Asahi Super Dry
This long-selling product has been a hit since its launch in 1987 as Japan’s first dry beer. Its refreshing taste and pleasantly light mouthfeel pair well with all types of food.
My first time trying Asahi. Ice-cold, it was refreshing and smooth, with a light, pleasant bitterness. It went especially well with fried food and yakiniku. Having a drink with friends while traveling, chatting and enjoying good food, really gave me the feeling of traveling in Japan!
Fuji-Q Highland
Fuji-Q Highland is an amusement park featuring many world-class thrill rides and character theme parks.
Fuji-Q Highland is definitely a paradise for thrill ride lovers! The three signature must-rides: the view of Mount Fuji from high up on the FUJIYAMA roller coaster is stunning; DODODONPA's acceleration is so intense it feels like your heart stops; and Takabisha's crazy 121-degree drop is incredibly satisfying.
This time at Fuji-Q Highland, I really thought it was super thrilling and fun! As soon as I saw the roller coasters, I couldn't help feeling both excited and scared. Especially at the moment when they climbed high and then plunged down at high speed, I couldn't stop screaming, and it felt like my heart was about to jump out of my chest. My legs were a little weak afterward, but it was incredibly satisfying. There are also lots of fun rides throughout the park, and every one left a strong impression. This trip to Fuji-Q wasn't just fun—it also tested my courage and became a truly unforgettable memory from my travels in Japan!
Odaiba Marine Park
Odaiba Seaside Park is home to an approximately 800m artificial beach "Odaiba Beach" and a rocky shore "Isohama Zone" where you can fish. In addition to enjoying fishing and water sports, there are cafes and restaurants where you can relax. It's a popular spot that both adults and children can enjoy.
Strolling through Odaiba Seaside Park, the most refreshing part is the expansive view of the Rainbow Bridge and Tokyo Bay. During the day, watching the waves lap against the shore and the Rainbow Bridge standing in the sunlight is especially relaxing with the gentle breeze. By evening, the sunset paints the sky pink and purple, followed by dazzling night views and Tokyo Tower sparkling in the distance, creating an incredibly romantic atmosphere. I took so many photos along the way that my phone's photo album filled up in no time!
Walking along the wooden boardwalk makes you instantly forget the noise of the city. It's an incredibly soothing stop on a trip to Tokyo!
Sanrio Puroland
Guests can meet Sanrio characters like Hello Kitty and My Melody at this indoor theme park. Sanrio characters put on authentic performances like shows and parades that mix stories, dances, and songs together.
Sanrio Puroland is a paradise for Sanrio fans. The park is filled with popular characters like Hello Kitty, My Melody, and Kuromi, and everything from the decorations and shops to the attractions is incredibly cute. What I was looking forward to most on this visit was meeting my favorite characters, and I was really excited to see familiar characters right in front of me.
The atmosphere inside the park is very magical, with great photo opportunities everywhere. You can also buy lots of exclusive merchandise and cute souvenirs. Every corner is filled with Sanrio elements, making it hard to stop taking pictures and browsing the shops. It feels like stepping into a fairy-tale world.
Kyoto City Subway, Bus One-Day Pass
This savvy ticket bundles unlimited rides for one day on all Kyoto City Subway and City Bus lines, as well as on Kyoto Bus, Keihan Bus, and JR Bus routes. Apart from a few excluded sections of the Kyoto, Keihan and JR bus routes, use this pass to get almost anywhere in the Kyoto city limits. Many travelers in the know enjoy using both subway and bus routes with this ticket to get around even the most crowded city spots with ease.
The Kyoto Subway and Bus One-Day Pass allows unlimited rides on Kyoto's municipal subway and city buses for one day, making it very convenient for anyone visiting several attractions in a single day. You don't have to keep preparing exact change or buying tickets—just use the pass to board. It can be used to reach places like Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Kinkaku-ji Temple, and Fushimi Inari Shrine, and transfers are easy too. After using it, I felt that it saved quite a bit on transportation costs and made my itinerary more flexible. It's very practical for first-time independent travelers to Kyoto.
Cow Brand Red Box
This creamy lathering soap contains milk and squalene to help moisturize. It is a popular, long-selling product that has been on the market since 1928.
Cow Brand Red Box is a classic Japanese milk soap. Its simple red packaging is easy to recognize, and it's also an everyday item many people bring home from Japan. The soap has a light milky scent and produces a fine, rich lather. After washing, your skin feels clean and refreshed.
Pocky Chocolate
Pocky was created in 1966 as the world’s first rod-shaped chocolate sweet. It is a rod-shaped pretzel snack covered in a chocolate coating, and it has a very pleasant texture. The combination of that delicious flavor with a way to keep your hands clean after snacking made them into a huge hit.
Pocky Chocolate is one of my favorite classic Japanese snacks. The thin biscuit sticks are generously coated in chocolate, and they look simple yet very appealing. As soon as you open the package, you can smell a light chocolate aroma that makes you want to grab one and eat it right away.
Otaru Canal Cruise
The Otaru Canal, completed in 1923 (Taisho 12) by reclaiming the offshore coast, is lined with historic stone and timber warehouses and remains a popular tourist attraction. A 40-minute tour on a cruise boat around this area is a popular choice among visitors.
The Otaru Canal Cruise is a very popular sightseeing experience in Otaru, Hokkaido. As the boat slowly travels along the canal, you can admire the well-preserved stone warehouses and retro streetscape from a different perspective and experience Otaru's unique port-town atmosphere.
The cruise itself felt very relaxing. Sitting on the boat with a gentle breeze, I listened to the guide while taking in the historic buildings along both banks. Compared with walking along the canal, the view from the water had a different feel, and it was also great for photos.
Fujikyu Express Discount Pass
Fujikyuko Railway opened in 1926 and offers the Otsuki Line connecting Otsuki Station in Otsuki City, Yamanashi to Mt. Fuji Station in Fujiyoshida City, Yamanashi, and also Kawaguchiko Line connecting Mt. Fuji Station to Kawaguchiko Station in Fujikawaguchiko Town, Yamanashi. It is called "the railway closest to Mt. Fuji." Fujikyu Express Pass allows you to ride any of their local lines between Kawaguchiko Station and Otsuki Station where you can switch to JR Chuo Line.
The Fujikyu Express Discount Pass is very convenient when traveling around Mt. Fuji and Lake Kawaguchi, allowing you to use designated Fujikyu trains and other transportation according to your itinerary. With the pass, you don't have to buy a ticket each time, which saves a lot of hassle for travelers visiting multiple attractions and makes the trip smoother.
The biggest benefit I noticed while using the pass was the convenience. I didn't have to keep waiting in line to buy tickets or prepare change; I just used the transportation according to the rules.
Chunichi Building
Chunichi Building, which opened in April 2024, is a mixed-use complex in the Sakae area of Nagoya. From B1F to 5F, it offers a wide variety of shops, including restaurants, cafes, general goods stores, and local product shops, and its greatest appeal is that visitors can enjoy food, shopping, and sightseeing all in one place. Directly connected to the underground mall and easy to access, it is also conveniently located as a base for sightseeing.
This time, I went shopping at the Chunichi Building in Nagoya. Besides enjoying the lively city streets, I made a point of stopping by mont-bell. The store has a wide variety of outdoor gear, including clothing, shoes, and hiking and camping equipment. The products are practical and well-designed, making it easy for outdoor enthusiasts to keep browsing without wanting to stop.
