おもいのほか
unexpectedly; surprisingly
Also written 思いの外、思いの他
Adverb, No-adjective
寝転ねころがると、天井てんじょうの照明しょうめいが思おもいの外ほか眩まぶしい。
As I lay down to sleep, the ceiling lights were unexpectedly bright.
山頂さんちょうは思おもいのほか涼すずしくて気持きもちが良よかった。
The summit was surprisingly nice.
まずそうな店構みせがまえだけど、実際じっさい食たべたら思おもいのほかおいしかった。
The storefront doesn't look good, but the food was actually surprisingly delicious.