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“GOOD LUCK TRIP”

I originally thought the main difference between Himeji Castle and other Japanese castles was simply its beautiful white exterior. But once I went inside, I realized its scale, state of preservation, and architectural details were far beyond what I had expected. After entering from Sakuramon Bridge, it already takes a while just to cross Sannomaru Square and reach the ticket gate. Once officially inside the castle grounds, I was drawn in by the layered views of the main keeps, smaller keeps, connecting corridors, and multiple gates. I kept stopping to walk, take photos, and look around, so there was no way I could finish the visit in the two hours I had originally planned. Compared with the main keep, which gets the most attention, I really liked the Hyakken Corridor and Keshō Yagura in Nishinomaru. This area preserves a rare glimpse of women’s living spaces within a Japanese castle. As I walked along the wooden corridor and looked at the small rooms used by attendants, household items, and exhibits related to Princess Sen, I realized that castles were not only places for lords, samurai, and war. They also once held the everyday lives of women. Princess Sen spent some rare peaceful years at Himeji Castle, but in the end she lost both her child and husband one after another. It gave that seemingly glamorous life a sense of fated sadness. The main keep area has a completely different atmosphere. The low gates, steep stone steps, winding passages, and sudden corners are already quite tiring for ordinary visitors, so it’s hard to imagine how enemy soldiers in armor would have advanced through them. After entering the keep and seeing the many weapon racks, shooting holes, stone-dropping openings, and hidden rooms, I finally understood that beneath Himeji Castle’s elegant white appearance lies an extremely cold, warlike nature. I’m also grateful to live in a peaceful era, when this castle built for defense can finally be appreciated for its most beautiful side.

Every time I enter Tokyo Station, it feels like stepping into a huge maze. The high domed ceiling really makes you stop and look up. With its modern, varied electronic payment options, getting in and out is really convenient. Since the cards are now minimalist in design, I got a registered card as a souvenir. It has my name printed on it, so it’s not just my own personal travel pass. Every time I see it, I’m instantly reminded of the feeling of walking through the streets of Tokyo and looking up beneath the dome at Tokyo Station.

Takachiho Gorge was one of the most breathtaking spots on this trip. As soon as we stepped onto the trail, we were surrounded by lush greenery, and the air felt fresh and comfortable. The towering gorge, vibrant green forest, and clear stream complemented each other beautifully. Along the way, we could also enjoy the famous Manai Falls, which made the scenery feel incredibly soothing. Sunlight filtered through the treetops, and a gentle breeze made the whole forest feel even more alive. Walking along the trail, we could hear the sound of flowing water from time to time, and it really helped us relax. There’s none of the noise of the city here, only the pure beauty of nature. It makes you want to slow down and fully enjoy the peace and emotion brought by all this greenery.

The Tateyama Cable Car is a must-ride part of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. In just a few minutes, it climbs a steep mountainside, with stunning views of the alpine forest along the way. I recommend buying your ticket first after arriving, then taking your time with photos so you don’t miss your ride. Even on a weekday, there were still plenty of visitors, which shows how popular it is. Surrounded by mountains and picture-perfect scenery, every stop makes you want to pause and take it all in. It was definitely one of the most unforgettable experiences of the Tateyama Kurobe trip.

Such a beautiful, dreamlike waterfall. The terrain and scenery, together with the lush greenery in summer, are gorgeous and so soothing. Watching the little boats glide slowly below also feels peaceful. I didn’t go down for a boat ride myself, but just taking in the view was really relaxing.

Highly recommend taking the cable car up Mount Sarakura around sunset! The scenery on the way up is already beautiful, and once you reach the top, the night view feels totally worth it. You can see the whole sea of lights across Kitakyushu, and the view is amazing. It looks even more stunning in person than in photos. The air at the summit feels so nice, and it’s a great place to take your time enjoying the night view and snapping some pictures. If you’re visiting Kitakyushu, I definitely recommend coming here in the evening. It’s romantic and relaxing, and it’s the kind of place that makes you want to come back again.

The place that amazed me the most—and that I’ll never forget—on my first solo trip was Miyajima. I usually get seasick super easily, so I was honestly a little worried before leaving. Maybe I was just too excited, but surprisingly I didn’t feel seasick at all during the whole ferry ride. The ocean views along the way were already beautiful, and once I actually arrived on Miyajima, I was even more blown away. As soon as I got off the ferry, I saw deer everywhere, casually wandering around the island without being afraid of people at all. The whole island made me slow down without even realizing it. I walked along the streets feeling like I had somehow wandered into a hidden paradise. Even though there were plenty of tourists, it didn’t affect my enjoyment one bit. I really loved all the little details hidden around Miyajima. The guardian-beast statues at the shrine had such cute expressions—one of them looked adorably goofy, and it made me laugh. The one on the other side looked totally serious, like it was there just to set the tone. I happened to visit at low tide, so I got to admire the Great Torii up close. That’s when I noticed the pillars were covered in moss, which made me laugh again—it was such a different side of it. Even now, when I think back on it, I’m still impressed with myself. Even though I knew I get seasick easily, I still chose to take this trip. I didn’t mind that the hems of my pants got covered in wet sand, because everything in front of me was absolutely worth it. And because of Miyajima, my lucky trip to Japan was given its most unforgettable page.

