Uncover the Secrets of SHUBOU-Tamajiman in Hachioji: A Hidden Gem Revealed!
Uncover the Secrets of SHUBOU-Tamajiman in Hachioji: A Hidden Gem… Or Is It? (My Unfiltered Take)
Okay, buckle up, because this review of SHUBOU-Tamajiman in Hachioji is gonna be a ride. Forget pristine descriptions – I'm aiming for real talk, the kind you'd have with your travel-weary bestie over a lukewarm beer. Forget the glossy PR blurbs. I’m here to tell you what really happened, the good, the bad, and the slightly baffling.
SEO & Metadata Jargon (But I'll Keep it REAL):
- Keywords: Hachioji Hotels, SHUBOU-Tamajiman, Japanese Spa Hotel, Accessible Hotels Tokyo, Luxury Hachioji Accommodation, Onsen Hotel, Hachioji Restaurant, Japanese Cuisine, Pet-Friendly Hotel (Kinda?), Family-Friendly Hotels, Hachioji Events, Spa & Sauna, Fitness Center, Free Wi-Fi, Accessible Amenities, Covid Safety Measures, Hachioji Travel Review.
- Meta Description (Example): A raw and honest review of SHUBOU-Tamajiman in Hachioji! Discover my take on accessibility, dining, spa experiences, and the slightly quirky charm of this hidden gem. Is it worth the hype? Find out now!
Let’s Dive In… (And Maybe Get a Little Lost)
First off, finding SHUBOU-Tamajiman… that's an adventure in itself. Hachioji isn't exactly the heart of Tokyo tourism. It felt a bit like stumbling upon a secret, which, spoiler alert, is kind of the vibe this place is going for. The accessibility? Okay, let's be brutally honest, it's there but not perfect.
Accessibility: The “Mostly There” Award
- Accessibility: They claim it's accessible. They have elevators, which is a huge win. There's "facilities for disabled guests"… great! BUT – and this is a big but – the details are hazy. Ramps? Width of doorways? Specifics on accessible rooms? They're not shouting about it. So, if you rely on a wheelchair, contact them directly and demand specifics. Seriously. Don't assume.
- Wheelchair Accessible: As mentioned: elevators are present. Beyond that, a lot of "it depends." Call them!
- Elevator: Yes, thank goodness. Because stairs after a long day of exploring? Shudder.
Internet: Free Wi-Fi? YES! (And a LAN Party?)
- Internet: Ah, the modern essentials. Wi-Fi? Yes, in all rooms. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Hallelujah! I needed to upload a ton of pics, and the signal was surprisingly solid.
- Internet [LAN]: They also offer Internet via LAN, which, honestly, feels like a blast from the past! (Remember LAN parties? Anyone?) I didn't use it, but it's there for the super-serious data users.
- Internet Services: Not much to report here beyond the basic.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Spa, Spa, SPA… And a Pool with a View?
Okay, this is where things get interesting. SHUBOU-Tamajiman is all about the zen. It’s a spa hotel, through and through.
- Spa/Sauna: This is where the magic happens, or at least, could happen. They have a spa/sauna combo, which is a great start!
- Sauna: YES. I am a sauna convert. Went multiple times. Bliss.
- Steamroom: Also a yes! Felt like I was melting my worries away.
- Pool with view: Did I mention a pool with a view? Actually, let me double down on this. The pool, the damn pool, is stunning. Picture this: you're floating, surrounded by lush greenery, the Hachioji mountains in the distance… pure, unadulterated relaxation. BUT (there's always a but), the weather in November was a bit… chilly. So I ended up mostly admiring it from beside. Still, the view alone is worth, well, a lot.
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: Yep! That’s the aforementioned beauty. Just bring a jacket.
- Body scrub, Body wrap, Massage: Didn’t get them. But they are available.
- Fitness center/Gym/fitness: I spotted it. It was there. I did not go. Let’s just say my definition of “fitness” during this trip involved a lot of walking and an unhealthy dependence on vending machine snacks.
Cleanliness and Safety: Covid-Era Considerations
They're trying. They really are. The world is still a confusing place, pandemic-wise, and SHUBOU-Tamajiman is attempting to keep things clean.
- Cleanliness and safety: Generally, the place felt clean. However, the level of detail in what they’ve done to ensure it would do to protect from Covid is rather vague.
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Rooms sanitized between stays, Professional-grade sanitizing services: All the buzzwords are there. I saw staff cleaning.
- Hand sanitizer: Found it everywhere!
- Hygiene certification: Didn't see any, but that's probably just me.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Foodie's Tale (and My Inner Critic)
- Restaurants: There are restaurants. Plural!
