楊雅雯's Reviews Page 3/5

Maruya Honten Meieki 3-chome

Maruya Honten Meieki 3-chome is a hitsumabushi specialty restaurant located a five-minute walk from Nagoya Station. It is known for its hitsumabushi made with eel grilled over Bincho charcoal until fragrant, paired with 100% Japanese-grown rice. A sweet tare based on traditionally made tamari soy sauce brings out the eel’s natural umami, earning strong support from locals and tourists alike.

• Nagoya
• Japanese Cuisine

When you come to Nagoya, you have to try hitsumabushi!
First, enjoy it plain. Then add scallions and wasabi. Finally, pour in the hot broth and turn it into ochazuke. Every way of eating it was so good I couldn’t stop.
It was so delicious that I completely forgot to take a photo when it arrived. By the time I snapped back to reality, all that was left was an empty bowl. I’d honestly come back to Nagoya just for this meal. Definitely add it to your plans!

Ghibli Park

Whisk away into the whimsical world of Studio Ghibli at the world’s one-and-only destination complete with 5 areas: Ghibli’s Grand Warehouse, Hill of Youth, Dondoko Forest, Mononoke Village and Valley of Witches.

• Aichi
• Amusement Parks & Theme parks

Ghibli Park had been on my wish list for so long, and I finally made it!
Tickets are seriously hard to get. We even used 5 phones at the same time to try for them, and luckily we got some. It felt like such an achievement!
The whole park feels like stepping into the world of a Studio Ghibli film. Every corner is packed with little details, and I honestly didn’t want to leave. My favorite was the newly opened Valley of Witches from 2024. You can walk into Kiki’s house from Kiki’s Delivery Service and see scenes from Howl’s Moving Castle. It really feels like you’ve become part of the story.
And of course, don’t miss Guchoki Bakery. You can actually buy the bread that appears in the movie, and it’s both adorable and delicious.
If you’re a Ghibli fan, this place absolutely deserves a spot on your lifetime must-visit list! Just make sure you get tickets first, or you’ll be stuck envying everyone else.

Kinshachi Yokocho

A superb gourmet area in Nagoya Castle Town, Kinshachi Yokocho, is divided into two sections.

• Nagoya
• Shopping Streets

Kinshachi Yokocho is perfect to visit after exploring Nagoya Castle!

There are lots of famous Nagoya restaurants gathered here, so if you’re not sure what to eat, this is the place to go. This time I had miso katsu. The rich miso sauce with the crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside pork cutlet was sweet, savory, and perfect with rice. No wonder so many of these shops have branches all over Japan.

If you come to Nagoya and don’t have miso katsu, it really feels like you’re missing something!

Yokohama Cosmo World

This multi-level urban amusement park has a bit of everything, from thrilling rides like a giant Ferris wheel and roller coasters to games, haunted houses, virtual reality attractions using VR and 3D technologies, and children’s rides like merry-go-rounds and character cars.

• Yokohama
• Amusement Parks & Theme parks

When you come to Yokohama Minato Mirai, you definitely shouldn’t miss the super eye-catching giant Ferris wheel, Cosmo Clock 21.
During the day, you can enjoy beautiful harbor views, and at night, the ride feels even more romantic. As the Ferris wheel slowly rises, you can take in the entire Yokohama nightscape and feel the charm of the city lights blending with the harbor.
Besides the Ferris wheel, Cosmo World has plenty of other rides and attractions, making it a great place to spend a relaxed half day. Whether you’re on a date, traveling with kids, or just stopping by for photos, it’s absolutely worth a visit.

YOKOHAMA AIR CABIN

YOKOHAMA AIR CABIN connects the Sakuragicho Terminal just in front of JR Sakuracho Station to the Canal Park Terminal in the Shinkou District. At a total length of 630 meters and 40 meters tall at its highest point, it takes only 5 minutes to get across one way.

• Yokohama
• Ropeway

If you’re visiting Yokohama, you have to try the YOKOHAMA AIR CABIN! It’s Japan’s first urban circulating ropeway, and in just a few minutes, you can look down from above at the beautiful scenery of Minato Mirai. It has a different charm during the day and at night.
If you’re also planning to ride the Cosmo Clock 21 Ferris wheel, I recommend buying the ropeway + Ferris wheel combo ticket. It’s a better deal than buying them separately, and you can enjoy both the aerial ropeway views and the high-up Ferris wheel scenery in one go. Perfect for taking memorable photos!

Kurobe Dam

Standing 186 meters tall, Kurobe Dam is Japan's tallest and one of the largest dams in the world. It took seven years and the efforts of over 10 million workers to overcome numerous challenges, earning it the title of a "monumental project of the century" at the time of its construction.

