Derek Ho's Reviews Page 1/2

Harmonica Alley

Located just outside the north exit of Kichijoji Station, this small alley is home to about 100 shops. The name “Harmonica Alley” is said to come from the fact that the line of small storefronts looks like the holes on a harmonica. Many of the shops sell delicious things to eat, so it’s a great place to stroll while sampling some of the delights. At night, red lanterns light the many izakayas (Japanese style pubs), which are a popular place to have a drink.

• Kichijoji, Mitaka
• Shopping Streets

Kushiro City Red-Crowned Crane Natural Park (Kushiro Japanese Crane Reserve)

Doors flew open in 1958 at this esteemed park founded to protect and increase the population of red-crowned cranes, a designated Special Natural Monument of Japan. Once on the brink of extinction, the reserve successfully implemented artificial hatching and advanced breeding techniques that saved the species.

• Kushiro and Nemuro
• Zoos & Aquariums

Yanagawa River Boating

Yanagawa, also known as the city of water, is located in the south of Fukuoka Prefecture. Here you’ll find old-world streetscapes that still keep the lattice-like waterways from the Edo period. When you’re here, the absolute must-see is the inter-city river boating experience. No matter what season, you’re guaranteed for a fun and relaxing time as the boat captain serenades and shares stories around the area.

• Fukuoka
• Ships

gashacoco Ikebukuro

Just about a 2-minute walk from Ikebukuro Station, “gashacoco Ikebukuro” is a specialty shop dedicated to capsule toys. With a sales floor of about 150 tsubo (about 495 m²), it boasts around 1,500 capsule toy vending machines. The lineup spans a wide range of genres, including anime characters, Heisei retro, and food motifs.

• Ikebukuro
• Experiences Facilities

Starbucks Coffee Shinjuku Gyoen Store

Opened in March 2020 within Shinjuku Gyoen, originally constructed as an imperial garden during the Meiji era and later opened to the public as a national park after the war, this establishment marks the first presence of a private enterprise within the park.

• Shinjuku, Okubo, Yoyogi, Yotsuya
• Cafés

Aso Shrine (Tokyo)

Aso Shrine is a deeply historical location believed to have been founded in 601, and it is said that historic figures such as Taira no Masakado and Ieyasu Tokugawa visited the shrine for worship.

• Okutama, Ome
• Shrines & Temples

Motsunabe Rakutenchi Tenjin So-Honten

This is the flagship restaurant of Motsunabe Rakutenchi, a motsunabe specialist that operates multiple locations centered around Fukuoka City in Fukuoka. The restaurant boasts three floors and a total of 240 seats, making it one of the largest restaurants of its kind in Kyushu, and all seats are horigotatsu-style sunken kotatsu seating.

• Fukuoka
• Japanese Cuisine

Toi Onsen

Located in Nishiizu, facing the Suruga Bay. This is an onsen village port town. It had a golden mine which had its first golden age during the Edo period, and was Japan’s second prosperous mine during the Meiji to Showa period, next to Sado. During the construction of the mine in 1611, hot springs spurted out from its main entrance.

• Shizuoka
• Famous Places

Abashiri Nature Cruise

Abashiri Nature Cruise is the coveted drop-in wildlife expedition to see the creatures of Sea of Okhotsk from the water that conveniently departs from roadside station Ryuhyo Kaido Abashiri in Abashiri, Hokkaido. Just a 10-minute drive from central Abashiri, make your way here for a rare chance to witness marine life up close in its natural environment.

• Shiretoko　and Abashiri and Kitami and Monbetsu
• Ships

Tokyu Foodshow Edge

Step through into Shibuya Scramble Square for the mouthwatering wonderland that awaits at Tokyu Foodshow Edge, a full on food adventure with 60 different names top shop between the B2 and 1st floors.

• Shibuya
• Commercial Buildings