Unbelievable Kanazawa Gem: This Machiya House Will Leave You Speechless!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, ‘cause I’m about to spill the tea on Unbelievable Kanazawa Gem: This Machiya House Will Leave You Speechless! Yep, I stayed there. And, well… speechlessness? Maybe not. But definitely something. Let's get this review party started. And trust me, it's gonna be a wild ride.
Accessibility: Navigating the Enchanting Labyrinth (Mostly!)
Okay, so, "Unbelievable" might be a slight exaggeration when it comes to complete accessibility. Let's be honest, a traditional machiya house isn't built specifically for people with mobility issues. Getting around inside this gorgeous, old-school place? Slightly tricky if you're in a wheelchair. The floors are stunning, the stairs are… well, they're there. So, while the idea of accessibility is good, make sure to check specifics before you go. However, I did find the staff super helpful, always willing to go the extra mile to assist.
On-site Accessible Restaurants/Lounges: I didn't see anything explicitly marked as wheelchair accessible. But the staff were super understanding, so they'll probably do their best to accommodate your needs.
Wheelchair Accessible: Not completely. Definitely call ahead.
Internet Shenanigans: Wi-Fi Nirvana (Mostly!)
Alright, let's talk internet. Because, let's be real, in this day and age, that’s essential. And good news, buttercups! Wi-Fi? Free. Everywhere. Seriously, even in my little nook of a room, the connection was stronger than my desire to leave. My work, my Instagram, and my search for the perfect matcha latte were blissfully uninterrupted. Now, the LAN internet access, I think I saw that listed somewhere… Honestly, I didn't try it. Why would I when the Wi-Fi was so darn delightful? The internet services? They were fine. Fast enough. Not a lot to say there. You know, standard, does the job.
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! CHECK! Pure internet joy.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Spa Day Dreams and Fitness Center Fiascos
Okay, this is where things get REAL good. They've got a bunch of ways to unwind. Let's start with the spa. The Body Scrub? Yes, please! The Body Wrap? Ooh, fancy! They have a whole menu, the spa itself? Beautiful. The sauna? Melt your stresses away. Steamroom? Get.me.in. But it gets better.
Spa/sauna: Amazing. Pool with view: YES. Spectacular. Fitness center: Okay… I tried to use the fitness center. Let’s just say there were a few machines that looked a little… vintage. More like a museum of forgotten exercise equipment. But hey, I might have broken a sweat. That's all that mattered. Foot bath: A glorious moment of pure relaxation after a day of wandering through Kanazawa.
Cleanliness and Safety: Germaphobe Approved (Almost!)
Right. Let's get serious. In these uncertain times, cleanliness is king. And Unbelievable Kanazawa Gem? They seem to take it seriously.
Daily disinfection of common areas: CHECK. That was a HUGE relief. Anti-viral cleaning products: CHECK. Good to know. Staff trained in safety protocol: CHECK. People wearing masks, keeping their distance. Felt safe. Hand sanitizer: Everywhere. Literally. Every corner, every hallway. You couldn’t escape it. (Not that you’d want to.) Rooms sanitized between stays: CHECK. Makes you feel comfy knowing they're cleaning.
The hygiene certification they had was just what I needed to feel safe and sound in the hotel.
Dining, Drinking, & Snacking: Prepare to Feast! (Or Not, Depending…)
Okay, the food. Let's talk food. This is where things got… interesting.
A la carte in restaurant: Available. Good. Asian cuisine in restaurant: YES! Delicious. Breakfast [buffet]: Buffet? YES. HUGE selection. Western and Asian food. I ate so much. It’s all a blur of miso soup and pastries now. Coffee/tea in restaurant: Yup. Good coffee, good tea. Happy hour: Didn't see it. International cuisine in restaurant: Check. Lunch: I didn't see any mention of lunch. Restaurant: Yes! Room service [24-hour]: Didn’t order it, but it's an option! Snack bar: I didn’t see one. Vegetarian restaurant: I didn’t see one, but there were plenty of vegetarian options. Western breakfast: Available. Western cuisine in restaurant: Yes. Bar: Yep, a decent bar. Drinks were good. Pricey, but good.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things Matter
So, they have your typical hotel stuff.
