Tokyo Sugamo Gem: 2LDK House - Your Dream 301 Home Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the Tokyo Sugamo Gem: 2LDK House - Your Dream 301 Home Awaits! This isn’t going to be your average, sanitized hotel review, I promise. Prepare for some rambling, honest opinions, and maybe a few accidental tangents. Let’s get messy!
First things first, the whole vibe. This isn't just a hotel; it's a house. A 2LDK, which, for you non-Tokyo-dwelling types, means two bedrooms, a living room, a dining room, and a kitchen. The "Dream 301 Home" bit? Well, that's the kicker! It's all about creating a mini-home experience. And honestly? After slogging through crowded Tokyo train lines, a mini-home is exactly what my soul craved.
Accessibility - Let’s Get Real..
Okay, confession: I am not wheelchair-bound. So, my experience here will be limited. However, I'm giving an honest appraisal. I can see that there's an elevator, which is a HUGE win. I'd need to know more about the actual rooms though. And about the ramp situation. I think they're at least trying to be considerate, which is more than I've seen in some of the cramped, ancient places around Tokyo. Let’s give them a solid "trying".
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges (and the lack thereof): I didn't find any specific information about this, which is a definite ding. This is something they really need to clarify.
Wheelchair accessible: The elevator is a good start. But are the walkways in the rooms wide enough? Are there grab bars in the bathroom? (I assume so, since they are trying) More details, people!
Internet Access – THE MODERN NECESSITY
Right, so, internet. Crucial. We all need it. Thank goodness!
- Internet: Yes! Good.
- Internet [LAN]: Also good.
- Internet services, Wi-Fi in public areas: Sounds promising.
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!: YES! Absolute gold. I can already picture myself, curled up on the sofa, binging something on Netflix after a day of exploring. (Because let's be honest, that's the REAL vacation goal, sometimes.)
Things to Do, Ways to Relax – A Quick Whirl
- Fitness center, Gym/fitness: I’m not a gym rat, but hey, it’s there. (Just don't expect a fancy, state-of-the-art one, okay?)
- Sauna, Spa/Sauna, Steamroom: Oh, HELL YES. This gets me excited! After a long day of sightseeing, nothing is as good as melting down in the heat.
- Massage: And even better with a massage after.
- Swimming pool, Pool with view: These are listed, (outdoor ones). This is a huge bonus, especially in the Tokyo heat. Though, given the space restrictions, I'm picturing more of a plunge pool than a full-on Olympic-sized thing.
Cleanliness and Safety – Is it Safe?
This is where they're really trying to impress. Seriously.
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Okay, deep breaths. It sounds like they’re taking COVID seriously. Very good.
- Hand sanitizer, Hygiene certification: Even better.
- Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment: Whew! I feel a little safer already!
- Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit: Essential.
- CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Fire extinguisher: Safety, safety, safety! Makes this overly anxious traveler (ME!) breath a sigh of relief.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – The Sweetest Part
This is where it gets interesting. Now, I got hungry just reading through these options. Okay, more info!
- Breakfast [buffet], Asian breakfast, Western breakfast, Breakfast service, Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service: YES! Breakfast!! This is a great sign.
- A la carte in restaurant, Buffet in restaurant: Even BETTER! Now we're talking choices!
- Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop: Good news for the caffeine addicts out there.
- Restaurants: Plural! We're making progress!
- Bar, Happy hour, Poolside bar: Oh, are we!? Okay, suddenly this is sounding like a vacation.
- Desserts in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Salad in restaurant: A little something for everyone.
- Room service [24-hour]: YES. Absolutely. Especially if I have a late-night craving for… well, anything.
Services and Conveniences – The Little Things Count!
This is where a place either shines – or falls flat.
- Air conditioning in public area, Air conditioning in all rooms: Essential.
- Concierge, Doorman: Big points for this, especially if you don't know how to get around the City.
- Elevator: Praise the heavens.
- Cash withdrawal, Currency exchange, Safety deposit boxes: Helpful.
- Daily housekeeping, Laundry service, Dry cleaning, Ironing service, Luggage storage: Convenience is key!
- Food delivery: Great for a chill night in.
- Gift/souvenir shop: Always good to grab something quick before you leave.
For the Kids
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal A family-friendly option is always welcome (even if I don't have kids.)
Getting Around
- Airport transfer, Taxi Service: Nice.
- Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Valet parking, Car power charging station, Bicycle parking Options, options!
Available in all rooms - Essential comforts
- Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Satellite/cable channels, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens, Additional toilet That's quite the set of amenities!
