楊雅雯's Reviews

Dotonbori

Crab, octopus, cow, crane….these are just a few of the oversized 3D signboards that make up the look and feel of the bustling Dotonbori Area. Its packed with a number of eateries along the northern Dotonbori River and main street along its southern side.

• Osaka
• Famous Places

If you’re visiting Osaka, Dotonbori is definitely a classic spot you shouldn’t miss! It has all kinds of food, drugstores, and souvenir shops, and the lively streets are full of Osaka’s energy and charm.
That said, popular attractions do have one small downside: the crowds are really intense. You often have to line up just to walk or take photos, and sometimes you can only move slowly with the flow of people, so it feels a little less relaxed.

Kansai International Airport

Many domestic and international flights carry nearly 28 million people a year at this western Japan’s entrance, Kansai International Airport. It is on an island about 5km off the coast of Senshu in Osaka Bay, famous as the world’s first marine airport on a completely man-made island. The airport code KIX is used as the familiar nickname “KIX.”

• Osaka
• Airplanes & Airport

I noticed something new as soon as I arrived at Kansai International Airport! A lot of the processes have gone digital now, and they’re simple and intuitive to use. Overall, immigration and customs felt much more efficient.
Based on my experience this time, getting through arrivals really did feel faster than before. I had my luggage in no time and was ready to start my trip in Japan, which instantly put me in a great travel mood!

The Osaka Museum of Housing and Living

Japan’s first museum, specialized on the history and culture of life, was opened in April 2001. You can learn about housing and how people lived during Edo, Meiji, Taisho and Showa Periods.

• Osaka
• Museums

The Osaka Museum of Housing and Living feels like traveling back to the Edo period in an instant! Inside, old streets, shops, and homes are recreated in great detail. Putting on a kimono for photos makes it feel even more like you’re in old Japan, and every corner is super photogenic.

The museum isn’t huge, but if you take your time walking around and taking pictures, 2 to 3 hours is just right. If you use the Osaka Amazing Pass, admission is free, so the value is really high. I definitely recommend adding it to your Osaka itinerary for an easy way to experience what life in Osaka used to be like.

Himeji Castle

This castle is a World Heritage Site and a Japanese castle masterpiece. The main keep, built by Ikeda Terumasa in the early Edo period, has a five-story exterior, one basement level, and six stories above ground on the inside, making it the largest Edo period castle tower still standing.

• Hyogo
• Tourist Attractions

Himeji Castle truly lives up to its reputation!

As soon as I arrived, I was drawn in by the bright white castle walls. The whole main keep sparkled in the sunlight, looking both elegant and magnificent. No wonder it’s called the “White Heron Castle.” From a distance, it looked as beautiful as a dream castle.

The weather was amazing when I visited. The blue sky and white clouds against the pure white exterior made it the perfect time for photos. It looked great from every angle, and every quick snapshot came out beautifully.

Himeji City Zoo

Located within the grounds of the World Heritage Site, Himeji Castle, next to the Sannomaru Plaza, is the "Zoo Inside the Castle." Upon entering the zoo and walking straight ahead, you'll come across the red "Shiromi Bashi Bridge," which offers a picturesque view of Himeji Castle over the moat. From the west side of the old elephant house, you can see the castle's main keep reflected upside down on the moat's surface-a unique viewing spot that draws many visitors.

• Hyogo
• Zoos & Aquariums

Besides enjoying the beautiful white castle at Himeji Castle, we also stopped by the nearby Himeji City Zoo. I didn’t expect such a small zoo to be more fun than I imagined!

I thought we would just take a quick stroll, but we ended up seeing quite a few animals, including giraffes and penguins. The kids’ eyes lit up as soon as they saw the animals, and they were so happy they didn’t want to leave. The zoo isn’t large, but it’s easy to walk around, clean, and you can enjoy views of Himeji Castle while strolling. It’s a great little stop for families.

After exploring the impressive Himeji Castle, relaxing at the zoo was a nice change of pace. Historic sights, beautiful views, and cute animals all in one trip—something for both adults and kids. It turned out to be a wonderful little surprise on this journey.

Tennoji Zoo

Tennoji Zoo opened on January 1st, 1915 and had its 100th anniversary in 2015. Almost 170 species and 1000 animals are kept in about 11 hectares of the zoo. In the reptile house, "Ifar," and in “African Savanna Zone” where hippopotamus, giraffes, and lions live, the ecological exhibition introduces reproduced scenery of animals’ habitats as closely as possible.

• Osaka
• Zoos & Aquariums

Tennoji Zoo was originally just one stop on our trip, but it ended up being one of the biggest surprises in Osaka! It’s right in the city, so getting there is super convenient. With about 170 species and 1,000 animals, it’s much bigger than I expected.
What impressed me most was that the animals all seemed well cared for. Their spaces were roomy, and the grounds were clean and well maintained, without the usual zoo smell. We took our time walking around and saw giraffes, polar bears, penguins, and lions. Before we knew it, we had spent several hours there.
If you’re traveling independently in Osaka and want a spot that both adults and kids will enjoy, Tennoji Zoo is definitely worth adding to your itinerary!

Otaru Canal

Otaru Port, which developed as a gateway for Hokkaido's settlement, saw an increasing volume of cargo over the years. To streamline its transportation, the "Otaru Canal" was completed in 1923 (Taisho 12). The canal, created by reclaiming the offshore coast, is characterized by its gentle curves rather than a straight line.

• Otaru and Niseko
• Tourist Attractions

Otaru Canal is a classic must-visit spot in Hokkaido. When I visited, it was snowing, and the old stone warehouses and both sides of the canal were covered in white snow. The scenery looked like something out of a fairy tale—romantic and enchanting.

Strolling slowly along the canal, taking in the snowy views and retro streets, every photo looked like a postcard. Otaru in winter has a unique charm you don’t get in other seasons. If you’re traveling to Hokkaido, don’t miss this unforgettable, dreamy spot.