金己田's Reviews Page 6/15

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.

• Yokohama
• Parks & Gardens

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.

HACHI Natori Main Store

A Western-style restaurant in Natori City, Miyagi Prefecture, founded in 1979. It has preserved its traditional flavors and remains highly popular as a long-established local favorite.

• Miyagi
• Western Restaurants

This Western-style restaurant is known for its Neapolitan spaghetti and hamburger steak. When I visited, I ordered the most basic Neapolitan spaghetti, and adding a fried egg is a must. I also got a ginger ale!
The pasta was fragrant from the first bite, and the ketchup flavor was just right. It really lives up to its reputation as Japan’s best Neapolitan spaghetti!

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.

• Asakusa, Tokyo Skytree
• Shrines & Temples

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.

• Gifu
• Famous Places

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.

• Shizuoka
• Shrines & Temples

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.

• Kyoto
• Shopping Streets

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.

Nikkosan Rinnoji Temple

Nikkosan Rinnoji Temple is the overarching name for a sought after collective of sacred halls, pagodas, and sub-temples. It’s said that Shodo Shonin initially founded the Shihonryuji Temple, which went on to be the first of Nikko’s temples.

• Tochigi
• Shrines & Temples

Visiting Rinnoji Temple in the fall was especially beautiful. The vermilion Sanbutsudo Hall stood out beautifully against the surrounding autumn leaves, and the beauty of Nikko’s shrines and temples really comes from the harmony between the architecture and nature.

Inside the main hall, the three massive Buddha statues were truly impressive. Photography is not allowed inside, which actually helps you focus on appreciating the statues.

Inuyama Castle Town

This castle town stretches south from Inuyama Castle, a famous castle built in 1537 and designated a National Treasure. Miraculously spared from the ravages of war for more than 480 years, both the castle and castle town still retain the original town layout based on the defensive castle structure known as sogamae. With its old-world atmosphere and manageable size, it is perfect for a leisurely stroll.

• Aichi
• Tourist Attractions

Inuyama Castle Town is similar to many historic streets in Japan, with traditional buildings that have been turned into charming shops. But the atmosphere here doesn’t feel overly commercialized, and the whole area feels much more relaxed.

As you walk along the old-fashioned streets, Inuyama Castle appears at the end of the road. Grabbing a local gohei mochi skewer, you can almost imagine that this is how people lived back in the Edo period.

Lake Kawaguchi (Kawaguchi-ko)

Lake Kawaguchi is known as one of the five Fuji lakes and is a popular spot because of its spectacular view of Mt. Fuji. The lakeside is filled with cherry blossoms in the spring, purple lavender in early summer, and autumn leaves in the fall, making each season a different and beautiful sight. Lake Kawaguchi is also known for having the only "island" and "bridge" in the Fuji Five Lakes.

• Yamanashi
• Nature Spots

Lake Kawaguchi is quite large, so I’d recommend starting with a stroll around the Funatsu-hama Onsen area. There are lots of great places to eat and shop there, and it’s a perfect spot to pick up souvenirs.

If you want to take that classic photo of Mt. Fuji with the lake, head to Ubuyagasaki. It’s not too crowded, so you can take your time composing shots and enjoying the view.

Atami Plum Garden

Established in Meiji 19 (1886) by the wealthy Yokohama businessman Sobei Motogi, this urban park has its roots in a plum garden. Covering approximately 44,000 square meters along the Ichigawa River, the vast garden boasts 469 plum trees of 60 different varieties, including specimens over 100 years old.

• Shizuoka
• Parks & Gardens

In Atami, January isn’t just about cherry blossoms—plum blossoms are blooming too.
I walked from Kinomiya Station to Atami Plum Garden. It’s an uphill walk, but the scenery along the way is lovely, with ocean views and cherry blossoms to enjoy as well.
At the entrance, the red and white plum blossoms were interwoven like scattered stars. The plum blossoms in the garden weren’t in full bloom yet when I visited, but the elegant landscaping added plenty to appreciate.