Canal City Hakata
On the vast 43,500m² premises, a shopping mall, movie complex, theater, amusement park and two hotels cluster. Its symbol, a 180m-long canal, crosses along the center of the space lined with colorful buildings.
The water show at Canal City Hakata is really awesome! There are also lots of great places to eat and shop. It's fun, delicious, and visually impressive!
AKITA KIRITANPOYA
A shop in front of JR Akita Station serves a number of Akita’s good food such as the local cuisine, Kiritanpo Nabe.
Enjoying local cuisine here was a great choice!
Tokachigawa Onsen
Tokachigawa Onsen is located in the Tokachi Plain in the center of Hokkaido. The "Moor hot springs" are rare in Japan, and rich in organic plant matter. As a result, the hot water has a high temperature of 55-60 degrees Celsius and gushes out from a location 500-700 meters underground.
Soaking in Tokachigawa Onsen while enjoying the beautiful natural scenery on a chilly day is truly one of life's great pleasures.
Asahikawa Ramen Village
Asahikawa Ramen Village was opened in 1996. Seven restaurants in the city got together in this complex to share Asahikawa ramen’s goodness and its culture. On the outer wall, students from Hokkaido University of Education Asahikawa Campus painted animals of Asahikawa Zoo enjoying ramen.
We were exploring nearby and someone recommended this place for a meal. I picked the popular Santou Ramen, and it was delicious!
Miura Ayako Literature Museum
Located in the native city of Asahikawa, Hokkaido, of the author Miura Ayako, the museum chronicles her literary works and life's journey. Known for her seminal work "Freezing Point," the museum is situated amidst the exotic arboretum that also served as a setting for the story. The building's distinctive dodecahedral structure allows visitors to immerse themselves in the quiet surroundings and the world of her writings.
I've always loved the novel 'Freezing Point,' so being able to visit the Miura Ayako Literature Museum was really meaningful.
Mihashi Ueno Main Store
Established in 1948 in front of Ueno Park, this sweets shop has been loved for many years. Visitors can enjoy Japanese sweets such as anmitsu and oshiruko in the elegant, Japanese-style dining room.
Traditional Japanese sweets here really suit our taste!
Osu Shopping Street
Nagoya‘s biggest arcade is surrounded by Wakamiya, Fushimi, Osu and Minami-Otsu Streets. Almost 1,200 stores and facilities in all kinds of genres are clustered - restaurants, second-hand, general, and appliance stores, etc. are creating a unique atmosphere.
A lot of the products are pretty similar, but if you're looking for electronics, it's worth checking out!
[Closed Down] North Safari Sapporo
Tucked in deep Hokkaido, near Jozankei, “North Safari Sapporo” is Hokkaido’s first hands-on petting zoo. With approximately 140 species of animals, it is famous by guests of many generations as they enjoy petting and feeding. It is also popular as Japan’s first animal glamping venue.
It was my first time seeing such a huge crocodile—super thrilling!
Restaurant Sen’naritei
Sen’naritei was founded in 1957 in Hashimoto, the town in Hikone City that’s the birth place of Omi Beef. Omi Beef is one of the most historic brands of wagyu, originally known and distributed as a medicinal “Hikone Beef” when beef consumption was banned during the Edo Period. When Sen’naritei was founded, it launched with the idea of making the delicious taste of Omi Beef available to everyone for generations to come.
Highly recommend the Omi beef sukiyaki!
Tokyo Monorail
The Tokyo Monorail that runs between Haneda Airport and Tokyo, with an average interval of only 4 minutes, can take you to Hamamatsucho Station in as little as 13 minutes, where a transfer to the JR Yamanote Line can be made.
Frequent trains, free wifi, and great scenery along the way. A solid choice for solo travelers!