Escape to Paradise: Mikazuki Inn's Unforgettable Onjuku Getaway
Escape to Paradise: Mikazuki Inn's Unforgettable (and a Little Messy) Onjuku Getaway - A Review
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the tea – and maybe some miso soup – on my recent stay at Mikazuki Inn in Onjuku. This place… well, it’s an experience, alright. Prepare for a whirlwind of opinions, because, honestly, after this trip, I'm a walking, talking, seaweed-wrapped opinion machine.
(Metadata - because SEO, darling!): Mikazuki Inn Onjuku Review, Accessible Hotel Japan, Onjuku Beach Resort, Family-Friendly Hotels Japan, Spa Hotels Near Tokyo, Beach Vacation Japan, Onsen Hotel Review, Japanese Inn Review, Wheelchair Accessible Hotels, COVID-19 Safety Hotels, Free Wi-Fi Japan, Tokyo Day Trip, 千葉県 温泉 (Chiba Prefecture Onsen), 三日月イン (Mikazuki Inn)
Accessibility (and the Struggle is Real… Sometimes): Let’s be real, the idea of a "paradise" getaway is great until you factor in accessibility. While Mikazuki Inn claims to cater to folks with mobility issues, my experience was… mixed. They definitely have elevators. Hooray! And there are some rooms designed for wheelchair users. But maneuvering around some of the public spaces felt a bit like navigating a particularly tricky Jenga tower. The restaurant entrance? A bit of a tight squeeze. The pathways to the pool? A few uneven surfaces that had me clutching my pearls (and my cane). They try, bless their hearts, but it’s not exactly a smooth operation. Pro Tip for Accessible Guests: Call ahead multiple times to confirm specific needs and availability. Because trust me, you don't want to arrive with high hopes and a flat tire.
On-site Accessible Restaurants/Lounges: Err, Define "Accessible" Okay, I'll just say it: while they say there are accessible dining areas… the reality requires a bit of… creativity. More like, "Okay, we think we can make this work," as they stare at a particularly narrow doorway. This is where having a travel companion is a MUST.
Internet: Free Wi-Fi, Praise Be! YES! Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! And, surprisingly, it actually works. I was able to stream my guilty pleasure, a truly terrible reality show without buffering. The little things, people. The little things. They also have LAN access, which, honestly, felt a bit retro. But hey, options are good, right? And, yes, Wi-Fi in public areas too!
Things to Do (and Getting Relaxed): Okay, buckle up, because this is where Mikazuki really shines (and sometimes, awkwardly glares).
Pool with a View: The outdoor pool is a stunner. Honestly, it was almost worth the potential accessibility challenges to float around staring at the ocean. The view is breathtaking. Pure bliss… until a rogue inflatable flamingo nearly took me out. (Seriously, where do people get those things?!).
The Spa/Sauna/Steamroom/Body Scrub/Wrap… Oh My! This is where I spent a lot of time. The spa is legit. The sauna? Glorious heat. The steamroom? Foggy heaven. I had a body scrub that made me feel like a new woman (or at least a slightly cleaner, slightly less stressed old one). Anecdote Alert: I almost fell asleep during my body wrap! I’m talking, full-on drool-dripping-into-the-towel level of relaxation. They were very polite about it. I, however, was mortified.
Fitness Center/Gym: I bravely ventured in. I touched a few things. I decided quickly that the spa was more my speed. But hey, the option's there!
Foot Bath: The foot bath was a nice touch. A simple pleasure. Although, I did witness a small child trying to use it as a swimming pool. Parenting!
Cleanliness and Safety (The COVID Chapter): Look, I'm still a bit paranoid about germs, so I paid close attention to this. They’re trying. Really, really trying.
- Anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection, rooms sanitized between stays, etc.: They hit all the right buzzwords. You could see the staff working their butts off cleaning.
- Hand sanitizer EVERYWHERE: Which is awesome. My hands are now perpetually squeaky clean.
- Breakfast in room? Offered, which is a win for avoiding the buffet.
- Individually-wrapped food options & Safe dining setup?: Check and check. They take this seriously.
- Staff trained? Seemed like it. Everyone was wearing a mask and trying to be helpful.
- Room Sanitization Opt-out: A thoughtful option, though I didn't use it.
- Physical Distancing: Eh, it could have been better in the restaurant at peak times.
- The Verdict: While I wouldn't say I completely relaxed about the whole situation, they made a genuine effort.