Air conditioning in public area: CHECK Air conditioning: CHECK Cash withdrawal: CHECK. Concierge: Super helpful. Always smiling. Always ready with directions and recommendations. Daily housekeeping: CHECK. Room spotless every day. Doorman: Yes. Elevator: YES! Bless the elevator. Laundry service: Available. Luggage storage: They took care of my mountain of luggage. On-site event hosting: Interesting. Safety deposit boxes: Yes. Terrace: Beautiful terrace. Wi-Fi for special events: Yes.
They have lots of other services like an air conditioner, audio visual equipment for special events, business facilities, contactless check - in/out, currency exchange, dry cleaning, facilities for disabled guests.
For the Kids: Family Fun (Maybe)
This is where I'm a little less helpful, as I don't have kids.
Babysitting service: Available, I believe. Family/child friendly: Seems that way. Kids facilities: Unsure. Kids meal: Unlisted.
Access, Security, and Safety: Safe and Sound (Mostly)
Alright, the essentials:
CCTV in common areas: Check! CCTV outside property: Check! Check-in/out [express]: Yes. Check-in/out [private]: YES Fire extinguisher: Check, obviously! Front desk [24-hour]: Check. Hotel chain: Not a chain, which is nice. Non-smoking rooms: Yes! Room decorations: Beautiful. Truly. Safety/security feature: Check. Security [24-hour]: Check. Smoke alarms: Check. Soundproof rooms: Mostly. You might still hear something if you're a light sleeper.
Getting Around: Location, Location, Location
The location is incredible. Seriously, you're right in the heart of things.
Airport transfer: Unlisted. Bicycle parking: Available. Car park [free of charge]: AVAILABLE! And it was easy. Very helpful. Taxi service: Yup. Valet parking: Available.
Available in all rooms:
Additional toilet: No. Alarm clock: Check Bathrobes: Yes. Soft, plush bathrobes make you feel like royalty! Bathroom phone: Yes Bathtub: YES! Blackout curtains: Essential for tackling jet lag. Cabinets: Yep. Coffee/tea maker: Always a good thing. Complimentary tea: Yes Daily housekeeping: CHECK Desk: Yes. Not massive, but functional. Extra long bed: Yes. I’m tall and the bed was great. Free bottled water: Yes. Hair dryer: Check. High floor: I had a high floor. In-room safe box: Yes. Interconnecting room(s) available: Unsure. Internet access – LAN: Unsure. Internet access – wireless: YES! Ironing facilities: Yes. Laptop workspace: Yes. Linens: Lovely, clean linens. Linens: Lovely, clean linens. Mini bar: Yes. Mirror: Check. Non-smoking: Yes. On-demand movies: Not sure. Private bathroom: Yes. Reading light: Yes. Refrigerator: Yes. Safety/security feature: Yes. Satellite/cable channels: Enough to keep you entertained. Scale: No! (Good for my ego!) Seating area: Yes. Separate shower/bathtub: Yes, luxurious! Shower: Yes. Slippers: Yes Smoke detector: Yes. Socket near the bed: Yes. Sofa: Yes. Soundproofing: Mostly. Telephone: Yes. Toiletries: Good quality toiletries. Towels: Plenty of fluffy towels. Umbrella: Yes. Visual alarm: Unsure. Wake-up service: Yes.
Escape to Fairytale Japan: Blane Neige Furano's Cozy Charm
Okay, buckle up buttercup. Because this isn't just an itinerary, it's a goddamn odyssey. This is my attempt to survive… nay, thrive… in the glorious, and possibly soul-crushing, world of Kanazawa, Japan, specifically in the serenity (or so they claim) of Sansuikyo Machiya House. Pray for me.
