Zao Ropeway
The Zao Ropeway is a scenic cable car system located in Yamagata City's Zao Onsen, one of Japan’s oldest and most celebrated hot spring resorts, known for its abundant hot water and highly acidic sulfur springs.
Good weather vs. bad weather makes a huge difference.
When it’s foggy, you really can’t see anything.
Wait times depend on the season—during peak hours in snow season, be prepared to line up.
Zao Fox Village
A fox paradise in the mountains of Shiroishi City. More than 100 foxes of seven species, including north foxes , cross foxes , and arctic foxe s, are kept here. Visitors can feed and photograph the free-range foxes outdoors, and even hold a fox cub in their arms.
The flavor is a bit strong, so if you’re sensitive to smells, you might want to brace yourself.
Ouchi-juku
More than 30 thatched-roof homes stand in Ouchi-juku, where the townscape still reflects the Edo-Period. It used to prosper as a post station along the former Aizu West Highway 400 years ago.
The whole street in Ouchi-juku feels straight out of the Edo period—walking in is like time-traveling.
The snowy winter scenery is such a bonus. The thatched-roof houses against the white snow is seriously unreal.
Life-Sized Unicorn Gundam Statue
Located at "Divercity Tokyo Plaza" in Odaiba, Tokyo, which has a concept of "theatrical urban space", stands the approximately 19.7 meters tall life-sized Unicorn Gundam statue.
Seeing it in person, it’s HUGE. It feels super imposing.
Even if you’re not a fan, the real thing is still pretty jaw-dropping.
Kyoto Udon Namasoba Okakita
Kyoto Udon Namasoba Okakita, established in 1940, is a popular dining spot located near Heian Shrine. This eatery, spanning four generations, continues to offer traditional flavors handed down from its founder. Given its proximity to the tourist hotspot of Heian Shrine, it is consistently bustling with customers at any time of day.
The light broth and chewy noodles are a perfect match, with a subtle aroma that keeps you wanting more.
Shima Onsen
Located in the upper reaches of the Shima River, which originates in the Mikuni Mountains and is situated in a lush national park, Shima Onsen is a famous hot spring with a history of over 1,000 years. It is said that a military commander of the Minamoto clan（Genji） was guided by a child (an incarnation of a god) who appeared out of nowhere, heard an oracle that he would be given a sacred spring that would cure the illnesses of Shima (Yonman / 40,000 diseases), and found a hot spring that gushed forth.
A true hot spring paradise—it's the perfect place for a relaxing soak.
Shin-Marunouchi Building
Among the skyscrapers of Tokyo, a commercial complex with a stylish black exterior as its basic theme stands out. It is known by the nickname Shin-Marubiru.
There are lots of delicious food options inside the building, and the night view of Tokyo Station is fantastic!
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.
I was disappointed because the inside of the castle tower didn't live up to my expectations.
Mizusawa Udon Kaido
The prefectural highway, Route 15 connects Ikaho Onsen and Maebashi City. Near the Ikaho Onsen, Mizusawa Temple stands in front of the approach called Mizusawa Udon Kaido, a gourmet street.
After visiting Mizusawa Kannon Temple, I stopped by Udon Street to try Mizusawa Udon, one of Japan's top three udon noodles.
Pontocho
Pontocho Street runs north to south sandwiched by Kamo River and Takase River, which was originally an island in Kamo River. In the early Edo Period, Takase River was opened and connected to Fushimi, and it began to prosper as a logistics hub. In the late Edo period, it became a downtown. By the early Meiji Period when Kamogawa Dance was performed to promote Pontocho, it was established as a red-light district.
The alley is quite narrow, lined with all kinds of Japanese restaurants on both sides. Tourists are constantly coming and going along this charming street.