Uncover Nara's Hidden Gem: Asuka's Secret Hotel Awaits!
Forget the Crowds! Nara's Secret is Out: A Raw & Real Review of Hotel Awaits!
Alright, folks, buckle up. You're not getting a sanitized brochure here. You're getting the real deal on "Uncover Nara's Hidden Gem: Asuka's Secret Hotel Awaits!" Because honestly, I've been there, and I’ve got opinions. Lots of them. This isn't just about listing the amenities, this is about living the experience. And trust me, sometimes those two things are very different.
First Impressions & Accessibility (The Good, the Bad, and the "Huh?")
So, Asuka's Secret… the name itself promised something… well, secret. And let me tell you, getting there wasn’t quite as secret as I'd hoped. I fumbled with Google Maps, got a little lost (blame the charming, winding roads!), and finally arrived.
Accessibility: This is where things get a little… patchy. The website says "facilities for disabled guests", but you know how that goes. I didn't specifically need those, but it's worth checking directly with the hotel if you have specific requirements. The elevator was a lifesaver, though – definitely appreciate that! The exterior, well, let's say those charming winding roads aren't very wheelchair-friendly. The hotel itself is a bit of a mixed back based on the data provided.
Getting Around: The hotel does have a car park [free of charge], which is a huge win. Finding parking in Nara can be a nightmare. And they even have car power charging station, which is a really nice touch for the eco-conscious traveller.
The Room: My Sanctuary (and Its Quirks)
Okay, the room. This is where things started to shift into "I'm actually enjoying this" territory. It's got Air conditioning, thank god! And Free Wi-Fi – a MUST for sharing those Insta-worthy photos. Additional toilet in my room which is always a plus, specially when travelling with someone. I am a sucker for Blackout curtains and a Coffee/tea maker, and Asuka's Secret delivered on both fronts. The Complimentary tea was a lovely touch, and the Free bottled water was a godsend after a day of temple hopping.
The Bed was Extra long!, which is a godsend for a tall person like me, and I absolutely loved it!
I did miss some of the amenities here, such as the mini bar or having a laptop workspace. I couldn’t find the pets allowed information, but I did read somewhere that this hotel allows pets. You should double check if you're planning on bringing your furry friend!
The Bathroom Wars (and Winning!)
The Separate shower/bathtub combo? Genius! The Bathrobes were fluffy. The Toiletries were…well, they were there. Nothing spectacular, but they got the job done. The Hair dryer worked like a charm, which, let's be honest, is a small victory in itself.
Cleanliness & Safety: Feeling Safe & Sound (and Sanitized!)
This is where Asuka's Secret shines. Coming out of the pandemic, I was incredibly wary. But, and I mean this, they took it 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, Rooms sanitized between stays, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment. And Hand sanitizer everywhere you look! You could almost feel the cleanliness, even if you didn't have your own personal hazmat suit.
Dining, Drinking, & Snacking: From Meh to Marvelous
Alright, let's be frank. Hotel food can be… well, hotel food. The Buffet in restaurant breakfast was pretty standard. I opted for the Asian breakfast, which was a decent start to the day. But, it could be improved.
They have all sorts of options for food, like a Bar, Coffee shop, or even a Poolside bar! I wasn’t able to try them all, but it's good they have those options!
Thankfully the Restaurants here are great, and there are even some Vegetarian restaurant options!
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: The Spa & The View (My Personal Paradise)
This is where Asuka's Secret truly earned its "hidden gem" status. Forget the crowds. Seriously, forget them. I spent an afternoon at the Pool with view and it was… chef's kiss. Seriously stunning. The Pool with view was breathtaking, you feel like you are in the middle of nowhere in nature. The Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, and Steamroom were a much needed respite and relax after the day. I would happily spend my entire trip in that pool.
They also offer a Massage service.
The "Meh" Bits & the Unexpected Gems
- The "A la carte in restaurant" option? Sounded fancy, but honestly, a bit overpriced. I’d stick to the buffet or explore the town.
- Room Service [24-hour] is a lifesaver, but the menu gets a little tired if you use it too much.
- The Coffee/tea in restaurant? Mediocre. But that’s okay, I'm not there to sip perfect lattes.
For the Kids & Family
I travelled alone, so I can’t speak from experience. But from what I read, it also has Babysitting service and is Family/child friendly, so worth looking into.
Services & Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
The Daily housekeeping deserves a medal. Seriously, the room always felt fresh and clean. The Concierge was super helpful with directions and recommendations. They also arranged a Taxi service for me. The Front desk [24-hour] was always friendly and helpful.
