Uncover Hidden Miyazu: Monjusou Hotel's Exquisite Secret!
Uncover Hidden Miyazu: Monjusou Hotel's Exquisite Secret! - (A Messy, Honest, and Totally Unfiltered Review)
Okay, listen up, because I just got back from a trip to Miyazu, and I've got thoughts. Specifically, thoughts about the Monjusou Hotel. "Exquisite Secret," huh? Well, let's see if it lives up to the hype AND if it’s worth your hard-earned vacation dollars. This is going to be long, so grab a coffee (or a sake, if you're feeling adventurous), and let’s dive in. I'm warning you, it's going to be a bit of a rollercoaster. Buckle up!
First things first: Accessibility. Now, I don't have any mobility issues myself, but I always keep an eye on this, because it's important. Monjusou… hmm. They've got Facilities for disabled guests, and an Elevator, which is HUGE. Also, they have to have Facilities for disabled guests. I saw some ramps, too. This is a good start, but I didn’t explore the entire place with that lens, so I can’t give you a definitive "perfectly accessible" rating. They seem to be making an effort, so contact them directly – I’d rate it as "potentially accessible, depending on your needs."
Cleanliness and Safety - Covid era, it matters!
Let’s be honest, we're all a little freaked out about germs still, right? Monjusou seemed to take things seriously…mostly. They had Anti-viral cleaning products, which is a good sign. I saw Hand sanitizer stations everywhere, and the staff were definitely wearing masks. They had Staff trained in safety protocol (I saw them sanitizing a table before I ate, right as I walked in, which made me feel more secure), and Daily disinfection in common areas. Rooms sanitized between stays, too, which is a big plus. HOWEVER, there were some minor shortcomings. I didn’t see any Sterilizing equipment lying around, or witness the hotel using Professional-grade sanitizing services. I'd hazard a guess and say they probably still missed a spot here and there, but they were definitely trying! I'd rate them "B+" in this category.
Rooms - The Good, The Bad, and the Blackout Curtains
My room. Oh, my room. Okay, it was generally clean and decent. The Air conditioning blasted away, which was NECESSARY. It had Air conditioning, Blackout curtains (thank GOD, because jetlag is a BEAST!), a Coffee/tea maker (essential for fuelling my caffeine addiction), a Desk (to pretend I was working, even though I wasn't), a Hair dryer (saved my life), a Refrigerator (for the beer, obviously), a Mini bar (which I cautiously avoided because those things are EXPENSIVE), a Bathroom phone (who uses these anymore?!), a Bathtub, shower, and a separate toilet. There was a Seating area, which was nice for lounging around. I'm a sucker for Free bottled water and they delivered! The Wi-Fi [free] worked flawlessly. All the standard stuff. The Toiletries were decent, the Towels were fluffy, and the Bathrobes were… well, they're bathrobes. Fine.
The "meh" part? It wasn't exactly dazzling. Some of the decor felt a little…dated? And the soundproofing wasn't perfect. You could hear the occasional seagull, but, hey, you're on the coast, so whatever.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking - FOOD, Glorious Food!
This is where things get interesting. And by interesting, I mean delicious.
The Breakfast [buffet] was an absolute treat. Seriously. Forget the soggy scrambled eggs of chain hotels. This was AUTHENTIC. Asian breakfast delights galore – miso soup, seaweed salad, pickled vegetables, the works! But they also had a Western breakfast spread, with pastries, toast, cereal, and all the usual suspects. They had Coffee/tea in restaurant and the coffee was strong, which was very important for me. Restaurants? Yes, plural! There’s a Vegetarian restaurant, good for me, and one that, I believe, boasts International cuisine in restaurant (I didn't try it, but heard great things). I’m a sucker for a Soup in restaurant, and there was plenty to go around. There was also a Poolside bar, and a Happy hour – important for winding down at sunset. I didn't get to experience Room service [24-hour], but I really wish I had!
