Jamie Wang's Reviews

Arimura Lava Observatory

This observatory sits famously atop a small hill formed by lava flows during the massive 1946 Sakurajima eruption. The site is perched along a 1 km walking trail developed over the lava field, bringing visitors today to the full drama of Minamidake, close-up looks of Minamidake, the active southern crater, plus Kinko Bay.

Kagoshima
Observatories

15 Oct 2025 See More

Absolutely stunning! You can get super close to Sakurajima volcano, and the whole view is just breathtaking. You really feel the power of nature right in front of you. The whole area is covered in black lava, which looks really impressive. There are also signs explaining the volcano's history, so you can learn as you go. On clear days, you get awesome views of the sea and the volcanic smoke—perfect for photos. Just a heads up, it can get really windy and sunny, so bring a hat or sunglasses. Overall, it's totally worth visiting at least once. Such a unique experience!

Moominvalley Park

Moominvalley Park is a theme park that takes you through the world of Moomin, making great use of the beautiful nature in Hanno. This is the first Moomin park outside of Finland, the home country of the series’ original author.

Saitama
Amusement Parks & Theme parks

17 Jul 2025 See More

The park is like a dream! Walking around feels like stepping into a fairy tale. The Moomin family houses are super cute, and there are performances and interactive activities. Every corner is perfect for photos. So relaxing and uplifting!

COCOON CITY Saitama-Shintoshin

Around 280 shops are gathered together in this large-scale commercial facility and shopping mall. It's made up of three buildings. You’re sure to find anything you need here, from souvenirs to items for personal use. There are also cafes and restaurants inside, so it’s a great place to take a break. There's also a cinema and an electronics emporium.

Saitama
Commercial Buildings

7 Jul 2025 See More

All three buildings are awesome for shopping! From fashion and beauty to lifestyle goods and even a cinema, they've got everything you need!

Nippara Limestone Cave

This limestone cave is located in Okutama-cho in western Tokyo. The cave has a total length of 1270 meters, with a height variance of 134 meters. It is One of the largest limestone cave in the Kanto region, and it has been designated as a natural monument by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. Once flourishing as a spot for mountain worship, Nippara Limestone Cave is now a popular tourist spot.

Okutama, Ome
Nature Spots

29 Apr 2021 See More

I went during the summer and it felt super cool inside. The cave stays around 10°C all year. The stalactites were just okay—nothing too special, honestly.

Sengan-en

Sengan-en is a Japanese garden made for the Shimadzu family estate by Mitsuhisa Shimadzu in 1658. The grounds boast a sprawling 50,000 square meters in total. The garden itself uses the “borrowed scenery” technique, incorporating Kagoshima’s coveted spots like the volcano Sakurajima and Kinko Bay as a natural backdrop.

Kagoshima
Parks & Gardens

29 Apr 2021 See More

If you're in Kagoshima, you definitely have to check this place out! It's also where the Taiga drama 'Atsuhime' was filmed. Besides the beautiful gardens, you can also get a great view of Sakurajima volcano.

Okunitama-jinja Shrine

Okunitama Shrine, with a history stretching back about 1900 years, is where Okunitama-no-Okami, the deity protecting the Musashino area, is enshrined. Musashino was a vast area including modern-day Tokyo, Saitama, and parts of Kanagawa. Inside the shrine grounds are several smaller shrines, each one granting its own blessing. Among those, the shrine blessing love and marriage is especially well-known.

Fuchu, Chofu, Tama
Shrines & Temples

27 Apr 2021 See More

Located in Fuchu City, this place has a really long history dating back to ancient Musashi Province. When I visited, it wasn't crowded at all—it's not really a touristy spot. Most people who come here seem very sincere about their prayers.