金己田's Reviews Page 2/14

AEON MALL Makuhari New City

This mall consists of 4 sections: Grand, Family, Active, and Pet, with a total floor area of around 402,000 square meters and about 350 specialty stores and an AEON STYLE supermarket. You can enjoy everything from shopping to entertainment.

• Chiba
• Commercial Buildings

Since I often stay in Chiba Prefecture, AEON MALL Makuhari New City has become one of the shopping spots I plan to visit every time I’m in the Kanto area. You can get there right from JR Makuharitoyosuna Station, and the mall is huge. It has everything from clothing and household goods to dining, so you can take care of most needs in one trip.

That said, because the mall is so spread out, walking through the whole place really tests your stamina. Plus, with Costco right next door, I often end up spending the entire day here without even realizing it.

Kimono Forest

The plaza is located in the corner of "Arashiyama Station Hannari Hokkori Square." Six hundred brightly colored poles decorated with Kyoto-Yuzen designs line the square.

• Kyoto
• Parks & Gardens

When visiting Arashiyama, besides the classic sights like the bamboo grove and Togetsukyo Bridge, don’t forget to stop by the Kimono Forest at the Randen station on your way back.

Dozens of pillars decorated with kimono fabric are lined up together. When they’re lit up, the light shines through the fabric and creates beautiful shifts in color. You can visit without buying a train ticket. It doesn’t take long to see, but strolling through the glowing forest is the perfect ending to a day trip in Arashiyama.

Gono Line

The JR Gono Line is a 147-km-long local train line running from Higashi-Noshiro Station in Akita Prefecture to Kawabe Station in Aomori Prefecture. The line runs along the coast of the Sea of Japan, and passengers can enjoy the spectacular scenery that the Tohoku region is known for.

• Akita
• Aomori
• Trains & Subway

The Gono Line, which runs along the Sea of Japan, is on the bucket list for many train enthusiasts. I rode it from Akita all the way to Hirosaki. The trip isn’t short, but for much of the ride you can see the Sea of Japan. At times, the train moves slowly right along the coast, with striking rock formations offshore that feel almost within reach. Other times, it passes through small fishing villages and forested mountains.

The scenery keeps changing the whole way, so even after several hours on the train, it never feels long.

Koshu Hoto Kosaku Kofu Ekimae Branch

When visiting Yamanashi, one dish you absolutely must try is Hoto -a local specialty featuring thick, flat noodles simmered with plenty of vegetables in a rich miso-based broth. This beloved dish is said to have been favored by the legendary warlord Takeda Shingen during the Sengoku period.

• Yamanashi
• Japanese Cuisine

It was my first time trying hoto. Overall, it tasted a bit like pork miso soup, with a broth that had a sweetness from the simmered vegetables.
The noodles were thicker than regular udon, with a firmer, chewy texture, and the portion was bigger than I expected. If you had a pot of hoto on a winter night, it would definitely warm you up fast!

Kawatoyo Honten

Unagi (freshwater eel) has long been a beloved local specialty for Narita pilgrims visiting Naritasan Shinshoji Temple, dating back to the Edo period. Among Narita’s classic eel restaurants, Kawatoyo Honten stands out right on the approach to the temple. Founded in 1910, this long-established shop serves expertly selected eel-chosen by craftsmen with over 50 years of experience-as unaju (eel rice boxes), kabayaki, and shirayaki. Right at the entrance, you’ll spot chefs filleting, skewering, and grilling eel in front of you.

• Narita Airport Neighborhood
• Japanese Cuisine

As soon as you arrive at Naritasan Omotesando, you can smell the aroma of grilled eel. Kawatoyo Honten always seems to draw the biggest crowd. At the entrance, you can watch the chefs prepare the eel right in front of you. There may be a wait during meal times, but watching their skilled, efficient technique makes the time fly by.

Once the fragrant grilled eel is served, adding a sprinkle of sansho pepper makes the eel rice even more delicious. The rice soaks up the rich sauce, and it’s so good you won’t want to stop eating!

