みのさん's Reviews Page 3/4

Matsumoto City Museum of Art

Opened in April 2002 with its eye-catching polka-dotted exterior, the museum showcases the works of the globally renowned avant-garde artist Yayoi Kusama, who hails from Matsumoto City. After undergoing extensive renovations lasting about a year, it reopened in April 2022 to celebrate its 20th anniversary.

Nagano
Museums

25 Mar 2024 See More

This museum always has Yayoi Kusama's works on display. You can even take photos with the famous yellow pumpkin! It's within walking distance from Matsumoto Station, but there's also a bus. There's even a red polka-dot wrapped bus, which is pretty cool.

Tanukikoji Shopping Street

Tanuki Koji Shopping Street, with over 145 years of history is one of Hokkaido’s oldest shopping streets. It’s located in the center of Sapporo, stretching 900 meters from east to west with some 200 different shops. It has an arcade-style covered roofing, meaning you can enjoy shopping, dining, or an easy stroll no matter what the weather.

Sapporo
Shopping Streets

3 Dec 2023 See More

You can get here from Susukino or Odori subway stations through an underground passage, so you won't get wet even if it rains.

It's a long shopping street with Don Quijote, 100 yen shops, souvenir stores—super convenient for picking up gifts. There are also ramen shops, izakayas, cafes, and all kinds of places to eat.

There are plenty of affordable hotels along the street, which is really handy.

The first photo is the famous Nikka Whisky sign, a landmark of Susukino. The second is grilled hokke (a must-order at izakayas). Photos 3–5 are of Lamp Light Books Hotel Sapporo in Tanukikoji 7-chome. The first floor is a 24-hour cafe where you can enjoy coffee and books. If you're using the cafe, you can read any book for free. There are also seats with power outlets, so charging your devices is easy and convenient.

Mt. Omuro

Omuro Mountain, an independent peak with an altitude of 580m, is located in Ito City, Shizuoka Prefecture. This volcano, which looks like an overturned bowl, is a beloved symbol of the Izu Plateau. Formed by volcanic activity about 4000 years ago, Omuro Mountain is a nationally designated natural monument and the largest scoria cone in the eastern Izu Volcanic Group.

Shizuoka
Nature Spots

18 Nov 2023 See More

This mountain is a symbol of Ito, with its smooth, treeless silhouette that's pretty unique.
The view from the top is beautiful. Dogs can ride the lift too, so it's a nice spot to visit if you're traveling with your pet.
The summit is shaped like a mortar, and you can even try archery there. Every year they do a controlled burn, and if you time it right, you can see Mt. Omuro surrounded by flames.

Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter

The traditional streets of the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter feature white walled warehouses, grid pattern walls, Namako-kabe, and rows of weeping trees, creating a beautiful and charming townscape. This harmonious and historic scenery is very popular with tourists.

Okayama
Famous Places

16 Nov 2023 See More

Every corner of this beautiful town looks like a picture. There are lots of cute shops, so just walking around is fun. The second photo is of a shop that sells sake, so there’s a sugidama hanging at the entrance. I tried the peach parfait at Kurashiki Momoko, which is famous for its seasonal fruit parfaits. It had a whole peach on top! The type of peach changes with the season. The parfait was big enough to share between two people. It gets crowded, but if you love fruit, I definitely recommend it.

Sessho-seki (Killing Stone)

The Nasu Highlands sit nestled at the foot of the 1,915-meter high Nasu Mountains, home to a legendary boulder known as the Sessho-seki (the Killing Stone). The surrounding terrain is speckled with rugged rocks, creating a desolate landscape that you won’t find elsewhere. As the tale tells, the Sessho-seki was once the Nine-Tailed Fox, a wicked creature from ancient China, that transformed into this stone. It is recognized as a powerful spiritual site and has been designated as a National Scenic Beauty.

Tochigi
Tourist Attractions

15 Nov 2023 See More

This is a scenic spot where the stone said to seal the Nine-Tailed Fox is enshrined. There are various stories and legends about its origins, but actually visiting made me feel it’s a truly sacred place. I also recommend Shika-no-Yu, a hidden hot spring with sulfur nearby.

Matsumoto Castle

Matsumoto Castle was built between the years 1593 and 1594. It is one of the oldest of the still-standing “gojuu-rokkai” (five roofs, six stories) structures in Japan, and it has been registered as a national treasure.

Nagano
Tourist Attractions

12 Nov 2023 See More

This is a national treasure castle with a wooden main keep.
It's beautifully lit up at night, and looks stunning both day and night. You have to take off your shoes to enter, since wearing shoes inside is not allowed. In winter, your feet can get really cold, so I recommend borrowing slippers from your hotel before you go.

Tottori Sand Dunes

Located on the Sea of Japan side of Tottori City in Tottori Prefecture, the Tottori Sand Dunes stretch 16 km from east to west and 2.4 km from north to south, making them one of the largest dune systems in Japan. These dunes, designated as a special protected area and a Natural Monument of Japan, are a major tourist attraction representing Tottori Prefecture.

Tottori
Nature Spots

11 Nov 2023 See More

This is a must-see spot when visiting Tottori.
The beautiful patterns in the sand created by the wind, and the contrast between the sky and the dunes, are definitely highlights. It's perfect for social media! The dunes are huge and there aren't any shops around, so be sure to bring a water bottle and stay hydrated while you explore. I've heard it's beautiful in the snowy season too, so I'd love to visit in winter. The last photo is from a small restaurant called Yukichiya near Tottori Station. The set menu came with fresh sashimi and beautifully arranged side dishes—it was delicious.

Abashiri Prison Museum

Abashiri Prison Museum is an outdoor history museum located in the Abashiri National Park area. On a site equivalent to 3.5 times the size of Tokyo Dome, the former Abashiri Prison buildings have been relocated, restored, preserved, and opened to the public.

Shiretoko　and Abashiri and Kitami and Monbetsu
Museums

10 Nov 2023 See More

This is a history museum where you can learn about the history of Hokkaido's development and what communal life was like back then. The exhibits are clean and easy to understand, and the garden is beautiful too. They had pamphlets in English and Chinese. The grounds are pretty big, so if you want to take your time, make sure you have plenty of time to visit.

Toraya Akasaka Branch

Founded in Kyoto during the late Muromachi period, Toraya expanded to Tokyo in 1869, following the capital's move from Kyoto to Tokyo. Although the Kyoto shop continued its operations, Toraya established its presence in Akasaka, Tokyo from 1879. In 1964, they relocated to their current location, and in 2018, the entire store underwent a renovation and celebrated its grand reopening.

Akasaka, Roppongi, Azabu-Juban
Sweets Shop & Desserts Shop

31 Oct 2023 See More

The building itself is impressive, and the exhibits are fantastic too. In the basement gallery, you can see displays of wagashi designs and other materials. If you time it right, you can even view some rare documents for free.

Western-style Bar "Prince"

Operating in the dining district "Nagayokocho Rensa Street", which dates back to the late Showa 20s (1945-1954), this bar was established in Showa 32 (1957). Since its inception, it's not only been a hit with the locals of Hachinohe but also with tourists seeking a deep night experience.

Aomori
Wine Bars

31 Oct 2023 See More

This is a real hidden gem in Hachinohe, even among Japanese locals. The ceiling is covered with business cards from past visitors. The owner doesn't drink at all, but still makes beautiful and delicious cocktails. Part of the sales from the blue cocktail in the photo goes to support ocean conservation.
You can also buy logo merchandise online.