My food experience - a single, glorious, unforgettable evening
I'm obsessed with sashimi, and the Monjusou's restaurant, was an experience I will never ever forget. They serve the freshest, most melt-in-your-mouth fish, paired with exquisite sake. The presentation? Art. Seriously, I was taking photos of my food. The staff was incredibly attentive, and they even helped me choose the perfect sake to complement my meal. I swear, I could cry just thinking about that dinner. It was THAT good. The flavor! The texture! I'm getting goosebumps just writing this. Is it a bit hyperbolic? Maybe. But it was seriously the best meal I’ve had in years. And that's coming from a person who eats for a living!
Things to Do / Ways to Relax - Spa, Fitness, and Views - Oh My!
Alright, let's talk about chilling out.
Spa/sauna? Check and Check. I didn't go for the Body scrub or the Body wrap, because, honestly, I'm lazy. But I did spend a glorious hour in the Sauna. Pure relaxation. They have a Fitness center (I didn't use it, because, well…see above), and a Swimming pool (outdoor). The pool had what they call Pool with view, and I did, in fact, see that view. It was…amazing. There was also a Foot bath, which was surprisingly soothing. I would be remiss if I didn't mention the Steamroom. I spent a significant amount of time there. It was amazing and relaxing, and I highly recommend it.
Services and Conveniences - The Little Things That Matter
Monjusou shines here. They offer everything you could want: Currency exchange, Concierge, Daily housekeeping, Laundry service, Dry cleaning, Luggage storage…the list goes on. They have a Gift/souvenir shop, which is perfect for picking up last-minute gifts. They even had a Cash withdrawal option, so. They had a Car park [free of charge], which is awesome. The Front desk [24-hour] was helpful whenever I needed them.
They offer so much more than you think.
I didn't check out the Meetings, Meeting/banquet facilities, Seminars, or Business facilities. I was on vacation for crying out loud, and I would not be caught being productive!!
Getting Around
While I didn’t use it, they do have Airport transfer, Taxi service, and Car park [free of charge]. They also offer Valet parking, if you are feeling fancy.
For the Kids
I didn’t travel with children, but I did notice they have Family/child friendly facilities, Babysitting service, and Kids meal. The little ones will be taken care of if you have them with you.
The Quirky Observation
This hotel, at its core, is a Japanese hotel. And I’m not going to lie, this hotel feels a little bit Westernized. Every now and again I felt like I was at a mid-tier hotel in New York, but, with Japanese charm.
The Verdict (and the Emotional Reactions!)
Okay, so the Monjusou Hotel. Is it an "Exquisite Secret"? It’s…pretty darn good. A solid, reliable, and a delicious hotel. The service is excellent, the food is incredible (seriously, go for the sashimi), and the spa is divine. It's not the swankiest hotel I've ever stayed in, but it’s got character.
Score:
- Overall: 4.2 out of 5 stars.
- Food: 5 out of 5 (that sashimi alone…)
- Cleanliness and Safety: 4 out of 5 (could be even better in the Covid era)
- Accessibility: 4 out of 5 (seems good, but confirm with them!)
- Atmosphere: 4 out of 5 (cozy and inviting, but not super modern)
The Imperfections (because nothing is perfect)
It's not perfect. The decor is a tad dated in places. The soundproofing could be better. Some of the "extra" amenities (like the fitness center) I didn't even touch.
**Would I go back? YES. ABSOL
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Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we're heading to the Monjusou Hotel in Miyazu, Japan. And trust me, this isn't your sanitized, Instagram-filtered travelogue. This is real life, with all the jet lag, questionable ramen choices, and moments where you just want to scream into a pillow. Here's my attempt at a vaguely organized, intensely real experience:
Day 1: Arrival and the Glorious, Glorious Onsen (Oh, and Almost Dying)
- 8:00 AM (ish) - Tokyo Narita Airport: Landed! Okay, maybe "landed" is generous. More like, the plane decided to gently thump onto the runway after a flight that felt like it was powered by pure, unadulterated anxiety. I swear, every single baby on that flight had a PhD in the art of the ear-splitting wail. My eardrums are still recovering.
