Escape to Paradise: EN HOTEL Fujisawa Kamakura – Your Dream Japan Getaway
Escape to Paradise? More Like a Slightly Chaotic, Possibly Wonderful, Trip to EN HOTEL Fujisawa Kamakura (and a Whole Lot of Question Marks)
Okay, so, I just got back from what was supposed to be my dream Japan getaway at the EN HOTEL Fujisawa Kamakura. Keyword there: supposed. Let's be real, no trip is perfect, right? Especially when you're expecting paradise. But hey, I’m ready to spill the tea, the matcha, and maybe a little saké about my experience. Buckle up, buttercups. This is gonna be a ride. And I'm going to try to make it useful, too… because hey, SEO! (For those who care, I'll sprinkle in keywords like "Kamakura hotels," "Fujisawa accommodation," "Japan travel," "accessible hotels Japan," and things like that so you can actually FIND this hot mess of a review.)
First Impressions (or, the Arrival Debacle)
First things first: Accessibility. This was a big one for me, as I have a slightly wonky back (don't ask). The website claimed the hotel offered Facilities for disabled guests. And, lo and behold, there was an Elevator, which was a massive relief. I didn't get a chance to fully vet the rooms -- maybe next time. But the entrance was doable, and that's already a win.
Getting Around (and Why I Needed a Nap)
Okay, so Car park [free of charge]. YES. My wallet loved that. They also had a Car park [on-site] – good for convenience if you weren't paying. Didn't use the Airport transfer, because hello, budget! But the Taxi service was readily available, and I heard they were reliable. Bicycle parking was also an option. Because, you know, Japan. Cyclists and such.
Check-in/out [express] – YAY! And Check-in/out [private] – huh? Didn't quite understand that one. I ended up needing a full-blown, slightly confused, public check-in. The front desk staff were lovely, but things started to feel a little wonky right then.
Rooms: The Good, the Bad, and the Slightly Smelly
My room, which was, in theory, perfectly Non-smoking, had a… hint of something vaguely floral, mixed with, I don't know, potential air freshener overload? I’m not a fan of overly scented rooms! I really wanted my Air conditioning to blast because it was HOT. It worked! Hallelujah.
Inside, it was mostly what you'd expect:
- Air conditioning: Crucial. Absolutely essential.
- Alarm clock: Who uses these anymore? I used my phone.
- Balconies… Sorry, I missed this one.
- Bathrobes: Cozy!
- Bathtub: YES, and the Separate shower/bathtub was a nice touch, even if the water pressure was a bit… whimsical.
- Blackout curtains: Saved my life. Jet lag is a cruel mistress.
- Closet: Plenty of space for my ridiculous travel wardrobe (which, let's face it, probably needs a serious purge at this point).
- Coffee/tea maker: Essential morning fuel.
- Complimentary tea Nice touch.
- Daily housekeeping: They were like ninjas. Always there, always cleaning. Always somehow managing to put my stuff back in weird places.
- Desk: For when I tried to be productive.
- Extra long bed: Score! (I’m tallish).
- Free bottled water: Hydration is key, people!
- Hair dryer: Surprisingly good.
- High floor: Got me a view.
- In-room safe box: Safe, secure, forgotten about.
- Internet access – LAN & Internet access – wireless: Worked perfectly.
- Ironing facilities: I don't iron.
- Laptop workspace: I worked sometimes.
- Linens: Soft, clean.
- Mini bar: Overpriced, but tempting.
- Mirror: Multiple, which is always a good thing.
- On-demand movies: Never watched.
- Private bathroom: Gotta have it.
- Reading light: Pretty essential.
- Refrigerator: Kept my water cold.
- Satellite/cable channels: Meh.
- Scale: A cruel reminder of all the delicious food I was eating.
- Seating area: Cozy.
- Shower: See bathtub.
- Slippers: Comfy.
- Smoke detector: Hopefully it works.
- Socket near the bed: Genius.
- Sofa: Comfy.
- Soundproofing: Okay. I still heard the neighbor's karaoke.
- Telephone: Never used.
- Toiletries: Adequate.
- Towels: Fluffy.
- Umbrella: Needed it, used it, loved it.
- Wake-up service: See Alarm Clock.
- Wi-Fi [free]: Yes!
