Gifu Castle
The Symbol of Gifu towers on top of Mt. Kinka 329m above sea level. During the age of provincial wars, Saito Dosan resided. When Oda Nobunaga became the lord, it became the homebase of his ambition to rule the nation.
You can really feel Oda Nobunaga’s presence here.
The sense of history is very strong, and anyone who likes the Sengoku period will really get something out of visiting.
SKYLOUNGE STARDUST
A sky lounge on the 39th floor offering spectacular views. The highlight is the breathtaking panorama-through the large round windows, you can take in sweeping views toward Kobe. At night in particular, the scenery becomes dreamlike, creating an extraordinary, almost otherworldly atmosphere.
The view is really amazing. If you come at night, you can see the whole Osaka skyline and the atmosphere is super romantic.
It’s perfect for ordering a drink and just sitting there chatting for a while. The prices are on the higher side, but it feels worth it for the scenery.
Great spot for a date or when you want something that feels a bit special and celebratory.
Sankeien Garden
Sankeien is a Japanese Garden built by Hara Sankei, an entrepreneur who was also a man of culture. Extending over an expanse of 175,000 square meters, many important cultural assets were relocated here from Kyoto and Kamakura. They have been masterfully arranged throughout the garden.
The Japanese garden is really well maintained, with attention to detail in every corner. It's beautiful in every season, but the autumn leaves are absolutely stunning.
Lakeside Forest Restaurant ORAE
An European-style restaurant set along the shores of Lake Tazawa. The name ORAE means “my home” in the Akita dialect, reflecting the warm hospitality behind the message, “Please feel free to treat this place as your home.”
The staff were super gentle and the service was really relaxed. The whole vibe was super chill.
Biwako Hakodateyama Mountain
Renewed and reopened in 2020, Biwako Hakodate Mountain offers seasonal flowers in summer and skiing in the silvery white world of winter. You can take an 8-minute gondola ride while enjoying the scenery of Lake Biwa. Once you reach the top of the mountain, which is about 630 meters above sea level, you will feel a sense of freedom.
Perfect spot to just relax all day! You can take the gondola up, and once you're at the top, the view is absolutely stunning—you can see all of Lake Biwa. On a clear day, it's unbelievably beautiful. There are swings and net beds where you can just lie down and enjoy the lake view, super chill vibes. Plus, there’s a café, gardens, and some art installations for photos. It's a great place for couples or a girls’ trip. Just a heads up, it gets pretty windy up there, so bring a jacket or you’ll get cold if you’re taking photos for a long time!
Masu-no-Sushi Museum
A museum created by Masu-no-Sushi Honpo Minamoto, the company that helped popularize Toyama’s local specialty “masu sushi” nationwide by selling it as an ekiben (train station bento). On the grounds, you can view the “Masu-no-Sushi Traditional Skills Hall,” where skilled craftsmen prepare it using time-honored methods behind glass, and the “Travel and Food Cultural History Collection,” which displays valuable ekiben-related materials gathered from across Japan-plus plenty more to see.
Inside, you can see the tools and packaging methods used back in the day, and watch craftsmen demonstrate how they press that wooden box sushi.
The most fun part is the hands-on area where you can make your own masu sushi. Afterward, you can eat it right there—it tastes super fresh.
The place isn’t big, but it’s very clean and nicely done. They also sell all kinds of sushi souvenirs.
Overall, it’s a relaxed vibe with lots of local character. If you’re into Japanese food culture, you’ll find it really interesting.
Sado Nishimikawa Gold Park
Sado Nishimikawa Gold Park is an interactive facility where visitors can experience the history of Sado, once famed as a gold-producing region. It stands on the site of the legendary Nishimikawa Gold Mine, which appears in tales from the Heian and Kamakura periods. In the Sengoku era, it provided war funds for Uesugi Kenshin, and during the Edo period, it served as an important financial resource for the Tokugawa shogunate. Visitors can learn about the dynamic mining method known as Oonagashi (“Great Washing”), which once supported the mine’s prosperity, through detailed models and video displays.
You get to have fun and learn something at the same time. You can even take home the gold dust you find as a souvenir! Kids will have a blast, and even adults will find it pretty cool. Overall, it's a relaxed and fun spot to visit!
Saika Chinese Restaurant
Saika Chinese Restaurant in Sendai, Miyagi, is a long-established Chinese restaurant founded in 1925. The interior was renovated in 2013 into a bright, stylish space. Fully private rooms and semi-private rooms are available, so you can relax and take your time. A favorite is the Sendai specialty served year-round: “Gomoku Hiyashi Chuka with Jellyfish.”
Saika is the kind of local spot everyone loves!
The food is classic, home-style Chinese. Portions are generous and the flavors are solid—whether it’s fried rice, ramen, or stir-fries, everything goes great with rice.
Prices are reasonable, and the vibe is relaxed and not stuffy. Perfect for grabbing a meal with a few friends—you’ll leave full and happy.
Zao Ropeway
The Zao Ropeway is a scenic cable car system located in Yamagata City's Zao Onsen, one of Japan’s oldest and most celebrated hot spring resorts, known for its abundant hot water and highly acidic sulfur springs.
Riding this in winter, you get to see all the snow monster trees outside the window. It's absolutely magical.
Shimogamo Shrine (Kamomioya-jinja)
The official name of the Shrine is Kamomioya-jinja. Due to its location downstream of the Kamo River that runs through Kyoto City, it is familiarized by the name “Shimogamo-san” and “Shimogamo Shrine.” The main shrine, consisting of two buildings in the east and west, is designated as a national treasure, and is one of the oldest shrines in Kyoto. It was also registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.
The shrine is really old, and the whole atmosphere is full of history. It's even a World Heritage Site!