- 9:30 AM - Train Station Chaos: Train to Kyoto – check! (After navigating a labyrinth of brightly lit signs and a near-miss with a particularly aggressive vending machine. I swear, that thing was judging me for my questionable snack choices). The Shinkansen, though, is a marvel of engineering, gliding through the scenery, the landscape whizzing by like a blur.
- 1:00 PM - Kyoto Train Change, and The Great Panic of Finding the Right Line. Okay, so getting from Kyoto to Miyazu. EASY, right? HAH. It was a whole new level of train station pandemonium. I swear, I almost jumped on the wrong train because I was distracted by some dude juggling mini-sushi (respect, sir, respect). Made it just in time (I think).
- 4:00 PM - Miyazu Station and The Taxi Driver Who Spoke Only… Enthusiasm?: Miyazu! Finally! The taxi ride to Monjusou was… a conversation. If you can call it that. My driver’s English was limited to a beaming smile and what I think were enthusiastic noises about the weather and the beauty of the "Miyazu Bay." I just kept nodding and smiling, praying he didn’t think I was insane.
- 4:30 PM - Check-in and the Room of Serenity (and a Tiny Problem…): Monjusou! Beautiful, traditional, and smelling subtly of… rice and ancient wood. My room? Perfection. Tatami mats, sliding paper doors, a view of the bay. Except I think the previous guest may have abandoned a pair of socks. Under the bed. Okay, not the end of the world.
- 6:00 PM - Onsen Bliss (and a Near-Death Experience): This. This is what you came for. The onsen. The hot springs. The… wait, is that steam? I’m officially a human lobster. Seriously, it was so hot, I almost fainted thinking I was going to boil alive like a lobster. After a few minutes I got used to it. Oh… and I forgot to have a towel. Naked? At least my skin is extra smooth and clean.
- 7:30 PM - Kaiseki Dinner (and the Ramen Lament): Kaiseki dinner, a multi-course feast. Delicate, artistic, and… surprisingly, a little bland. Look, I know, I'm a philistine. I kept craving ramen. The chef would probably weep if he knew.
Day 2: Exploring the Sandbank and the Eternal Ramen Craving
- 9:00 AM - Breakfast of Champions (and The Mysterious Fish Head): Breakfast was traditional Japanese. Fish. Rice. Pickled things. I'm still not sure what that thing with the tentacle was. I mostly ate the rice. And the eggs. And maybe avoided eye contact with a certain fish head.
- 10:00 AM - Amanohashidate Sandbank: "The Bridge to Heaven" or "The Tourist Stampede"?
- Okay, the view is stunning. Truly. Standing there, looking out at that sandbank winding across the bay, it’s breathtaking. You’re supposed to bend over and look at it upside down to see it as a dragon flying to heaven. It kind of did. I got dizzy and nearly fell over.
- The Dragon Experience: Doing this dragon-viewing activity - It's absolutely worth it, despite the inevitable group awkwardness. Everybody is bending over, legs akimbo, trying to avoid accidentally showcasing their underwear (or lack thereof). The air is filled with nervous giggles and the rustling of tourists. If I could do this all over again, I'd bring a sturdy walking stick. My back’s killing me. I swear, I saw a pigeon looking through his legs this way.
- The Crowds: I'm not gonna lie, there's a lot of people there. I felt like I was crammed into a sardine can.
- The Bike Ride: Renting the bike on the sandbank was pure. Freedom! And wind. So much wind. I almost lost my hat twice.
- 1:00 PM - Lunch – The Ramen Temptation Strikes Again (and Fails): Found a local place that claimed to have the best ramen in Miyazu. The broth was… okay. The noodles were… also okay. It fell far short of my ramen dreams. I had a whole internal monologue about the perfect ramen, what I’d add if I could.
