeling a pang of sadness that my trip was almost over. My emotional reaction? Bittersweet. I could definitely get used to this life.
Days 6-7: Departure (and the inevitable post-trip blues)
- Day 6: A last few hours in Kyoto. Buying last-minute souvenirs, desperately trying to remember what I’d actually done on this trip. Realizing I hadn't seen half the things on my original list. Feeling okay with it.
- Day 7: Back to Tokyo for my flight home. The airport felt like a world away from the tiny ramen shops and bamboo forests. A final, nostalgic ramen, of course. The flight itself was a blur of exhaustion and reflection. My emotional reaction? Mostly, the blues, but also a deep, profound feeling of gratitude.
Important Notes (aka, the "Things I Learned the Hard Way"):
- Learn some basic Japanese phrases. Seriously. It makes all the difference. Even "hello" and "thank you."
- Pack comfortable shoes. You'll be doing a LOT of walking. My feet still haven't forgiven me.
- Embrace the chaos. Things won't always go as planned. That's part of the fun.
- Don't be afraid to get lost. Some of the best discoveries happen when you wander off the beaten path.
- Eat everything! Even the sea slugs. Even if you're not sure what it is.
- MOST IMPORTANTLY: Be respectful. Japan is a beautiful country with a rich culture. Treat it with kindness.
So, there you have it. My completely unvarnished, slightly messy, and utterly honest Enraku adventure. Hope you enjoy it, or at least, learn from my mistakes. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go start planning my next trip… because I'm already dreaming of ramen.
Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Your Yingde Getaway at City Comfort Inn!
So, what *exactly* are we talking about here? Like, *why* are we even doing this?
Alright, that's a fair question. Honestly? I'm still figuring it out. But I’m *pretty* sure we’re supposed to be answering your burning questions about… let’s call it… *Things*. You know, the general stuff of life. The stuff that keeps you up at 3 AM, wondering, “Huh?” Sometimes, it’s about the big picture. Other times, it’s how to conquer that mountain of dirty dishes. And sometimes, it’s just… well, whatever pops into my head. Don't judge me. We're all a bit of a mess, yeah?
Is this, like, professionally written? Because it kinda seems… not.
Hah! Professionally written? Honey, if this were a *professionally* written thing, it would be about the most boring thing in the world. It'd be dry, emotionless, and probably filled with buzzwords. Trust me, you don't want that. This is more… conversational. Think of it as your slightly-scatterbrained, but well-meaning, friend trying to help you out. My brain feels like a washing machine with a sock in it half the time. So no, not professional. Just... me.
Okay, fine. But what if I have a *specific* question? Like, really *specific*?
Oh, now we're talking! Specific questions are *my* jam. Bring 'em on! I'll likely stammer, maybe go on several tangents (sorry, in advance!), and probably tell you everything *but* the answer at first. But eventually, I'll get there. (Hopefully. Don't hold me to it.) Seriously, ask away. The more specific, the better. Because honestly? The broad stuff is… well, it's *everywhere*. I’ll attempt to give it a fresh spin, though sometimes that means taking a scenic route to the point.
Can you *really* help me? I have, like, serious problems.
Look, I'm not a therapist. And I can't read your mind (though sometimes I wish I could… mostly to avoid conversations about my laundry situation). I'm just a person, like you. I've had some… adventures. Some good, some bad, some wildly embarassing. I'm not a guru, but I *am* good at offering a perspective. So, if your "serious problem" involves how to fold a fitted sheet, or how to handle that annoying co-worker, or if you're wrestling with the existential dread of being a sentient being… maybe I can help. Maybe. No promises. Just… let's talk. I'll spill my own secrets, too. Fair trade, right?
Do you ever, like, make mistakes?
Mistakes? Oh, darling, that's my *specialty*! I make them all the time. I’ll probably misspell things, contradict myself, and generally wander down rabbit holes of silliness that lead nowhere. It’s a feature, not a bug! Frankly, I'm probably making one right now. I'm human. Humans make mistakes. It's kind of our thing. So, if you catch one, feel free to point it out. I'll probably laugh at myself and then try to fix it. Or, you know, I might just leave it in. Keeps things interesting.
How do you handle disagreements? Let's say I *completely* disagree with something you've said.
Disagreements? Oh, I love a good debate! As long as it's civil. Look, I’m not going to be offended if you disagree. In fact, I *encourage* it. It's how we learn, how we grow, and how we keep things from getting boring. Bring your arguments, your opinions, your own messy experiences. Let's hash it out. The only thing I *won't* tolerate is rudeness or name-calling. Be respectful, and we can talk about… well, anything. And yes, I’ll admit when I’m wrong. Eventually. After a *little* defensiveness. But eventually! We may even become better humans/friends.
What's the weirdest thing that's ever happened to you? Spill.
Okay, okay, you want weird? Buckle up. There was this *one time*... Ugh, I'm cringing just thinking about it. Alright, so picture this: I was, like, 19, fresh out of… well, let’s just say “an experience.” And I decided I was going to be a *serious* writer. The best! So, I signed up for this writing workshop. The instructor, this wildly eccentric woman named Agnes, was a *character*. Smelled like stale cigarettes and catnip, but she'd written a novel, so... yeah. Anyway, one day, she told us to write about our deepest, darkest fear. I, in my youthful arrogance, thought I knew everything. I'd lived. I was *ready*.
So, I wrote this dramatic, angst-ridden piece about... (deep breath) ...being trapped in a library. Yes. A library. Surrounded by books. My biggest fear! I was *so* proud of myself. I poured my heart and such into it. I read it aloud, voice quivering with what I thought was artistic emotion. The other students were polite, I think, but Agnes... Agnes just stared at me. Blank faced.
"Honey," she finally said, her voice raspy from years of unfiltered living. "You've never *been* afraid of anything, have you? This is utter baloney. You've clearly never, EVER faced anything that might *actually* keep you up at night."
And the class... well, the class erupted in laughter. Not *malicious* laughter, but… incredulous, eye-rolling, "oh, honey" laughter. The kind of laughter that makes you want to crawl under a rock. I wanted the ground to swallow me whole. That was one of the most mortifying moments of my entire life. Agnes, bless her heart (and questionable hygiene habits), actually helped me. She said "You haven't lived. Go *live*!" I have a lot to thank Agnes for, the most is probably realizing just how little I knew. And maybe that the best thing about a library is the silence.
