Hidden Gem
Hidden Spot, Little Known Good Place
noun
Hey, this hole is a really nice place! But no one knows about it because they think it's just a hole. That makes it a hidden gem or a hidden spot, and you better hope the tourists don't hear about it.
穴場 is for places that are good but relatively unknown. You can use it for any kind of location — restaurants, parks, beaches, fishing spots only the locals know, or even a hidden study spot on campus that you always have to yourself.
This word uses the kun'yomi reading for each kanji. You've seen both of these readings before, but here's a mnemonic in case you need it:
Your town's hidden gem is a place where you can baa (ば) without shame. It's this great petting zoo no one knows about yet. It's never crowded, so you can baa at the sheep as much as you like without fear of society's judgment! (What's that? You didn't come here to baa? Okay, weirdo…)
ここは、フグ料理の穴場なんですよ。
This is a good blowfish restaurant, which isn't known to the public.
日曜日、ビーチに行きませんか？いい穴場を知ってるんです！
Do you want to go to the beach on Sunday? I know a great hidden spot!
新橋にあるカガヤって言うお店は、東京でも穴場中の穴場だよ。
The restaurant called Kagaya in Shinbashi is a hidden gem among hidden gems, even in Tokyo.