金己田's Reviews Page 3/14

Kagurazaka

Kagurazaka, in Shinjuku, Tokyo, first got its start as a bustling geisha district. Visitors here will find a large shopping street that’s home to trendy shops and cafes, but just a few steps from the main drag sits a few cozy, veteran Japanese eateries, chic cobblestone streets and black, wood-latticed fences.

• Shinjuku, Okubo, Yoyogi, Yotsuya
• Famous Places

I made a special trip to Kagurazaka at night, hoping to catch a glimpse of what people call “Tokyo’s Little Paris.” Once I got there, I realized it’s not that the streets look European, but rather that the area is home to many French restaurants and schools.
Walking along Kagurazaka Street felt very lived-in, with a slight international flair. It’s a shame I didn’t have much time this trip, so I couldn’t explore it properly. If I get the chance to come back, I’d love to discover another side of Kagurazaka.

Abeno Harukas

Opened in 2014, the 300-meter-high skyscraper is a mix-use complex building. From the two basement floors to the 14th level you’ll find Kintetsu Department Store (Main Store Abeno Harukas) and the Abeno Harukas Dining restaurant floors.

• Osaka
• Observatories

Compared with always-crowded Umeda or Namba, shopping in Tennoji is a much better experience. From shopping to dining, you can do it all inside Abeno Harukas.
At night, you can head up to the observation deck to enjoy the city view. Looking out over Osaka and reflecting on the trip is the perfect way to end the day.

Tenmonkan Mujaki Main Store

Located in the heart of Kagoshima, the Tenmonkan Mujaki Main Store is famed for creating the beloved shaved ice dessert known as "Shirokuma" since 1949. Named after its bear-like appearance when viewed from above, due to the strategically placed fruit toppings resembling a polar bear's face, this dessert has been a staple in Kagoshima's culinary scene.

• Kagoshima
• Cafés

After dinner, we made a special trip to Tenmonkan Mujaki to try the Shirokuma shaved ice. We were really lucky that day and got seated right away without waiting.

We were worried we wouldn’t be able to finish a large one, so we ordered the small “Baby Shirokuma.” When it arrived, the fruit on top looked a little casually arranged, but that didn’t affect how delicious it was at all. The condensed milk and toppings tasted light and not overly sweet, which made it a perfect dessert after a meal.

Chubu Electric Power MIRAI TOWER　

The tower is Nagoya’s symbol, built as Nagoya TV Tower for tourism and TV broadcast and completed in 1954. In 2011, TV signals were switched from analog to digital and its function as a consolidated radio tower was ended.

• Nagoya
• Observatories

It seems like every part of Japan has a landmark that symbolizes the city, and when visiting Nagoya, you naturally can’t miss this tower.

During the day, you can stand beneath it and admire the beauty of its steel framework. At night, you can go up to the observation deck and look out over the colorful cityscape. But seeing it from the rooftop of the Chunichi Building gives you a completely different feeling, with a full view of both the tower and Hisaya-odori Park.

Sawayaka Charcoal-Grilled Restaurant Kosai Hamanako

Located in Kosai City, this is the only branch in the city of Shizuoka’s famous hamburger steak chain, which operates 34 locations exclusively within Shizuoka Prefecture. The signature dish is the “Genkotsu Hamburg,” made from 100% beef formed into a thick block and grilled over charcoal. Served sizzling on a hot iron plate, the hamburger steak is cut in half right in front of you by the staff, after which you finish it to your preferred doneness. The bold, beefy flavor and firm, springy texture are outstanding. Sauces can be chosen from a classic onion sauce made with onions or a rich demi-glace, with a mixed option combining both also proving popular.

• Shizuoka
• Meat Dishes

If you visit Shizuoka, you absolutely have to try SAWAYAKA!
It’s a Shizuoka-only hamburger steak chain, and there’s always a long line, so getting a seat can be tough. Once the hamburger steak arrives, the staff helps finish it at the table. The sizzling sound from the hot iron plate is seriously mouthwatering.
Even though it was my first visit, I had already researched my own way of eating it. I asked the staff not to pour the sauce while cooking it. That way, I could enjoy the natural flavor of the meat and also get the doneness more to my liking.
The patty itself is already seasoned, so it was still delicious even without any sauce. And when you want to switch up the flavor, the spicy sauce at the table is a perfect match! When the drinks are served, you can even clink glasses with the staff. Before, during, and after the meal, you can really feel how friendly the service is. The whole dining atmosphere is cheerful and fun, and I highly recommend it!