• Toyama
• Tourist Attractions

Tateyama Kurobe is a breathtaking route in Japan that you should experience at least once in your lifetime, and Kurobe Dam is one of the most impressive highlights of the entire trip.

Standing on Japan’s tallest dam and taking in the majestic mountains, emerald-green lake, and massive structure is truly awe-inspiring. On a clear day, the blue sky and white clouds make the mountain scenery even more beautiful, and the gentle breeze feels amazing. Every step feels like walking through a postcard.

Kurobe Dam is also a major stop on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, and in summer, you can see the spectacular water discharge. This trip is not just about enjoying beautiful scenery. It is a relaxing, unforgettable experience worth treasuring for a lifetime.

Shirakawa-go (Historic Village)

Shirakawa-go, a beautiful area where traditional Japanese scenery still exists, is home to the largest number of still-standing traditional “gassho-zukuri” Japanese homes. As of 2016, there are around 100 buildings still standing, both large and small. It is the largest remaining historic settlement in Japan, and it is preserved as a Group of Traditional Buildings in the register of Cultural Properties of Japan.

• Gifu
• Famous Places

A lot of people think Shirakawa-go is a must-see in winter for the snow, but summer has its own captivating charm. The lush green mountains, deep blue sky, and rows of traditional gassho-zukuri houses make it feel like you’ve stepped into a little village from a fairy tale. Every photo looks like a postcard.

Summer in Shirakawa-go is full of greenery and is also a favorite season for many travelers. The weather is comfortable, and walking through the village with a gentle breeze feels so relaxed and pleasant, without the winter chill.

Slow down, take in the scenery, and feel the quiet, simple beauty of this World Heritage site. It honestly makes you not want to leave.

If you have the chance to travel to central Japan, Shirakawa-go is absolutely worth adding to your itinerary. Go experience this dreamy, fairy-tale-like hidden gem for yourself.

Kamikochi

Kamikochi offers one of Japan's most spectacular mountain sceneries. Its magnificent landscape is designated as a Special Natural Monuments along with Special Places of Scenic Beauty. Walter Weston, a British Anglican missionary praised Kamikochi in his writing “Mountaineering and Exploration in the Japan Alps” in 1896 which made Kamikochi an internationally well-known mountain area.

• Nagano
• Nature Spots

There’s none of the noise of the city here—just the sound of flowing water, birdsong, and a gentle breeze moving through the treetops. It naturally makes you slow down and quietly enjoy the healing power of nature.
Whether you’re walking to Kappa Bridge or wandering along the trails, every angle is so beautiful that it’s hard to leave.

If I could choose only one natural spot in Japan to visit in my lifetime, I think Kamikochi would be my answer. This hidden gem, known as the “hometown of the gods,” is truly worth experiencing in person at least once.

Kamikochi Hotel Shirakabaso

Kamikochi is one of the most picturesque places in Japan. Kamikochi Hotel Shirakabaso is located right in front of the Kappa Bridge, one of the central spots in Kamikochi.

• Nagano
• Hotels

This stay at Kamikochi Hotel Shirakabaso had one major highlight: the location is fantastic. You can walk to Kappa Bridge, making it super convenient whether you want to enjoy the morning mist early in the day or take an evening stroll with mountain views.
The room was comfortable and clean, and the charming natural scenery of Kamikochi was right outside the window. It really lets you slow down and enjoy the quiet of the mountains and forest. If you visit Kamikochi, I recommend staying overnight so you can truly experience its stunning scenery at different times of day. This is more than just a place to stay—it’s an unforgettable travel memory.

Tateyama Kurobe Snow Valley Festival

Located near Murodo, known for its heavy snowfall, the "Otani" area boasts abundant snow accumulation, with depths approaching 20 meters. This area is part of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, a world-renowned mountain sightseeing route featuring peaks exceeding 3,000 meters in elevation. Every year from April to June, the Tateyama Kurobe Snow Valley Festival takes place, centered around the Otani area.

• Toyama
• Spring festivals & Events

Tateyama Kurobe’s Snow Wall is absolutely one of those dream destinations I think everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime!
Standing between snow walls over 10 meters high is truly breathtaking. It feels like stepping into a world of ice and snow. The Snow Wall Festival, open only in spring each year, lets you walk up close along the snow wall path and experience this incredible sight for yourself. Every photo looks like a postcard.
If you’re planning a trip to Japan, I highly recommend adding Tateyama Kurobe to your itinerary. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime place where you can experience an unforgettable snowy wonderland in person!