Kabukicho
Kabukicho is the entertainment district that sits just steps from the east exit of Shinjuku Station. It’s a major hub for izakaya pubs, amusement centers and nightlife spots to enjoy after hours. With neon signs lit up through the entire night, it’s earned the nickname of “the city that never sleeps”.
If you want to experience Japanese nightlife, you definitely have to check this place out.
Babadaimon no Keyaki Namiki
Keyaki Namiki is a 500-meter long walkup that's flanked with over 120 Zelkova trees. The avenue serves as a promenade that leads to Okunitama-jinja Shrine, and remains the sole National Natural Monument in Japan to be designated for its Zelkova trees.
Walking down the avenue in the afternoon with sunlight streaming through was so pleasant.
yatuhasian・sisyuyakata
A facility in Ukyo-ku, Kyoto, near Nishikyogoku Sports Park, where visitors can experience Kyoto culture and Kyoto sweets. They have a menu of more than 20 hands-on activities, including a free-entry Kyo-sisyu(Kyoto’s embroidery) museum and hands-on workshop of making Nama-Yatuhasi (fresh Yatuhasi-mochi)
The Yatsuhashi you make gets packed in a jar to take home, and there's even a little card included. It's perfect as a souvenir or keepsake.
Eska Hill Naruto (Observation deck)
In Eska Hill Naruto, the largest escalator in the East, 68m in length and 34m in height difference, carries tourists from the Naruto Park to the observation deck at the top of Mt. Naruto in 90m high.
Riding the super long and steep escalator takes you up to the observation deck, where you can see the Naruto Bridge and the whirlpools. The views are awesome!
Naruto City Awa Odori, Naruto Summer Festival
Awa Odori, Tokushima’s summer tradition internationally known, has a 400-year history. In August every year, the dance is performed all over the prefecture. The first is Naruto City Awa Odori from August 9 through the 11 held mainly at the center of Naruto City.
We missed the festival since we weren't in Tokushima at the right time, but our guide took us to the Awa Odori Hall to watch a performance. The dancers even came down and taught us how to dance Awa Odori together!
Tower of Osaka Castle
Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who unified the country during the Azuchi-Momoyama period (1568-1600), began construction of the tower of Osaka Castle in 1583 and completed it in 1585. The castle was later destroyed during the Osaka Natsu no Jin（summer campaign of Osaka） in 1615, but was rebuilt by the Tokugawa Shogunate in 1626. However, the castle keep was destroyed by lightning in 1665. In 1931, the castle tower of the Toyotomi period was reconstructed with donations from Osaka citizens.
Looking at the existing walls and moat, you can tell Osaka Castle used to be massive and really hard to attack. It must have been tough to capture this place back in the day.
Tokushima Western Sweets Club IL ROSA “Naruto Kintoki Potalette”
Tokushima’s dessert “Naruto Kintoki Potallete” is baked sweet potato on sables. Naruto’s specialty, Naruto Kintoki sweet potatoes have been raised under the bright sunshine, which is used in the sweet potato and sable portions. They use carefully-selected domestic wheat flour and pay attention to the safety of their products.
Naruto's famous specialty, and you can't find it anywhere else.