Universal Citywalk Osaka

This mixed-use commercial complex is located along the street connecting the large theme park "Universal Studios Japan" and JR Universal-City Station. The streets are filled with an American flavor, creating an extraordinary atmosphere fitting for the entrance to the park.

• Osaka
• Commercial Buildings

Since we were going into Universal Studios first thing the next morning, we stayed at a hotel near the park the day before.
This pedestrian street in front of the hotel has lots of chain restaurants, plus Takoyaki Park. Since we were already in Osaka, of course we had to get a serving!
You can also pick up merchandise at the official Universal Studios store, so it’s basically the perfect place to stock up before heading into the park!

Ginza-Dori street

Ginza-Dori street is one of Japan's most prestigious shopping districts with a sense of history and elegance. It is lined with department stores and high-end brand stores, rivaling New York's Fifth Avenue and London's Oxford Street.

• Ginza, Yurakucho
• Famous Places

Ginza is a symbol of Tokyo’s prosperity, and just about every major brand has a flagship store here. I remember seeing online a while ago that Ginza is the ultimate destination for shopping in Tokyo, and that really feels true.

During the day, the streets have a grand and elegant atmosphere. But at night, standing at the Ginza 4-chome intersection, you feel not only its history, but also a kind of glamour that belongs uniquely to Tokyo.

Ueno Park

Ueno Park, officially known as "Ueno Onshi Park," is located in Taito Ward, Tokyo. Managed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Construction Bureau, the park spans an impressive area of 530,000 square meters and has a rich history.

• Ueno, Nippori
• Parks & Gardens

Ueno Park is one of Tokyo’s best-known cherry blossom spots, but I didn’t realize until I got there just how lively the hanami atmosphere would be.
Under the fully blooming cherry trees, people were everywhere—sitting on the ground, drinking, and hanging out. Around us were the sounds of food stalls and stage performances, and it honestly felt like a festival. It really showed me how passionate Japanese people are about cherry blossom viewing.
If you’re coming to Tokyo for cherry blossoms with a group of friends and want to drink, celebrate, and experience the energetic hanami culture, this would definitely be my top pick.

Aizu-Wakamatsu Station, Akabeko

JR Ban-etsusai Line, JR Tadami Line and Aizu Railway all converge at Aizu-Wakamatsu Station, a center in Aizu Region. Its building looks like a castle and is selected as one of the Top 100 stations of the Tohoku District. At the east entrance of the station, a big Akabeko greets everyone who visits Aizu, which is a popular photo spot.

• Fukushima
• Tourist Attractions

I’d always known that Fukushima’s mascot is the red cow, but I didn’t expect to walk out of Aizu-Wakamatsu Station and actually be greeted by one right away!
All I can say is that this city feels completely taken over by red cows. You see them everywhere. Even the sightseeing loop bus had a red cow design. I got so influenced by it that when I saw a capsule toy machine in Nanukamachi, I couldn’t resist getting a red cow one as a souvenir.

Yakimono Sanpo-michi

Tokoname City in Aichi Prefecture has long been known as an area where the ceramics industry has flourished. Yakimono Sanpo-michi is a popular walking area where visitors can experience the history and culture of Tokoname ware, which has long been counted among Japan’s Six Ancient Kilns. Centered around a ceramics district that thrived most in the early Showa period, the area offers scenery distinctive to a pottery town, including brick chimneys, a climbing kiln, workshops with black walls, and retaining walls made with clay pipes and shochu bottles.

• Aichi
• Tourist Attractions

Tokoname is a craft town where you can encounter maneki-neko lucky cats. As a former cat owner, it had been on my must-visit list for a while. This time, I stopped by in the afternoon before taking a late flight home.

After arriving, I recommend first picking up a map at the tourist information center. My first stop was the giant lucky cat. As I continued exploring, I found the area even quieter than I expected. There were none of the crowded tourist scenes you get in big cities—just old chimneys, historic kilns, and workshops along the way. The pace felt incredibly relaxing.

If you’re looking for somewhere peaceful and distinctive to wander around before heading home, Tokoname is absolutely a perfect choice.