Queenie's Reviews Page 1/3

Otaru Canal Cruise

The Otaru Canal, completed in 1923 (Taisho 12) by reclaiming the offshore coast, is lined with historic stone and timber warehouses and remains a popular tourist attraction. A 40-minute tour on a cruise boat around this area is a popular choice among visitors.

• Otaru and Niseko
• Experiences Facilities

The Otaru Canal Cruise is a highly recommended experience when visiting Otaru! The boat slowly makes its way along the canal, and during the day, you can admire the well-preserved historic buildings and warehouses along the waterfront. Listening to the onboard commentary also gives you a better sense of Otaru's former prosperity as a port town. In the evening, the sunset and streetlights reflect on the canal, creating a completely different atmosphere. See the history by day and enjoy the romantic night views after dark—each time of day has its own charm, so don't miss it when visiting Otaru!

Otaru Tenguyama Observation Platform, Otaru Tenguyama Ropeway

Otaru’s symbol, Mt.Tengu, stands 532m-high above sea level. On top, there is an observation platform awarded one star on Michelin Green Guide Japon, where you can look out at the city and the Japan Sea. At night, Mt Tengu offers a breath-taking sight over Otaru City, referred to as one of Hokkaido’s Three Best Night Views, along with Mt. Moiwa and Mt. Hakodate.

• Otaru and Niseko
• Observatories

Mt. Tengu is an attraction you absolutely shouldn't miss when visiting Otaru! I specifically chose a clear day, took the train from Sapporo to Otaru, then transferred to a bus and the ropeway up the mountain. I enjoyed the mountain scenery all the way up, and once I reached the observation platform, I could see all of Otaru, Otaru Port, and the coastline. The elevation here isn't particularly high, which actually makes the view of the city feel just right. The views are also great as you slowly walk along the hiking trails. Overall, the scenery is every bit as good as Mt. Hakodate, with an added touch of romance unique to Otaru. I recommend heading up the mountain when you visit Otaru!

Otaru Canal

Otaru Port, which developed as a gateway for Hokkaido's settlement, saw an increasing volume of cargo over the years. To streamline its transportation, the "Otaru Canal" was completed in 1923 (Taisho 12). The canal, created by reclaiming the offshore coast, is characterized by its gentle curves rather than a straight line.

• Otaru and Niseko
• Tourist Attractions

After taking the JR train to Otaru Station, I slowly walked over, enjoying the laid-back atmosphere of Otaru's streets along the way. The weather was beautiful that day, and the blue sky and white clouds paired with the warehouse buildings along the canal made every photo look great.

I strolled along the canal, took photos, and soaked in the city's unique romantic and nostalgic atmosphere. Otaru is even more charming when the weather is nice. Walking through the streets feels like being in a movie scene.

If you visit Otaru in Hokkaido, I really recommend setting aside some time to take a leisurely walk along the canal. There's no need to rush—just wandering around is very relaxing.

Shobara Ueno Park

The park is developed around Ueno Pond, which spans an area of 2km in circumference. It's recognized as one of the "Top 100 Cherry Blossom Spots" in Japan, with about 600 Somei Yoshino cherry trees planted around the pond that begin blooming in late March and reach their peak in early April.

• Hiroshima
• Parks & Gardens

Shobara Ueno Park is a well-known cherry blossom viewing spot in Hiroshima Prefecture, with about 600 Somei Yoshino cherry trees blooming all around the pond. Just imagining the whole expanse of pink reflected on the water during cherry blossom season—it must be so beautiful you'd never want to leave!
Unfortunately, this visit wasn't during cherry blossom season, so I missed the romantic sight of the trees in full bloom, which was a bit disappointing. I hear the nighttime cherry blossom illuminations here are also very popular. If I get another chance, I'll definitely come back when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom and take in the whole beautiful view.

Japan Heritage Mitarai Historic Streetscapes Preservation District

Osakishimojima Island is one of the islands on the Akinada Tobishima Kaido, which is connected by seven bridges. The island is known for its citrus fruits such as Ocho mandarin oranges, and a stroll through the Mitarai district, lined with merchant houses, teahouses, and boatyards, is recommended.

• Kure Area Neighborhood
• Tourist Attractions

Mitarai is an atmospheric old port town. In the past, ships would wait here for the right winds and tides, and it was once an important shipping hub in the Seto Inland Sea.
Walking through the old streets, there aren't crowds of tourists. Instead, the atmosphere is relaxed and peaceful. Strolling slowly through the narrow alleys, you can see many old buildings preserved from the Edo period, and every turn reveals another piece of history.
Although Mitarai's former prosperity has faded, that's exactly what makes it feel like traveling through time.
With no need to rush, I simply walked around and took in the traces of time left on the old streets. It ended up being the most relaxing part of this trip. If you like historic streets, old buildings, and a sense of history, Mitarai is well worth adding to your itinerary.

Hiroshima Botanical Garden

Spanning a vast 18.3 hectares, this botanical garden gathers about 200,000 plants from around 10,000 species worldwide. The "Great Greenhouse," a symbolic feature of the garden and among the largest in Western Japan, showcases a year-round bloom of colorful flowers, primarily orchids, creating a tropical atmosphere.

