金己田's Reviews Page 6/10

Kyo-train GARAKU

The "Kyo-Train Garaku" is a special sightseeing train on the Hankyu Kyoto Line between Osaka-umeda Station and Kyoto-kawaramachi Station, inspired by Kyoto's nature and traditional architecture. The train operates on Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, and special operated days during the tourist season. The passengers pay only a standard fare.

• Kyoto
• Osaka
• Trains & Subway

Kyo-train GARAKU is probably the most affordable sightseeing train. No reservation or seat booking is needed, and you can travel between Kyoto and Osaka for the price of a regular train.
Each car is themed around Kyoto’s four seasons and representative plants, with features like a dry landscape garden, tatami-style seating, and noren curtains. Every car has a different atmosphere and is overflowing with Kyoto charm, so even choosing where to sit is hard!
In the end, I picked the spring-themed car. Sitting in a two-person window-facing seat, I enjoyed the scenery outside while soaking in the Kyoto travel mood on the way to Umeda.

teamLab Botanical Garden Osaka

A permanent nighttime outdoor museum created by the digital art collective teamLab, transforming the Nagaike Botanical Garden into a fantastical art space after dark. While it serves as a serene botanical garden during the day, at night it comes alive with immersive light and sound installations.

• Osaka
• Museums

Using light and shadow, it connects people with nature. Lights are projected onto the trees along the path, accompanied by music and the sounds of nature, making it feel like you’ve stepped into a fantasy world.

What could be waiting for me up ahead?

The glowing eggs scattered through the woods had a slightly mysterious vibe. The colorful spheres ahead swayed gently, and I couldn’t help but reach out and touch them. Following the pink muhly grass to the lakeside, the warm lights reflecting on the water made my heart feel calm as well.

Oarai Isosaki Shrine

This hilltop shrine faces out over Oarai Cape and the Pacific Ocean, revered by those seeking better health and good relationships. Legend has it the shrine was established in 856 when the deities Onamuchi no Mikoto (also known as Okuninushi no Mikoto) and Sukunahikona no Mikoto descended here.

• Ibaraki
• Shrines & Temples

It was raining when I visited, so I wasn’t able to see the sunrise torii view. I’ll have to save that for next time!

Before leaving, I stopped by Oarai Isosaki Shrine to pray. Maybe because it was a rainy weekday morning, there weren’t many visitors, so I was able to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. Besides wishing for a smooth trip, it also planted the seed in my heart to come back to Oarai again someday.

Hitachi Station

Hitachi Station on the Joban Line of JR East, facing the Pacific Ocean, is the central station of Hitachi City. The current station building, completed in 2011, is impressive with its beautiful all-glass structure. The design was supervised by Hitachi-born architect Ms.Kazuyo Sejima, winner of "The Pritzker Architecture Prize.", also known as the Nobel Prize in Architecture.

• Ibaraki
• Tourist Attractions

In winter, you can take the first train from Mito to Hitachi Station to catch the sunrise. As soon as I arrived, I saw a huge crowd packed into the front row of the viewing area. I didn’t expect so many people to come watch the sunrise!

After glancing outside and seeing the clouds were pretty thick, I figured I probably wouldn’t get great photos. So I moved outside the station first to take some wide shots of the building. When I went back inside, the crowd had gradually thinned out. Right then, the sun finally broke through the clouds, and I got to see the beautiful view where the sea and sky seemed to blend together.

Noritake Garden

This is the birthplace of Noritake, a western tableware brand highly acclaimed globally. The park is a lush green space to relax in, with stores, cafes, restaurants, and a museum.

• Nagoya
• Museums

I visited during the season of fresh greenery, and the contrast between the lush green scenery and the red brick warehouses was perfect. It was a real treat to stroll around casually and enjoy such a relaxing time in the middle of a dense urban area.

