Motonosumi Shrine
The Motonosumi Shrine, located in Yuyatsuo, Nagato City, is said to be a power spot in Yamaguchi.
The 123 torii gates built along the cliffside slope are spectacular.
When taking photos, the red torii against the blue sky, white clouds, and sea is absolutely beautiful.
Tsunoshima Bridge
The Tsunoshima Bridge opened in 2000. The bridge connects the mainland side of Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, with the remote island of Tsunoshima. With a total length of 1,780 meters, it is one of the longest bridges over a remote island in Japan that can be crossed for free.
I found out about this spot from a commercial.
When taking photos, I even managed to catch an eagle in the shot.
If the weather is nice, you can stroll along the road, enjoy the sea breeze, and take in the ocean view.
Ginzan Onsen
This hot spring resort was developed along with the Nobesawa Silver Mine which prospered in the Edo Period. After the mine was closed, it was turned into a therapeutic onsen resort until a flood destroyed it in 1913. By early Showa Period, local businesses have helped restore the village close to the current landscape with western-style wooden multi-story buildings on either side of Ginzan River.
Taisho-era romance, with the most beautiful snowy scenery.
"Hakone Rusk" at Grand Riviere Hakone
Grand Riviere Hakone has its main store in Sengokuhara, famous for its silvergrass meadow. The signature product, Hakone Rusk, is a rusk bread made from a unique blend of flour, sliced and baked to a perfect crisp. It has a rich buttery aroma, a crispiness, and a light texture that melts easily in the mouth.
They don’t sell it everywhere, so if you happen to see it, you should definitely grab some. It’s seriously delicious.
If you come across a special edition package, definitely go for it.
Ukokkei-an “Silkie Egg Castella”
A signature product from Ukokkei-an, which operates a dedicated farm center for raising silky chickens deep in the mountains of Kanazawa, Ishikawa, surrounded by lush trees. True to its name, it’s made with plenty of fresh eggs laid by silky chickens as a main ingredient, and each loaf is carefully baked by skilled craftsmen from preparation through baking.
The first time I passed by, I tried the gold leaf ice cream and thought it was so rich. Then I went back and bought the pudding and the Silkie egg gold leaf castella too.
The egg flavor is super rich, and now whenever I see a store selling it, I always buy one. It’s also sold on the departure floor (2nd floor) at Komatsu Airport.
But sometimes you might not be able to get one because it sells out.
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.
Watching the ocean views along the coast made the whole ride so enjoyable. I also happened to catch the Resort Shirakami train.
Tazawako Lake Resort & Onsen
Located on the Tazawako Plateau at the foothills of Mount Akita-Komagatake, this resort hotel is an ideal base for exploring the Lake Tazawa area, with easy access to attractions such as Lake Tazawa, the Kakunodate Samurai District, and Dakigaeri Gorge.
If there’s enough snow in winter, they set up a snow play area. There are lots of activities to join.
The open-air onsen was super comfortable, and when the weather is nice, you can look up at the stars at night.
Meguro River
The Meguro River flows through the Setagaya, Meguro, and Shinagawa wards of Tokyo until it reaches Tokyo Bay.
Every cherry blossom season, this is a super popular spot for viewing the sakura.
I also stopped by a nearby Starbucks and picked up a limited-store 2026 cherry blossom keychain charm.
SHIBUYA SKY
An observation facility offering a 360-degree panoramic view of the Tokyo cityscape from a height of approximately 230 meters above the ground. Located on the 14th, 45th, 46th and rooftop of Shibuya Scramble Square, the tallest building in the Shibuya area, there are three zones: "SKY GATE," "SKY STAGE" and "SKY GALLERY.
A full 360-degree view with no blind spots. On a clear day, you can even see Mt. Fuji.
You need to book online in advance, and it's hard to get tickets the same day.
Azabudai Hills
Azabudai Hills, is the megaplex hub that opened in Azabu in November 2023 with some 150 shops for fashion, culture, and unbeatable food across its floors. The central plaza and halls throughout feature fresh greenery and wide open, luxe vibes to bring you the best of dining and shopping.
Full of greenery and very spacious. It was comfortable to walk around and explore.