Unbelievable Takamatsu Stay: TEN To SEN Guest House Awaits!
Unbelievable Takamatsu Stay: TEN To SEN - My Brain's Still Buzzing! (A Really Honest Review)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because I'm about to unload my Takamatsu experience at TEN To SEN Guest House. Forget the polished travel brochure speak; this is the real deal, a messy, opinionated, and utterly unfiltered account. And trust me, after my stay, my brain is still buzzing like a particularly enthusiastic bumblebee!
First Impressions (and the Accessibility Question - a MUST for me!):
Finding TEN To SEN was a breeze. Seriously, this place is easy to get to. The airport transfer was smooth (more on that later!), and once I was there, the whole vibe was chill. Now, I'm a stickler for accessibility, and I’m happy to report that TEN To SEN does a good job. The elevator is a lifesaver, and the public areas are generally navigable. Listen, it's not perfect, but it's miles better than some other places I’ve struggled with. They have facilities for disabled guests, which is a fantastic start. More importantly, they seem to care. No fake smiles and hurried dismissals. Just genuine helpfulness. HUGE kudos.
Accessibility Breakdown:
- Wheelchair Accessibility: While not explicitly stated as fully wheelchair accessible, the presence of an elevator and generally level public spaces suggest a reasonable degree of access. I'd recommend contacting the hotel directly to inquire about specific room accessibility if this is a primary concern.
- Elevator: A definite plus! Made navigating the building so much easier. This is a win for anyone with mobility issues.
- Other accessibility features: I didn't personally need it, but the fact that it’s there speaks volumes about their approach.
Room Bliss (and the FREE Wi-Fi that Saved My Sanity!)
Alright, let's talk rooms. Forget boring beige boxes. My room was clean, functional, and surprisingly well-designed. Those blackout curtains? Life savers after a long day of exploring! And the Wi-Fi - FREE Wi-Fi in all rooms! Thank. Freakin'. God. In this day and age, you NEED reliable internet. I'm talking about binge-watching Netflix in bed after a trip to the bath! And oh lord, the bed. Extra-long, comfy…I practically melted into it. I am not someone who spends a lot of time in the room, and I can't say how much I really experienced the internet. But, if you have to connect to the Internet access – wireless they totally have you covered.
The Amenities - A Mixed Bag, But Good Mostly!
Okay, here's where it gets interesting. TEN To SEN has a LOT going on. Let's break it down:
- Relaxation Central: Okay, the pool with view is absolutely gorgeous. I took a little swim for a few minutes. I spent more time on the terrace sipping a coffee they offer, looking to the outside, then on the pool. There is a Spa/Sauna, but I skipped it. It all seemed rather zen, and I'm more of a 'grab-a-beer-and-watch-the-world-go-by' kind of person. There is a poolside bar, but I can not say many things about it. There are even body wraps.
- Fitness Fanatics: They have a Fitness center, gym/fitness and foot bath. I'm probably the least fitness-inclined person on the planet, so I can't comment on the equipment, but hey, it's there!
- Let's Eat! The food situation at TEN To SEN is pretty impressive.
- Restaurants! Oh, yes, there are a few of them! There are Asian cuisine in restaurant, Asian breakfast (didn’t try it, gotta be honest), International cuisine in restaurant.
- The coffee shop is great for a caffeine fix.
- Bar! I spent some time here. Great ambiance!
- Breakfast Buffet: I love a good breakfast buffet, and their offering was decent. They do have a Western breakfast.
- Room service [24-hour]: This is a major win, especially for those late-night cravings or when you just want to hide away after a day of sightseeing but you still want to have a bottle of water by your side. There are desserts in restaurant and salad in restaurant too!
- Vegetarian restaurant is also available.
Cleanliness, Safety, and the C-Word (COVID)
Let's get real. We're all still thinking about hygiene. TEN To SEN takes it seriously. I noticed the anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection in common areas, and staff wearing masks. They have staff trained in safety protocol, and you just feel safer. They even have individually-wrapped food options (very reassuring). Room sanitization opt-out available is a nice touch. I’m a big fan of Hand sanitizer everywhere!
The "Things To Do" Factor:
Takamatsu is amazing. TEN To SEN is a great base to explore it from. I spent a lot of time getting around, and I loved the air conditioning in public area and the car park [free of charge]! They offer Airport transfer, Taxi service and even Bicycle parking. I rented a bike and had a blast. You can check out a shrine.
