楊雅雯's Reviews Page 4/13

Toyama Castle (Toyama Municipal Folk Museum)

Toyama Castle was built during the Age of Civil Wars. Then, at the completion of the post-World War II reconstruction project, Toyama Industrial Expo was held, where this memorial was built. It models a three-layer and 4-story castle which is open to the public as a folk museum.

• Toyama
• Tourist Attractions

When you come to Toyama, don't miss Toyama Castle in the city center! It was once an important base for the Maeda clan's rule over Toyama and has stood through centuries of history since the Sengoku period. Today, it serves as a local history museum. Inside the castle, you can learn about its history, and the surrounding Castle Ruins Park is also quite pleasant. It's especially popular for cherry blossom viewing in spring, when the moat, green trees, and castle are reflected in the water. The blend of the historic castle and city scenery makes it a great place for a walk and photos.

Toyama Castle Ruins Park

Nicknamed the "Floating Castle" for its appearance of floating on water, Toyama Castle Ruins Park is built on the historic site of Toyama Castle, once the residence of feudal lords who ruled the present-day Toyama region. The park retains portions of the original stone walls, moat, and the impressive Chitose Gate, preserving the grandeur of the past.

• Toyama
• Parks & Gardens

Toyama Castle Ruins Park is located in central Toyama City. It is an urban park that combines history and greenery. Centered around Toyama Castle, it preserves stone walls, the moat, and castle scenery, and the grounds are clean and pleasant. We were very lucky to have great weather that day. It's said that when the cherry blossoms bloom in spring, they complement the beautiful scenery along the Matsukawa River, and each season has its own charm. It's about a 10–15 minute walk from Toyama Station, and it's also easy to get there by streetcar. Although the park isn't large, it's a great place for a walk and photos. If you're visiting Toyama, it's worth stopping by!

Zuiganji Temple

This temple is said to have been opened as a Tendai Sect in the 9th century. The official name including the name of the mountain is Shoto Seiryuzan Zuiganenpukuzenji.

• Miyagi
• Shrines & Temples

When visiting Matsushima, besides taking a sightseeing cruise, I also highly recommend visiting Zuiganji Temple, one of the Tohoku region's foremost ancient temples with a thousand-year history. Admission for adults is JPY 1,000, and there are several paid parking lots nearby for about JPY 300 per hour. The temple grounds include a museum, the kuri, and the main hall, all simple and solemn, with a strong sense of history. I spent about an hour exploring at a leisurely pace and taking in the beauty of the temple. If you're traveling to Matsushima, it's a good idea to visit Zuiganji Temple and take a cruise on the same day, so you can experience the mountains, sea, and historic temple all at once.

Matsushima

One of Three Great Views of Japan along with Kyoto’s Amanohashidate and Hiroshima’s Miyajima. The grand horizon of the Pacific Ocean and large and small 260 verdant islands have been attracting many visitors since the Heian Period.

• Miyagi
• Nature Spots

Matsushima, one of Japan's Three Scenic Views, is truly breathtaking! We took a local train from Sendai, passing from underground stations through residential areas, fields, and lush green forests before arriving at Matsushima-Kaigan Station by the sea about 40 minutes later. The small islands scattered across the bay looked like a natural Japanese garden. The weather was perfect that day, with blue skies reflected in the turquoise sea, so every photo came out beautifully! Besides strolling around and enjoying the scenery, don't forget to take a sightseeing cruise to admire this iconic view from the water. It's definitely worth visiting in person.

Matsushima Cruise

Over 260 large and small islands are in the heavenly Matsushima known as one of the Three Great Views of Japan. A large boat on a regular schedule goes around Matsushima Bay in the affordable “Niomaru Course (Middle schooler and older 1,500 yen, Elementary child 750 yen)”. It leisurely cruises a 17km route in 50 minutes around Niojima Island, Kagetajima with an imposing rocky cliff, Funairijima where ancient ruins were found, Katsurashima and Nonoshima which are inhabited.

• Miyagi
• Ships

The Matsushima sightseeing cruise is really worth taking! Seeing Matsushima, one of Japan's Three Great Views, up close from the water is beautiful. On a clear day, the deep blue sea and all the islands are so stunning you won't want to blink. The tickets aren't expensive, so don't miss it when you visit Matsushima! Even more surprising, there were only a little over 10 people on my boat, including me. I couldn't help thinking, “Can they really make money like this?” Being able to enjoy the scenery so leisurely was also a rare experience. If you get the chance, please come and support them.

