TANABE Digestive Medicine URSO(R)
Ursodeoxycholic acid is actually one of bile acids that exist in our bodies and it is also an active ingredient of the Chinese medicine, “Yutan”.
One time I had some stomach bloating, and my family gave me this to try. It helped a lot after a short while. Now, whenever I live away from home, I always keep some on hand just in case.
Sekaizushi
Sekaizushi is home to fresh sushi and sashimi dishes only available in Niigata, as well as a full range of authentic local fare. The owner is known especially for increasing the number of Niigata sushi fans with his “kiwami” sushi menu, a dish that can be enjoyed at over 20 famous sushi shops in Niigata City.
This place is really popular—I saw a lot of tourists dining here. I loved their spicy chicken dish, and the fried oysters were fantastic too.
If you're not into sushi, they have other dishes you can try!
Minato no Marche at Pier Bandai
At Minato no Marche Pier Bandai, you can find all kinds of delicious foods from Niigata. There is a wide selection of freshly harvested fish from the Sea of Japan, vegetables directly delivered from local farms, seasonal fruits, delicious meats, and Niigata brand rice and famous sake.
Whenever I visit a new place, I love checking out the local markets. Seeing all the fresh seafood and produce really gives you a sense of the local lifestyle. Of course, we sat down and enjoyed some of the freshest seafood around. Traveling is just so much fun when you can experience things like this!
Matsukawa Pleasure Boat
This is a historical cruise that starts at the foot of the bridge near Toyama Castle Ruins Park and takes about 30 minutes for a round trip along the Matsukawa River. The cruise is guided by the captain of the boat, who is full of personality, and visitors can enjoy the view from the water while tracing the history of the Toyama Clan, a branch of the Kaga Hyakumangoku Clan.
The cherry blossom trees on both sides were so dense, it felt like we were sailing through a tunnel of sakura! Everyone on the boat kept saying how beautiful it was, snapping photos and taking videos nonstop!
Hotel Tateyama
The highest hotel in Japan, located in "Murodo-daira" at an elevation of 2,450 meters above sea level. "Murodo-daira" is known as the sightseeing base of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, and is surrounded by 3,000-meter-high mountains and magnificent nature.
The room was small but clean, with beautiful views. The food was delicious and the service was excellent, though the room rate was a bit pricey. Enjoying the scenery around the hotel in the early morning was truly relaxing and beautiful!
Meiso no Sato (Meditation Resort)
This mysterious village, known as ”the Village in the Sky,” sits at the top of Toga Village Uebatake. Huge Mandala and Buddha paintings created by a Nepalese monk such as a dynamic painting of a garden “Flower Mandala” at the center are hung in the Meditation Hall, a display room and an inn. Yoga and meditation events are held for visitors to refresh their bodies and souls.
These days, people are looking for spiritual retreats, but you don't have to travel all the way to India. Here in Toga, you can meditate and recharge your energy too!
Kappabashi Dougu Street®
Kappabashi Dougu Street is a shopping district between Tokyo’s Asakusa and Ueno areas that extends around 800 meters from north to south. It is an interesting shopping district, where around 160 shops all related to food items all gather, selling the obvious items like cooking utensils and tableware, as well as other things like restaurant signboards.
There are all kinds of kitchen tools here, many of which I've never seen in Taiwan.
Takeshita Street
This shopping street stretches nearly 350m from Harajuku Station to Meiji Street. Many shops carry one-of-a-kind fashion items, and the world pays attention to them as a source of the latest fashion. Everyday, the youth and many shoppers are milling here.
It's a small alley right across from JR Harajuku Station. On weekends and holidays, the whole street is packed with people, especially lots of young folks.
Kinkaku-ji
During the Muromachi Period, the 3rd Ashikaga shogun, Yoshimitsu, made an abode in this temple called Kitayamadono. It was named as Rokuon-ji after the posthumous name of Yoshimitsu. He had also built Shokoku-ji Temple, and Rokuon-ji, his retirement home, was turned into a branch temple of Shokoku-ji.
Kinkaku-ji is so beautiful, it almost feels unreal. If they let visitors go inside, all the gold leaf would probably get worn off.
Yasaka Shrine
The shrine’s deities are Susanoo-no-Mikoto, Kushiinadahime-no-Mikoto, and Yahashira-no-Mikogami, and it is the head shrine of approximately 2,300 Yasaka Shrine and related shrines with Susanoo-no-Mikoto enshrined scattered throughout Japan.
The atmosphere with the lanterns lit up at night is absolutely stunning!