- Window that opens: Needed for fresh air. (and, well, that faint smell…)
The Hotel's Secret Weapon: The Spa
Okay, hold up. I need to gush here. The Spa/sauna was… AMAZING. Seriously. Like, "melt all your worries away" amazing. They had a Sauna, a Steamroom, and a Pool with view. I spent a good part of one afternoon just floating in the Swimming pool [outdoor] staring at the sky, completely and utterly zen. The spa also offered a Body wrap (which I skipped – I’m not that brave), and a Massage (which I absolutely did not skip and was pure bliss). This was the highlight, the real escape to paradise. I think I may have actually levitated during the massage. Definitely get the massage. Seriously.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Carb-Loading Adventure
Food. Let's talk food. Where do I begin? The Breakfast [buffet] was… a lot. An Asian breakfast option was there. There was a Coffee shop. And so many Restaurants, it made my head spin (okay, maybe the saké was helping).
- Asian cuisine in restaurant: Pretty good.
- Bar: Perfect for pre-dinner cocktails.
- Bottle of water: Always.
- Breakfast service: See Breakfast [buffet].
- Buffet in restaurant: Overwhelming, but good.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Needed.
- Desserts in restaurant: Dangerous.
- Happy hour: A lifesaver.
- International cuisine in restaurant: Didn't try it.
- Poolside bar: Never went.
- Room service [24-hour]: Perfect when you're too lazy to leave your room.
- Salad in restaurant: Always an option.
- Snack bar: For emergency chocolate consumption.
- Soup in restaurant: Comfort food.
- Vegetarian restaurant: Yes!
- Western breakfast: Standard.
- Western cuisine in restaurant: Standard.
- Alternative meal arrangement: Didn't need it.
- A la carte in restaurant: Too many options.
Here's the thing: food was a constant feast, but also sort of a chaotic experience. The Sanitized kitchen and tableware items were a HUGE plus. The Safe dining setup gave me peace of mind with all of the various safety precautions. But I never quite felt like I knew where to eat, or what to eat. One day, I did get a sneaky Breakfast in room which, honestly, was the best decision of my trip.
Things to Do: Beyond the Buffet
Let's be honest; I mostly focused on spa-ing and eating. But the hotel did have some other stuff:
- Fitness center: Didn't go. Shame on me.
- Foot bath: Didn't use.
- Gym/fitness: See Fitness Center.
- Shrine: Cute.
- Terrace: Nice for a drink.
- Things to do: Explore Kamakura! (Which I did, eventually.)
They also offered Contactless check-in/out. This was pretty great.
Cleanliness and Safety: Did I Survive?
In these times, this is critical. And I'm happy to report that the EN Hotel seemed to take it seriously. They had:
- Anti-viral cleaning products: I’m assuming.
- Cashless payment service: Easy peasy.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Checked.
- First aid kit: Thankfully, didn’t need it.
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's meticulously planned itinerary. This is the EN HOTEL Fujisawa Kamakura, Japan, survival guide, fueled by caffeine and the crushing weight of my own inadequacy. Let's get this show on the road, or at least, stumble towards a vaguely coherent schedule.
Day 1: The Arrival and the "Are We REALLY In Japan?" Moment
- Morning (AKA The Jet Lag Zone - 6:00 AM - 10:00 AM):
- Wake up, or more accurately, be violently ripped from the clutches of sleep by the phantom pains of a transcontinental flight. Swear profusely at the sunrise blasting through the window.
- Attempt a shower, fail miserably at figuring out the Japanese toilet (seriously, what does all those buttons DO?!). End up just splashing water on my face.
- An honest admission: I thought I’d be all "Zen Master" after 14 hours on a plane. Nope. Dishevelled, grumpy, and convinced I’d forgotten how to walk properly.
- Mid-Morning (10:00 AM - 12:00 PM):
- Stumble downstairs to the EN HOTEL Fujisawa’s lobby, blinking like a mole emerging from the earth. Grab a coffee. Realize, with a sinking feeling, it’s probably instant. Swallow it anyway.
- Wander outside. This is where the real “Are We REALLY In Japan?” moment hits. Everything’s… different. The air smells cleaner, the signs are indecipherable, and everyone seems ridiculously polite. (This makes me immediately suspicious.)
- Afternoon (12:00 PM - 5:00 PM):
- Lunch! Find a ramen place, order something randomly based on pictures. End up with something that looks suspiciously like a black, oily swamp. But hey, it tasted amazing! Actually, I'm pretty sure it was the best thing I've eaten in months. Emotional reaction - I'm in love with Ramen.
- Anecdote: Trying to pay the bill was its own little adventure. I used Google Translate, gestured wildly at the cashier, and somehow managed to avoid insulting anyone. Victory!
- Check out the EN HOTEL Fujisawa. The room is small, as expected. The desk is tiny. The bed seems… suspiciously close to the floor. Immediately start plotting how I can rearrange the furniture (which will inevitably involve me bumping into everything).
