APA Hotel Sugamo: Tokyo's Hidden Gem? You NEED to See This!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving DEEP into the sometimes-flawed, often-fascinating, and undeniably Japanese world of the APA Hotel Sugamo. "Tokyo's Hidden Gem"? Well, let's find out if it's a shimmering nugget or just a cleverly marketed pebble. This is not your sterile, corporate hotel review. This is me, warts and all, letting loose.
First Impressions: Is This Actually a Hidden Gem?
Sugamo itself is…interesting. It's got this vibrant, almost grandma-chic vibe. Think: bright red clothing, throngs of elderly folks (they call it "Grandma's Harajuku"), and a distinct lack of the sleek, minimalist aesthetic you might expect in central Tokyo. The APA Hotel Sugamo? Well, it is an APA Hotel. If you've stayed in one, you know the drill: compact rooms, efficient service, and the unwavering commitment to the APA Group's… unique brand of decor. Think: a little bit of everything, a lot of practicality, and maybe, just maybe, a slight overdose of beige.
Accessibility - The Good, The Bad, and the Stairway to… Well, a Slightly Higher Floor
Okay, let’s talk accessibility. This is important. The good news is, the elevator works. Hallelujah! Though the lobby, with its usually bustling crowds, sometimes felt like maneuvering a shopping cart through a particularly aggressive sale at a department store. They do advertise facilities for disabled guests, but be sure to call ahead and clarify exactly what's available. I'm always a bit wary of generic claims. I didn't personally scrutinize every nook and cranny, but I did see ramps, which get major points from me, and knowing the Japanese dedication to service, they're probably equipped to do far more than you might assume.
Rooms: Tiny, But Tidy – And That's Okay, Right?
Let's get real: the rooms are small. We're talking about maximizing every single square inch. But… and this is a big but… they're meticulously clean. Spotlessly clean. This is where the APA’s commitment to detail shines.
Air conditioning? Check. Essential in Tokyo summers. (Also, you, me and everyone else gets it)
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!? Yes! And it’s decent! Which is more than some of the swanker hotels can boast. You’ll be able to upload your Instagram stories of the amazing shrines.
Wi-Fi [free]… Let’s be honest, you’ll be lost without the internet
Cleanliness and safety: These are your top priorities. They use Anti-viral cleaning products and do Daily disinfection in common areas. The rooms are Rooms sanitized between stays. They have Staff trained in safety protocol.
In-room safe box: Excellent. (Always lock up your passport!)
Refrigerator: Good for keeping your water cold.
Coffee/tea maker: Crucial for combating jet lag.
Complimentary tea: Nice touch.
Daily housekeeping: the room got clean.
desk: Because you'll need somewhere to put your laptop with the Wi-Fi.
Hair dryer: Essential.
Safe dining setup is crucial.
Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: excellent!
Free bottled water: It's the small things that count, my friends.
Separate shower/bathtub: Bliss after a day pounding the pavement.
Toiletries: the little shampoos and soaps, are standard.
Now, the downsides? Well, there’s not much room to move. Imagine trying to do a full-body yoga routine in one of these rooms… probably not going to happen. And the desks? Compact. But honestly, for the price, and in Tokyo where space is a luxury, it's acceptable.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Fueling Your Tokyo Adventure
Okay, let's talk eats. The APA Hotel Sugamo has a couple of restaurants and a bar.
- Breakfast [buffet]: This is where things get interesting. Expect a mix of Japanese and Western options. The Asian breakfast might actually be your best bet – miso soup for the soul, anyone? There’s a Vegetarian restaurant, so that’s good news. Also, you can get Breakfast takeaway service.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Yes, indeed!
- Happy hour: Always a plus
- Bar: Sometimes you need a drink after a long day of trekking.
- A la carte in restaurant: If the buffet doesn't tickle your fancy, you have other options.
The Spa, the Gym, and the Pursuit of Relaxation (or Lack Thereof)
Right, fitness freaks and spa bunnies, listen up. This is where the review gets… mixed.
