It’s such a shame I can only give this 5 stars.
Itsukushima Shrine looks completely different in each moment—the shrine under the clear daytime sky, the shrine at night when the tide goes out, and the shrine floating on the sea the next morning. It feels majestic, solemn, and dreamlike...
At low tide, you can walk down to the tidal flats and get close. At high tide, you can admire the torii gate floating on the water from afar. Absolutely worth the trip!
I quietly promised myself I’d come back again.
周黛西's Reviews Page 1/4
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Yuda Onsen is known as the "White Fox Hot Spring," and the whole onsen town uses the white fox as its mascot. You can spot cute white fox statues all around the area, and in front of the station there's even an 8-meter-tall white fox named "Yutakun" welcoming visitors. It really leaves an impression.
There are footbaths everywhere, so it's super relaxing to stroll around and take your time! -
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The Geibikei Gorge boat ride uses a traditional flat boat. The boatman poles it along the stream, carrying visitors while you take in the magnificent gorge on both sides.
The scenery is beautiful, and the cool breeze takes away the summer heat. Looking at the unusual rock formations while listening to the boatman sing feels relaxing and wonderfully carefree. -
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Hydrangeas everywhere across the hills—absolutely stunning 🤩! They grow endlessly along the paths and beneath the trees.
Michinoku Hydrangea Garden has several walking routes, so you can stroll and enjoy the flowers at the same time. The shade from the trees also makes it really pleasant to walk around. -
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If you also love the idea of a water-side getaway, I’d definitely recommend a trip to Oirase Gorge in northeastern Japan and a stay at Hoshino Resorts Oirase Keiryu Hotel.
You can listen to the soft rain falling on the leaves and grass, and drift off to sleep with the gentle sound of the stream. It’s incredibly relaxing.
The hotel’s facilities and service were excellent. What stood out most to me, besides the art installation in the lobby, were the welcome apple tea, the apple wall in the restaurant 🍎, and the apple desserts.
The air was filled with phytoncides, the earthy scent of the soil, and the sweet aroma of apples. It was truly healing! -
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Matsushima, one of the "Three Great Views of Japan," is praised as one of those places you should visit at least once in your life, and it truly lived up to the hype.
Taking a sightseeing boat and admiring the many islands resting quietly on the sea was a wonderful experience. The islands are beautifully scattered about. They may look somewhat similar at first, yet each has its own character. It felt like wandering through a landscape painting, with layers of scenery fading into the distance.
Even the haiku poet Matsuo Basho found this beauty hard to capture in words. I highly recommend visiting. -
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Oirase Stream in summer is a famous place to escape the heat, with lush greenery everywhere you look.
The showers the night before made the stream even fuller, and every photo I took with my camera looked like something out of a calendar.
The temperature was cool and comfortable, and the green forest and gently flowing stream made the scenery feel incredibly refreshing. -
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Nebuta Museum Wa Rasse, right next to Aomori Station, has a complete collection of the giant Nebuta lantern floats that have appeared in past festivals. The dazzling exhibits, along with videos and interactive experiences, gave me a deeper understanding of this cultural celebration with 300 years of history. Even if you’ve never actually attended the festival, Wa Rasse is a great place to satisfy your curiosity all at once.
The 2026 Taiwan Chiayi Lantern Festival also invited Wa Rasse to take part. Seeing those vivid, towering character lanterns reminded me of my fun experience in Aomori. -
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For Cup Noodles fans, visiting the Nissin Cup Noodles Museum should be an experience that fully delights all five senses. From the building to the souvenirs, even the manhole covers feature the little yellow chick.
When you come to the Cup Noodles “kingdom,” you of course have to make your own cup noodles. Everything from decorating the cup to creating your own flavor really brings out your inner child.
I also learned that Momofuku Ando was actually from Chiayi, Taiwan. His inspiring life story made the visit even more uplifting. -
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There’s an English-style Peter Rabbit garden on Mt. Rokko, and you can find little surprises in just about every corner.
From Rokko Garden Terrace, you can look out over Kobe, Wakayama, and other areas along Osaka Bay. The view is as colorful and dazzling as opening a jewelry box, and the night scenery sparkles like brilliant gems!
There’s also a ranch and a music box museum here, and you can even make your own music box as a souvenir. -
