Queenie's Reviews Page 4/6

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 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.

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.

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!

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.

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 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.

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.

I was really looking forward to taking a sightseeing cruise on the adorable Hakuchōmaru or Kamemaru, leisurely circling the lake and enjoying the beauty of Lake Inawashiro from the water. Feeling the lake breeze and watching the scenery change would have made for such a relaxing trip.

Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to board the boat that day, which was a bit disappointing. Although I missed out on the cruise, taking in the lake’s peaceful yet majestic scenery from the shore was still rewarding in its own way.

Next time I visit Fukushima, I’ll definitely make sure to take this lake cruise!

I visited Shiramizu Amida Hall in Fukushima, and it’s the kind of place where it’s so quiet, all you hear is the wind and birds. It’s about a 20-minute bus ride from JR Iwaki Station. Get off at the Amida-do stop, then walk another five minutes. The route was easier than I expected.

What surprised me most was that the hall has remained almost unchanged since it was built in 1160. Standing by the pond and seeing Shiramizu Amida Hall reflected in the water made me feel like I’d traveled back to the Heian period. Best of all, I barely saw any international tourists during my visit. There was no line for photos, and I could sit and enjoy the view for as long as I wanted.

If you prefer lively attractions, this place might be too quiet. But if you’re looking for somewhere to truly unwind and experience the atmosphere of old Japan, I’d put Shiramizu Amida Hall on your Fukushima must-visit list.