Pocky Chocolate
Pocky was created in 1966 as the world’s first rod-shaped chocolate sweet. It is a rod-shaped pretzel snack covered in a chocolate coating, and it has a very pleasant texture. The combination of that delicious flavor with a way to keep your hands clean after snacking made them into a huge hit.
I always buy the family-size pack.
National Important Cultural Asset Ochaya SHIMA
The tea house, built in 1820, is located on the Higashi Chaya-Gai District and is open to the public in its original state.
Enjoying matcha and sweets while gazing at the garden was such a pleasant way to spend the afternoon.
Gono Line
The JR Gono Line is a 147-km-long local train line running from Higashi-Noshiro Station in Akita Prefecture to Kawabe Station in Aomori Prefecture. The line runs along the coast of the Sea of Japan, and passengers can enjoy the spectacular scenery that the Tohoku region is known for.
The private compartment seats are awesome! They’re usually sofas, but you can flatten them out like tatami mats. There was a live shamisen performance in the car, plus unbeatable ocean views along the way.
Kitaro Chaya
GeGeGe no Kitaro, a fan favorite for generations, now makes it way to this shop along Tenjin-dori Shopping Street in Chofu City, the town and proclaimed second home where creator Shigeru Mizuki spent years at work.
They offer afternoon tea and all kinds of Kitaro-themed souvenirs. Definitely a must-visit after checking out Jindaiji!
Koenji
Koenji, located about 6 minutes from Shinjuku Station on the Chuo Line, has always attracted people who stay current, "If you go here, you will find interesting things. There are shopping streets of various sizes stretching from north to south centered on the station, lined with a variety of stores, including cafes, general merchandise stores, and restaurants. It is also famous as a "Vintage clothing town," with a wide variety of secondhand clothing stores.
The prices for secondhand clothes here are really affordable. Lots of young Japanese people come here to hunt for treasures.
Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter
The traditional streets of the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter feature white walled warehouses, grid pattern walls, Namako-kabe, and rows of weeping trees, creating a beautiful and charming townscape. This harmonious and historic scenery is very popular with tourists.
This is a travel destination that really helps you relax and unwind.
Hakone Gindofu
In front of Hakone Tozan Railway’s Gora Station, there is an established tofu shop which provides tofu for breakfast for many hotels and inns in Hakone. On holidays, a waiting line forms at this local favorite store.
Tofu pudding with sweet soy sauce is such a unique way to enjoy it.
Sakurajima
Sakurajima is an active composite volcano located in Kagoshima Bay. It is a symbol of Kagoshima, and part of Kirishima-Yaku National Park. The volcano began to form around 26,000 years ago, and it has had 17 major eruptions.
Life is tough for the people living on the island. They always have to be on alert for possible volcanic eruptions.
Daiyuzan Saijoji Temple
This is an ancient temple of the Soto sect of Buddhism located at the midpoint of Myojinga-dake in the Hakone Gairinzan (Outer rim of a crater). The temple was established in 1394 in the middle of the Muromachi period and has a history of about 600 years. It is the one of most prestigious Soto Zen temple after Eiheiji Temple in Fukui Prefecture and Sojiji Temple in Tsurumi, Yokohama, and has more than 4,000 schools nationwide.
The temple is solemn and peaceful. Not many tourists visiting Hakone come here, but it's a great place to purify your mind.
Universal Studios Japan
Universal Studios Japan, nicknamed “USJ”, is a large-scale theme park with entertainment for everyone, both children and adults alike. The park is separated into different areas, each with a different theme from popular titles across the world.
A lot of the attractions at Universal Studios Japan are themed around popular movies, so it's really fun and easy to get into the spirit of things.