- 2:30 PM - Nebulous Meandering and A Possible Encounter With A Ghost: I wandered around the town, which is small and quiet. Really quiet. I got the sense of being watched. I keep getting a feeling in the back of my head, I think I'm just really sleep deprived.
- 4:00 PM - Back to the Onsen: Obviously. This time, I did not almost boil alive. But I did make friends with a very old Japanese woman who spoke zero English. We communicated through smiles, gestures, and a mutual appreciation for the restorative power of hot water.
- 7:00 PM - Dinner, The Second Kaiseki (Maybe a Little Better!): Tonight's Kaiseki had a bit more… zing. And a small plate of something that tasted suspiciously like the ramen I had for lunch. Hmm. Maybe the chef is listening after all.
Day 3: The Departure (and the Dream of Ramen)
- 9:00 AM - The Sad Breakfast of Packing: Ate more rice. Contemplated buying a whole bag of it to smuggle out of the country.
- 10:00 AM - Last Glimpse of Miyazu Bay: One last breath of the salty air, one last view of the water. Goodbye, tiny town. You were… an experience.
- 11:00 AM - The Train and the Future: The adventure is over. I may not be a convert to Kaiseki cuisine. But those onsen did something to me. Even if I almost boiled.
- 6:00 PM - Finally!!! After a few unexpected train delays and a near-disastrous coffee spill, back in Kyoto. I am now on a mission; I will find the best ramen. The perfect ramen. The ramen of my dreams.
- 7:00 PM - THE RAMEN!: After a day of train rides and a lot of internal contemplation, I got it! This is the moment. The broth is rich and savory. The noodles are perfectly chewy. The toppings are a symphony of textures and flavors. I cry with happiness. It was worth the wait. My dream has come true.
So there you have it. A glimpse into the chaotic, beautiful, and always hungry existence that is traveling, and the Monjusou Hotel. Would I go back? Absolutely. Just, maybe I'd bring my own ramen. And maybe a slightly less dramatic swimming suit.
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Uncover Hidden Miyazu: Monjusou Hotel's Exquisite Secret! FAQs (Prepare Yourselves!)
Okay, okay, Monjusou... What's the BIG DEAL? Is it *really* all that?
Look, I've seen a lot of "luxury" hotels. And by "seen," I mean scrolled past on Instagram, mostly. But Monjusou? It's different. It's… *Japanese*. And that seems obvious, right? But it's the *way* it's Japanese. It’s not just the tatami mats (which, yes, feel amazing on your feet), it’s the *atmosphere*. Picture this: you're arriving, and there's a tiny, impeccably dressed woman who looks like she's walked STRAIGHT out of a Kurosawa film, bowing deeper than I've ever seen. And before you can even say "sushi," you're handed a chilled, flowery drink – I have NO idea what was in it, but it was divine. And yes, it's *expensive*. Prepare your wallet. But... is it worth it? Honestly? Yeah. Mostly. See, the problem is, the bar is so high after the welcome drink...
What's the food like? Because, let's be honest, that's REALLY important.
Oh, the food. The *food*. Where do I even BEGIN? So, you get this massive, multi-course Kaiseki dinner, and it’s… well, it's art. Each plate is a freaking masterpiece. There are tiny, exquisitely arranged things that you don't even *know* what they are. Like, seriously, one time there was this little... *thing*... on a plate. It looked like a miniature landscape. I swear, it had a tiny, edible pebble. I was so stunned I almost ate the decorative bamboo leaf by mistake! And, the flavor? Explosions. Subtle explosions. I remember tasting a tiny piece of fish, and it was the freshest thing I've ever put in my mouth. And the presentation! Forget anything I've seen at a Michelin-starred restaurant; this was next level. It wasn't just about eating; it was about the *experience*. Also, the sake pairing… Let's just say I saw stars that night. And regretted some of my life choices. But hey, good sake makes everything better, right? And that breakfast? Simple elegance. Perfectly cooked rice, the grilled fish... *chef's kiss*. Seriously. Just be prepared; you *will* overeat. It's inevitable. And the portions look small, but they're deceptively filling. I waddled out of that dining room more than once. Worth it. Absolutely worth the waddle.