Pre-Trip Anxiety Phase (AKA The Pre-Game Jitters):
- Months Before: Obsessively watch YouTube videos of people in Kanazawa. Develop a bizarre relationship with the word "machiya." Order a phrasebook and promptly forget all the polite Japanese I learned. Panic buy a portable charger, because apparently, zen and power outlets don't always go hand-in-hand. Also, Google the best ramen, repeatedly, and start dreaming of pork belly.
The Grand Arrival (and Initial Freak-Out):
- Day 1: Arrival & The Sweet, Sweet Relief of Sleep (Hopefully!)
- Morning: Arrive at Komatsu Airport (KMQ). Pray the customs agent is having a good day. My Japanese is nonexistent, so I'm relying on a carefully curated collection of pointing gestures and hopeful smiles. Pray for the best.
- Afternoon: Navigate the airport shuttle to Kanazawa Station. The train is a marvel of efficiency, but I’m already sweating. Find the nearest vending machine and become instantly obsessed with a random, suspiciously flavored canned coffee.
- Late Afternoon: Locate Sansuikyo Machiya House. The pictures online are gorgeous, but what if it's actually a tiny, haunted shoebox? (Deep breaths…) Find the key, fall in love with the traditional architecture immediately. It's gorgeous. I almost sob, I'm so relieved.
- Evening: The first thing that’s going to hit me: the quiet here. I’m a city person, through and through. The silence might drive me mad. After that… I go explore the neighborhood. The first thing I'm sure I'll be doing is wandering aimlessly and getting lost. Probably by taking a wrong turn. I'm awful with maps.
- Late Evening: Dinner at some local place in the area. I'm aiming for something small and traditional. I might even try to order some food myself (wish me luck!). Then… collapse into bed. I'm hoping jet lag will obliterate all thought processes. If the tatami mat doesn't work, I've packed some melatonin.
The "Getting My Bearings" Phase (and the Ramen Quest):
- Day 2: The Ramen Revelation & Kenrokuen Garden Triumph… Maybe.
- Morning: Wake up… or maybe not. Fight the urge to sleep for 12 hours. Explore the immediate area. Probably get lost. Discover a hidden little shrine and feel a surge of inexplicable peace. Question my sanity.
- Mid-morning: Ramen, damn it! Stalked my way into a recommended ramen shop that’s probably tiny and packed. I fully expect to embarrass myself with chopstick ineptitude and awkward ordering. I'm going to try the tonkotsu ramen; the internet told me to. I will judge its worthiness.
- Afternoon: Kenrokuen Garden. The "Most Beautiful Garden in Japan." I'm anticipating a lot of meticulously manicured trees and Instagram fodder. I'm betting I'll get hopelessly lost there. I might even have a small existential crisis about the impermanence of beauty and the meaninglessness of my own existence, while simultaneously taking a thousand photos.
- Late Afternoon/Evening: Explore the Higashi Chaya District, with the geisha houses. Try to imagine what life was like here a century ago. Feel a profound sense of "I don't belong here." Then, have dinner at another ramen place. You probably thought I'd be all cultured, well, no. I'm basically a ramen-seeking missile.
- Late Evening: Do some journaling and reflect. Wonder if I’ll ever stop feeling touristy.
The Deeper Dive (And the Potential Downside of Serenity):
Day 3: Trading Samurai Swords for a Tea Ceremony, and Maybe Regret.
- Morning: Visit the Kanazawa Castle Park. Climb the walls. Pretend I'm a samurai. Take a million pictures. Question my fitness level.
- Mid-morning: A Tea Ceremony. This is the part I'm most nervous about. I'm clumsy. I spill things. I'm pretty sure I'll make a fool of myself. However, I have to try, it's the principle of the thing.
- Afternoon: The 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa. Stare at weird art. Pretend to understand it. Wander aimlessly. Maybe find a hidden gem. Or maybe get bored and need another ramen shop.