Room Decorations, Safety/security feature, Soundproof rooms, Access, Couple's room, Exterior corridor, Hotel chain, Non-smoking rooms, Pets allowed - unavailable, Proposal spot, Smoke alarms, Front desk [24-hour], Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center. These are all great additional features that can make your visit special.
The Verdict…and My Honest, Rambling Opinion (And How to Book!)
Okay, so Tokyo Sugamo Gem: 2LDK Home - Your Dream 301 Home Awaits! is looking pretty darn good. It seems to be designed to be a more residential, "homely" style hotel with everything you need. The emphasis on cleanliness and safety earns big points in my world. The internet situation is a lifesaver, and the amenities are impressive. The staff are definitely trying.
The accessibility element could be better defined, but, overall? I'm intrigued.
Here's my (somewhat messy) pitch to you:
Tired of Tiny Hotel Rooms? Crave a Real "Home Away From Home" in Tokyo?
Forget sterile, cookie-cutter hotels! Imagine yourself in a spacious 2LDK haven – Tokyo Sugamo Gem: 2LDK Home - Your Dream 301 Home Awaits! – where you can finally spread out, relax, and feel like you actually live in Tokyo (even if it's just for a few days!).
- Unwind in Style: Enjoy free Wi-Fi in every room! Catch a movie after a long day of exploring, or just chill out with a cup of complimentary tea and enjoy a nice atmosphere.
- Treat Yourself: Take advantage of on-site facilities - Sauna, spa, massage, and a gym so you can get some extra relax time!
Okay, buckle up buttercup, because this isn't your grandma's meticulously planned itinerary. This is… Tokyo Sugamo 301 House 2LDK: The Reality Show Edition. Welcome to my potential implosion in the land of vending machines and politeness.
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Ramen Quest (Plus Mild Panic)
- Morning (Like, REALLY Early): Arrival at Narita. Jet lag. Oh sweet mother of pearl, the jet lag. Pretty sure I aged a solid decade during that twelve-hour flight. Found my way, eventually, towards the train. I was THIS close, like this close, to accidentally shoving my passport into a vending machine. Seriously, those things look like they could dispense anything.
- Mid-Morning: Train to Sugamo, clutching my precious Suica card like a life preserver. Got off at what I think was the right station. Then the real fun began: finding this goddamn 301 House. Google Maps, bless its digital heart, sent me on a merry chase, past pastel-colored cafes, and a dog wearing a tiny sweater. The dog was totally judging me, I swear.
- Late Morning-Early Afternoon: Finally FOUND the house! After about three wrong turns and a near-meltdown in a 7-Eleven (those konbini are a godsend, though). 2LDK, huh? Okay okay, not terrible. It's… compact. Cozy? Let's go with cozy. I spent way too long trying to figure out the air conditioning. It was a sweat fest in here for like an hour until i started using the internet and finding that it was as simple as pressing a single button.
- Afternoon: The Great Ramen Quest commences. Armed with a hastily scribbled list and zero Japanese proficiency, I bravely enter the culinary battlefield. Found a place with a queue. A GOOD SIGN, RIGHT? Wrong. Ended up accidentally ordering something with fish bones. Let's just say the taste was… an experience. (And the fish bones really felt like they were trying to choke me, oh the joys of imperfect food!)
- Evening: Back at the 301 House. Jet lag is hitting hard. Currently contemplating whether a shower is worth the effort. (Spoiler alert: it was. The water pressure is incredible.) Spent way too much time just staring out the window, watching the world go by. Tokyo at night is a dazzling, chaotic symphony of lights and sounds. I'm already falling in love. And maybe, just maybe, I'll conquer that translation app tomorrow.
Day 2: The Temple Run, Lost in Translation, and the Karaoke Catastrophe
- Morning: Woke up at the crack of dawn, wired. Jet lag again! So much for sleeping in. Decided to hit up a temple and a park. The temple was beautiful! So peaceful and calm. I was almost moved to tears. Then I wandered through a park, and found a bunch of elderly Japanese people doing tai chi. I was jealous! They all looked so happy and relaxed.
- Mid-Morning: Breakfast: instant coffee and a convenience store onigiri. I'm pretty sure that's the official breakfast of broke tourists. Tried to communicate with the cashier using charades. Successfully acquired coffee and a questionable pastry which my stomach seems to handle.