- Asian cuisine in restaurant: Yay! And it was good, not mind blowing, but reliable.
- Western cuisine in restaurant: Also an option, but why go there? You're in Japan!
- A la carte in restaurant, Buffet in restaurant: They've got both. And a decent selection.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop: They offer enough.
- Poolside bar: Did not use it in part because it was too cold, but looked nice!
- Bar: Yep, there’s a bar.
- Happy hour: Not as far as I could tell.
- Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Asian breakfast, Western breakfast: The breakfast buffet was… adequate. Not the best I’ve had, not the worst. Decent coffee, though.
- Room service [24-hour]: This is a win! Perfect for those late-night snack attacks.
- Bottle of water: Always appreciated.
- Snack bar, Desserts in restaurant, Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant: Pretty standard stuff.
- Alternative meal arrangement: If you have any dietary restrictions, they are willing to accommodate.
- Vegetarian restaurant: No!
- Essential condiments: Are also offered.
- Safe dining setup: They were trying to make you feel safe, but felt like didn’t quite have the best setup.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Seemed so.
- Individually-wrapped food options: Nice to see.
- Cashless payment service: Modern convenience!
Services and Conveniences: The "Nice to Haves" and the "Hmm…"
- Services and conveniences: They cover the basics, and then some.
- Air conditioning in public area: Yes.
- Audio-visual equipment for special events, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Seminars, Wi-Fi for special events: They cater to the business crowd, too.
- Business facilities: They also have a business center, which I didn’t use.
- Cash withdrawal, Currency exchange, Luggage storage, Safety deposit boxes: All present and accounted for.
- Concierge: Helpful but not overly enthusiastic.
- Contactless check-in/out: Appreciated!
- Convenience store: Saved my bacon (or rather, my ramen cravings) more than once.
- Daily housekeeping: Efficient.
- Doorman: Present.
- Dry cleaning, Ironing service, Laundry service: Useful.
- Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests: More on this later, but they do try.
- Food delivery: I saw some delivery people.
- Gift/souvenir shop: Filled with the usual touristy trinkets.
- Air conditioning in public area Yes.
- Shrine: Oddly, there is a shrine!
- Terrace: Nice!
For the Kids: Family-Friendly? Maybe, But…
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: They claim to be family-friendly. While I saw families, it didn't feel geared specifically towards kids. Double-check with them!
- Family/child friendly, Kids meal: They claim to be family-friendly. While I saw families, it didn't feel geared specifically towards kids. Double-check with them!
**
Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Srilamduan Hotel, Sisaket, Thailand!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's perfectly polished travelogue. We're heading to SHUBOU-Tamajiman- Hachioji, Japan, and I'm dragging you, kicking and screaming (mentally, at least), along for the beautiful, chaotic ride. Prepare for the real deal: me, my opinions, my inevitable screw-ups, and enough existential questioning to make a philosopher weep.
Hachioji Heist: A Messy Itinerary (and my sanity's slow demise)
Day 1: Arrival, Ramen Dreams, and the Price of Instant Gratification
- Morning (or what I think is morning, thanks jet lag): Arrive at Narita (NRT). The airport. The gateway to the East. And a brutal slap in the face after a 14-hour flight. Customs? Smooth. Finding the Keisei Skyliner? A goddamn odyssey involving frantic gestures, blurry signs, and a growing sense of impending doom. Eventually, I stumble onto the right train. Victory! (Until I realize I have no idea how to use the ticketing machine. Cue defeated sigh.)
- Mid-day: The Bullet Train to Hachioji! (and a brief existential crisis): Finally, after a train change or two (okay, maybe three), here we are! Hachioji! I'm expecting the shimmering perfection of a Studio Ghibli film. Instead, I get… well, a very functional train station. Which, honestly, is fine. But that initial jolt of "Is this it?" is a classic traveler's feeling. I check into my hotel - small, clean, and possibly haunted by the ghost of a salaryman perpetually stressed about deadlines.
- Afternoon: Ramen Roulette and a Lesson in Humility: Google Maps promised me the BEST ramen in Hachioji. "Ramen Shop X." The picture? Luscious. The reviews? Rave. I trudge through the (admittedly charming) streets, stomach rumbling like a disgruntled dragon. I get there. The queue? Long. Like, "I'll spontaneously combust from hunger" long. I give up. This is where the "messy" part kicks in. I spot a random ramen place, and, desperate, I enter. The broth? Lukewarm. The noodles? A bit…gummy. The experience? Thoroughly underwhelming. Lesson learned: Don't trust everything you read online when you're hangry. Embrace the messy.
