Published date: October 10, 2024
This is a story about a weary office worker discovering the charm of saunas.
Room Type Stayed
Some info has been automatically translated by AI.
Experience of the stay
The greatest charm of Doshi Gotanda is, without a doubt, the sauna! ...But to be honest, I've never experienced a sauna before. I had the impression of it being a "hot and painful place." However, after accidentally debuting at the sauna in this hotel, I fell deep into the sauna pit. Now I find myself staring at the calendar, wondering, "When will I go to the sauna next?"
Honestly, I used to think that saunas were a place where veteran sauna enthusiasts silently sweat, but the sauna at Doshi Gotanda is fresh and casual! There were many young people, and I realized that saunas have become a new entertainment for the youth. It's almost like, "Is the sauna the party venue of the Reiwa era!"
A surprising point was the cold water showers. While there was no cold bath, there were four types of cold water showers at 10, 15, and 20 degrees, as well as room temperature – all available to choose from! "Okay, let's start with 20 degrees... wow, that's cold!" I cautiously tried it, gradually getting used to it, and before I knew it, I was confidently saying, "10 degrees? No problem!" Is this a common experience for sauna beginners?
Moreover, there was even a space for outdoor air baths, making it an ideal environment for relaxation. Wait, wasn't this a hotel? I felt like I was on the rooftop, and it almost felt like I had achieved enlightenment, thinking, "Wow, I am completely at peace…"
That day, I was mentally and physically exhausted from work, but thanks to the sauna, I made a complete comeback! It's not an exaggeration to say that "Those who conquer the sauna, conquer life" (?). I will absolutely visit again and aim to become a sauna master next time!
Experiences during the trip
I finally made my initial visit to "Katsukami," a famous restaurant in Ginza that offers the first-ever Tonkatsu course meal in Japan! It's an extremely popular place that's hard to get a reservation for, but luckily I secured a spot and went there with excitement. Is this the so-called "meat paradise"? I was filled with anticipation.
The menu featured tenderloin, sirloin, and two other cuts I can't remember the names of, along with menchi-katsu, crab croquettes, and for dessert, shaved ice. What? Shaved ice after Tonkatsu? This was perhaps the 21st biggest gap I’ve ever experienced in my life.
First up were the tenderloin and sirloin. They were so tender that I thought, "Is this really Tonkatsu?" With every bite, I wanted to shout, "The superstar of Tonkatsu is here!" Moreover, I found myself wondering, "Wait, which one is the tenderloin and which one is the sirloin?" because both were so excellent that it was hard to decide. I reached the point of thinking, "Either one is fine" (that’s a compliment!).
Next, a mysterious cut came out that I forgot the name of. Perhaps it's a "phantom cut" among Tonkatsu, but honestly, I was rendered speechless with just one word: "Delicious!" I wish they would label it as "Mystery Meat" on the menu next time.
Then came the menchi-katsu and crab croquettes. The fried food festival was in full swing. They looked almost identical, with the 5th sphere being menchi-katsu and the 6th one being crab croquettes. With every crunchy bite, I started to think, "This might be the greatest love (taste) of my life…" The creaminess of the crab croquettes made me want to exclaim, "Isn't this just crab cream violence...?"
And then, for dessert, the shaved ice. After fried food, shaved ice felt like, "Wait, did summer vacation just start?" but it was refreshing enough to teach me, "Shaved ice is necessary after Tonkatsu!" I learned a new life lesson from this.
This full course felt like a "frying triathlon, no, an Olympics of fried food," and I am definitely going to repeat this experience! Next time, I will make sure to jot down the mysterious cut and aim to become a Tonkatsu master!