Kinosaki Onsen
This traditional hot spring resort was loved by great writers such as Naoya Shiga and Toson Shimazaki, and has a history of over 1,300 years. There are 6 out-spa baths (communal baths) within a 20-minute walking distance, and visitors can enjoy visiting them while walking along the elegant streets.
Coming here in winter is a big plus.
Soaking in the hot spring when it’s cold feels really nice.
Ippukuya (Ippuku Yokocho)
Located inside Omicho Market in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, Ippukuya is an oden specialty shop where you can enjoy Kanazawa’s seafood one dish at a time. It sits in Ippuku Yokocho, a food court lined with sake bars and seafood eateries, and is always lively with both tourists and locals.
Overall it feels more geared toward tourists than I expected, and it didn’t have as much of a local vibe as I had imagined.
The food was pretty average and nothing really made me want to come back again.
Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens
Located in Korakuen, Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo, this is a stroll garden with a central pond and landscaped hills and spring water. The garden embodies four landscapes: sea, mountains, rivers, and countryside, offering changing views as one walks around. Incorporating Chinese scenic spots and styles such as the Engetsu Bridge and Seiko Tsutsumi, it presents a world beautifully balancing Japanese and Chinese elements.
There are ponds, wildlife, little bridges over streams, and beautiful gardens. It's a spot you can visit any time of year.
Chidorigafuchi Green Way (Chidorigafuchi Moat)
A 700-meter promenade along the moat of the Imperial Palace. Surrounded by nature so rich that it is hard to believe it is in the heart of Tokyo, it is the perfect spot for a leisurely stroll.
At night, after work, lots of Japanese office workers come here to see the cherry blossoms lit up. There are actually more people at night than during the day.
Tokyo DisneySea
Tokyo DisneySea is the Tokyo Disney Resort run destination that’s directly connected to Tokyo Disneyland.
Toy Story Mania is a super popular attraction at DisneySea. It's a shooting game, and I waited almost two hours in line before finally getting to play.
Toei One-day Pass (Toei Marugoto Kippu)
Valid for one full day, the Toei One-day Pass (Toei Marugoto Kippu) offers unlimited access to Toei subways.
There are so many train lines in Japan, it's really confusing sometimes. Some routes are covered, but others aren't. The station staff only speak Japanese, so I couldn't understand them. I just had to buy another ticket.
Oshino Hakkai – The 8 Springs of Oshino
Oshino Hakkai is the collective name for Mt. Fuji’s 8 natural ponds, Deguchi-ike, Okama-ike, Sokonashi-ike, Choshi-ike, Waku-ike, Nigori-ike, Kagami-ike and Shobu-ike. Once a former lake, the area has dried up and formed the 8 spring-sourced ponds that remain today.
The air is so fresh and the ponds are crystal clear with amazing visibility. It's such a great place to live—I bet people here easily live to be a hundred! 🤭
Matsumoto Castle
Matsumoto Castle was built between the years 1593 and 1594. It is one of the oldest of the still-standing “gojuu-rokkai” (five roofs, six stories) structures in Japan, and it has been registered as a national treasure.
This is one of the must-see spots in Nagano, especially for castle fans. With over 400 years of history and never having been destroyed, it's truly a rare and precious site.
Kamikochi
Kamikochi offers one of Japan's most spectacular mountain sceneries. Its magnificent landscape is designated as a Special Natural Monuments along with Special Places of Scenic Beauty. Walter Weston, a British Anglican missionary praised Kamikochi in his writing “Mountaineering and Exploration in the Japan Alps” in 1896 which made Kamikochi an internationally well-known mountain area.
It's like a paradise on earth—so beautiful! Walking along the riverbank and breathing in the fresh air really refreshes your body and mind. 👍
LEGOLAND®︎ Japan
A themepark that brings a world filled with LEGO® blocks to life. Divided into 8 different zones, you can enjoy areas like LEGO® NINJAGO® sets at LEGO® NINJAGO World, or set off on your own quest in the “Adventure” area.
This LEGO world is full of surprises and creativity, but also has a cute and cozy vibe. It's a great place for little kids to have fun too.