A long-established shop that makes shiobiki salmon, a local specialty. Every day, the artisans carefully check, polish, and adjust the salmon hanging inside, taking their time to make delicious salted salmon. The staff also explain the history, how the salmon is managed, and the tools they use. The traditional Japanese architecture and the sight of so many salmon hanging up are absolutely stunning!

Kamikochi | A breathtaking hidden gem you have to visit at least once in your life I once saw the beautiful scenery of Kamikochi in a travel magazine, and quietly made a wish to come here someday. This time, I planned a special one-day trip to Kamikochi and finally checked it off my dream list! Kamikochi, known as the "home of the gods," truly lives up to its reputation. The crystal-clear Azusa River, the majestic Hotaka mountain range, and the dreamy forest trails make every step feel awe-inspiring. The whole place feels like a living landscape painting, and it was hard to leave. What made it even better was the amazing weather that day. The blue sky and white clouds reflecting over the mountains and river made every casual photo look like a postcard. Whether it was the famous Kappa Bridge or the forest paths along the way, every corner was worth stopping to admire. If you love nature, enjoy photography, or just want to get away from the noise of the city and experience pure natural beauty, I sincerely recommend visiting Kamikochi at least once. It’s not just a scenic spot, but a place where you can truly relax and feel the charm of nature.

Tadao Ando perfectly buries the entire building beneath the hillside, leaving only geometric courtyards and skylights exposed. Walking through the stark geometric lines of the exposed concrete, everything is illuminated solely by natural light flowing freely with the time of day and the weather. When I stepped into the Monet Water Lilies gallery, the pure white floor beneath my feet—made of tens of thousands of small marble pieces—and the natural light pouring down from above made the paintings, the space, and nature feel completely unified. It was so breathtaking I almost held my breath. This is not just a place to look at paintings, but a profound dialogue between the body, space, light, and shadow.

Over the past two years, we’ve started planning our trips around Japan’s sightseeing trains and then arranging the rest of the itinerary around them. For those of us who don’t drive, it’s an especially convenient and comfortable way to travel. We were lucky enough to book the only sightseeing train that runs from Chichibu to Tokyo, the "52 Seats of Happiness," for Sunday, 2026/06/07 at 4:00 PM, departing Chichibu for Shinjuku. Since we wanted to make it a day trip and also choose the French dinner service with live onboard music, this is the itinerary we ended up with: At 9:00 in the morning, we took the Laview train from Ikebukuro Station, which first launched in March 2019. The ride took about 70 minutes. As soon as we arrived in Chichibu and exited the station, we saw the hot spring festival collaboration with Beitou in Taiwan. Right next to it was an area filled with all kinds of souvenirs and food. About a five-minute walk away is Chichibu’s most famous ramen shop, and my personal number one, "Chindatsu." After a satisfying meal, we strolled through the thoughtfully designed streets. The shops along the way were all decorated in such a warm and charming style. In about 15 minutes, we reached Chichibu Shrine. It shares the cultural motif of the three cute monkeys with Nikko Toshogu Shrine, but its traditional shrine architecture paired with brighter colors gives it a very different feel. After soaking in the spiritual atmosphere, we passed a supermarket that was amazing for shopping, then headed to the hot spring facility next to the station. The large public bath overlooks the mountains, and there are also stone slabs where you can lie down and relax, which was perfect for easing the fatigue from walking 20,000 steps a day over the past few days. The "52 Seats of Happiness" train is arranged like a French restaurant, and the meal was made with fresh, delicious ingredients. The authentic French sauces were impressively well done, and the live violin performance by a highly skilled musician was the perfect finishing touch to this trip.

I stayed here with my best friend this time, and it felt incredibly relaxing and comfortable. Once we got to the room, we honestly didn’t want to leave. The terrace opens out to nature, with birdsong, insects chirping, and the sound of the stream all around us, plus nothing but lush greenery in front of us. After soaking in the hot spring, we sat on the terrace together, chatting, drinking tea, and just zoning out. Doing absolutely nothing turned out to be the most relaxing luxury. Dinner was a carefully prepared kaiseki meal by the hotel, and they thoughtfully checked our dietary restrictions before our stay. As my friend and I enjoyed the food and shared stories from our trip, each course arrived one by one. Not only was everything delicious, but even the plating and tableware were beautifully chosen. You could really see the care that went into it. The meal featured lots of seasonal ingredients, so we got to enjoy their freshest and most natural flavors. Even though dinner lasted nearly two hours, it didn’t feel long at all. If anything, it gave us more time to slowly enjoy both the food and the view outside. There was no pressure to rush to the next thing, just a happy, meaningful time together that left me feeling completely satisfied. What impressed me most during the stay was how much the hotel valued privacy. The staff never hovered or interrupted too much, but whenever we needed anything, they were quick to help. That made the whole stay feel both comfortable and reassuring, and it let us fully enjoy our relaxing time together without any worries. When it was time to pack and leave, I really didn’t want to go. This little trip with my best friend didn’t involve a packed itinerary. We simply slowed down and enjoyed the scenery, the food, and each other’s company, and that made it feel especially healing. If you love nature, care about the quality of where you stay, and want a place to relax and recharge with a close friend, I’d absolutely recommend this place. Some hotels are easy to forget after you stay there, but this one is different. The setting, the food, and the service all left a lasting impression. It’s also a wonderful place to unwind with your best friend, have heartfelt conversations, and enjoy a stress-free trip.

