楊雅雯's Reviews Page 4/5

Tateyama Highland Bus

The Tateyama Highland Bus operates between Bijodaira and Murodo, two stations on the popular mountainous sightseeing route, the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. This bus journey covers approximately 23 km from Bijodaira to Murodo, which sits at an elevation of 2,450 m, and takes about 50 minutes.

• Toyama
• Buses

The Tateyama Highland Bus is one of the essential transportation options on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. It connects Bijodaira and Murodo, climbing along the way to an elevation of about 2,450 meters, with stunning alpine scenery right outside the window. In spring, you can get an up-close view of the impressive Snow Wall, while in autumn you can take in mountains covered in brilliant fall colors. Riding this bus isn’t just about getting from place to place—it’s one of the most exciting experiences to look forward to on a Tateyama Kurobe trip!

Tateyama Cable Car

As the first transportation link from the Toyama side on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route-a mountain tourism route totaling 37.5 km in length with a maximum elevation difference of 1,975 m-the Tateyama Cable Car connects Tateyama Station with Bijodaira Station.

• Toyama
• Trains & Subway

The Tateyama Cable Car is one of the must-ride transportation options for exploring the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route! It climbs from Tateyama Station up to Bijodaira, gaining more than 500 meters in just about 7 minutes. Along the way, it passes through forests and mountainsides, with views out the window that are hard to look away from.

After arriving at Bijodaira, you can transfer to the highland bus and continue on to Murodo, beginning an incredible Tateyama Kurobe journey. It’s not just a cable car ride—it’s the starting point for some of Japan’s most spectacular scenery!

JR Kanazawa Station

Kanazawa Station, the gateway to Ishikawa, is served by the Hokuriku Shinkansen, which opened in 2015. It connects Tokyo and Kanazawa in about 2 hours and 30 minutes, and serves as the starting point for sightseeing in Kanazawa and the Hokuriku region.

• Kanazawa
• Stations & Roadside Stations & Tourist Information Centers

Kanazawa Station! Known as one of the “most beautiful stations in the world,” Kanazawa Station perfectly blends modern architecture with traditional culture. The biggest highlight is the massive Tsuzumi-mon Gate, which symbolizes Kanazawa’s Noh culture, paired with the glass-covered Motenashi Dome. As soon as you step out of the station, you can’t help but stop and take photos.

Kanazawa Station has also been selected for lists of the world’s most beautiful stations, making it the first photo spot for many travelers arriving in Kanazawa.

Kanazawa Castle Park

In 1583 (the period of Tensho 11th), Toshiie Maeda entered this castle as the first feudal lord, since then this castle had been used by the Maeda family of Kaga Domain until the early time of the Meiji, later the ruin of this castle was reconstructed to use as a large park for citizens.

• Kanazawa
• Parks & Gardens

In Kanazawa, definitely plan to visit Kenroku-en and Kanazawa Castle on the same day! Kenroku-en and Kanazawa Castle are right next to each other, just a few minutes apart on foot, so they’re perfect to do together.

Stroll through Kenroku-en and enjoy the garden scenery that changes with the seasons, then head into Kanazawa Castle, which is full of historic atmosphere. You can take in the impressive stone walls and architecture while experiencing both nature and history in one trip.

Taking your time at both spots takes about half a day to a full day. The photo opportunities are beautiful, too. It’s a classic Kanazawa itinerary you absolutely shouldn’t miss!

Kenroku-en

Kenroku-en was founded and developed for about 180 years by the Maeda clan lord in Kaga, which is a strolling-style landscape garden and one of the three most beautiful gardens in Japan.

• Kanazawa
• Parks & Gardens

A lot of people say Kenroku-en is at its most beautiful during cherry blossom season or when it’s covered in snow, but I actually really love the fresh greenery of summer. The lush green trees reflected on the pond, together with the sound of flowing water, add a refreshing touch to the hot summer weather.

Walking slowly along the garden paths, feeling the breeze pass through the treetops, and occasionally stopping to admire the classic Kotoji Lantern and Kasumigaike Pond, every angle feels like a landscape painting.

Summer may be hot, but it’s also the season when you can really feel Kenroku-en’s peaceful atmosphere. Sit down at a teahouse, cool off with a bowl of shaved ice or a Japanese sweet, then keep wandering at an easy pace and enjoy Kanazawa’s unique slow rhythm.

If you get the chance to travel to Kanazawa, don’t only plan around cherry blossom season. Kenroku-en in summer is also well worth savoring.

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.