楊雅雯's Reviews Page 6/17

While visiting Fukui City, I made a special trip to Yokokan Garden. Formerly known as Osensui Yashiki, it is a Japanese garden where the residence and pond blend together beautifully. Admission is only JPY 220. Although the garden isn't large, every detail is exquisite. The huge pond is crystal clear, with colorful koi swimming through it, and the rustic sukiya-style building seems to float on the water. After taking off your shoes, you can sit on the tatami and look out from different angles, where the pond, unusual rocks, greenery, and koi come together like natural landscape paintings. The peaceful, elegant surroundings make you instinctively slow down and fully appreciate the tranquility and beauty of a traditional Japanese garden.

As soon as I walked out of Fukui Shinkansen Station, I was blown away by all the dinosaurs! The enormous dinosaurs seem to have traveled through time to welcome visitors. They not only look incredibly realistic, but there are also all kinds of interactive displays and photo spots, so every casual shot looks impressive.

Fukui is famous in Japan for its dinosaur fossil discoveries, and the area around the station fully showcases its identity as the “Dinosaur Kingdom.” Arriving in Fukui by Shinkansen, you can get a whole collection of great dinosaur photos before your trip even begins. It's so much fun!

If you like dinosaurs, you definitely shouldn't miss this place. A must-visit for dinosaur fans!

My first time at Tojinbo Cliffs, and the sheer scale of the view really took my breath away! The towering columnar-jointed rock walls stretch along the coast, with rough waves constantly crashing against the cliffs. Even from the shore, you can feel the incredible power of nature. You can enjoy beautiful views of the Sea of Japan along the walking path, or take a sightseeing boat for a close-up view of the spectacular cliffs from the water. I heard there's also a legend about a monk behind the name Tojinbo, adding an air of mystery. The sea breeze is strong and the terrain is quite rugged, so be sure to stay safe when taking photos. This breathtaking coastal scenery is truly worth experiencing in person!

Our next stop was Kumagawa-juku on the Saba Kaido. Mackerel from Wakasa Bay was very popular with people in Kyoto, so large quantities were transported to Kyoto along the Wakasa Kaido. As the Saba Kaido flourished, Kumagawa-juku gradually developed into a bustling post town. Today, the townscape from the Edo to Showa periods has been preserved, and the area is designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings. Although it's in a remote location and doesn't get many visitors, nearly every old house has a strong old-fashioned charm. It's very pleasant to stroll around, and it really feels like traveling back in time. It's definitely worth a visit!

Kehi Jingu Shrine is a famous ancient shrine in Tsuruga, Fukui Prefecture, and the ichinomiya of the former Echizen Province. Since ancient times, it has been known as the “Guardian Shrine of the Hokuriku Region.” This time, I took a taxi from JR Tsuruga Station, and it was quite convenient. The overall atmosphere is solemn and peaceful, and you feel a special sense of calm as soon as you enter the grounds. It is also said to be a spiritual power spot, and many people come specifically to worship and pray for safety and good luck. What impressed me most was the towering vermilion torii gate, which has a commanding presence. It is well worth visiting in person to experience the charm of this ancient shrine.

Rainbow Line Summit Park is really worth visiting! It takes about 3 minutes by cable car to reach the summit of Mount Baijodake. I recommend trying the single-seat chairlift—you can skip the line and enjoy the mountain breeze all the way up, which is both thrilling and fun. There are five observation decks at the summit, offering 360-degree views of the magnificent Mikata Five Lakes and the Sea of Japan. When the weather is nice, the scenery is so beautiful you won't want to leave. Although the park isn't very large, it also has a teahouse, café, shrine, and a free sky footbath where you can soak your feet while enjoying the view. It takes about an hour to explore at a leisurely pace, or two hours is just right if you want to have coffee or something to eat!

Mikata Five Lakes is such a beautiful place that it makes me want to visit again! I took the cable car up the mountain and rode one by myself for the first time, which made it especially memorable. On the way up, the blue sky and deep blue lakes, along with the colorful roses, created scenery so beautiful I didn't want to blink. From the mountaintop terrace, you can look out over the lakes in five different shades of blue, and the view is very expansive. There weren't many visitors that day, and the fresh air and quiet atmosphere made me feel completely relaxed. This trip was really worth it. If you have a chance to visit Fukui, definitely stop by!

Maruoka Castle is one of Japan's 12 remaining original castle towers and the only surviving wooden castle tower in the Hokuriku region. It does take quite a while to get there, and there aren't many nearby attractions to visit along the way. The castle itself isn't very large either, so whether it's worth making a special trip depends on the person. For me, though, just being able to see this historic original castle tower in person made it worthwhile! There aren't many exhibits inside, and the historical information is fairly basic, which is a little disappointing for travelers who don't understand Japanese. Although the castle tower is small, the stairs are incredibly steep. You really need to hold on to the ropes and carefully use both your hands and feet to go up and down, so seniors and children should be especially careful. Once you reach the top floor, the view is wide open. This old and elegant castle is worth taking your time to appreciate for its historical charm.

The Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of History is housed in a historic red-brick building, and the building itself is quite distinctive. The exhibits showcase Ishikawa Prefecture's rich history and culture in an easy-to-understand way, so you can take your time exploring. It's well worth a visit if you're interested in Ishikawa's history. I also recommend buying the “Cultural Forest” pass, which lets you visit multiple attractions and museums with one ticket and is a pretty good deal. However, keep in mind that the pass is only valid for two days, so be sure to plan your schedule carefully to avoid wasting it!

I made a point of visiting the seafood market on this trip to Kanazawa, and it was really worth it! The market is incredibly lively, with a dazzling variety of fresh seafood, sushi, scallops, crab, sea urchin, and local snacks. Just walking around and looking at everything works up an appetite. Although there are quite a few tourists, the market is clean and easy to navigate. Many stalls prepare food to order, so you can enjoy seafood at its freshest and sweetest. The vendors are also very friendly and will enthusiastically explain things even if there's a language barrier. The prices are a little high, but the freshness and quality are both very good. It's a must on any trip to Kanazawa!