Number of reviews 12/ Number of likes 54
GRANSTA TOKYO
GRANSTA TOKYO is JR East’s largest train station mall. The huge open space with the sign “SQUARE ZERO” hosts select sweets shops, cafes, restaurants and general stores, which looks like a town itself.
GRANSTA Tokyo really is bigger than I expected. It has everything—sweets, coffee, restaurants, and souvenirs. I originally just came to Tokyo Station to catch a train, but I ended up spending a long time browsing inside.
Gangoji Temple
Its predecessor was Asukadera Temple, the oldest full-fledged Buddhist temple in Japan, which was opened in Asuka Village by Soga Umako at the end of the 6th century. Later, with the relocation of the capital to Heijo-kyo, it was moved within the Heijo-kyo Capital and its name was changed to Gangoji Temple. During the Nara period (710-794), the temple developed to the extent that it was counted as one of the seven major temples in the southern capital, but it gradually declined from the mid-Heian period (794-1185).
It feels like finding a bit of peace and quiet in the middle of the city.
It’s not overly commercialized, so it feels more authentic.
Shizunai Cherry Blossom Festival
Shizunai Cherry Blossom Festival takes place along the Shizunai Nijukken Road Cherry Blossom Avenue, a straight road stretching about 7 kilometers between Shizunai Tahara and Shizunai Misono in Shinhidaka Town, Hidaka District, Hokkaido. Often referred to as “Japan’s finest cherry blossom avenue,” it is lined with around 2,000 cherry trees, mainly Ezo-yamazakura. The avenue has also been selected as one of the Top 100 Cherry Blossom Viewing Spots in Japan.
When the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, it’s really beautiful.
Compared to cherry blossoms in the city, it feels much more spacious here.
Kikukawa Shoten “Castella-yaki Hakone Manju”
“Castella-yaki Hakone-Manju" is the signature product of Kikukawa Shoten. This souvenir shop has been in operation for many years in the shopping arcade in front of Hakone-Yumoto Station.Many onsen Manju are steamed in a traditional Japanese style, but this western-style Manju is made with sponge cake dough and white bean paste.
They combined honey sponge cake and onsen manju into this cute Japanese-Western style treat. It's filled with white bean paste. I tried it, but honestly, it was a bit too sweet for me.
Hakone Ropeway
From Sounzan to Togendai Station, a ropeway runs about 4km. You can ride in a gondola and look over the lush nature of Hakone mountains, Lake Ashinoko, Mt. Fuji and Sagami Bay. Enjoy a skywalk for about 24 minutes.
The ropeway ride is super smooth, and the views from the windows are pretty nice. When you pass over Owakudani, you can really smell the sulfur in the air.