- Evening: Lost in Translation (and a vending machine victory): Wander around, hopelessly lost, despite having downloaded a map. Every street looks the same. Seriously, how do people navigate this place? My Japanese is limited to "arigato" and "hello kitty." I stumble across a dazzling array of vending machines. This is my jam! I get a weird green tea drink (deliciously weird, thankfully). Then, I try to buy an umbrella. Fail. Total and utter failure. I end up drenched and feeling like a complete moron. Despite the defeat, it's a victory--I'm learning.
Day 2: Tamajiman Temple Tantrums and Finding the Sacred
- Morning: "I'm Going to Temple-Land!" (or, More Accurate, Trying to Locate Tamajiman Temple): Today, the main event! Tamajiman Temple! I'm expecting serene beauty, meditation, enlightenment, and… more ramen? (Yes, I have a problem.) But first, I have to find the damn place. Public transport is a beast here. I get on the wrong bus… twice. I ask for help, and I get a lot of friendly nods and incomprehensible Japanese. Sigh. This is the adventure.
- Mid-day: Tamajiman Temple: The Good, The Bad, and the Questionable: I finally arrive. And, wow. The temple is stunning, peaceful, and ancient. The colors! THE architecture! I start to take pictures and feel a profound sense of peace. Then I accidentally bump into a monk. He gives me a look that could curdle milk. Mortified, I stammer out an apology. He smiles kindly - now I'm fine. I spent a good hour wandering around. I got lost in my head for a bit, and was suddenly overwhelmed with how tiny and fleeting my life is. It's beautiful and I cry.
- Afternoon: The Hachioji Zoo (and a very long walk): I'm wandering around, feeling a profound sense of peace. I'm suddenly overwhelmed with how tiny and fleeting my life is. Then I get back into the city and realize I have no idea where I am. I decide to walk to the Hachioji Zoo, a place I've heard of. It all seems like a good time. Except I realize that it's a long walk away. My feet hurt. The sun is hot. I am losing all motivation. I arrive at the Zoo, feeling utterly exhausted.
- Evening: Dinner and deep thoughts… and a total lack of plan: I find a restaurant. I order what looks good. The food is surprisingly delicious. The world feels okay. I'm going to go back to the hotel. I'm going to cry, but this time, it'll be happy tears.
Day 3: Food Glorious Food and Goodbye (For Now)
- Morning: Breakfast Bonanza and a Search for Serenity: I venture out in search of a proper Japanese breakfast. The hotel's spread? Meh. I find a tiny little café off the beaten path, where a grandmotherly woman with a twinkle in her eye serves me the most exquisite miso soup I've ever tasted. It's one of those moments where you feel like you've stumbled upon a secret. Pure joy!
- Mid-day: Hachioji Market Mayhem (and a potential souvenir disaster): The market! Oh. My. God. The sights, the smells, the sheer crowds. I feel like a salmon swimming upstream. I buy a weird, beautifully-wrapped snack that I can't identify. (Spoiler alert: It's probably going to be some kind of strange, sweet bean paste. My adventurous side is hoping for something.) I also consider buying a tiny, adorable Daruma doll. But then I remember my tendency to accumulate clutter. I resist. Maybe.
- Afternoon: One Last Walk and a Farewell to Hachioji: A final stroll. I want to etch Hachioji's image in my mind. The trees are beautiful. I have those lingering thoughts, but I'm starting to feel a weird sense of peace. It's this strange mix of sadness and excitement.
- Evening: Train back to Nartia and a delayed flight: Train to the airport. I'm exhausted. Then, the flight is delayed. Then, it's delayed again. Jet lag and a general sense of "this is not real" make me want to cry, sleep, and eat. I do all three.
The Bottom Line:
This trip wasn't perfect. It was messy, unpredictable, and at times, utterly frustrating. But it was also beautiful, exhilarating, and full of moments that took my breath away. I got lost (a lot), I ate weird things, and I learned a little bit about myself. And that, my friends, is what makes travel worthwhile. Now if you'll excuse me, I think I need a nap. And maybe some ramen.
Escape to Villandry: Logis Auberge Le Colombien's Charm Awaits!
So, like, what *is* this thing, anyway? Spill the beans!
Okay, alright, fine, I’ll tell you. Think of it like... a really messy information dump. One of those, you know, the ones where you go in expecting something clear-cut and you leave with a brain full of yarn. That's kinda what this is. It's *questions* and then *answers*, but filtered through the glorious, chaotic, and sometimes slightly unhinged lens of *me*. Buckle up, it's gonna be a bumpy ride. Seriously, I might get distracted halfway through answering a question about, say, the optimal coffee-to-chocolate ratio, and then somehow end up musing on the existential agony of socks that vanish in the dryer. Don't say I didn't warn ya.
