Blue Bottle Coffee Kiyosumi Shirakawa Flagship Cafe
The popular coffee shop born in California, USA opened the first shop in Japan in October, 2019, as Kiyosumi Shirakawa Flagship Cafe.
The building’s exterior is sleek and stylish, and the interior feels open and bright. But the overall atmosphere is a bit hard to warm up to, lacking some of the comfort and relaxed feel you’d expect from a coffee shop. It felt like the kind of photo-op spot that you only need to visit once.
Lake Biwa
Lake Biwa, which belongs to the first-grade Yodo River system and is located in the center of Shiga Prefecture, occupies an area of about 670 k㎡, or about one-sixth of the prefecture's land area, and is the largest lake in Japan in terms of both area and water storage capacity, with 27.5 billion tons of water pouring in through rivers from the surrounding mountains of Ibuki, Suzuka, and Hira, all of which are over 1,000 meters high.
Even though Lake Biwa is a lake, it feels as vast as the ocean, so there are many ways to enjoy it. Whether you take a relaxing walk along the shore or look down on it from above, the views from every angle are picturesque. The calm surface of the lake also has a soothing effect and makes you feel at peace.
Omokagebashi Bridge
Omokagebashi is a bridge spanning the Kanda River, a first-class river in Tokyo, connecting Toshima Ward and Shinjuku Ward. It is also the name of a tram stop on the Toden Arakawa Line, affectionately known as "Tokyo Sakura Tram." In spring, it's a popular spot for cherry blossom viewing, attracting numerous visitors.
From Takato Bridge to Edogawabashi, about 2 kilometers of the riverside are lined with cherry trees, and the area around Omokagebashi Bridge has the densest concentration.
I started from Edogawabashi that day. There were some people along the way, but it never felt crowded, so I could freely capture the quiet beauty of the cherry blossoms reflected on the water and the way they cascaded down like a waterfall.
Even though the blossoms were not yet in full bloom when I visited, the feeling of spring was still unforgettable. If you do not enjoy overly crowded tourist spots, the Kanda River is absolutely worth a visit.
Milk Stand Akihabara
Milk Stand Akihabara is a specialty shop for bottled milk located in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. This long-established stand has been in business for more than 70 years since it opened in 1950. It is on the 3rd floor of JR Akihabara Station, on platform 5 of the JR Sobu Line. Its signature items are bottled milk varieties from regions all across Japan.
Grab a bottle of milk before your train arrives!
This milk specialty shop inside JR Akihabara Station brings together bottled milk from all over Japan. There were so many choices that it was hard to decide, so I started with the winner and runner-up from the milk popularity ranking!
Hokkaido 4.0 milk was rich and flavorful, while the Shinshu Azumino one was light and smooth. According to the lady at the shop, that one was the previous year's No. 1, and I liked it better too.
There’s also a row of vending machines next to the shop where you can buy regional limited-edition milk. I honestly recommend trying Fukushima’s Rakuo, especially the coffee au lait!
iias Okinawa Toyosaki
Buckle up for the larger-than-life shopping mall set in southern Okinawa, just a short 20-minute drive from Naha Airport. Step in for some 100 different specialty shops on site ranging from fashion and lifestyle to electronics and dining, plus bonus fun at the on-site aquarium that both locals and travelers love to rave about.
A shopping mall with an unbeatable ocean view. The space is bright and roomy, so it’s really comfortable to walk around.
When you get tired from shopping, you can step outside anytime and enjoy Okinawa’s soothing ocean.
Since it’s close to the airport, you can even catch planes flying by while looking at the sea. It really has a vacation vibe.
Yamashita Park
Yamashita Park is located by the sea, just a short walk from Yokohama Chinatown. It was opened in March of 1930, reclaiming the waterfront using rubble caused by the Great Kanto Earthquake.
The best stopover spot for sightseeing in Yokohama!
After walking through the lively, bustling Chinatown, we strolled over to the spacious Yamashita Park. Since it’s right by the harbor, a refreshing sea breeze greets you, and the calm water stretches out before your eyes.
In an instant, all the fatigue from the trip melts away. It’s the perfect place to relax and enjoy a leisurely moment.
Imado Shrine
This ancient shrine of authentic lineage is known for bringing blessings in matchmaking because the deities worshipped here are 'Izanagi-no-Mikoto' and 'Izanami-no-Mikoto', considered the first couple in Japan. Since 2008, the shrine has regularly held 'matchmaking meetings', thus becoming more widely known as a shrine where you can pray for a good match. It attracts crowds not only on weekends but also on weekdays from those hoping for a successful relationship.
There are many theories about the origin of the maneki-neko, and Imado Shrine in Asakusa is said to be one of them. The shrine is a little farther from the busy main area of Asakusa, tucked away in a quiet residential neighborhood. It’s a small shrine, and you can spot maneki-neko all around the grounds.
Imado Shrine is also known for blessings related to love and relationships, and its goshuin features a design with pink tones, hearts, and maneki-neko, making it well worth collecting.
Hida Takayama Old Townscape
Hida Takayama Old Townscape is said to be a town where the original landscape of Japan remains, as the streets from the Edo period still remain, and the charming town houses and noren (curtains) of old stores continue to be seen.
If you visit Takayama, you should definitely stay overnight.
At night, the old town has a completely different charm from the daytime. Without the daytime crowds, it becomes so quiet that all you can hear is the flowing water of the Miyagawa River. The dark old houses look even more atmospheric under the lights.
During the day, the streets are full of energy, with lots of unique little shops worth exploring. Stop into one for a simple but delicious bowl of Takayama ramen, then finish with a Takayama pudding before heading back to Nagoya!
Mishima Taisha
The exact founding date of Mishima Taisha is unclear, but it is believed to have a history of over 1,300 years, as evidenced by records in ancient Nara and Heian period documents. Known as the Ichinomiya of Izu, the shrine is famous for where Minamoto no Yoritomo, exiled to Izu, prayed for the revival of the Genji clan with his wife, Hojo Masako.
I visited Mishima Taisha in January. Although the winter scenery felt a little subdued, the shape of the branches made it easy to imagine how spectacular it must be when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom.
As an important center of faith in the Izu area, the shrine was steadily busy on Saturday morning, but it didn't have the noisiness of a typical tourist attraction. Most of the visitors seemed to be locals coming with their families for Hatsumode, and there was still a strong New Year's atmosphere in the air.
Byodoin Omotesando
This historic Omotesando (main approach) leads to the main gate of the World Heritage Site, Byodoin Temple. Located just a 10-minute walk from JR Uji Station and immediately across the Uji Bridge from Keihan Uji Station, it is easily accessible from both stations.
Both sides of the approach to Byodoin are lined with many long-established matcha shops with a lot of history. If you visit closer to the evening, after the crowds have thinned out, you can better appreciate the street’s original quiet charm.
On the day of my visit, I chose a shop near the Uji River. Sitting in its elegant second-floor seating area, I enjoyed matcha while taking in the view of the river. The peaceful atmosphere made me fall in love with Uji instantly.