Dining, Drinking, & Snacking (Food, Glorious Food - And Some Hiccups): Okay, the food situation is… complex.
- Restaurants: Plural! But the menus! They're like, a bizarre fusion of everything.
- Asian/International/Western Cuisine: They try, bless their hearts. But the "International" options were… interesting. The pizza tasted like… well, I'm not sure what it tasted like, but not pizza.
- Buffet in Restaurant: Oh, the buffet! It's a magnificent spread, a true feast for the eyes. But… it's crowded. Very crowded. It's a delicate dance of politely elbowing your way to the sushi.
- Breakfast (Buffet/Asian/Western): Breakfast was… solid. The Asian options were better than the Western, in my humble opinion.
- A la carte in restaurant: Yes, but the service could be slow at times.
- Coffee shop/Poolside Bar/Snack Bar: They exist, which is good for a quick caffeine hit or a cocktail after a swim.
- Room Service (24-hour): YES! A lifesaver at 2 am when my stomach decided to wage war on my sanity.
- Vegetarian Restaurant: They have a vegetarian restaurant. I didn't try it. I was too busy fighting for the last piece of tempura.
Services and Conveniences (The Good, the Okay, and the… Interesting):
- Air conditioning: Praise be! Totally essential, especially in the summer.
- Business Facilities: They exist, but I wasn't there to work so I didn't use them.
- Concierge: Helpful, but sometimes a bit overwhelmed.
- Currency Exchange: Convenient.
- Daily Housekeeping: Efficient. My room was always clean.
- Elevator: Thank the heavens. Absolutely crucial for anyone with mobility issues.
- Facilities for Disabled Guests: See above. Room for improvement, but they are trying.
- Food Delivery: I'm not sure if they had it, but I certainly didn't use it.
- Gift/souvenir shop: Typical overpriced tourist stuff.
- Luggage Storage: Convenient.
- Cash Withdrawal: Yes!
- Laundry Service: Yay!
- …and the Rest: Look, they have a lot of services. Most of them are fine.
For the Kids: I didn't travel with kids, but it seemed like they are definitely family-friendly.
- Babysitting service, kids facilities, kids meal They all seem to be available.
Available in All Rooms (The Essentials):
All the usual suspects; they've got you covered.
The Room Itself (My Little Sanctuary):
- Air conditioning: Yes! (Thank you, again!)
- Alarm clock: (So I didn’t oversleep and miss the breakfast buffet)
- Bathrobes: Fuzzy and luxurious.
- Free bottled water: A nice touch.
- Hair dryer: Essential!
- Refrigerator: Excellent for storing… leftovers from the buffet.
- Seating area: Comfortable.
- Wi-Fi (free): Again, a life-saver.
- Window that opens: Needed.
The Verdict: Mikazuki Inn is a mixed bag. It's got the potential to be truly amazing and a few of the amazing things are amazing. The view, the spa, the free Wi-Fi… these are all fantastic. However, it's not perfect. The accessibility could be much better, the dining experience is a bit hit or miss and,
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Alright, alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into my chaotic, potentially disaster-filled, but hopefully-still-amazing trip to the Mikazuki Inn in Onjuku, Japan. Consider this less a meticulously planned itinerary and more… well, a collection of loosely affiliated thoughts and experiences, held together by the sheer force of my caffeine intake.
Day 1: Arrival, Sushi Dreams (and Maybe a Tiny Meltdown)
Morning (or, more accurately, "The Trying-Not-To-Miss-My-Flight Period"): Okay, let's be real. Waking up is the hardest part. My alarm sounds like a banshee having a rave, and after some frantic last-minute packing (I swear I need a whole separate suitcase just for adapters and emergency chocolate), I somehow manage to stumble onto the correct flight. The whole airport experience is a blur of overpriced coffee and the gnawing fear that I left my passport on the kitchen counter. Spoiler alert: I didn't. (This time.)
Afternoon (Touchdown Tokyo!): Japan! Finally! The airport is… overwhelming. So many signs, so many people, so many polite bows. I fumble with my SIM card for an hour and miss my first train. Great start, Me. I finally navigate the public transport, (somewhat) successfully. Then, it's on to the train to Onjuku, which finally delivers me to the promised land: Mikazuki Inn!