Alright, alright, but *why*? Why are we doing this? What's the point?
Look, truth be told? I'm not entirely sure. Maybe I'm trying to organize my thoughts? Maybe I just want to feel productive while procrastinating? Maybe I'm just *bored*. Seriously, you ever get that feeling, that crushing, existential *boredom*? Yeah, that's probably it. Plus, people always have *questions*, right? And I have... opinions. Lots and *lots* of opinions. So really, it's a public service. You're welcome. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need a snack. Maybe some chips? Are chips the answer to everything? Probably.
How's this different from, like, a *regular* FAQ?
Oh, honey, where do I even *begin*? Regular FAQs are usually clean, sanitized, and as emotionally engaging as a tax return. This...? This is the unedited director's cut. It's got the bloopers, the awkward silences, the tangents that go nowhere. You'll get my unvarnished thoughts, my questionable sense of humor, and maybe, just *maybe*, a glimpse into the inner workings of my wonderfully, wonderfully *weird* brain. Think of it as the difference between a perfectly airbrushed magazine cover and the unretouched, gloriously imperfect reality behind the scenes. Prepare yourself for some raw honesty. (And probably a few typos. Sorry, not sorry.)
What if I have a question not covered here?
Well, first, you could leave a comment somewhere (but I make no promises about responding quickly, or at all). Second, it's probably already *somewhere* in the depths of my subconscious, brewing into an answer that's about to be completely and utterly unrelated to the question. Third, seriously, ask! But just... be prepared for a ride. I might answer the question directly, I might explore the philosophical implications of the question, or I might use it as an excuse to ramble about a particularly awful coffee shop experience I had last Tuesday. It's a gamble! That's what makes it fun.
Is this... official? Like, is there a "source" for all this?
"Official?" Good *lord*, no. This is about as "official" as my cat's tax returns. (And she doesn't even *have* a tax return, because, well, cats.) There's no grand authority here. No sacred texts. Just the ramblings of someone who may or may not have had too much coffee (probably did). Consider it more of a... *shared hallucination*. A delightful, weird, and often contradictory shared hallucination. Embrace the absurdity. Or don't; I'm not the boss of you.
Okay, random question time: What's the best kind of ice cream? Don't overthink it.
Okay, okay, okay. Best ice cream? That's subjective, obviously! You know what? Screw subjectivity. It's *chocolate*. Fight me. Specifically, the kind with chunks of brownie, swirls of fudge, and a generous helping of existential dread sprinkled on top. Wait, existential dread? Okay, maybe I *am* overthinking it. But seriously, a good chocolate ice cream is just... *good*. It's comfort food. It's a hug in a cone. It can temporarily erase the fact that I'm probably going to be late on rent this month. (Don't tell my landlord, by the way.) ... Oh, wait! I had a *terrible* ice cream experience once. This place, right? Awful. Literally just flavored ice.
Ugh, made me remember this experience with this *awful* coffee shop. The ice cream was bland there too.
What's your biggest pet peeve? Prepare to be judged!
Okay, okay, *judging* me? Bring it on! My biggest pet peeve... Ugh. This changes daily depending on how deep I've plunged into my caffeine-fueled spiral. But today? People who chew with their mouths open. *Shudders*. It literally makes my skin crawl. I can't even *look* at them. It's a primal, visceral reaction. Like, I want to yell, "CLOSE YOUR MOUTH, YOU SAVAGE!" But, you know, social decorum and all that jazz. Then again, maybe someday I'll just ... actually do it. Stay tuned.
What's a skill you're... surprisingly good at, or bad at?
Hmm, surprisingly good? Probably... remembering really, really, *really* obscure facts. Like, I can tell you the exact number of jelly beans eaten at the annual Jelly Belly factory tour in 1998 (okay, I can't, but I *could* probably find out). Seriously, my brain is the equivalent of a poorly organized library catalog of useless trivia. I can't find my car keys half the time, but I can tell you how many times Shakespeare used the word "moon" in his plays. Bad at... well, practically anything requiring real-world coordination. Like, I trip over air. I once managed to walk directly into a lamppost while staring at my phone... in broad daylight. Don't ask.
What's the meaning of life? Go.
Oh, honey, you *really* want to know the meaning of life? Fine. I'll give you the *real* answer, the one nobody else dares to utter... There isn't one. It's whateverCozy Stay Spots
SHUBOU-Tamajiman- Hachioji Japan
SHUBOU-Tamajiman- Hachioji Japan