The white soy sauce ramen broth looks light, but it has a lot of depth and doesn’t taste overly salty. Once the noodles soak up the broth, they go down really smoothly. It was my first time trying Hakata’s specialty gurukawa, and the chicken skin was grilled crispy on the outside and pleasantly chewy inside. The more you chew, the more flavorful it gets, and it pairs really well with the ramen. If you’re around Tenjin, I definitely recommend giving this place a try. The white soy sauce ramen with their signature chicken skin skewers is a combo that makes me want to come back again.

The theater-style aquarium "AQUARIUM × ART átoa" in Kobe Harbor has an architectural concept that beautifully combines the port city's historical memory with the symbolism of rebirth after the Great Hanshin Earthquake. Architectural concept: "The Uplift" The building symbolizes "land rising from the sea." Its rugged, rock-layer-like exterior represents Kobe gathering its strength again after the devastation and destruction of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake, showing a resilient life force and being "reborn" where the mountains and sea meet. Coming to Kobe, a city I had overlooked for so long, the harbor moved me far beyond just the Ferris wheel 🎡 and Kobe Port Tower. What touched me even more was the rebirth of this land, its vibrant blue tones, and the powerful impact this building had on me!

At Otokoyama Sake Brewery, you can sample 12 different kinds of sake all at once (paid tasting required), and even enjoy a scoop of their special ice cream surrounded by the aroma of sake. The gently boozy sweetness and cool, creamy texture come together beautifully, adding a delightful surprise to the trip. They also sell related products. This place is more than just a brewery—it feels like a little adventure for your taste buds.

Nothing was more a part of my childhood than Studio Ghibli. This time, I visited Ghibli Park, and although it was a bit of a shame that I could only get the stroll pass and couldn’t enter every area, just seeing Howl’s Moving Castle and spotting the little surprises along the way that only Ghibli fans would notice already made me incredibly emotional. Next time I come here, I hope I can get tickets for all areas and really explore every corner of the park 🥹

The spacious grounds have all kinds of places to enjoy, including a restaurant where you can drink craft beer, a chocolate shop, and even a goldfish aquarium, so it makes for a really nice walk. At night, we also enjoyed the beautiful illuminations. It was convenient that there were free shuttle buses from multiple stations. We stayed at Hotel Tokinosumika. We were able to use the Kirakubo hot spring facility, which made for a very relaxing stay.

Walking into Twenty-Four Eyes Movie Village feels like stepping into a time tunnel. The movie is set in early Showa-era Japan, so the village recreates Showa-period homes and a wooden schoolhouse, and being able to experience them in person is really fun. The houses from the film have now been turned into little shops, exhibition spaces, and restaurants. I even happened to see a cat napping in front of one of the shops—so cute. At Café Movie Club, they recreate the school lunch that elementary students used to eat back then. It was wonderful to enjoy the meal while soaking in the nostalgic atmosphere.

You have to take off your shoes as soon as you enter, and in some areas you even walk directly through water. With the lighting, music, and mirrored spaces, it feels incredibly immersive. My favorite was the Floating Flower Garden. The flowers slowly change as people move around, and seeing it in person felt absolutely dreamy. Photos really can’t capture what it looks like with your own eyes. The overall flow was smooth, and the staff were all very kind. Even though it was pretty crowded, it was still well worth taking your time to experience. I highly recommend coming with friends or your partner. It really feels like a brief escape from the real world. If it’s your first time in Tokyo, I think this is definitely one of the spots worth adding to your itinerary. The new exhibition area was especially fun too, with lots of interactive elements!

The AONIYOSHI color scheme is mainly purple with gold accents, giving it an atmosphere of ancient nobility. The seating layout is open, but it still feels private. The seats are nicely cushioned and very comfortable, and the interior is full of thoughtful details. From the lighting to the decorations on the luggage racks, the whole train has a retro yet stylish feel. There’s also a dining car where you can buy limited-edition sweets and Daibutsu Pudding, and this is also where you pick up the commemorative boarding certificate. Overall, a lot of care clearly went into both the hardware and the service, which made this a fantastic ride. The trip from Nara to Kyoto is only 30 minutes, and it honestly left me wanting more.

Crispy, toothsome, and deliciously fragrant anago rice. Best anagomeshi I’ve ever had! Even though it was after the weekday lunch rush, there was still a line. Absolutely amazing!