Late Afternoon/Early Evening (Mikazuki Bliss (and a Little Panic)): The Inn is beautiful. Serene. Like, postcard-worthy serene. And then…the language barrier hits me like a bucket of ice water. I'm trying my best with my rusty Japanese, but I'm positive I just asked the incredibly kind woman at reception if I could borrow her pet hamster instead of the wifi password. Awkward. But the room? Glorious. Ocean views. And a little balcony. I'm already envisioning myself sipping sake and contemplating the meaning of life. Which I definitely will do later. First, though, I need sushi. Desperately.
Evening (Sushi and Soul-Searching): Okay, I found sushi. It was… well, it wasn't what I expected. I ordered something I thought was a safe bet (salmon!) and it was… strangely… fishy. I'm going to be honest, I teared up a little in the restaurant. Not because of the sushi (though it may have played a role), but because of the sheer weight of being alone, a million miles from home, and slightly overwhelmed by the cultural difference. I'm a sensitive soul, okay? But then I saw the view from my table, waves crashing, the sun going down, and it hit me: I'm in Japan! And the sushi is fine. Tomorrow will be better. I will crush this trip.
Day 2: Surfing, Ramen, and Existential Dread (with a Side of Karaoke)
Morning (Waves and Wipeouts): Time to get out of my comfort zone! I signed up for a surfing lesson. My balance is… shall we say, questionable. I'm pretty sure the instructor spent more time pulling me out of the water than actually teaching me. But the feeling of being on the board, even for a fleeting moment before I face-planted into the ocean, was… exhilarating! I also lost a lot of face and a good amount of sunscreen, but it was worth it. I'm never going to be a pro-surfer, but I made it through.
Afternoon (Ramen and Redemption): Fueling up after the salt water and humility lessons. I'm hunting down the best Ramen place in town. I'm on a mission! I stumble into an eatery, and the ramen is… oh. My. God. Absolutely perfect. The broth, the noodles, the perfectly cooked egg… I actually felt a moment of pure, unadulterated joy. It was a turning point. Ramen therapy, indeed. I swear, if I could have that broth intravenously, I'd be the happiest person on Earth.
Evening (Singing My Heart Out (and Also Probably Embarrassing Myself)): Karaoke, the ultimate test of a solo traveler's sanity. I was coaxed into a karaoke bar by the ever-so-helpful hostel staff. What was I thinking? I can't sing! And yes, it was as bad as you'd imagine. But in a weirdly liberating way. There's something about butchering a classic power ballad in front of a room of friendly strangers that's deeply cathartic. I don't remember some of it, but I do remember laughing a lot. Then, after a few too many kikis, I found myself chatting with a local man who was a former opera singer. He was utterly charming, and made me feel like a rockstar. He also warned me about the dangers of eating the local pufferfish.
Day 3: Mikazuki's Secrets, Beach Walks, and the Sweet Sting of Goodbye
Morning (Hidden Gem of Mikazuki Inn): The Inn has a secret garden, and it is stunning! I spend a good chunk of the morning just wandering around, feeling like I've stumbled into a hidden paradise. There's something about the quiet stillness, the meticulously arranged stones, and the scent of the flowers that just soothes my soul. It's a perfect space for some introspection (and let's be honest, a little people-watching).
Afternoon (Seaside Stroll and Second Thoughts): Long beach walks here, just breathing and feeling the sun on my face. The world, the water, the sand - All of it makes me feel free. I'm starting to get used to being alone, finally understanding that sometimes, the best company is my own. Am I ready to leave? Nope. But, am I enjoying it? Definitely.
Evening (Farewell Feast and the Emotional Avalanche): Packing. The dreaded task. And then… a final, delicious, farewell meal at the Inn's restaurant. I tear up at the thought of leaving. The staff has been so kind, so helpful. I’ve even learned some basic Japanese phrases. I feel a strange mix of sadness and gratitude that I can sum up only as "I'm going to miss this, and I'm already planning my return".
Day 4: Departure (and a Vow to Return)
- Early Morning (Departure Day): The sun rises, and suddenly the adventure is nearly over. I get on the train, glancing back at the sea one last time.
- The Journey Home: I’m on an airplane for the next 10+ hours, and I’m getting sleep.
- Evening: The flight is over. Then comes the drive home.
- The Real World: There is no perfect ending, it’s back to the normal.
Final Thoughts:
So, will this trip be the most polished, perfectly curated travel experience you've ever witnessed? Absolutely not. Will it be filled with moments of pure, unadulterated joy, mixed with a healthy dose of awkwardness and self-doubt? You bet. And that's exactly what makes it worthwhile. Mikazuki Inn, you were a dream. Onjuku, you’ve got a piece of my heart. And Japan? I'll see you again soon.
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