- Evening (5:00 PM - onwards):
- Attempt (and fail) to find a decent supermarket. Wander around for an hour, completely lost, buying Pocky and some questionable-looking snacks. Get stared at. Decide I don't care.
- Back at the hotel, collapse on the bed and watch Japanese TV, understanding absolutely nothing.
- Dinner. Eat the snacks in a glorious, messy pile. Reflect on my life choices. Feel a weird sense of contentment.
- Quirky Observation: Japanese TV is either intensely dramatic, or involves some kind of food-based competition. There is NO in-between.
- Try to sleep. Fail. Jet lag is a cruel mistress.
Day 2: Exploring Kamakura (and the existential dread of crowds)
Morning (7:00 AM - 12:00 PM) - The Great Buddha and The Great Regret:
- Wake up. This time, it's not as bad. Progress!
- The Great Buddha: The main event. Arrive early-ish to avoid the tourist herd. Get to the Buddha, actually manage to stand still in front of it for a while. Reaction: It’s impressive, I guess. But I'm more interested in the people watching than anything. Find a bunch of people trying to stand in front of the Buddha and take pictures. More reaction: I’m pretty sure 90% of the people here are thinking the same thing I am.
- After the Buddha, feel a strange urge to climb the mountains. Real-life imperfection: Realize I have no idea how to actually climb.
- Existential Crisis Alert: Wonder if I am indeed, becoming a tourist drone.
- Get ice cream. Chocolate. Good choice.
Afternoon (12:00 PM - 5:00 PM) - Temples, Temples, and the inevitable "Lost-ness":
- Attempt to see a few more temples. Get lost. Wander down side streets. Discover a hidden shrine the size of a broom cupboard. (It was unexpectedly lovely.)
- Attempt to use the train system. Almost get on the wrong train three times. Breathe a collective sigh of relief when I finally make it to the correct station.
- Messier Structure: Realize I have no idea what I'm doing, but am oddly enjoying the wandering.
- Opinionated language: Let go of the need to "see everything." Decide to just meander and be generally perplexed.
Evening (5:00 PM - Onwards) - A Quiet Evening:
- Find a tiny, local restaurant. Order food mostly based on pictures and the vague feeling that it couldn't be too bad.
- Stronger emotional reactions: Food is delicious! Feel a pang of loneliness, but quickly drown it in more delicious food.
- Walk back to the hotel. Sit in the lobby, write in my journal, and watch the world go by.
- Prepare for a good night's sleep.
Day 3: A Deep Dive into the Beach and a Bitter Sweet Goodbye
- Morning (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM) - Beach Life and the Pursuit of Happiness:
- Wake up. Decide to hit the beach. Because, well, why not?
- Doubling Down on a Single Experience: Spend hours on the beach. Watch people, feel the sun, and let the waves wash away all the anxiety.
- Anecdote: I attempted to build a sandcastle. It looked more like a sand-based, collapsed pile than a castle. Realized I have the hands of a toddler and a mind of an absentminded professor. Decided I didn’t care.
- Buy some snacks. Eat them. Read a book. Actually, laugh at myself, because I usually do that.
- Notice the Japanese way of doing things. I guess the place will always be a mystery.
- Afternoon (12:00 PM - 4:00 PM) - Shopping Mishap and a Final Meal:
- Start shopping. Buy some souvenirs. Realise they're not actually what I thought.
- Get lost in the maze of streets. Suddenly bump into a cafe, decide on the spur of the moment to go in. Have a final Japanese coffee.
- Quirky Observation: Japanese shopping malls are a whole different level.
- Evening (4:00 PM - Onwards) - Time to say goodbye:
- Emotional Reaction: Feeling somewhat sad about leaving the place. But it was fun.
- Pack my bag. Take one last look at the room. Decide to leave all the snacks behind (as I'm leaving for the airport).
- Head to the airport. Feeling a bit bittersweet.
- Final Observation: Japan is like a chaotic, beautiful puzzle. I'm leaving with more questions than answers, but that feels… right.
- More Opinionated Language: I'm not sure if ever would come back, but I'm glad I came.
- The End.
There you have it. The EN HOTEL Fujisawa Kamakura experience, filtered through the lens of my delightfully messy, often confused, and occasionally brilliant brain. May your own adventures be just as wonderfully imperfect. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need a nap.
Kinder, LA's Hidden Gem: Quality Inn Review & Booking!
