阮小元's Reviews

Kai Zenkoji Temple

A renowned temple founded in Eiroku 1 (1558) by Takeda Shingen, a Sengoku-era warlord of Kai (present-day Yamanashi Prefecture). Fearing that Zenkoji Temple in Nagano might be destroyed by fire during the Battles of Kawanakajima, Takeda Shingen moved the principal image of Amida Nyorai and other Buddhist treasures to Kofu, which marked the beginning of the temple. Even after the fall of the Takeda clan, the temple continued to receive generous protection from Tokugawa Ieyasu and others.

• Yamanashi
• Shrines & Temples

Kameari Park

Kameari Park is located near the north exit of JR Kameari Station (head straight out, then turn right and you’re there). It’s famous as the park of the same name that acts as a setting in the manga “Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Koen-mae Hashutujo.”

• Kita-Senju, Katsushika
• Parks & Gardens

Meiji Jingu Shrine

Meiji Shrine was established in 1920 (Taisho 9) as a shrine to enshrine Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken.

• Aoyama, Omotesando, Harajuku
• Shrines & Temples

Nachi Waterfall

Kumano-Nachi Taisha is the main shrine of over 4000 Kumano Shrines dotting Japan. This waterfall stands within the holy area, The grandest fall in Japan is 133m-tall, 13m-wide at the mouth, where water begins to fall, and the plunge pool is 10m-deep, and pours over 1 ton/second of water through three wedges which merges as one fall, thus called “Three Stream Fall.”

• Wakayama
• Nature Spots

Daikokuya Tempura

First established in 1887, this tendon (rice bowl topped with tempura) restaurant is a noted dining spot in Asakusa, one of Tokyo’s major areas for eating tendon.

• Asakusa, Tokyo Skytree
• Japanese Cuisine

Blue Bottle Coffee Kiyosumi Shirakawa Flagship Cafe

The popular coffee shop born in California, USA opened the first shop in Japan in October, 2019, as Kiyosumi Shirakawa Flagship Cafe.

• Ryogoku, Ningyocho, Kiyosumi-Shirakawa, Kinshicho
• Cafés

Warayakiya Roppongi

Serving dishes using plenty of unique ingredients local to Tosa (Kochi Prefecture). In addition to table seats and regular seating, for smaller numbers, counter seats are available and highly recommended.

• Akasaka, Roppongi, Azabu-Juban
• Izakaya

Kuromon Market

Kuromon Market in Minami, the heart of Osaka, is said to have started around 1822 and was approved as an official market by Osaka Prefecture in 1902. The market got the name “Kuromon Market (Black gate market)” because the gate to Enmyoji Temple near the market was black. Since then, it has been loved as Osaka’s favorite kitchen, and it has become a popular tourist attraction these days.

• Shinsaibashi, Namba, Nipponbashi (Minami)
• Shopping Streets

Tama Center Illumination

An illumination event that is held in front of Tama Center Station in the town where you can see Hello Kitty.

• Fuchu, Chofu, Tama
• Winter festivals & Events

Marunouchi Illumination 2025

The "Marunouchi Illumination" is a wintertime tradition in the Marunouchi area that has been held for more than 20 years since its first event. The event centers on Marunouchi Nakadori Avenue, the main street of the Marunouchi area, which is lined with popular brand-name stores along its 1.2-km stretch. Approximately 820,000 LED bulbs will be attached to 286 street trees in the Marunouchi area, from the Tokyo Kotsu Kaikan in front of Yurakucho Station to Otemachi Naka-Dori Avenue, and all of them will light up simultaneously.

• Tokyo Station, Nihonbashi, Marunouchi
• Winter festivals & Events