Emotional Verdict
Look, Asuka's Secret isn’t perfect. But it’s got soul. It's got a certain charm. And most importantly, it makes a real attempt at being a comfortable and memorable experience. This isn’t a cold, sterile hotel chain. It's a place where you can unwind, feel safe, and actually enjoy being in Nara.
Here’s the Deal for YOU (My Awesome Reader!)
Want to ditch the crowds and discover the real Nara?
Limited Time Offer: Book your stay at Asuka's Secret Hotel Awaits! within the next month and get:
- 15% Off your stay! (Use promo code: SECRETNARA15)
- Complimentary access to the Spa, including Pool, Sauna, and Steamroom!
- A Free "Welcome to Nara" cocktail at the poolside bar upon arrival!
Click here to book your escape and uncover your own secret paradise! [Insert Booking Link Here]
Because honestly, you deserve a little bit of secret magic in your life. Don't delay, you'll thank yourself later.
Unbelievable Hachinohe Geisha Show: Tsugaru Shamisen, Minyo & More!
Okay, buckle up buttercups. This isn't your sanitized, perfectly-planned brochure. This is my brain, post-jet lag, hitting the Hotel Nara Sakurai No Sato in Asuka, Japan. Let's get this train wreck rolling.
Hotel Nara Sakurai No Sato: My Semi-Organized Assault on Serenity
Day 1: Arrival & The Great Cherry Blossom Debacle (Maybe)
12:00 PM - Narita to Nara: The Gauntlet of Air Travel (and My Stomach)
Right, so, the flight? Let's just say the recycled air tasted suspiciously like lukewarm ramen. That pre-flight "meal" was an insult to airplane food (which is already an insult). I’m pretty sure I spent half the flight battling a tiny, hyperactive kid armed with a light saber – a true Jedi-level adversary.
- Transportation: Shinkansen (Bullet Train). Praise be! Sleek, fast, and mercifully quiet (mostly…though I swear I saw a businessman fall asleep mid-sentence with his mouth open – pure gold).
- Snack Stop: Gotta grab something to eat, I'm starving! Maybe a conbini on the way?
4:00 PM - Check-in & The "Oh My God, This Room!" Moment
Okay, stepping into the hotel…Wow. Just… wow. The lobby is a zen garden explosion. Clean lines, minimalist everything, and a scent that screams "wealthy panda sanctuary." My room? It's a blend of understated elegance and "did I accidentally wander onto a movie set?" The view over the rice paddies and… wait, are those ancient burial mounds in the distance? This place is seriously old.
- Emotional Reaction: Immediately I'm hit with the zen, the peace, and the intense feeling of being woefully under-dressed. I'm a T-shirt and jeans kind of person. This place is for tailored linen and contemplative sipping of tea. I feel like a sweaty, loud barbarian.
5:00 PM - The Cherry Blossom Quest (or, Where Did All the Flowers Go?)
I'd come specifically for the cherry blossoms. You know, that iconic picture of Japan in bloom? Well, apparently, the peak bloom was last week. Apparently. So, picture me, wandering around, squinting at a few sad, lonely blossoms clinging desperately to their branches, whispering "You poor things." Reality? It's late.
- Anecdote: I swear, at one point, I saw a little old lady with a magnifying glass, meticulously examining a single, nearly-dead petal. I nearly burst out laughing and then felt like an absolute monster.
- Emotional Reaction: Mild disappointment. Okay, maybe a little more than mild. It's like showing up to a party after everyone's already left and the pizza's cold.
- Minor Category Consideration: Where is the closest place to buy a beer? This disappointment needs numbing.
7:00 PM - Dinner at the Hotel Restaurant. (And the Waiter with the Dramatic Eyebrow)
The hotel restaurant… the food was stunning. But! The waiter with the perpetually raised eyebrow? He was a work of art. The way he presented each dish, the way he moved… I swear, he was auditioning for a Shakespearean play.
- Food Details: Multi-course Kaiseki meal. Tiny portions. Exquisite flavours. And more plates than the washing up service could handle.
- Quirky Observation: Is it just me, or is the concept of "tiny portions" a polite way of saying "you're going to be hungry in an hour"?
- Emotional Reaction: Initially, delight. Then, a creeping sense of "I need to raid the vending machine." (Which I totally did later.)
Day 2: Exploring Asuka & The Temple of the Soaked Sock
8:00 AM - Breakfast: The Japanese Breakfast Challenge
Rice. Fish. Pickles. It's all a bit alien to a Western breakfast, you know? But, I ate it! Mostly. I think I identified one thing. The egg. I liked the egg.
