Sendai Asaichi Morning Market
“Sendai Asaichi" has the advantage of being extremely accessible, only a five-minute walk from Sendai Station. The market sells mainly fresh local Miyagi fresh food products. There are also many diners, allowing visitors to enjoy all the food Miyagi has to offer, from shopping to dining.
Coming here early in the morning feels really local—you kind of feel like a resident. It’s perfect at breakfast time, and you can easily just grab a full meal here.
Sanrio Puroland
Guests can meet Sanrio characters like Hello Kitty and My Melody at this indoor theme park. Sanrio characters put on authentic performances like shows and parades that mix stories, dances, and songs together.
The souvenirs are insanely cute. The second you walk in, all logic goes out the window.
They’ve got merch for every character—Hello Kitty, Pompompurin, My Melody, you name it.
So many options, from tiny keychains to big plushies. It’s way too easy to go overboard.
Chirihama Nagisa Driveway
This is one of the few roads in the world along a sandy beach that can be driven on. The 8-kilometer-long road runs along the beach and can be driven not only by car but also by motorcycle or bicycle. The finely packed sand particles make driving along the beach like a scene from a movie, and it is especially moving to watch the sun set.
Driving right on the beach is seriously cool. It’s a pretty rare experience in Japan.
Cruising along with the ocean right next to you just puts you in a great mood.
Super relaxing.
Meiji Jingu Shrine
Meiji Shrine was established in 1920 (Taisho 9) as a shrine to enshrine Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken.
There’s a lot of shade in the summer, so it’s cooler than I expected. It’s a bit of a walk to the main shrine, and it really feels like a forest hike.
Inujima Seirensho Art Museum
Inujima flourished in copper refinery and quarrying, the many ruins of the slag brick factories and chimneys remain, which was designated as a “Heritage of Industrial Modernization”. One of the ruins, Inujima Seirensho Art Museum, was built in 2008 on the grounds of a former copper refinery based on the concept, "using what exists to create what is to be". In the museum, the work created by Yukinori Yanagi who used Yukio Mishima as a motif is exhibited.
One of the main attractions on the island is the Inujima Seirensho Art Museum. It's a fantastic example of turning an old industrial site into a modern art space. Walking along the paths of Inujima, you really get a sense of being transported to another time.
Fuji Motosuko Resort
Located at the foot of Mount Fuji, about 4 km from Lake Motosu, one of the Fuji Five Lakes known for its beautiful views of Mount Fuji. The area charms visitors with its picturesque landscape featuring seasonal flowers, the lake, and the World Heritage site of Mount Fuji in the background.
The whole moss phlox garden feels like it's surrounded by a pink sea—so relaxing and refreshing.
Zenkoji Temple
This historical large-scaled temple is about 59,000 square meters (about 5.9 ha) and was founded 1400 years ago. Many Buddhist facilities fill the compound. Some of them are; Daikanjin and Daihongan (they are also independent temples), and guests' quarters. This temple was founded at a specific time before the various subsects of Buddhism came into being. Some of the worshippers were those with power at the time, such as Minamoto no Yoritomo and Tokugawa Ieyasu , as well as the common people.
The staff at the temple spoke in a rude manner, which left me with an unpleasant impression.
Nishiki Market
Nishiki Market is located on Nishikikoji Street, north of Shijo Street, Kyoto’s main street. The fish market thrived here, and in 1615, it received official permission from the Edo Shogunate to expand. It is called “Kyoto’s kitchen” and offers a wide range of foods such as Kyoto vegetables, fresh-water fish from Lake Biwa, Hamo (conger pike), Guji (tilefish), Sasakarei (half-dried flounder), Yuba (tofu skin), Namafu, and pickles. Most of Kyoto’s special ingredients can be found here.
You can really get a feel for local life from the ingredients and foods sold at the shops. No matter what country I visit, I always love checking out the markets.
UZUMASA KYOTO VILLAGE
As one of the most famous film theme parks in Japan, located in Uzumasa, Kyoto, the park is famous for its sets used in the filming of period dramas. You can enjoy the atmosphere of old Japan even more by walking in the park dressed up in historic costumes as a film character.
This is a movie-themed park where you can dress up in Edo period costumes and transform yourself. It's a great place to take unique photos with the sets.
Tanzan Jinja Shrine
“Taika Reform” occurred in 645 AD to create the emperor-centered government from the local-powerful-family centered. When Fujiwara no Kamatari, a leader working for the Reform, and Prince Nakano-Oe visited and found this place on Mt. Tonomine and they decided to choose here as a place for meeting.
A well-known spot for autumn leaves. The wooden thirteen-story pagoda here is the only one of its kind in the world and is the signature structure of Tanzan Jinja Shrine.