Julie Chen's Reviews Page 1/2

Hitsumabushi Hanaoka

This hugely popular restaurant in Sakae, Nagoya serves outstanding hitsumabushi, a Nagoya specialty made with high-quality eel. Its name is well known not only among locals but also among tourists, and long lines form in front of the restaurant even before it opens every day.

Nagoya

10 Dec 2025 See More

This spot is a safe bet when you're craving eel rice. The eel is grilled nicely—fragrant and not too dry. The portion of rice is just right, and trying the three different ways to eat it is pretty fun. The flavor isn't mind-blowing, but it's steady and really comforting. Feels like a little everyday happiness 🥰

Atago Shrine

Established in 1603, Atago Shrine enshrines the god of fire prevention. Aside from fire prevention and disaster prevention, Atago Shrine is also said to bring luck in love, printing, computers, and business successes, thanks to its relation to the phrase “related to fire.”

Shimbashi, Toranomon, Tokyo Tower, Hamamatsucho
Shrines & Temples

2 Dec 2025 See More

I'm not kidding, those stairs are insanely steep! Climbing up felt like a whole new life experience.

Keio Seiseki Sakuragaoka Shopping Center

This mega department store is located in a quiet residential area just steps from Tama River, one of the most acclaimed rivers running through the Tokyo Metropolitan Area. With easy, direct access to the Keio Line Seiseki-sakuragaoka station, it draws crowds not only from nearby residents, but from shoppers outside the area as well.

Fuchu, Chofu, Tama
Commercial Buildings

26 Jun 2025 See More

The department store isn't huge, but the basement food floor is awesome. There's a whole row of ready-to-eat meals, bento, and desserts—so much to look at! They have everything you need for daily life. Super practical spot!

Nagoya Castle

One of the largest castles in Japan, built in the early Edo period on the orders of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Edo shogunate, the five-story castle tower is topped with shining two Kinshachi, one male and one female that has become a symbol of Nagoya.

Nagoya
Tourist Attractions

5 May 2025 See More

There were a lot of tourists, but it never felt too crowded. The flow was well organized, and most of the signs had both Chinese and English, so even if you can't read Japanese, it's totally fine.

ANA Blue Hangar Tour

ANA Airframe Maintenance Building on Haneda Airport is the facility to check and maintain the ANA group’s airplanes for safe flight. Here, you can get close to airplanes and watch how they are maintained on “ANA Blue Hangar Tour.”

Oimachi, Kamata, Haneda Airport Area
Experiences Facilities

7 Apr 2023 See More

The ANA maintenance tour isn't just about listening to company presentations. You actually get to see the open workspace where planes are being serviced. It was so cool to observe the aircraft structure and maintenance tools up close! Learned a ton! 🧰👍

Introductory performance of Japanese traditional culture (Gion Corner)

Performances are held daily at the Gion Kobu Kaburenjo Small Theatre, which is adjacent to the Gion Kobu Kaburenjo Theatre, a theater dedicated to the "Miyako Odori" dance performance that heralds the spring season in Gion.

Kyoto
Museums

7 Apr 2023 See More

After watching the whole performance, I definitely recommend it to everyone! From traditional Maiko dances to tea ceremony, these are authentic Japanese cultural performances that are being beautifully preserved. 👍

Kawasaki Daishi Heikenji Temple (Kongosan Kinjoin Heikenji)

Kawasaki Daishi is considered the birthplace of the "Hatsumode" tradition. Every year during the first three days of the New Year, approximately 3 million people visit for worship.

Kawasaki
Shrines & Temples

5 Apr 2023 See More

Kawasaki Daishi is famous for prayers to ward off misfortune, and it's also one of Japan's most popular temples. I come here every time I get the chance.

Mount Takao

Mount Takao is a peak with an levation of 599 meters, located in Tokyo’s Hachioji City. With good transportation access, it’s a popular placee to go mountain climbing. While still in the city, it’s like taking a trip to the countryside! From families with small children to the elderly, about 3,000,000 people visit every year. It’s world famous as the mountain boasting the most climbers in the world.

Tachikawa, Hachioji, Machida
Nature Spots

5 Apr 2023 See More

Mount Takao—there's the spiritual Yakuo-in temple, lush greenery, beautiful autumn leaves, and even one of the best spots to see Mt. Fuji! I come here every weekend or holiday. 🤟🎈

Hashigui Iwa

The magma, poured out about 1500 years ago, has been eroded by the sea to form these rocky pillars in the ocean. 40 of them stand along from south to east in a 850m-long line.

Wakayama
Nature Spots

26 Mar 2023 See More

Hashigui Iwa has such a rare and beautiful landscape. It attracts lots of photographers and influencers who come early in the morning to capture the perfect shot.

Tokyo Takarazuka Theater

The Takarazuka Revue was established in 1934 as the base theater in Tokyo for the Takarazuka Revue, based in Takarazuka City, Hyogo Prefecture. The theater was rebuilt in 1998, and the curtains were reopened on January 1, 2001, at the dawn of the 21st century. From the entrance, the gorgeous red carpet and shining chandeliers are a fitting entrance to the world of dreams, creating a space full of a sense of the extraordinary.

Ginza, Yurakucho
Museums

7 Mar 2023 See More

All the performers in the Takarazuka Revue are women. The shows include Western musicals, French cabaret, and can-can dances, all with carefully choreographed routines and gorgeous costumes. The Takarazuka Revue has countless devoted fans all over Japan. It's really worth seeing at least once.