- Afternoon: Attempted exploration of a "local" market. Disaster. So many stalls, so many smells, so much… Japanese. Ended up wandering in circles, intimidated by the prices, and slightly terrified of being seen as a rude foreigner. I tried to communicate with a vender about a specific piece of food. The vender took out his phone and used google translate. Finally, I got the meat I wanted. And the meat was delicious.
- Late Afternoon: Karaoke. Oh dear god, Karaoke. My friend insisted. I sang a song. I think it was terrible. I don't care. The karaoke place was loud and packed. There were some incredible performances and some really, really bad ones. I was one of the really, really bad ones.
- Evening: I fell asleep on the train ride home. The conductor woke me up when we arrived at the station. He was incredibly polite. It was quite possibly the most embarrassing and awesome thing that has ever happened to me.
- Night: Made myself a bento box style dinner with all the leftovers I have and the food I bought. Watching anime. I wish I didn't fall asleep on the train. I would have like to explore more of Tokyo.
Day 3: Harajuku Hysteria, Ginza Glamour, and a Sushi Fail (That Was Actually Okay)
- Morning: Harajuku! Rainbows, glitter, and enough fashion to make my eyeballs explode. Spent way too much money on a ridiculously oversized, fluffy hat. Totally worth it. Felt like a walking, talking, sugar-fueled cartoon character.
- Mid-day: Ginza. A complete contrast to Harajuku. Felt woefully underdressed. Briefly considered buying a designer handbag I couldn't afford, then had an existential crisis about my life choices. Ended up window shopping and feeling a little dizzy.
- Afternoon: Attempted sushi. Okay, I'll admit it: I was a little intimidated by the whole "raw fish" thing. I ordered a selection. One of the pieces was… not for me. But, the rest was actually delicious! Who knew? Sushi virgin no more.
- Evening: Spent a fortune on some sort of fancy dessert. It was beautiful. It was probably unhealthy. I would do it again. Now I'm just sitting in the room, letting myself come up to speed. I am having an amazing time!
- Night: Watched the sunset from the balcony. The city looks so amazing as the sun sets. I have to get up early tomorrow to see Mount Fuji.
Day 4: Mount Fuji Fiasco (Hopefully Not), Shinjuku Shenanigans, and Unplanned Adventures
- Morning (Real Early): Woke up at the crack of dawn to get to Mount Fuji. The train ride was long, but I was able to get some amazing views of the countryside. Unfortunately, the weather was cloudy and I didn't get to see Mount Fuji. Oh well.
- Mid-Day: Explored Tokyo National Museum in Ueno Park. The Museum was massive and the exhibits were amazing! Lost track of time and spent most of the day there. Got a much-needed coffee break.
- Afternoon: Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden. The park was peaceful and full of beautiful flowers. I could have spent all day there. I'd love to come back one day.
- Evening: Found a little restaurant and ate everything. The food was amazing and the staff was very nice. I have a lot of gratitude for everyone in Japan. Then, headed back to the train to go home.
Day 5: The Great Souvenir Hunt, Last-Minute Mishaps, and a Tearful Goodbye (Maybe)
- Morning: Panic. Souvenirs? I've barely thought about souvenirs. Commence the mad dash through the local shops, buying everything that isn't nailed down.
- Mid-Day: Accidentally bought a Hello Kitty rice cooker. I don't cook. I don't eat rice. I have no idea what I'm going to do with this. It's adorable, though.
- Afternoon: Stumbled upon a used bookstore and got lost in a sea of Japanese books. Wish I could read Japanese.
- Evening: Packing, the ever-painful task of fitting everything into my suitcase. The struggle is real. Then, I took one last walk through Sugamo. Everything looks incredibly beautiful as the sun sets.
- Night: Last Japanese beer, a quiet reflection on the adventure. A bit teary-eyed, but happy. Departure. The ending to a story I'll never forget.
This "itinerary" is a living, breathing testament to the glorious mess of travel. It's not perfect, it's not always pretty, but it's real. And that, my friends, is the best adventure of all.
Setapak/Wangsamaju Room: 1 Night Malaysian Getaway! ✨
Tokyo Sugamo Gem: Your 2LDK House - Seriously? FAQ-ish Thingy!
Okay, so... what *IS* a 2LDK in Tokyo anyway? Is it a death trap for hoarders?