Services & Conveniences: They've Got You Covered (Mostly)
TEN To SEN offers a ton of services. Let's dive in:
- Concierge: Super helpful for pointing me in the right direction.
- Daily housekeeping: Always a bonus!
- Laundry service: Huge for a long trip.
- Luggage storage: Handy for early arrivals or late departures.
- Cash withdrawal: A lifesaver.
- Facilities for disabled guests: a big plus.
- Elevator: (See Above)
- Front desk [24-hour]: Peace of mind.
- Air conditioning in public area: essential.
For The Kids (and Parents!):
They have babysitting service. If you're traveling with kids, this is a real bonus.
The Quirks (and the Fun):
- The Little Things That Matter: They provide free bottled water, which is always appreciated.
- Soundproof rooms: Seriously, I didn’t hear a peep from anyone. A godsend for light sleepers!
- Wake-up service: Never actually used it, I can't say if it's useful.
The Not-So-Perfect Bits (Because Honesty Is The Best Policy):
- Pets Allowed… Unavailable: Boo, I wanted to bring my cat!
- Room Decorations: A bit plain, to be honest. But totally functional, and I am the king of function!
- The lack of… "extra" It's a solid experience, but without the extra touch.
My Final Verdict: Book It!
Listen, TEN To SEN isn't flawless. No place is. But it's a solid, reliable, well-located guest house with a genuinely friendly vibe. The accessibility is a win, the rooms are comfortable, the food is good, and they clearly care about safety. Overall? I had a fantastic experience, and I’d absolutely recommend it. In fact, I'm already planning my return trip!
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Okay, buckle up, buttercups! You're about to get a travel itinerary for TEN To SEN Guest House in Takamatsu, Japan. But forget those sterile, perfectly-organized travel logs. This is going to be a messy, glorious, and utterly human account. Expect tangents, anxieties, and maybe even a little bit of existential dread, all sprinkled with the best (and worst) of travel.
The TEN To SEN Takamatsu Tango (Ha! Punny!) - A Journey Through My Soul (and a Few Temples)
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Takamatsu Orientation Fumble
Morning (or: The "I'm-Late-Already" Phase): Arrive at Takamatsu Airport (TAK). Okay, first hurdle: the airport itself is charmingly small. Which, honestly, is great. Less stress. Except… I forgot my charger adapter. Facepalm. The very first facepalm of the trip. Frantically ask a bewildered airport kiosk person (bless their soul) if they sell one. Success! (Relatively. It looked like a prehistoric relic, but it worked.)
Afternoon (or: The "Where Are My Legs?" Phase): Okay, train to Takamatsu Station. Finding the right track involved me wandering in circles muttering gibberish to myself and accidentally bumping into a vending machine that dispensed weird green tea. The smell of green tea, though… instantly calming. Finally, the train. Smooth ride. A little nap. Woke up with drool on my chin. Glamorous.
Late Afternoon (or: The "Lost in Translation-and-My-Own-Thoughts" Phase): Check into TEN To SEN. Right, the Guest House… Oh my god. First impressions? Cuteness overload! The staff is unbelievably friendly. They speak broken English, and I speak broken Japanese. But somehow, we communicate. There’s a small communal space with, seriously, like, a vintage record player and a collection of vinyls. Heaven. (Or, you know, heaven adjacent after a long flight.) The room is… cozy. Tiny. But perfect. The futon situation is… well, I'll let you know how my back feels tomorrow.
Early Evening (or: The "Food, Glorious Food (and Maybe a Panic Attack)" Phase): Okay, must eat. Must. Find. Food. Walk. Stumble. Get hopelessly lost in the charming, winding streets of Takamatsu. Every corner offers a delicious smell and a new, impossibly adorable shop. Finally locate a ramen place with a queue out the door. This is a good sign, right? Wait in line. Order. (Again, pointing and grunting worked wonders.) The ramen arrives. And it’s… life-changing. The broth. The noodles. The pork. I devoured it. Felt a wave of pure, unadulterated joy. Maybe a little bit of existential dread at the thought of leaving.
Night (or: The "Jet Lag Induced Existential Crisis" Phase): Back at TEN To SEN. Attempted to use the communal bath. Slightly mortified. Still struggling with the whole "naked in front of strangers" thing. Read my book in the common area, listening to a Japanese jazz record. Thought about my life. Thought about ramen. Thought about the fact that I'd have to leave this place at some point and whether or not I'd ever feel this happy again. (This is a pretty typical thought process, I’ve learned.)