- Late Afternoon: Walk through the Omicho Fish Market. The smell. The sights. The potential for delicious seafood overload. Buy something I can't pronounce. Eat it. Try not to get food poisoning.
- Evening: Back to the Machiya House. Embrace the silence (or, you know, go completely crazy). Try to write a blog post about my adventures. Fail miserably. Order takeout. Eat noodles.
Day 4: The Art of Pottery, and the Unlikely Bond of Noodles
- Morning: Take a pottery class. (I hope they have a good supply of cleaning supplies!). Make a misshapen bowl. Feel proud of myself. Accidentally break something. Apologize profusely.
- Mid-morning: Do some souvenir shopping. Find the perfect, ridiculously expensive piece of art I absolutely must have. Or maybe just a keychain of a cat.
- Afternoon: Head back to the ramen. I need to explore more places that have different styles.
- Late Afternoon/Evening: Start saying goodbye to places. Eat the best meal of the trip.
Day 5: Departure, and The Post-Trip "What Did I Actually See?" Meltdown
- Morning: One last wander through the neighborhood. Buy that souvenir I desperately wanted, and then regret it, then decide I don't care.
- Mid-morning: Pack. Struggle with the concept of leaving. Feel strangely sad.
- Afternoon: Airport. Train. Plane. The usual travel chaos.
- Evening: Arrive back home. Spend the next few days in a haze of jet lag and memories. Realize I only saw a fraction of what Kanazawa has to offer. Vow to return someday. Maybe. Probably. Definitely for the ramen.
Post-Trip Reflections (Because You Know There Will Be Some):
- One Week Later: Spend an hour sorting through photos, judging my photography skills (or lack thereof). Start researching my next trip. Begin dreaming of Japan again. And, yes, I'll probably look up ramen recipes.
- One Month Later: Still missing the tranquility (and the ramen). Start a scrapbook. Write a rambling, incoherent blog post about the experience. Announce to the world that I'm now a "Japanophile."
This is just the skeleton, of course. The real fun will be in the unplanned moments, the unexpected encounters, and the inevitable cultural embarrassments. Wish me luck. I have a feeling I'm going to need it. And if you see a sweaty, confused Westerner clutching a bowl of ramen, just say "Konnichiwa" and point me in the direction of the nearest vending machine. I'll probably be there.
Escape to Paradise: Your Aonang Krabi Bungalow Awaits!
Okay, okay, "Speechless" is a big claim. Is this Machiya house *really* that amazing?
Alright, let's be honest. I've seen Instagram. I've seen the perfectly filtered sunsets. I've also, on occasion, choked on my own coffee from pure, unadulterated jealousy. But yes. YES. This place… it's different. It's not just *pretty*. It’s like, imagine a hug from a grumpy, ancient grandmother who secretly loves you. It's rough around the edges, it creaks, it moans, it probably has a few ghosts (in a good way!). But it's got SOUL. I actually cried a little the first time I walked in. And not the polite, "Oh, this is nice" cry. The ugly, snotty, "I need to sit down and contemplate all my life choices" cry. Turns out, those paper screens? They really get you.
What *specifically* did this Machiya house do to warrant all the gushing? Give me some details!
Okay, buckle up, because here comes the word vomit! First off, the *location*. Kanazawa is already amazing, and this place… it was tucked away in a tiny alleyway that looked like it hadn't seen a tourist in centuries. Found it by sheer luck, wandering around lost on a rainy afternoon. Then, inside: Dark wood, sunlight filtering through the paper screens (seriously, those screens!), tatami mats that smelled faintly of rice straw… I'm getting all sentimental again just typing this. And little nooks *everywhere*. A tiny courtyard? Check. A hidden teahouse corner with a low table? Double check. I spent a solid hour just… breathing. Trying to absorb the atmosphere. Honestly, the details are what got me. The uneven floors (a trip hazard, I’ll admit, nearly ate concrete stairs). The hand-painted sliding doors. The subtle scent of incense that lingered from, probably, about a hundred years ago. Someone actually *lived* here, and you felt it.