Miyagi Prefecture Matsushima Rikyu

Matsushima Rikyu is a tourist commercial hub that opened in March 2020 in Matsushima, home to one of Japan's three most scenic views. There’s plenty to explore inside, including a Japanese garden, rooftop garden, restaurant museum and more.

• Miyagi
• Commercial Buildings

When you visit Matsushima in Miyagi Prefecture, don't miss the charming Miyagi Prefecture Matsushima Rikyu! About a 5-minute walk from Matsushima-Kaigan Station, this new landmark, which opened in 2020, brings together food, shopping, activities, and beautiful scenery. You can stroll around the first floor and enjoy oysters and desserts, while the second floor offers workshops, a museum, and other activities. I especially recommend going up to the rooftop garden for panoramic views of Matsushima Bay and a relaxing time in the sea breeze. It's a great place to spend half a day or even a full day exploring at your own pace.

Towada Shrine

Located on Nakayama Peninsula, which juts into Lake Towada, this ancient shrine is said to have been founded in 807 by Sakanoue no Tamuramaro, a shogun who enshrined Prince Yamato Takeru as a warrior deity. During the Edo period, Towada Shrine was revered alongside Mount Osore as one of the two great sacred sites of the region, flourishing as a place of ascetic practice.

• Aomori
• Shrines & Temples

Towada Shrine is located on the shore of Lake Towada and is a well-known spiritual spot in the Tohoku region, famous for its "Uranai-ba," where fortunes are told. As you walk along the lakeshore toward the shrine, you are surrounded by dense forest. The atmosphere is especially peaceful and secluded, making you feel far removed from the hustle and bustle. If you're planning a day trip to Lake Towada, I highly recommend including the lake, a sightseeing boat cruise, and Towada Shrine in your itinerary. Besides enjoying the beautiful lake and mountain scenery, you can also experience the shrine's unique, mysterious atmosphere. It's well worth stopping by for a walk.

Statue of Maidens

A pair of bronze statues standing on the lakeshore of Yasumiya at Lake Towada. Built in 1953 to mark the 15th anniversary of Lake Towada’s designation as a national park, the statues honor three key figures who helped introduce Lake Towada and Oirase to a wider audience and contributed to the national park designation: writer Keigetsu Omachi, then Aomori Governor Chiyosaburo Takeda, and local village mayor Koichi Ogasawara. Created by sculptor and poet Kotaro Takamura, it’s also known as his final work.

• Aomori
• Tourist Attractions

The Statue of Maidens on the shore of Lake Towada is the final work of renowned Japanese poet and sculptor Kotaro Takamura, and one of the lake's most iconic landmarks. The statues of two young women stand quietly by the lake, creating a picturesque scene with the surrounding mountains, forests, and water. We were very lucky to have beautiful weather that day and took many postcard-like photos. After seeing the Statue of Maidens, you can also stop by the shrine and take a leisurely walk while enjoying the scenery of Lake Towada. It's a very relaxing way to travel.

Towada Lake Sightseeing Cruise

Lake Towada is a caldera lake formed by volcanic activity that began roughly 200,000 years ago. Renowned as one of Aomori’s most scenic destinations, it offers breathtaking views that can be fully enjoyed from the water aboard a sightseeing cruise.

• Aomori
• Experiences Facilities

Take a sightseeing cruise across Lake Towada, one of Aomori's famous scenic destinations. The boat ride takes about 50 minutes, with beautiful views of the lake and mountains all along the way. The water is clear, and the lake is surrounded by mountains and forests. It's especially breathtaking in the fall, when the red and yellow foliage is reflected on the surface like a natural painting. There are two cruise routes, and the fare is JPY 1,650 per person. If you have enough time, you can also walk from the pier to Towada Shrine and the lakeside statue to experience the unique tranquility of Lake Towada.

Lake Towada

Lake Towada spans over Towada City, Aomori and Kosaka Town of Kazuno county, Akita. The volcanic activities of Mt. Towada, which began almost 200,000 years ago, has created the caldera lake. The 12th largest lake in Japan, the 3rd in depth, it is designated as Japan's Area of Special Scenic Beauty and a natural monument along with the Oirase Gorge stemming from the lake.

• Aomori
• Akita
• Nature Spots

Lake Towada is a stunning lake sculpted by nature over countless years, and it is also one of the most iconic attractions in Japan's Tohoku region. The water is clear and tranquil, surrounded by mountains. I can imagine that in autumn, the golden beech trees and crimson maple leaves reflected on the lake must look as beautiful as a painting. We visited in summer this time. Although it lacked the romance of the red fall foliage, it had a fresh, lush green summer charm instead. Looking out over the expansive lake, I couldn't help but marvel at the beauty of nature.