- Sauna: I didn't personally try the sauna but saw it there, beckoning from afar…
- Fitness center: It's there, but I didn't check it out.
- Spa: No.
- Pool with view: Nope.
- Gym/fitness: It did appear.
- Steamroom: I didn't see it but never saw a steam room in Japan to compare.
- Massage: Maybe, but check availability.
Services and Conveniences: The Nuts and Bolts
- Convenience store: Yes! This is EVERYTHING in Japan. Seriously. Stock up on snacks, drinks, and anything you forgot to pack.
- Laundry service: Crucial if you're traveling light.
- Cash withdrawal: Useful, as not all places accept cards.
- Luggage storage: Essential for those early check-ins or late departures.
- Concierge: They were friendly and helpful.
- Daily housekeeping: The room got clean.
- Elevator: Important.
- Front desk [24-hour]: Always a relief.
- Meeting/banquet facilities: if you need them.
- Safety deposit boxes: excellent.
- Smoking area: for all you smokers.
- Air conditioning in public area, also good.
- Elevator: Good.
- Cash withdrawal: Good.
- Doorman: Good.
- Free car park [on-site], the car park is good.
- Internet access - LAN, good.
- Internet services, also good.
- On-site event hosting: good.
- Room service [24-hour]: Yes! Bonus points!
Things To Do Near the Hotel: Beyond the Hotel Walls
Okay, here's where the "hidden gem" thing starts to come into play. Sugamo is a fantastic base for exploring.
- Check out Jizo-dori Street. It's a pedestrian paradise filled with shops selling traditional crafts, clothing, and snacks. This is where the "Grandma's Harajuku" vibe really shines. Wander around.
- Visit the Togenuki Jizo Temple. It's a spiritual spot and a great place to experience local culture.
- Transportation: The hotel is well-connected to public transportation. Easy access to other parts of Tokyo.
The Annoying Bits (Because No Hotel is Perfect)
- The Decor: It’s… well, it’s APA. Don’t expect minimalist chic.
- The Views: Might be blocked by other buildings.
- Noise: Depending on your room, you might hear some street noise (especially at night).
Cleanliness and Safety: Peace of Mind in a Pandemic World
- Hand sanitizer: They have it, thankfully.
- Shared stationery removed, excellent.
- Daily disinfection in common areas
- Rooms sanitized between stays
- Safe dining setup
- Hand sanitizer
- They are doing good with Physical distancing of at least 1 meter
The Verdict: Is the APA Hotel Sugamo Tokyo's Hidden Gem?
Look, if you're expecting luxury, this ain't it. But if you're looking for a clean, comfortable, affordable, and well-located base for exploring Tokyo, the APA Hotel Sugamo is definitely worth a look. It's not a "hidden gem" in the sense of some secret, undiscovered paradise. But for the price, and with its convenient location to both Sugamo's unique cultural experiences and the city as a whole? It’s a solid choice. It’s efficient, clean, and gets the job done.
Let’s cut the BS. My favorite part was…
The little things. The hot water. The constant availability of clean linens. The peace of mind that comes with the safety measures. And the fact that you can just… be without feeling like you're constantly being judged, or having to shell out a fortune. This isn’t the Ritz, but it’s… well, it’s homey in a uniquely
Steigenberger Alcazar: Egypt's Hidden Paradise? (You Won't Believe This!)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's meticulously planned travel itinerary. This is MY potential disaster (and hopefully triumph) in Tokyo, all fueled and housed by the surprisingly functional APA Hotel Sugamo Ekimae. Prepare for emotional rollercoasters, existential crises fueled by vending machine coffee, and the unvarnished truth about me, and my attempts to navigate the glorious, terrifying, and utterly captivating chaos that is Japan.