Escape to Paradise: EN HOTEL Fujisawa Kamakura – Yeah, Let's Talk About It (and I Have Opinions)
1. Okay, So How DO I Even GET to this "Paradise" Thing? Fujisawa Feels Like… a Journey.
Right. Fujisawa. It's not exactly the epicenter of international travel, is it? First, you gotta get to Japan. Duh. Then, from Narita (ugh) or Haneda (slightly less ugh), you're looking at a train journey. The journey feels like a good hour or more from Narita. Honestly, I've lost track of the actual time because I once got on the wrong train and ended up in…well, let's just say it wasn't Fujisawa. So, *double-check* those train signs. You'll likely be transferring at Tokyo Station or Yokohama. Don't worry, *everyone* gets lost at Tokyo Station at least once. It's like a Harry Potter maze designed by a particularly grumpy accountant.
My advice? Get a Suica or Pasmo card for easy tap-and-go access to the trains. Seriously, it's a lifesaver. And download a train app (Google Maps works surprisingly well) and learn a *few* basic Japanese phrases. "Sumimasen" (excuse me) and "Arigato" (thank you) will get you a long way. Even if you butcher them.
2. Seriously, Is It *Really* Worth the Train Ride? Fujisawa Doesn't Exactly Scream "Bucket List," You Know?
Okay, real talk? Fujisawa *isn't* Tokyo. It's not Kyoto. It's not *that* flashy. But that's precisely the point! It’s a quiet, charming town, and the EN HOTEL throws you into the mix. The train ride, if you get it right, *slows you down.* It forces you to chill. The views are pretty nice too, passing through the city, seeing glimpses of the ocean. The hotel itself is the main attraction, I would say. Okay fine, also the beach! I wouldn't rate it a major destination, but if you want relaxation and a good base in the area, then yes, it's more than worth it.
3. Alright, Alright, Tell Me About the EN HOTEL. What's the Vibe? Is It Instagram-Worthy?
Okay, the vibe. It's... minimalist-chic. Think clean lines, lots of light wood, and a calming aesthetic. The kind of place that *looks* expensive without *feeling* stuffy. Yes, it's Instagram-worthy. But, and here's my take: *it's even better in person.* Because you can actually *breathe* in the space. You can *smell* the fresh air (the sea air, mostly!). I'm not *always* easy to please, but the lobby is gorgeous, the rooms are comfortable. Seriously. Comfortable.
I'm not the type to post every single thing, but I did end up taking a few photos. So, yes, it is pretty, but the experience matters more.
4. The Rooms? Are They Tiny Japanese Hotel Horror Stories, or Can You Actually, You Know, *Move*?
Okay, this is *crucial*. Japanese hotel rooms *can* be famously, claustrophobically small. But the EN HOTEL rooms? They're surprisingly spacious. Not McMansion-sized or anything, but you won't be tripping over your suitcase. I had a Standard Double, and I didn't feel like I was sleeping in a shoebox. The beds are comfy (important!), and they have big windows, which, again, is a huge win. They're clean, modern, and functional. No complaints, honestly. (Well, maybe *one*... see below.)
5. The "Paradise" Part. What's the Deal? Is There a Secret Waterfall? Unicorns?
Okay, the "Paradise" thing is an exaggeration. A bit. There are no waterfalls, and I didn't spot any unicorns (although I may have needed more sleep...). But the hotel *is* well-located. Near the beach, and *that* is pretty close to paradise, especially if you like the ocean. The rooftop bar and the common areas create a relaxing vibe. The staff is wonderful, and that makes a difference. The whole place *feels* like you've escaped the everyday grind, which is kind of the point, yeah?
And, you know, sometimes a good hotel and a comfortable bed *is* paradise, especially after battling through the Tokyo train system.
6. What About Food? Any Good Grub Nearby? Or Am I Stuck Eating 7-Eleven for a Week?
Okay, listen closely, because this is important. Fujisawa is a *goldmine* of good food. More than just 7-Eleven (though those are great for snacks, don't lie!). You've got everything from amazing ramen shops to little sushi places that'll blow your mind. There are local izakayas where you can get beer and small plates of deliciousness, some offering great ocean views.
Around the hotel, you have a few options, including a cafe inside the hotel. The breakfast is actually excellent. It's not just a standard buffet; they have fresh pastries and great coffee. I'm not a big breakfast person, but I found myself looking forward to it every morning.
The hotel also has a nice rooftop bar. The views are great, I just wish they had a better selection of cocktails.
7. Speaking of the Beach...How Close IS the Beach?? Is It Actually a Beach, or a Rocky Wasteland?
The beach is *close*. Like, a very short walk. It's Enoshima Beach, which is a sandy beach. It's not the most pristine beach in the world, but it's perfectly fine for a swim, sunbathing, and generally enjoying the sea.
I highly recommend a stroll along the coast. There are some lovely cafes dotted along the way. Plus, you're close to Enoshima Island, which is a must-see (more on that later).
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