While more and more people are turning to social media to gather information about their travel destinations, even in this day and age, recommendations from locals still hold a special appeal. In this section, we ask staff members at lodging facilities across the country to share what they think are the highlights of their workplaces and their top recommendations for nearby tourist attractions.
For this article, we spoke with Ms. Zhang Xinyun, Assistant Manager at Super Hotel Premier Ikebukuro Natural Hot Spring.
Facility Name: Super Hotel Premier Ikebukuro Natural Hot Spring
Address: 2-64-6 Ikebukuro, Toshima Ward, Tokyo
――Could you tell us what led you to start working at Super Hotel?
I was job hunting with the thoughts, “I love working in customer service!” and “I want a job where I can interact with people from all over the world!” when I first came across Super Hotel. I was deeply moved by the warm hospitality I witnessed during my interview, and I decided to join the company because I wanted to provide personalized service to each and every guest myself.
――What kind of hotel is it?
Based on the concept of “Natural, Organic, Smart,” our hotel offers a soothing space where you can forget the hustle and bustle of the city and rejuvenate both body and mind. Despite our convenient location within walking distance of Ikebukuro Station, we offer a wide range of amenities designed to support quality sleep and wellness, including the natural hot springs of Oku-Yugawara and a service that lets you choose a pillow that suits you best.
Our entire staff is committed to providing you with warm, friendly service so that you can enjoy a comfortable and worry-free stay. We hope you’ll choose to stay with us.
――What kind of experience is unique to Super Hotel Premier Ikebukuro’s natural hot springs?
It’s truly a place where you can enjoy the hot springs of Oku-Yugawara right in the heart of the city—Ikebukuro. We transport the freshly drawn spring water from Oku-Yugawara directly to the hotel so that all our guests can enjoy it.
The hot springs in Oku-Yugawara are historic, slightly alkaline springs mentioned in the *Man’yōshū*, a collection of poetry compiled approximately 1,300 years ago, and are also known as the “beauty waters.” We invite you to soothe the fatigue of your journey in our hotel’s hot springs.
――If there are any sightseeing spots or restaurants around the hotel that you personally recommend, please let us know.
Ikebukuro is a neighborhood where you can enjoy a wide variety of Japanese subculture, centered around Animate and featuring shops like Rashinban, K-BOOKS, and Gachagacha no Mori. It attracts people from all over the world with its diverse offerings—not just anime, but also shops selling idol merchandise and trading cards. The area is also home to numerous events that serve as gathering places, making it a very lively and vibrant neighborhood.
For dining, I recommend “Tsukesoba no Okuni, Ikebukuro Branch,” which is just a short walk from our hotel. My favorite is the “rich” broth—the firm, chewy soba noodles pair perfectly with the rich broth! You can also change up the flavor by adding a raw egg, and it’s so delicious that you’ll want to add soba-yu at the end and drink every last drop of the broth.
The “Squid Mayo Bowl,” with its freshly fried, crispy squid, is also absolutely delicious. Since it stays open late into the night and doubles as an izakaya, it’s the perfect spot for when you want a hearty meal or a night out for drinks.
――What are your recommended restaurant dishes?
Our top breakfast recommendation is our miso soup, packed with vegetables. We experiment with various types of miso to bring out the natural sweetness of the vegetables. With more chilly mornings lately, we hope this rich, flavorful miso soup will help you start your day feeling warm.
In addition, we offer freshly baked bread straight from the oven every morning, organic salads, and a daily special. We strive to create a breakfast menu that guests won’t get tired of, even during extended stays.
――What are some recommended souvenirs?
A recommended souvenir is the “Ikebukuro Monaka” from Ikebukuro Miharado. Ikebukuro Miharado is a traditional Japanese confectionery shop that was beloved by the renowned author Edogawa Ranpo, who had ties to the local area.
“Ikebukuro Owl Monaka” is a cute owl-shaped monaka that’s famous as a symbol of Ikebukuro. It’s packed with lightly sweetened sweet red bean paste and is absolutely delicious—I highly recommend it!
© Source travel watch