周黛西's Reviews Page 11/11

Shirakawa-go (Gassho-Zukuri Village)

Shirakawa-go is a picturesque area where Japan’s traditional rural landscape remains intact. It has the largest concentration of gassho-zukuri buildings, with more than 100 structures of various sizes as of 2016. As Japan’s largest gassho-zukuri village, it has been designated a National Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings.

Gifu
Famous Places

20 Feb 2026 See More

It felt like stepping into a hidden paradise. Wandering through the village was like traveling through time.

The distant mountain peaks were covered in snow, and the gassho-style houses were beautifully scattered around. The scenery was absolutely stunning and so relaxing. ☺️

Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route

This 23.1-mile mountain sightseeing route cuts through the Northern Japan Alps, home to peaks reaching around 9,800 feet. With a maximum elevation change of 6,480 feet, the route connects Tateyama Station in Toyama Prefecture and Ogizawa Station in Nagano Prefecture via six modes of transportation, including cable cars and a ropeway. Numerous scenic spots can be found along the way, offering many ways to experience the majestic natural surroundings, from casual walks to serious trekking.

Toyama
Nagano
Tourist Attractions

20 Feb 2026 See More

We were lucky to avoid the heavy snow and strong winds right at the start of the 2025 opening. At the same time, that stormy weather helped create the tallest snow wall in years—16 m.

If your schedule isn’t too tight, it’s worth staying overnight in the mountains. Seeing the peaks blanketed in snow, stretching one after another, is absolutely breathtaking.

Oboke and Koboke Gorges

Oboke and Koboke Gorges extend for approximately 5 miles and were carved over 200 million years by the swift-flowing Yoshino River as it crosses the Shikoku Mountains. The gorges are known for their towering, sculpture-like scenery. The rock formations and V-shaped valleys visible up close offer valuable insight into the formation of the Japanese archipelago, earning the area designation as a National Natural Monument.

Tokushima
Nature Spots

20 Feb 2026 See More

The Oboke sightseeing boat has Chinese-language narration.
The rock formations on both sides are wild and look like nature’s handiwork. Every now and then, you hear a little train whooshing by, echoing through the valley.
For the Koboke viewpoint, you drive up the mountain. After a few hairpin turns it’s a little nerve-racking.
But the view from the lookout is wide open, and standing up there just feels so refreshing.
We also ran into a few older guys with huge cameras posted up, waiting to capture the split second a train comes out of the tunnel.

Kankakei (Ropeway)

Kankakei is a gorge in Kagawa Prefecture’s Shodo Island. It is located in the heart of Setonaikai National Park. The valley of Kankakei was formed over thousands of years as volcanic andesite and agglomerate were thrust upward via shifting of the earth’s mantle and eroded by rain and wind, creating a spectacular scene of sheer cliffs and rock formations.

Kagawa
Ropeway

20 Feb 2026 See More

Kankakei in the fall is absolutely beautiful. Riding the ropeway and taking in the colors of autumn, you really can’t help but admire nature’s incredible craftsmanship. It felt like I was in an art museum created by nature.

Katsurahama Beach

Located at the tip of the Urado Peninsula in Kochi City, this scenic, crescent-shaped beach stretches between Cape Ryuzu and Cape Ryuo and is known for its pine grove, sandy shore, and ocean views. One of Kochi Prefecture's most famous tourist attractions, it is also popular for its large bronze statue of Sakamoto Ryoma, who played an active role in the closing years of the Edo period.

Kochi
Nature Spots

20 Feb 2026 See More

Kochi in winter is beautiful. I visited Katsurahama on a warm day, and unlike the blue-green, calm vibe of the Seto Inland Sea, this place is all about the deep, rich blue and the powerful, sweeping Pacific Ocean.

Dōgo Onsen Honkan

Boasting a history of roughly 3,000 years, Dōgo Onsen is considered by many to be Japan’s oldest hot spring. Its iconic symbol, the Dōgo Onsen Honkan, was rebuilt in 1894 as a public bathhouse and is designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. After six years of extensive preservation and restoration work, the wooden three-story bathhouse fully reopened in 2024, offering a renewed experience designed to soak in the historical beauty up close.

Ehime
Bathing & Spa Facilities

19 Feb 2026 See More

The shopping street in front of the main building was packed with people. The “mikan juice from a tap” is definitely a fun local experience.
I naively thought the mikan juice that comes out when you turn the faucet was free 😆
The Starbucks here is connected to the station and has a retro vibe, and even the Lawson sign is designed to be low-key.
I also heard they recreated the Bocchan Clock for Taipei Songshan. I’ve never seen it in Taipei Songshan, but I’ve seen the one in Matsuyama, Ehime twice 😆

Roadside Station Shodoshima Olive Park

This park is popular for its Mediterranean-like scenery and excellent facilities. There are many photo spots that make you want to take pictures, such as a white windmill perched on a hill overlooking the Seto Inland Sea and an English garden with approximately 120 varieties of herbs and roses in full bloom.

Kagawa
Parks & Gardens

19 Feb 2026 See More

Olive Park has a great view of the Seto Inland Sea, and the shop is packed with souvenirs you’ll totally be tempted to buy.

And yes, even if it’s a bit touristy, you’ve gotta borrow a broom and try the “flying” shot in front of the windmill. After jumping over and over… it honestly starts to feel like you could just flop into the clouds.

On a nice day, it’s perfect to enjoy some olive ice cream and just zone out while looking at the sea.