APA Hotel Sugamo Ekimae: Ground Zero (And Maybe My Sanity's Last Stand)
Day 1: Arrival, Jet Lag, and the Ramen Revelation (or, "I think I saw a vending machine smile at me…")
- 14:00 (ish): Arrive at Narita (NRT). The airport is clean. Too clean. I’m already convinced I'm going to mess things up somehow. Found the train ticket machine. Successfully purchased a ticket. Victory is sweet, like the overly enthusiastic guy I just saw bow deeply at a konbini clerk.
- 16:00 (ish): Check into APA Hotel Sugamo Ekimae. Tiny room. As expected. This is my shoebox for the next week. The bed looks suspiciously firm, which could be good or bad depending on how many hours of jet-lagged sleep I actually get.
- 17:00: Attempt to unpack. Fail. The suitcase is mocking me. I swear, it’s gained weight.
- 18:00: Venture forth. The sensory overload is INTENSE. Neon lights, chattering voices, delicious smells – a potent cocktail. I’m starting to believe I can't hold on. Just take the journey.
- 19:00 - 21:00: Find Ramen. OMG. The best ramen I've ever had. Like, religious experience level good. The broth was a warm hug, the noodles were springy perfection, I was sobbing into the noodles. I swear, I could have eaten five bowls. I'm pretty sure I was the only non-Japanese person in the shop, which made me feel incredibly out of place and secretly chuffed at the same time. I paid for the bill and stumbled back to the hotel in a haze of noodle-glorious satisfaction.
- 21:00: Crash. Jet lag hits HARD. I think I dreamt of onigiri and vending machines.
Day 2: Culture Shock (and, "Why are there so many vending machines? Seriously.")
- 06:00: Wake up. Wide awake. This jet lag thing is a cruel mistress. Decide to force myself into a routine.
- 07:00: Breakfast at the hotel. The pastries are…interesting. I'm pretty sure I just ate something vaguely fishy. Not great but I'm alive.
- 08:00: Sugamo Jizo-dori Shopping Street. Feels like I stepped into a time warp. Elderly people, red underwear shops (yes, you read that right), and a general feeling of peaceful chaos. It's heartwarming, and I buy way too much senbei (rice crackers). My wallet already hates me.
- 10:00: Ueno Park and the Tokyo National Museum. Wandering through the ancient artifacts and incredible art is pretty overwhelming. There's so much to see. I feel like I barely scratch the surface. Realizing I need to come back.
- 13:00: Lunch in Ueno Park. Find a tiny little udon place. The woman there is so sweet, and the noodles are exactly what I need. Feeling slightly less overwhelmed.
- 14:00: More Ueno Park exploration. Zoo. Giant pandas! Adorable. And then I walk into a sculpture garden. I am starting to have a feeling that I'm never going to be able to see and do everything.
- 16:00: Back to Sugamo. My feet hurt. But I want to see more.
- 17:00 - 19:00: Finally master the subway. Get utterly lost. Panic slightly. Eventually, I find myself stumbling back at the hotel. I'm getting the hang of this thing, sort of.
- 19:00: Dinner. Another ramen place. Because, why not? It feels like everything is leading back to ramen. This is fine. I'm fine.
Day 3: Tokyo, Tokyo, Tokyo (and, "Is that a real robot? Please say it's a real robot.")
- 08:00: Wake up. Still tired. Embrace it.
- 09:00: Harajuku. Takeshita Street. Holy moly. Rainbows, glitter, crepes, and a population that seems to have stepped straight out of a fantasy novel. I am completely mesmerized (also probably at the end of my energy level).
- 11:00: Meiji Jingu Shrine: A complete contrast to the neon insanity of Harajuku. Serene, peaceful, and a welcome respite. I almost cry at the beauty of it all. I love this city.
- 13:00: Lunch in Shibuya. Find the famous scramble crossing. Cross it. Twice. It's insane. It's exhilarating. I spend a shameful amount of time just… people-watching.
- 14:00: Shibuya 109. My credit card is trembling in fear. I don’t buy anything, mostly because everything is bafflingly cool and way out of my league.
- 15:00: Visit the Hachiko statue. So many sweet dogs. I feel a little teary again. Damn sentimentality!