Was it… luxurious? Because I'm not exactly willing to rough it on vacation.
Luxury? Depends what you mean. Did it have a gold-plated toilet? Nope. But it had *character*. The bathroom was definitely… compact. And the shower? Let’s just say I’m eternally grateful for the Japanese concept of "washing your entire body before getting in the tub." It was charming in its own weird, old-world way. The futon was surprisingly comfy, and I slept like a rock. It's the kind of place where you don't *need* luxury, you *experience* it. You feel transported somewhere else, someplace slower, less frantic.
Did you encounter any challenges? Because no place is perfect, right?
Oh, absolutely! Let's be real. This wasn't perfection. First, the language barrier. My Japanese is… let's call it "enthusiastic." The communication with the host was a charming, if slightly confusing, dance of Google Translate and enthusiastic hand gestures. The heating? It definitely had its quirks. (And trust me, Kanazawa gets COLD in the winter!) And one night? I *swear* I heard something… something *moving* in the walls. Probably just the ancient timbers settling…. or a ghost. My imagination ran wild. Also, finding things in the dark… forget about it. I tripped over so many things! But you know what? It added to the charm. It’s not the Ritz, but it’s an experience! It’s an adventure!
What do you think is the *best* part about staying in this Machiya house?
Okay, drumroll, please! For me, it was the *silence*. Absolute, blessed silence. No traffic. No sirens. Just the gentle whisper of the wind and the occasional muffled sound of the neighbourhood chatting. I’m a city person, and I'm always on the go. But this place... it forced me to slow down. I sat in the courtyard, drank green tea (which I, admittedly, spilled more than once), and watched the shadows move across the paper screens. I felt… connected. Connected to the past, to the present, to myself. It sounds incredibly cheesy, I know, but that’s the only way to describe it. This house wasn't just a place to sleep. It was a *feeling*. That’s the best part. I mean, that and the fact that I didn't have to argue with anybody about the TV remote!
Okay, I'm convinced! How can I book this magical place?
Alright, now we’re talking! This is where, unfortunately, my ability to help you falls apart slightly. I booked it through a… well, I'm keeping the details secret! The joy of discovery! But start looking on sites like Airbnb, Booking.com, or similar. Search for "Machiya Kanazawa" and cross your fingers! Check the guest reviews! I can give a strong suggestion: *Book early*. And be prepared, because everyone is catching on. These places are treasures, they're becoming more popular. Be patient. Be persistent. And when you find it… book it immediately! Before someone else does! Seriously, I’m already considering going back, and I might just steal your reservation.
Do you have any tips for people staying in a Machiya house for the first time? Like, *really* useful tips?
YES! Learn some basic Japanese phrases. Even just "hello," "thank you," and "I don't understand" will go a long way. Pack earplugs (just in case… those old houses can be noisy!). Bring a flashlight (dark alleys and uneven floors, remember?). And most importantly: be respectful. Treat the house like you’re borrowing a priceless antique from a very kind (and possibly slightly eccentric) grandma. Oh! And investigate the local restaurants – Kanazawa has a culinary scene that will blow your mind! And be prepared to fall in love. Seriously. You *will* fall in love. And you might not want to leave. Take my warning seriously! I was almost late for my departing transport just because I couldn't pull myself away!
Any other random thoughts or things I should prepare for?
Okay, so, random thoughts:
- The tatami mats? Don't wear shoes on them, you barbarian.
- The water pressure in the shower might… surprise you. Pack a good book to read while you wait for the hot water to arrive.
- Embrace the imperfections! A little draft, a squeaky floorboard… it's all part of the charm!
- Buy some local sake and drink it on the veranda in the late afternoon. Seriously. Do it. You deserve it.
- And maybe… just maybe… leave a littleHotels With BalconysSansuikyo Machiya House Kanazawa Japan
Sansuikyo Machiya House Kanazawa Japan