Sightseeing Limited Express "Shimakaze”

The Sightseeing Limited Express "Shimakaze" connects three departure stations in Osaka-Namba, Kyoto, and Nagoya to Kashikojima Station in Mie Prefecture. The train has dedicated attendants on board and offers services based on the theme of "the highest level of comfort". Inside the train you’ll find a wide variety of cabins to match any travel need, including premium seats, Western and Japanese style private rooms, and raised observation decks for taking in the impeccable views.

• Osaka
• Trains & Subway

I took Kintetsu’s sightseeing train, the "Shimakaze," to Ise. The exterior is painted a deep blue that symbolizes the scenery of Ago Bay, while the seats inside are a fresh pale yellow, almost like the breeze of Ise-Shima.

The ride from Yokkaichi to Toba takes about an hour, so I didn’t have time to stop by the café car for a meal. Even so, that one hour was enough to fully soak in the feeling of traveling. With the spacious, comfortable seats and the large windows looking out on all the greenery, I arrived in Toba before I knew it, in a great mood.

Kamiya Bar

Established in Meiji 13 (1880) and known as Japan's first bar, "Kamiya Bar" was adored by numerous literary greats like Osamu Dazai and Tayama Katai. This iconic spot often makes appearances in literary works. The building housing the bar, located near Azuma Bridge in Asakusa, was constructed in Taisho 10 (1921) and is a Registered Tangible Cultural Property of Japan.

• Asakusa, Tokyo Skytree
• Wine Bars

If you want to experience the atmosphere of a down-to-earth Japanese bar, check out Kamiya Bar in Asakusa!
The exterior has a strong retro vibe, and it’s also Japan’s first bar.
Even though it’s a bar, the inside feels more like a casual local diner, and most of the customers are Japanese.
If you want to get a feel for local life during your trip, this might be a great choice.

Kintetsu Limited Express "HINOTORI"

The Kintetsu Limited Express "HINOTORI" provides “an upgrade in comfort” to travelers looking to go between Osaka and Nagoya in about 2 hours. The metallic red wrap on the train exudes the epitome of elegance, all while keeping an interior design and functionality that is just superb.

• Osaka
• Trains & Subway

Instead of taking the Shinkansen, choose the Kintetsu "HINOTORI"!

The Kintetsu Limited Express "HINOTORI," with its crimson-red exterior, runs between Osaka and Nagoya and focuses on providing a comfortable ride. It offers both premium and standard cars, and if you get the chance to ride it, I recommend choosing the premium car. The fare is only JPY 700 more, but the seats are much more comfortable and the windows feel more open and spacious. The whole atmosphere feels upscale, and it makes it easy to fully relax during the trip.

The bench area is another highlight you shouldn’t miss. It’s a great place to change up the mood during the journey. Grab a coffee or snack from the café area nearby and quietly watch the scenery change outside the window—it has a special charm of its own.

Roppongi Keyakizaka Street

Spanning approximately 400 meters east-west through Roppongi Hills, Roppongi Keyakizaka Street connects the Circular Route 3 and TV Asahi Street. It's a gently sloping avenue lined with zelkova trees, where beds of colorful flowers mark the seasons.

• Akasaka, Roppongi, Azabu-Juban
• Tourist Attractions

The illuminations on Roppongi Keyakizaka, shining in harmony with Tokyo Tower, are a classic part of the Christmas season in Tokyo and a place I’ve always wanted to visit. Seeing them in person was absolutely heart-stirring.

Inuyama Castle

The Inuyama Castle keep is one of five deemed national treasures in Japan. It’s especially famous for remaining today as the oldest watchtower-style keep in Japan. It’s said it was built in 1537 by Oda Nobuyasu, the father of Oda Nobunaga.

• Aichi
• Tourist Attractions

The beauty of Inuyama Castle comes from seeing it at a distance. From the Rhine Bridge, the sight of Inuyama Castle towering above and the rapidly flowing Kiso River creates a truly breathtaking scene.