- 16:00: Explore the underground pathways. Finally understand the Tokyo subway. This is quite a victory.
- 18:00: Return to Sugamo. Dinner. I try to cook. I make a mess. I eat it anyway.
- 19:00: Drinks. Not really a bar. I order a beer, but I’m way too tired to enjoy it, so I go to bed instead!
Day 4: Akihabara: The Electric Town, and My Very Own Obsession
09:00: Wake up and breakfast. I need energy for this day. I'm going to need all the energy.
10:00: Akihabara, the Electric Town! Oh. My. God. I'm not really a gamer, but I might be now. This place is pure, unadulterated, glorious chaos. Neon lights, towering buildings, and enough electronic gadgets to make your head spin. I want to dive head-first into a vintage video game arcade.
11:00 - 15:00: Spend hours browsing through arcades. Learn, with the help of some kind souls, to play Taiko no Tatsujin. I'm terrible, but I have so much fun. The sounds, the colors, the energy. I feel like a kid again. Also, I see some of the most bonkers things ever. From cosplay cafes to robot restaurants (which I really want to go to). It's a sensory overload of the best kind.
15:00: Get the most amazing crepes (again).
16:00-18:00: Browse electronics stores. I don't buy anything - I can't fathom. The sheer amount of things. It is overwhelming. I want everything.
19:00: Dinner in Akihabara. It's sushi. I am starting to think I will never stop eating.
20:00: Collapse back at the APA. My brain is fried. But my heart is full. I have to come back. Akihabara is my new religion.
Day 5: Day Trip to Hakone (Maybe the Mountains Will Calm Me Down)
- 08:00: Wake up. This is supposed to be a relaxing day.
- 09:00: Train to Odawara. It is supposed to be a scenic train ride. I can't stay awake.
- 11:00: Hakone Ropeway. Volcanic hot springs. Beautiful views of the mountains. I did it. It was gorgeous and peaceful.
- 13:00: Hike. I try to hike. I give up. It's hard. But I see Mt. Fuji. It's kind of beautiful.
- 14:00: Hakone Open-Air Museum. I enjoy the art. It helps me relax.
- 16:00: Return to Tokyo. I am tired, but relaxed.
- 18:00: Dinner. I get ramen.
- 19:00: Pack. Am I leaving soon? I don't want to go.
**Day 6:
Okay, spill it: Is APA Hotel Sugamo *really* a hidden gem? Or just… another hotel?
Alright, alright, I’ll be honest. My first reaction? "Another APA Hotel." You know, the chain. Compact rooms, efficient… let’s just say, economical. But Sugamo's different. It's like... it’s hiding something. You walk out of the JR Sugamo station (which, by the way, is a trip in itself; think a sea of elderly folks doing tai chi - truly heartwarming!), and there it is. It's not immediately captivating, mind you. But then you get inside… and things start to… *happen*.
For starters: the lobby. It’s… *well-lit*. Maybe a little *too* well-lit, actually. Almost blinding at 7 am. But in a good way? I don't know. I was half-asleep. I think it’s the start of the crazy.
Those tiny rooms everyone talks about. Are they… *that* small? And how did you personally cope?
Okay, confession time. Yes. They are. REALLY small. My luggage took up like, 80% of the floor space. I swear I had to do a ninja roll just to get from the bed to the toilet. Forget about doing yoga. Unless you're into contortionism, in which case, go for it! Seriously, the first time I saw the room, I giggled. Then I slightly panicked. Followed by… acceptance. This is Japan, baby! Space is a premium.
How I coped? Strategically. I mean, I’m talking military-grade planning. I unpacked as soon as possible, using every vertical inch. The tiny desk became my vanity, my meal prep area, and the epicenter of my mental breakdowns. (Okay, maybe just one breakdown, involving a rogue soy sauce packet and a lot of tears). Let's just say I got *very* good at living minimally. It's a life skill, I suppose!