Kyoto Tower (Nidec The Kyoto Tower)

It is located right in front of Kyoto Station. It was designed in the shape of a lighthouse to illuminate Kyoto, and is the tallest building in Kyoto at 131 meters. It has been visited by over 32 million people since it opened in 1964.

• Kyoto
• Observatories

Kyoto Tower is right across from Kyoto Station. Travelers arriving in Kyoto will see it first. Its modern look may not seem to match the ancient capital, but its convenient location and striking appearance make it impossible to ignore.

Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten Branch Miyage Nara Sanjo Store

In July 2022, Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten, a retailer of handicrafts and goods from across Japan, carried out a major renovation of its “Nihonichi Nara Sanjo Store,” transforming it into a shop offering about 1,300 Nara-themed souvenirs crafted with a focus on local handwork.

• Nara
• Miscellaneous Goods

If you’re visiting Nara and want to pick up a souvenir that’s a little different, I highly recommend Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten. You won’t find the usual traditional souvenirs here. Instead, they sell lots of lifestyle goods that incorporate Japanese craftsmanship. Everything is beautifully designed, inside and out, and it’s hard not to fall in love with it. If you’re looking for unique little finds, this is the place to go!

Asukayama Park

Japan's first park, opened to the public and planted with cherry trees by Shogun Tokugawa Yoshimune about 300 years ago. It is one of Tokyo’s most famous cherry blossom viewing spots, and the park features around 600 cherry trees. Other plants in the park include hydrangeas and azaleas.

• Akabane, Itabashi
• Parks & Gardens

Asukayama Park is one of Tokyo’s famous cherry blossom spots, but it’s not nearly as crowded as Ueno Park, which makes the overall hanami experience so much better.
Before entering the park, I walked up to the pedestrian bridge outside and waited for the Toden Arakawa Line train to approach. Watching the streetcar slowly pass by from above, with its retro cars framed by the cherry blossoms, I captured a feeling that felt uniquely Tokyo.
If you’re like me and don’t enjoy big crowds, Asukayama Park is absolutely a fantastic choice.

Yanagidani Kannon, Yokoku-ji Temple

Founded in 806 during the Heian period by Enchin, who also established Kiyomizu-dera Temple. Located in the mountains of Nagaoka-kyo, it is often referred to as the "Kiyomizu of the West." Since ancient times, the 'Okouzui' spring water emerging within the temple grounds is believed to cure eye diseases, attracting devotees, particularly those suffering from eye ailments since the Heian period.

• Kyoto
• Shrines & Temples

Yanagidani Kannon is best known for its seasonal flower-filled water basins, but it's not easy to get to. I happened to visit on the 17th, the monthly festival day, when they offered a paid shuttle bus, so I decided to add it to my itinerary.
The temple grounds were larger than I expected. As I made my way around, I didn't see any of the flower water basins. Later, I found out there are several purification pavilions scattered throughout the grounds, so I'm not sure if I simply missed them. If you're coming specifically for the flower water basins, I recommend checking the official website or Instagram first to confirm where they are and whether they're on display, so you don't end up disappointed like I was.

Hokan-ji Temple (Yasaka Pagoda)

Located in Kyoto’s Higashiyama district, Hokan-ji is a Rinzai sect (Kennin-ji branch) temple most famous for its five-story pagoda, widely known as Yasaka no Tō. This iconic structure is one of Kyoto’s most recognizable landmarks. Legend points to the temples founding in 589 by Prince Shōtoku, with the current pagoda rebuilt in 1440 under Ashikaga Yoshinori. Designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan.

• Kyoto
• Shrines & Temples

While strolling along Sannenzaka, Yasaka Pagoda suddenly came into view. The old-fashioned streetscape is a must-shot scene for every visitor, and no matter the angle, this five-story pagoda gives off the classic charm of Kyoto’s ancient capital.