• Hiroshima
• Zoos & Aquariums

I took a stroll around Hiroshima Botanical Garden, and the grounds were really pleasant. The plants were all very well maintained. The biggest attraction is the “Great Greenhouse,” the largest in western Japan. It has all kinds of plants inside, so much that you hardly know where to look. It’s perfect for taking your time walking around and taking photos.

I came a little late in the season this time and was worried I might have missed the roses, but there were still quite a few beautiful ones. Although they weren’t at peak bloom, it was still a nice surprise.

The only thing to keep in mind is that there’s an uphill walk from the parking lot to the park entrance. It can be pretty hot and tiring in summer, so if you visit in midsummer, remember to use sun protection and bring water.

I also found a very generous discount: admission is only JPY 170 for visitors age 65 and older. Such a great deal!

Overall, it’s a great place to slow down and enjoy the greenery and the scent of flowers. If you like plants, it’s worth adding to your itinerary when visiting Hiroshima!

Yagenbori Hassho

Yagenbori Hassho is a top class popular restaurant, even within Hiroshima City that has many Okonomiyaki restaurants. People line-up in front of the restaurant every day, and it has a great deal of media coverage.

• Hiroshima
• Japanese Cuisine

This really is one of Hiroshima's most popular restaurants. There's almost always a line, but once you try it, you'll understand why everyone is willing to wait. The Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki is freshly made on the griddle, with noodles fried until slightly charred and fragrant, and the cabbage's sweetness fully brought out. Every bite has layers of flavor, and eating it piping hot is incredibly satisfying. It's inexpensive, but the portions are very generous. One serving left me so full I didn't even need dinner.
If you don't want to wait too long, I recommend avoiding the peak lunch and dinner hours. Otherwise, a long line is completely normal. Still, I think this authentic Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki is well worth it.

Hiroshima Castle

Hiroshima Castle was built in 1589 by Terumoto Mori, known as one of the five dignitaries of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The castle is located in the center of Hiroshima city, famous as a major tourist attraction with easy access.

• Hiroshima
• Tourist Attractions

Walking into Hiroshima Castle isn't just about admiring a castle; it feels more like reading the history of the city.
**Hiroshima Gokoku Shrine**, located within the castle grounds, is where the Hiroshima Toyo Carp hold their annual prayers for victory. It also has super-cute carp-themed charms and fortune slips that baseball fans definitely shouldn't miss. Hiroshima Gokoku Shrine stands on the former site of Hiroshima Castle, and its current buildings were relocated here after the atomic bombing.
Hiroshima Castle is surrounded by a moat. If you have enough time, I highly recommend taking a sightseeing boat and slowly enjoying the view of the castle tower reflected on the water. The perspective is completely different from the view on land. Along the way, you can also see stone walls bearing traces of the atomic bombing and trees that were exposed to the blast yet have survived to this day, letting you enjoy the scenery while reflecting on the years this city has lived through.
I really like Hiroshima Castle. It isn't as lively as Osaka Castle or as magnificent as Himeji Castle, but it has a greater sense of peace and history. Here, you can slow down, take a walk, snap some photos, and experience Hiroshima's unique charm. ❤️

Hiroshima Orizuru Tower

A complex of buildings adjacent to the Atomic Bomb Dome, this is a landmark tower in Hiroshima where visitors can enjoy scenery and experiences that can only be found here. As a sightseeing area, the Souvenir select (product hall) and café on the first floor, the "Orizuru Square" and "Orizuru Wall" on the 12th floor, and the "Hiroshima Hills" observatory deck on the roof are open to the public.

• Hiroshima
• Experiences Facilities

Hiroshima Orizuru Tower is an attraction that I think is well worth adding to your itinerary. Not only can you enjoy the scenery, but you can also feel how deeply this city values peace. A gentle breeze blows across the wooden observation deck on the rooftop, with Peace Memorial Park and the Atomic Bomb Dome right before your eyes. On a clear day, you can even see Mount Misen on Miyajima in the distance, which must make the view even more beautiful. Unfortunately, the weather wasn't ideal on the day I visited, so the blue sky was missing, but the overall atmosphere was still very pleasant. The most distinctive feature inside is the Orizuru Wall, symbolizing blessings and hope. Seeing the paper cranes piling up one by one made me slow down, and it left me with a lasting memory of my trip to Hiroshima.

Atomic Bomb Dome (Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park)

The Atomic Bomb Dome, in its original design, was completed as the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotional Hall, by Czech architect Jan Letzel on April 5th, 1915. However, as it stood just 160 meters from the epicenter of the atomic bomb, it suffered severe damage from the blast. With a gutted steel frame and damaged exterior, its known colloquially as the Atomic Bomb Dome, a building that stands in testament to the tragic history unfolded here.

• Hiroshima
• Museums

When people think of Hiroshima, the Atomic Bomb Dome is the first thing that comes to mind for many. I'm not particularly interested in historical sites, so I didn't have very high expectations at first. But when I got there, I found that there were so many foreign tourists—it was much livelier than I had imagined! What left the biggest impression on me instead was a group of Japanese elementary school students on a field trip wearing little yellow hats. They looked so cute listening attentively to their teacher's explanation. The Atomic Bomb Dome itself is very well preserved. Although I haven't studied its history in depth, seeing it in person was still very moving. If you're visiting Hiroshima, I still highly recommend stopping by, since this is one of the city's most iconic landmarks.