Kitty Yu's Reviews Page 2/3

Hotel Kararako

Opened in September 2023 along the Shinmon Dori Street leading to Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine, Hotel Kararako is named with the desire to welcome guests as the gods are welcomed in Izumo during their annual gathering. The name "Kararako (神等楽来)" embodies this sentiment.

Shimane
Hotels

31 Dec 2023 See More

Wow, staying at Kararako was such a luxurious yet understated experience! They even have a beauty salon. The best part was the restaurant, supervised by the Michelin-starred Kyoto chef from Higashiyama Yoshihisa. You really have to stay here at least once!

Aizu Ashinomaki Onsen Marumine Sansui (Private Villas)

A luxury resort with just six private villas, tucked away in Ashinomaki Onsen-Aizu’s hidden retreat. Each villa blends Aizu charm with comfortable, traditional Japanese design and offers a spacious layout of 70+ square meters. The largest villa, Tangetsu, spans 130 square meters and boasts stunning views from its veranda overlooking the mountain stream and the Okawa River.

Fukushima
Inns

31 Dec 2023 See More

The hot springs here are right by a lush, natural stream valley. Since this area is also known as a hidden onsen gem, you can enjoy beautiful scenery in every season—and soak in the annex hot spring too ♨️ It’s a “beauty bath,” so your skin feels great!

Koboushi no Yu Senshintei

Yunokami Onsen sits along the upper reaches of the Aga River, an area famed for scenic spots such as Okawa Gorge and the dramatic rock formation known as To-no-Hetsuri. “Koboushi no Yu Senshintei” is a tranquil hot spring inn quietly nestled amid approximately 4,500 tsubo of natural forest. Not only the open-air baths but also the guest rooms and lounge are surrounded by trees that press right up to the windows, allowing guests to relax while embraced by the changing beauty of the seasons, from fresh greenery to vibrant autumn leaves.

Fukushima
Inns

31 Dec 2023 See More

I love hot spring inns like this, surrounded by nature and forest. The open-air baths, guest rooms, and lounge all look out onto the woods. The hot spring here is 100% natural, and it's famous for boosting circulation and making your skin feel amazing!

Kanazawa Sainoniwa Hotel & Kanazawa Adventures

The Kanazawa Sainoniwa Hotel, operated by the Rakuten Group and ranked second in the 'High Food Review Accommodation Ranking' City & Leisure category on the Rakuten Travel reservation site, is celebrated for its 80+-piece breakfast buffet made with the irresistible goodness of local ingredients. The 'Kanazawa Circulation Luxury Bus Tour' organized by 'Kanazawa Adventures', is a trusted brand within the same group as the hotel, that also won the Grand Prix in the Japan Domestic & Visiting Digital Utilization Category.

Kanazawa
Hotels

31 Dec 2023 See More

So comfortable! The staff were super friendly. The hotel has a quiet, luxurious vibe, and the rooms are spacious and cozy. There's a large public bath and a garden with a Kyoto feel. The breakfast buffet had so many options—I was really satisfied!

Kawagoe Kumano Shrine

This shrine, affectionately known as "Okumansama" by locals, was established in 1590 from the division of the Kishu Kumano Hongu Taisha during the Muromachi period. It is known for its blessings of good fortune, with numerous lucky spots within its precincts, including the "Fortune-Trying Ring Toss" and the "Treasure Pond," where visitors wash money for increased wealth.

Saitama
Shrines & Temples

31 Dec 2023 See More

Kumano Shrine is famous for blessings of good luck and relationships. The most unique thing here is that you can touch the two-headed sacred snake to pray for love and safety. You can also wash your money here for good fortune—it's really special!

Ishikawa Prefectural Budokan Aikido Course

Jujutsu is a traditional Japanese martial art said to have got its start among samurai looking to defend themselves without swords or spears. Aikido evolved from jujutsu and is now cherished as a martial art embodying peace. In Aikido, the philosophy isn't about defeating an opponent, and as such, there are no competitions or matches. Counterpoint to the ideas of winning or losing, the focus of Aikido is in refining techniques to hone the self by training the body and mind.

Kanazawa
Experiences Facilities

29 Dec 2023 See More

Aikido is a great experience for women—it's a martial art that doesn't rely on brute strength. It really helps you feel healthy and happy, both physically and mentally. I highly recommend it for women to try!

Okuda Studio visit for Kaga Yuzen Experience

Kimono, worn for high-profile events like weddings and parties, are a common sight in Kanazawa, a city where customs like tea ceremony and dance still thrive today. Classic “yuzen” dyeing techniques are split into three main brands: Kaga Yuzen from Kanazawa, Kyoto Yuzen from Kyoto, and Edo Yuzen from Tokyo, collectively known as Japan’s 'Three Great Yuzen'.

Kanazawa
Experiences Facilities

29 Dec 2023 See More

Kaga Yuzen is all about hand-dyeing, just like painting a picture! Even if you're not confident in your drawing skills, you can make a beautiful original handkerchief, kind of like coloring in a book. It only takes about 60 minutes to finish one. Such a great experience!

Tsurumi Studio visit for Kaga Yuzen Experience

Kaga Yuzen, along with Kyoto Yuzen from Kyoto and Edo Yuzen from Tokyo, is known as one of the 'Three Great Yuzen'. This coveted style of kimono is sought after by many women in Japan who dream of the chance to wear it at least once in their lifetime. Fabric-enthusiasts love Kaga Yuzen for its authentic, fully hand-drawn dyeing technique made by artisans without the additions of any embroidery or similar embellishments. Miyazaki Yuzensai is said to be the founder of Kaga Yuzen, hailing all the way from Ishikawa Prefecture.

Kanazawa
Experiences Facilities

29 Dec 2023 See More

The bright colors and patterns on the kimono are one of Kanazawa's traditional crafts. Here, you can learn about how they're made, watch live demonstrations, and shop for products. The best part is, if you book in advance, you can join in on these hands-on activities. Highly recommended!

Kaga-nui embroidery IMAI - Kaga-nui embroidery Experience

Kaga-nui embroidery, a lavish embroidery using silk, is a long-loved heritage craft from Kanazawa since the 14th century, alongside the arrival of Buddhism. By the 16th century, this same technique was sought after for the military jackets of feudal lords and the kimono of ladies and princesses. Nowadays, it is used in dresses, stoles, accessories, interior designs and other aspect of everyday life. Kaga-nui embroidery uses a variety of colored silk, gold, and silver threads, all hand-sewn.

Kanazawa
Experiences Facilities

29 Dec 2023 See More

You can try out and learn traditional Kaga-nui embroidery here! I made a DIY keychain, hair accessory, and some other cute little items. I picked up lots of new techniques and ended up with some beautiful decorations. The embroidery process was smooth and really enjoyable—highly recommend!

Sakamoto Kurozu Tsubobatake Information Center & Restaurant

A great number of porcelain pots arranged in lines on the southern slope overlooking Kinko Bay in Fukuyama-cho, south of Kirishima City. The black vinegar making industry has developed in Fukuyama-cho because of its mild climate, moderate seasonal temperature changes, groundwater quality, accessibility of Satsuma porcelain pots for fermentation and quality rice which is the raw material for black vinegar.

Kagoshima
Experiences Facilities

31 Jul 2022 See More

They offer all kinds of healthy drinks made with vinegar. Thanks to the local climate, Fukuyama is a great place for brewing black vinegar.