W10B's Reviews Page 4/20

Enoshima Benzaiten Nakamise Street

As you enter Enoshima through the bronze torii gate, you'll find a bustling shopping district lined with ryokans, eateries, and souvenir shops. This street is always lively with tourists enjoying a walk through history, highlighted by architectural pieces like the black post box in front of the Enoshima Post Office, which has been restored from the Meiji era.

Kanagawa
Shopping Streets

4 Jul 2026 See More

On this shopping street, the most popular food with a line is probably Asahi Honten. You have to get one of their giant rice crackers—they’re bigger than your face.

They’re freshly pressed from whole seafood, with flavors like octopus and shrimp. Pretty much everyone was walking around with one in hand.

Hanamikoji-dori Street

Hanami-koji Street is a main street crossing Gion north to south from Sanjo to Kenninji Temple. It is “koji” (small alley), but the street is wide and lively with lots of stores hosting many tourists. The Teahouse district still maintains the traditional ambience in the district from Shijo-dori to the south. The original teahouses were on Shijo-dori and to the north of it, which were gathered to the current southern district in Meiji and Taisho Periods.

Gion, Higashiyama, Yamashina
Famous Places

1 Jul 2026 See More

Walking along Hanamikoji-dori Street in Gion, Kyoto, after passing through the lively front section, the hustle and bustle gradually fades as you go deeper.

What comes next—quiet streets with little bridges and flowing water—is the most charming part of this old district.

Sagano Bamboo Grove Trail

The delightful scenery attracted noble families and poets who built their homes in Sagano. Sagano bamboo trail spans about 400m (437 yards) from Nonomiya Shrine, via Tenryuji Temple’s north gate to Okochi Sanso cottage.

Arashiyama, Sagano, Nishiyama
Tourist Attractions

29 Jun 2026 See More

Because this place is so popular, it usually gets a bit crowded with tourists. If you want to capture the pure, tranquil beauty of the bamboo grove like in the photos, with no one around, the best trick is to point your camera upward or come around 7 or 8 in the morning to enjoy a peaceful walk and the fresh scent of the bamboo.

Ujigami Shrine

This ancient shrine, registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site under "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto," has been attracting reverence for centuries. It is said to have been established in 1060, three years after the construction of Uji Byodoin Temple in 1053, serving as its guardian shrine. As the protective deity of Uji's land, it has been continuously worshipped by people from all walks of life, from commoners to nobility, and it still gathers much reverence today.

Uji, Joyo, Yawata
Shrines & Temples

29 Jun 2026 See More

Compared with the lively area around Byodo-in nearby, Ujigami Shrine is just across the bridge, but the whole atmosphere feels completely different.

It feels like a corner of the forest forgotten by time, giving off a quiet, ancient spiritual vibe. Even though it’s not large, it has a unique historical and cultural charm of its own.

Byodoin

An imperial authority in the Heian Period, Fujiwara Michinaga used this place as a vacation home. His son Yorimichi inherited, converted and opened it as a temple in 1052. It was designated as a World Heritage Site in 1994. The remodeling in 2014 brought it back closer to its original state. The main Amida Buddha statue in Amida Hall is worth a look. You will be amazed by the symmetrical beauty of the building.

Uji, Joyo, Yawata
Shrines & Temples

29 Jun 2026 See More

My favorite place of all.

There’s something almost magical about the reflection at Byodoin—it instantly makes you feel calm. Watching the Phoenix Hall perfectly mirrored on the pond is something I could never get tired of. No matter how many times I see it, I fall in love with it all over again.

Compared with the crowds at Kyoto’s other popular spots, Byodoin has a special elegance.

What I love most is sitting down at the wisteria tea house there, ordering an authentic Uji sencha and dessert, and gazing out at the greenery and garden outside the window. Enjoying that peaceful, Zen-like moment without any interruptions was honestly one of the best parts of my trip. It feels like a secret hideaway just for the people who truly appreciate it.

And the tea is so, so good—I still miss it.

New Chitose Airport

This is the largest airport in Hokkaido which spans Chitose and Tomakomai Cities. With the excellent access to the cities, it is called the aerial gate to Hokkaido. On the two 3000m-long runways, international aircrafts take off and land 24 hours a day.

Chitose and Tomakomai
Airplanes & Airport

28 Jun 2026 See More

It had been many years since my last visit to New Chitose Airport.

After clearing immigration this time, I saw a FamilyMart convenience store right away on the right, so I immediately went over to buy some limited-edition items. The layout was also very convenient. If you go straight, you reach the domestic terminal, where you can catch flights to destinations all over Japan. On B1, you can take the JR train to central Sapporo, and there are also shuttle buses available. The planning and overall setup have really gotten better and better.

Kouri Beach

Located on Kouri Island, just across the Kouri Ohashi Bridge from Yagaji Island in Nago City, this beach features pristine white sand stretching on either side of the bridge, offering a scenic view of Kouri Ohashi Bridge itself.

Yanbaru, Nago, Motobu
Nature Spots

25 Jun 2026 See More

The beach below Kouri Ohashi Bridge is the safest choice for playing in the water.

The official swimming season here runs from April to October every year. There are lifeguards on duty, safety nets, and the public facilities nearby are the most complete as well.

Tokei Beach

Located on the northern part of Kouri Island, a small island about 8 km in circumference, Tokei Beach lies beyond Tinu Beach, known for its heart-shaped "Heart Rock." This beautiful beach, split into eastern and western sections by a small peninsula, still features coral remnants.

Yanbaru, Nago, Motobu
Nature Spots

25 Jun 2026 See More

It’s really beautiful, and it makes you want to run straight into the water and splash around in the waves. But since it’s a more natural, undeveloped beach, it’s worth noting that there are no public restrooms or shower facilities nearby.

Tinu Beach

Located on the northern side of Kouri Island, a small island surrounded by beautiful emerald-green waters and spanning about 8 km in circumference, Tinu Beach is a popular spot. Known as the "Island of Love" for centuries, Kouri Island draws special attention to Tinu Beach, home to the heart-shaped rock formation, or "Heart Rock," a famous love-themed power spot.

Yanbaru, Nago, Motobu
Nature Spots

24 Jun 2026 See More

It looks beautiful from a distance, like two hearts standing in the sea.

Just a quick heads-up: the path to Heart Rock includes a small steep slope and some uneven rocky ground, so be sure to wear comfortable, non-slip sneakers or flat shoes, take it slow, and stay safe.

Sounkyo Onsen

Located within Daisetsuzan National Park, this is one of Hokkaido’s premier hot spring destinations, blessed with dramatic gorge scenery and an abundant supply of hot spring water. Sitting at an elevation of about 670 meters, the area captivates visitors with natural beauty that changes with the seasons. In autumn, the mountains are painted in vivid reds and yellows, while winter transforms the landscape into a vast, shimmering world of snow-each season offering a completely different experience.

Asahikawa and Sounkyo
Hot Springs & Hot Spring Resorts

23 Jun 2026 See More

Sounkyo Gorge, nestled between the mountains, is filled with lush greenery as far as the eye can see, and even the air feels crisp and forest-fresh.

With streams accompanying you along the way (definitely take a walk if you get the chance), staying in this hot spring town and enjoying the "three baths a day" experience felt deeply healing for both body and mind.

The biggest surprise was spotting a family of wild deer out for an evening stroll while soaking in the bath. That unexpected encounter with nature was incredibly special. Just watching their graceful movements was amazing, though I have to admit I was a little nervous, worried one of them might suddenly make a bold leap right over to me.