Tell me about the *amenities*. Is the onsen any good? Because if it's crowded as heck... forget about it.
The amenities? Okay, here's where Sugamo starts to *shine*. The onsen is a *must*. Seriously. Crowded? Yeah, potentially. But the *vibe* is something else. Picture this: steaming water, a glimpse of some minimalist garden, and a bunch of other guests, all silently enjoying the bliss. A little awkward at first (I almost backed out!), but once you're in, it’s pure zen. I even managed to, after a solid 15 mins, forget *where* I was. So, yeah, good. Really, really good.
The other amenities? The usual. Vending machines are everywhere. I'm not sure that is an amenity but I lived off of them. Laundry facilities? Check. The mini-fridge? Tiny, but effective. The TV? Well… I didn't use it much. The sheer volume of Japanese channels... I was too scared. I spent most of my time battling jet lag and wondering what to do.
The location. Sugamo: Yay or nay? And what's the *food* situation like?
Sugamo. Okay, this is where the "hidden gem" thing really clicks. It’s on the Yamanote Line – hello, convenience! You’re practically in the middle of everything. Shinjuku, Shibuya… all easily accessible. But more importantly, Sugamo itself? *That's* the real win. You're right on the doorstep of Jizo-dori! This vibrant street is a total sensory overload. It's full of elderly folks (Sugamo is nicknamed "Grandma's Harajuku") and a ton of amazing small shops and restaurants.
The food? Oh. My. God. Let’s talk about the food. Street food, cute cafes, proper restaurants… it’s all there. I had the *best* ramen of my life right around the corner. I tried some weird, chewy mochi thing that I still dream about. And there's a specific little bakery, *oh my God*, I think it was like, 200 yen for a tiny cream-filled bread roll. I literally went every single day. The *only* thing I didn’t like? Running out of stomach space. I'm still recovering from the sheer deliciousness.
What's the best thing about this hotel, like, the *absolute* highlight?
Can I pick two? Okay, I'm picking two. First, and this is huge: the *vibe* of Sugamo itself. It’s a different side of Tokyo. Less frantic, more… genuine. I spent an entire afternoon just wandering around, watching the locals, absorbing the atmosphere. It’s just lovely.
Second, the onsen. I keep banging on about it, but, honestly, after a long day of exploring the onsen was the ultimate reset button, a complete brain-melt. I never felt judged there. The silence, the warmth… absolute bliss. I'm going back just for that, I swear. It was the one moment of true peace, in the eye of the tourist-storm.
Any downsides? Because no place is perfect. (Come on, tell the truth!)
Okay, okay! The truth. The rooms are *small*. Seriously, I’ve covered that. Also, the location, while excellent, can be a trek if you're coming from Narita. Getting there after a long flight was a struggle. I needed a nap *before* checking in. And I'm pretty sure the walls are paper-thin. I could hear my neighbor's snoring, and by day 3 I was starting to hallucinate.
And… the lighting. I said it before, but the lobby is *bright*. Some people might love it, I prefer low lighting. It felt like an interrogation room at 7 am sometimes. Also, the breakfast situation. Not the *best*, I'll be honest. I mostly stuck to the convenience store across the street. Still, totally worth it.
Final verdict: Would you recommend APA Hotel Sugamo to a friend? And to a complete STRANGER?
To a friend? *Absolutely*. I’d say, "Just go! Embrace the weirdness! Try ALL the food!" I'd warn them about the room size and the lighting situation, but I’d convince them – the onsen alone is worth it. And the location? Phenomenal.
To a stranger? Hmmm. Okay, here's where I get a little… vague. Are you an experienced traveler who can navigate tiny spaces and appreciate a bit of offbeat charm? Then yes. If you're the type who demands luxury, space, and a perfect breakfast buffet, *probably not*. This isn’t the Ritz. But for those looking for an authentic experience, a glimpse into a less touristy side of Tokyo, and a serious dose of relaxation? Yeah. Absolutely. Go. Just be warned. You might, like me, end up wanting to go back ASAP.