Are the rooms nice? And what about the *onsen*? That's the BIG thing, right?
The rooms? Yes, they're nice. Okay, *beyond* nice. They're spacious, they're elegant, they're minimalist in that perfectly Japanese way that makes you feel instantly calm. The view? Hello, gorgeous ocean! I spent like, an HOUR just staring out the window. Seriously. I was supposed to be unpacking, but the view was just… hypnotic. And then… the *onsen*... Ahhhhh, the *onsen*. Here’s where I confess: I am a complete onsen newbie. I went in with zero expectations. And almost died of awkwardness. Getting naked in front of other people? Terrifying. But… once you get past the initial panic (and the brief flash of “OH GOD, I FORGOT TO SHAVE MY LEGS!”), it’s amazing. The water? Perfectly warm. The view from the outdoor onsen? Breathtaking. I found myself just… *relaxing*. Like, really, truly relaxing. I could have stayed in there all day. I might have actually fallen asleep. Don’t judge me. Also, tip: bring a small towel to cover *yourself* while you… walk around. Just trust me on this one. The onsen is the BEST part of the hotel, even if it's a bit weird at first.
What if I don’t speak Japanese? Will I be completely lost?
Okay, so here’s the thing: this hotel is *definitely* geared towards a Japanese clientele. I speak… some. Very little, really. Basic phrases. "Arigato." "Sumimasen." "Kore wa nan desu ka?" (Which I probably mangled.) But the staff at Monjusou are incredibly polite and helpful. They *try*. They'll often have someone on hand who can speak English, or at least, enough English to get by. The menus *usually* have some English translations (with questionable phrasing, sometimes hilarious). And honestly, a lot of the experience transcends language. You can *feel* the service, the care, the attention to detail. You might stumble a bit, you might point a lot, and you might end up eating something you didn't expect. But you'll survive. And you’ll probably have a really good story to tell. Don't be afraid to ask for help; the staff's genuine desire to help makes up for the limited English.
Okay, you mentioned it's pricey... How pricey are we talking? Will I need to remortgage my house?
Prepare yourself. It's definitely in the "splurge" category. You're going to need more than a few pennies. Think… a significant chunk of your savings. Think... maybe skipping a few meals before you go just to save on the cost. Look, I won't lie: I winced when I saw the final bill. Okay, I actually hyperventilated a little. But… and this is the big "but"... it's an experience. It's something you'll remember. Is it worth *your* money? That depends on your priorities. Are you looking for a cheap getaway? Absolutely not. Are you looking for an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experience that will make you feel like you've been transported to another world? Then... maybe start saving. And maybe consider selling a kidney. Just kidding... mostly. But yeah, it's a big expense. But, the cost reflects the *quality*. The service, the location, the food, and, well, everything. It's an investment in yourself. Or, you know, a really extravagant gift you should DEFINITELY ask someone else to pay for.
Anything I should really, really NOT miss? What's the secret secret? spill the tea!
Alright, the *secret secret*… Okay, it's not a secret, but it feels like one. It's about the *location*. The hotel is right on the water, right by Amanohashidate. It’s truly breathtaking. Don't just stay at the hotel; *explore*. Amanohashidate itself is stunning. Walk across the sandbar (or borrow a bike). Go to the observation point and look at the view… you know, that one where you bend over and look at the land upside down? Do it. I felt like I was getting dizzy from the beauty (and possibly the sake). The area surrounding Monjusou is gorgeous, and honestly, the hotel's positioning is a majorStay Scouter