- Anecdote: I tried the natto (fermented soybeans). Let's just say, my face made a sound that mimicked a dying walrus.
- Opinionated Language: I'm pretty sure natto is a social experiment designed to weed out the weak.
9:00 AM - Cycling the Asuka Area (and the Great Bicycle Mishap)
Rented a bicycle to explore the area. Seemed like a good idea at the time. Turns out those ancient burial mounds aren't exactly conducive to smooth cycling.
- Transportation: Bicycle. A flimsy, possibly haunted bicycle.
- Anecdote: I may or may not have crashed. I may or may not have become intimately acquainted with a muddy ditch. My sock? Soaked through. It was like having a wet, cold friend clinging to my foot all day.
- Rambling: The scenery, though! Absolutely stunning. Rolling hills, ancient temples… If I didn't have a wet sock and a possible concussion from the crash, it would have been pure perfection.
11:00 AM - Ishibutai Kofun Tomb: A Monumental Mystery (and a Photo Session)
This tomb is huge. Seriously, massive! The rocks are enormous and it's built like a puzzle. I can't believe people built this so long ago. I spent an hour taking photos. I even, against all better judgement, tried to take a selfie with one of the rocks. It nearly crushed me.
- Quirky Observation: I wonder if the people who built this tomb, also had terrible commutes? They'd probably have to walk here every day.
1:00 PM - Lunch: The Vending Machine Rescue (Again)
After the bike crash and the wet sock, I did not have the brainpower for a fancy lunch. Instead, I was saved by the glorious vending machine. I think I had all the drinks!
2:00 PM - Asukadera Temple: Spiritual Serenity and the "Lost in Translation" Problem
The temple itself was beautiful. Really. Serene. But… all the signs were in Japanese!
Lost in Translation: I wandered around making wild guesses based on the pictures. Finally, I saw some other tourists who were doing the same thing. We were like a group of confused pigeons, pecking at the ground together.
Emotional Reaction: A strange combo of peacefulness and mild frustration, a kind of zen-induced annoyance.
4:00 PM - Free Time, Onsen Bliss, and Vending Machine Redemption
Back at the hotel! I went to the onsen (hot spring bath) I can not emphasize how needed this was after the cycling crash. The onsen was absolute bliss. It's hard to be moody in a hot spring.
Opinionated language: I am now a convert of the onsen life.
Emotional Reaction: Utter relaxation. Finally.
7:00 PM - Dinner: The Mysterious Meat (and the Dramatic Eyebrow Returns!)
Another incredible dinner at the restaurant. The waiter with the dramatic eyebrow returned, and it was pure performance art. The food was again, perfect with a little extra weird meat. I'm still unsure what it was but I did enjoy the taste.
- Emotional Reaction: Complete satisfaction. And a desperate urge to learn Japanese so I can understand what the heck I'm eating.
Day 3: Departure & The Lingering Smell of Zen
8:00 AM - Breakfast (Another Japanese Adventure)
More rice! And, this time, more courage. I even tried the miso soup… again. (Still not a fan.)
9:00 AM - Pack, Check Out, and Say Goodbye (Maybe Not Goodbye)
Packing up was difficult. I did not want to leave! The hotel was so peaceful.
10:00 AM - Nara City and the Big Buddha!
- Transportation: Train.
- Objective: See the Big Buddha.
- The Buddha was enormous. I actually gasped. It's a monument to scale. It's also very peaceful, even with all the tourists.
12:00 PM - The Train Home
- Transportation: Shinkansen (Bullet Train).
- Objective: Get home.
Final Thoughts:
This trip? Messy. Imperfect. Full of wet socks and cherry blossom disappointments. But also? Incredible. I'm leaving with a new appreciation for quiet, ancient history, and the sheer, glorious weirdness of the world. And with the lingering smell of zen. (And maybe a little natto.) Would I go back? Absolutely. Just… maybe I’ll practice my Japanese first. And maybe bring a spare pair of socks.
Saraha Leh India: The Shocking Truth You Need to Know!
Uncover Nara's Hidden Gem: Asuka's Secret Hotel Awaits! (Or, How I Almost Died of Happiness)
Okay, Okay, Spill. What *is* this "Secret Hotel" everyone's raving about? Is it actually secret? Because I’m terrible at secrets.
Right, so, "secret" might be a slight exaggeration. More like… under-the-radar awesome. It's the Hotel Awa in Asuka, Nara. Picture this: rolling hills, ancient burial mounds whispering history, and…well, a hotel that feels less like a giant chain and more like you’ve stumbled into someone's extraordinarily stylish (and hospitable) home. And no, it wasn't exactly plastered over Instagram, which is why it felt… secret-ish. I almost didn't find it myself; I literally stumbled upon a blog post written in, like, Cyrillic (or maybe it was Klingon? I'm bad with languages), and thought "This is it. This is the kind of thing I need in my life." And spoiler alert: I was correct.
