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Sightseeing Place
Editors’ Choice
Reviews
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Chichibu Pilgrimage Circuit
Jing Hsu
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.
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THE YUKAWA Ichijoh Branch
孫佳玲
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.
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Kawa no Soba
陳恩浩
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.
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Kobe Port Tower
Norton Liang
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!
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Otokoyama sake brewery museum
10BRENDA
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.
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Ghibli Park
RUBY CHENG (Ruby)
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 🥹
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Gotemba Kogen Tokinosumika
HACHI Taro
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.
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Twenty-Four Eyes Movie Village
周黛西
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.
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teamLab Planets TOKYO DMM.com
Lee Shanshan
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!
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Taisho Pond
范慈茜
Taisho Pond, which had just reopened, was absolutely dreamy. The lingering snow and the reflections made it feel like a fairyland, and while the air was cold, it felt really fresh. It wasn’t too crowded, so it was a very comfortable walk.
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Sightseeing Limited Express "AONIYOSHI”
金己田
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.
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Anagomeshi Ueno Miyajimaguchi Flagship Store
mizuiro_lawson
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!
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