Ine Bay Sightseeing Boat
This activity is located in the northern part of Kyoto on the Tango Peninsula, the boat takes about 25 minutes to cruise around Ine Bay. The bay is lined with funaya houses along the shore, offering a beautiful, quintessential Japanese landscape you can see from water.
Taking the boat around Ine Bay was absolutely stunning! Seeing all the funaya houses lined up right in front of you is just breathtaking.
Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine
Set halfway up Mount Arakura, this shrine was founded in 705 as the local deity of the Arakura district in the Yatsushiro County area of the ancient Kai Province. In 807, following a major eruption of Mount Fuji, an imperial envoy came to offer a ceremony praying for the country's peace and the quelling of the mountain. This occasion doubles as the origin story of the shrine’s title as "San'koku Daiichi Yama" (The Greatest Mountain in the Three Countries) which was gifted by Emperor Heizei, along with the shrine’s iconic red torii gate and imperial scroll written by the Emperor himself.
Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine left a deep impression on me. The majestic architecture and sacred atmosphere made me feel a real sense of dignity and awe.
Mt. Takao Cable Car
Mount Takao, located in the outskirts of Tokyo, is popular for casual hiking and climbing. The "Mount Takao Cable Car" connects the foot of the mountain to the middle in about 6 minutes, a journey that would take about an hour on foot, allowing everyone to comfortably enjoy the outdoors.
Highly recommend taking the lift! It's a bit thrilling but not scary, and you get to enjoy the beautiful natural scenery.
Takahata Fudoson Kongoji Temple
Along with Naritasan Shinshoji Temple, Takahata Fudoson is one of the three largest temples housing an immovable statue of the Wisdom King in the Kanto region. It is the special head temple of the Shingonshu sect, Chizan school of Buddhism.
This temple commemorates Hijikata Toshizo. The hydrangeas in June are definitely worth seeing.
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.
It feels really nice walking down the street here. Sitting down with a cup of coffee is super relaxing, and you get to enjoy the beautiful scenery and watch people passing by.
Lake Chuzenji
It has been said that the valley was dammed by lava from the eruption of Mt. Nantai about 20,000 years ago, and the original shape was created. Located at an altitude of 1,269 meters above sea level, it is at one of the highest heights in Japan.
The view of the lake is gorgeous. If you have time, you should definitely take a boat tour.
TANABE Digestive Medicine URSO(R)
Ursodeoxycholic acid is actually one of bile acids that exist in our bodies and it is also an active ingredient of the Chinese medicine, “Yutan”.
One night, I had such bad stomach pain that I was curled up like a shrimp. I frantically searched for some digestive medicine, and about 30 minutes after taking it, the pain eased up a lot.
Pabron
The “Pabron” brand of medicine, produced by Taisho Pharmaceuticals, is one of Japan’s most common cold medicines.
The Gold A version works pretty well for joint and muscle pain that comes with a cold.
Alinamin EX Plus
Alinamin EX Plus is great for sleep-deprived, modern go-getters who face eye fatigue, stiff shoulders, and lower back pain. Alinamin is a trusted brand in play for 65 years.
You’ll always see groups of Taiwanese people comparing prices and grabbing these at Japanese drugstores.
Wakayama Sightseeing Ticket
Nankai Railway offers a Wakayama Sightseeing Ticket, which is a combo of a discounted train ticket for a round trip and all-you-can-ride/day bus ticket.
I often take the Nankai Electric Railway. Every time I come to Osaka, I buy the airport express ticket from Kansai Airport to Namba.