Accessibility - How do you even *get* to this remote paradise? Assuming you're not a ninja, I mean.
Alright, accessibility. It's manageable, but not a breeze. From Kyoto Station, you take a train. A long train. And then… a bus! The bus ride is part of the charm, honestly. You're winding through these lush green fields, feeling like you've escaped the concrete jungle. (I, however, get car sick. I will forever hate uphill switchbacks.) It's a solid two hours or so, maybe more if you get lost, like I *may* have, once. (Okay, twice.) Download a transit app. Trust me. My sense of direction is, let's just say, "creative." Pack snacks. You'll need them. And maybe a good book, for the train. Or a barf bag, just in case.
The Rooms! Tell me about the ROOMS! Are they…clean? Because I can be a germaphobe. Judge me if you will.
Clean? Honey, the rooms are pristine. Like, hospital-grade clean, but with personality. Think minimalist chic meets traditional Japanese design. Tatami mats? Check. Sliding paper doors? Check. A view of the rice paddies gently swaying in the breeze? Double-check! (Seriously, breathtaking.) The bed? Comfortable like a hug. And the bathroom! Gleaming. Honestly, I could practically *live* in that bathroom. It was almost a spiritual experience. Okay, maybe I'm being dramatic. But I’m also not wrong. And for a stressed-out traveler like myself? Heaven. I actually took pictures of the toilet just to prove to myself that it was real. (Don't judge. Travel stress is a real thing.)
Is there Wi-Fi? Because, you know, the internet is kind of important. Especially for posting my travel pics. Priorities, people!
Yes, thankfully! Wi-Fi is available in the rooms and public areas. Not lightning-fast, mind you, but perfectly functional. I was able to upload my envy-inducing photos of the rice paddies without much issue. (Okay, maybe I did a little bit of strategic image compression. Don't hate me for my social media game). The hotel encourages you to disconnect…but let's be real, we're all addicted to the internet. I will say this, though – being *forced* to put the phone down for a bit made me appreciate the actual experience even more.
The Food! What's the food situation? Did you starve? (Asking for a friend...who is me.)
Starve? Are you kidding me? The food was… mind-blowing. Breakfast was a glorious spread of Japanese delicacies, from fresh fish (which I bravely tried) to fluffy omelets and crispy bacon. Dinner? Even better. It was a multi-course Kaiseki meal, a traditional Japanese haute cuisine experience. I'm talking art on a plate. Each tiny portion, a work of art. And the flavors! Wow. I honestly had a tear in my eye at one point. No, really. It was that good. Like, "I’ll never eat instant ramen again" good. I still dream of the tempura. The chef's attention to detail was extraordinary. I’d go back just for the food. (Okay, maybe not *just* the food, but it was a HUGE part of the experience.) Bring extra money! That Kaiseki meal ain't cheap, but it's worth every single yen. And don’t wear anything too tight. You'll need room.
Is it kid-friendly? I have a small army (that I love, mostly).
Hmm... "Kid-friendly" is a tricky one. The hotel is very peaceful and refined. Think zen garden, not Chuck E. Cheese. While they're not unwelcoming to children, I'm not sure this would be the best choice if you have overly energetic little ones. The hotel's atmosphere is conducive to relaxation, which can easily be disrupted by little ones. It's the kind of place where quiet appreciation is the vibe.
The Service - Was it all, you know, polite robots, or actual humans?
The service was… impeccable. In the best way possible. The staff were incredibly attentive, friendly, and genuinely seemed to care about making your stay special. The kind of staff who made you feel like you were being welcomed into their home, but with better food and cleaner bathrooms. They went above and beyond. One time, I mentioned I was struggling with the local train schedule (again, my sense of direction is…challenged), and they printed out a detailed itinerary for me, complete with helpful notes in English. I almost cried. They even helped me arrange transport to some of the local sites. They were so patient with my terrible Japanese (I know, I know, I should have learned more). Seriously, the service alone is worth the trip. It wasn’t robotic at all; it felt genuine, warm, and I think they actually enjoyed hosting guests. (Or maybe I just caught them on a good day. Who knows.)
Anything I should know BEFORE I go and book a trip and drain my bank account?
Yes! A few vital things. First, book early. This place is popular (even if it's still "secret-ish"). Second, learn a few basic Japanese phrases. It will make your life (and the staff's lives)Roaming Hotels
