Otaru Canal Cruise
The Otaru Canal, completed in 1923 (Taisho 12) by reclaiming the offshore coast, is lined with historic stone and timber warehouses and remains a popular tourist attraction. A 40-minute tour on a cruise boat around this area is a popular choice among visitors.
During the day, you can clearly see the well-preserved historic buildings. At night, the lights add a special charm to the place.
Ajidokoro Takeda (Otaru Sankaku Market)
Located in the renowned "Otaru Sankaku Market," just a one-minute walk from JR Otaru Station, this popular dining spot is managed by "Takeda Fish Market," also located within the market. As expected from a seafood specialist, you can enjoy a wide variety of fresh seafood at reasonable prices unique to Otaru. The menu features dishes made with seafood sourced daily from the fish market auction, ranging from hearty rice bowls to set meals and à la carte options.
I highly recommend the assorted seafood rice bowl here. You get to try a variety of fresh seafood, and it's definitely the signature dish of the place.
Ryusei-no-Taki Falls・Ginga-no-Taki Falls
The Ishikari River is a first-class river that flows through the central-western part of Hokkaido and empties into the Sea of Japan. Sounkyo, located along the Ishikari River, has a large gorge with many waterfalls falling from the cliffs over a distance of 24 kilometers. Two of the most beautiful waterfalls are "Ryusei-no-Taki Falls・Ginga-no-Taki Falls."
I visited in October and the whole area was covered in autumn leaves—yellow, green, and red all over the mountains. The scenery was absolutely stunning.
HEP FIVE
“HEP” stands for “Hankyu Entertainment Park”, where “entertainment” has both meanings; “entertainment” as well as “hospitality”. It was founded in November 1998 aiming to create a place where we serve hospitality which makes people want to visit again and again. When the bright red ferris wheel first appeared in the middle of the city, it became a hot topic because it was the world’s first ferris wheel which is a part of the building and equipped with air conditioning. Since then, it became a landmark of Umeda.
The ferris wheel ride takes about 15 minutes. The city views from the top are beautiful. If you're visiting Umeda, don't miss it!
Tsutenkaku Tower
A steel tower which looks like the Eiffel Tower and 75 meters high was built In 1912, on top of a building which was the motif of the Arc de Triomphe, and named “Tsutenkaku” meaning “A building reaching the heaven'' by Nangaku Fujisawa, a Confucian in the early Meiji period. After being broken down due to a fire, citizens lobbied for rebuilding and the current 2nd Tsutenkaku was built in 1956.
After checking out the observation deck, I tried some local Osaka food nearby—kushikatsu, fugu, and all kinds of delicious dishes.
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.
If you love good food, you absolutely have to come here and try all the delicious eats. No wonder they call it Osaka's kitchen!
Mt. Maya (Mayasan)
The 702-meter-high Mt. Maya is one of the major peaks of the Rokko Mountains, a chain of mountains of various sizes. The mountain can be easily accessed via the Maya Cable Car and Maya Ropeway, commonly known as the Maya View Line, from the foot of the mountain.
The observation deck on the mountain is the best spot to see Kobe's night view. Since it's pretty high up, make sure to bring extra clothes to stay warm.
Himeji Castle
This castle is a World Heritage Site and a Japanese castle masterpiece. The main keep, built by Ikeda Terumasa in the early Edo period, has a five-story exterior, one basement level, and six stories above ground on the inside, making it the largest Edo period castle tower still standing.
Right next to Himeji Castle, there's a whole park filled with cherry blossom trees. Lots of locals just sit under the trees and have picnics—such a happy vibe!
Awaji Yumebutai
Awaji Yumebutai is a facility complex designed by the world-famous architect Tadao Ando, located in the northern part of Awaji Island.
There's an art museum, hotel, open-air stage, botanical garden, and even the Church of the Sea designed by Tadao Ando. It's really impressive how all these are blended with the natural landscape.
Akashi Kaikyo Bridge
The Akashi Kaikyo Bridge connects Honshu and Awaji Island. It is known as the world's longest suspension bridge, with a total length of 3,911 meters and a distance of 1,991 meters between the two main towers. Together with the Onaruto Bridge, it connects the Kansai area to Shikoku, and is a popular tourist route.
You can walk around under the bridge, and if you have extra time, you can pay JPY 250 to go inside the bridge. There's a short glass walkway inside, but it's a bit scary.