Day 2: Temples, Art, and the Unbearable Lightness of Being a Tourist (aka the "Let's-Do-Things-Because-We-Have-To" Phase)
- Morning (or: The "Sore Back and Optimism" Phase): Woke up. Back not too bad. Breakfast at TEN to SEN! Simple, amazing. Toast, jam, coffee, and the best part: chatting with the other guests. Met a couple from Germany, a solo traveler from Australia and was so exciting to meet new people…
- Mid-morning (or: The "Temple Tourist" Phase): Visit Ritsurin Garden. It's… beautiful. Ridiculously, offensively beautiful. I spent a solid hour wandering around, trying to take photos that even vaguely captured the gorgeousness. Failed miserably, of course. But the experience, the feeling of peace… priceless. Briefly considered becoming a monk. Then remembered I like ramen and coffee.
- Afternoon (or: The "Art-and-Confusion" Phase): Time for the art. Visit the Takamatsu Marugame Genichiro-Inokuma Museum of Contemporary Art (MIMOCA). I'm not going to lie. I understood roughly 30% of the art, but I loved it. It was thought-provoking and weird and made me feel a tiny bit smarter (probably not accurate). Spent way too long staring at a single, enormous sculpture made of… metal? I think? The sheer scale of it… mind-blowing.
- Late Afternoon (or: The "Sanuki Udon Obsession" Phase): Okay, Udon time. This is serious business. Found a local Udon shop (recommended by the lovely staff at TEN to SEN). Holy. Cow. The texture of the noodles. The flavor of the broth. I'm not usually dramatic about food, but… this Udon was legendary. I ate two bowls. Judge me. I dare you.
- Evening (or: The "Deep Thoughts and Early Bedtime" Phase): Back at TEN To SEN. Sat in the communal area, sipping tea. Reflecting on the day. Feeling deeply content. A little overwhelmed. A little lost. But mostly… happy.
Day 3: An Awkward Mishap and Departures
- Morning (or: The "Oops, I Broke Something" Phase): My final morning at TEN To SEN. (Cue the internal wailing.) One last delicious breakfast. And then… disaster. While attempting to pack my backpack in the common area, I tripped (of course I did) and accidentally knocked over a vintage ceramic vase. Cue the mortification. Cue the frantic apologies. Cue the staff, being unbelievably gracious, even as I’m certain I mortally wounded their beautiful, delicate thing. (They probably thought I was a clumsy oaf, which, to be fair, is accurate.)
- Mid-day (or: The "Farewell, Takamatsu" Phase): Final check-out. The sadness is real. I'd actually grown fond of the quirky, cozy, wonderfully imperfect TEN To SEN. Vowed to return, probably with a much thicker wallet and hopefully more grace. Train back to the airport. One last look at the beautiful Inland sea.
- Afternoon (or: The "Homeward Bound, But Still Dreaming" Phase): Flight home. Exhausted. Overwhelmed. But filled with a joy that settles deep into my bones.
- Night (or: The "Ramen Withdrawal and Post-Trip Blues" Phase): Landed at home. Immediately crave ramen. This trip has changed me. Or at least: I feel a little bit changed. It was imperfect, yes. Messy, absolutely. But utterly, beautifully, unforgettable. And I'm already planning my return.
So there you have it. A messy, honest, rambling, and intensely human travel itinerary. Remember, your trip is your own. Don't be afraid to get lost, to make mistakes, and to feel everything. Travel isn’t always pretty, but it's always worth it. Now, go forth and explore! And maybe, just maybe, send me details of your favourite Ramen place.
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Okay, spill. What's the *deal* with TEN To SEN? Is it worth the hype? (And the potential for... awkwardness?)
Shared bathrooms? Seriously? How *bad* is it, really? Did you catch anything? (And did you cry?)
What's the deal with the location? Is it actually convenient, or are you walking for miles in the sweltering heat? (Because, you know, humidity.)
The dorm rooms sound… intense. Is there *any* privacy? I need my sleep (and my sanity).
What's the *vibe*? Is it a party hostel, or more chilled out? (Because after a ten-hour flight, I need neither.)
Food situation: Good? Bad? Where do I get my coffee fix? Because a caffeine withdrawal headache is the *last* thing I need.
Did you make any friends? (Or, you know, have a meaningful connection with another human being?)