Alright, settle down, future Sugamo resident! A 2LDK, my friend, translates (roughly) to two bedrooms, a living room, a dining area, and a kitchen. Sounds palatial, right? Well, in Tokyo, "palatial" is a relative term. Think "efficient." Think "clever use of space." Look, I've seen bigger broom closets. I've also squeezed three adults and a small dog into a *single* LDK in Shibuya. So, relative. The good news? This particular Sugamo Gem, my *allegedly* dream home, is a good size for Tokyo. You won’t be tripping over your own feet…most of the time. And no, you don't *have* to be a hoarder. Unless, you know, you *are* a hoarder. No judgement here, friend. We all have our baggage. Literally, in my case. God, moving is the worst.
Why "Dream 301"? Is it special or just marketing fluff? Because, let's be real, marketing is a LIE.
"Dream 301"... Ugh. Okay, so that initially sounded a bit… much. Honestly, my first reaction? "Oh, *please*. More cheesy real estate lingo." But. And this is a BIG but. After seeing the apartment, I kind of... get it. It's not *perfect*. The neighbors *do* play their karaoke at 3 AM sometimes (more on *that* later, oh boy), and the kitchen is slightly smaller than my childhood dollhouse. But… the natural light in that living room? Glorious. The cute balcony? Perfect for my (currently non-existent) potted herbs. So, maybe not a *lie*. More like… aspirational truth? Still, I’m reserving the right to be perpetually grumpy.
Sugamo... isn't that… the 'Granny Harajuku'? Am I suddenly ancient?
Okay, confession time: that was my *exact* thought when I first heard "Sugamo." "Oh, dear. Am I about to become a card-carrying member of the prune juice appreciation society?" And yes, it's true. Sugamo *does* have a reputation. It's where elderly folks flock for (apparently) fantastic underthings, friendly chats, and probably deals on walkers. But! Here's the thing. It's *charming*. Like, ridiculously charming. The shops are quirky, the food is delicious (seriously, the ramen!), and the pace of life is… well, slower. Which, if you're escaping the Tokyo crush of Shibuya and Shinjuku, is a *godsend*. Plus, I’ve discovered a *fantastic* bakery around the corner. So, no, you’re not instantly ancient. You're just smart enough to move to a place that offers peace… and really good pastries.
Speaking of charming… what's the deal with the balcony? Is it even usable? And is the view… a brick wall?
Okay, balcony update! The balcony... it is usable. Sort of. It's not massive, but it's big enough for… well, me to stand, a tiny table, and maybe a potted herb or two (still working on the herb situation, frankly). The view? Okay, let's address the elephant (or, you know, the smallish building) in the room. It's not exactly a panoramic vista of Mount Fuji. But it's… pleasant. You can see the sky. You can hear the birds sometimes (when the karaoke isn’t blaring). It's a balcony, people! In Tokyo! That’s a win! Okay, maybe I'm lowering my standards. But still. Balcony.
How's the kitchen? Because I'm a culinary god/goddess (or, you know, I can boil water).
The kitchen... *sigh*. Let's be brutally honest. It's compact. Like, seriously compact. If you're planning on hosting a Michelin-star chef-off in your kitchen, you're in trouble. It's... doable, though. I can (and *do*) make toast, and the counter space, while limited, *exists*. You'll learn to embrace the art of the single-pot meal. And maybe get really, really good at washing up immediately. The good side? It's all very… efficient. Like, everything is within arm's reach. You won't have to walk a marathon to grab the soy sauce. It's all part of the experience, right? Character building! Ugh. Still, bring your tiny pots, friends!
What about the neighbors? Do they throw epic parties until dawn? (Please, please say no.)
The neighbors… Ah, the neighbors. Okay, so remember that karaoke comment? Yeah. The first night I moved in, I was awakened by a spirited rendition of… something. I don't even know. It was in Japanese, it was loud, and it went on (and on and *on*). I swear I could hear the notes vibrating through the walls. I lay there stewing, fantasizing about the construction of a soundproof bunker around my bed. The next morning, I actually encountered the neighbor on the stairs. She was incredibly sweet, even offering me a plate of mochi. I didn’t understand the whole conversation, but I *think* she was apologizing for the karaoke. And she *was* very nice. So… mixed bag? Mostly earplugs, I’d say. And maybe a strongly worded letter in impeccable Japanese, just in case.
Are pets allowed? Because my goldfish, Bartholomew, is practically family.
Check with the landlord! (I, unfortunately, don't know Bartholomew's destiny. He's counting on you, though. Goldfish have feelings!)
What utilities are included? Because I’m notoriously bad at adulting.
That's a question for the landlord or the estate agent, friend. Get the details on water, electricity, gas. Then, set up auto-pay. Thank me later. Believe me, I'm right there with you, perpetually baffled by adult things!
