BobbyJenny's Reviews Page 15/76

While visiting Yokohama, I made special plans to take the Marine Rouge restaurant cruise, enjoying a meal while admiring the harbor scenery. As the boat slowly left the pier, the view before me also began to change. Seeing Yokohama from the water felt different from viewing it on land.

During the meal, I could enjoy the coastal scenery through the windows, watching the city buildings, harbor, and ocean stretch into the distance. The atmosphere was very relaxing. As the boat continued along, I could also see Yokohama's cityscape from different angles, giving the entire meal an extra sense of occasion.

Rather than simply taking a boat ride to see the scenery, Marine Rouge combines food with harbor views, making the meal itself part of the itinerary. Feeling the sea breeze and looking out at Yokohama at night left me with a very memorable experience.

When I visited Azabudai Hills, the observation deck was still open to the public for free. Standing high above the city at night and looking out over Tokyo, the beautiful night view left a deep impression on me. Tokyo Tower glowed orange-red, surrounded by the intersecting lights of high-rise buildings and streets, making the entire city sparkle in the darkness.

After looking around, I didn't forget to buy some desserts. I picked up Échiré butter cookies and a cake from HARBS. The Échiré butter cookies were crisp and had a rich buttery aroma, while the HARBS cake was beautifully layered with fruit and whipped cream. Every bite was satisfying.

From the night view to the desserts, my memories of this trip to Azabudai Hills include not only Tokyo's dazzling lights but also a touch of sweetness.

The most impressive thing when entering Nijo-jo Castle is the magnificent gold wall paintings inside Ninomaru Palace. Large golden backgrounds are paired with intricate designs of flowers, birds, and pine trees, making them especially dazzling in the light. Each one is so exquisite that you can't help but stop and take a closer look.

The old wooden building is filled with such lavish colors, and the contrast between the gold and dark wood creates an even more dignified and elegant atmosphere. Walking through the palace feels like stepping into a historical scroll painting.

Nijo-jo Castle is not only a place to experience Japanese history; these preserved wall paintings also reveal the splendor of the imperial court and samurai culture of the time. Seeing those golden wall paintings in person feels completely different from seeing them in photos.

Passing by Kifune Ugenta in winter, the forest was completely peaceful. Looking along the stream, the traditional buildings were tucked away among the trees, and the winter scenery had a crisp, tranquil beauty. Without the lush greenery and bustle of summer, it instead had a subtle serenity that made me want to stay a little longer.

I hope I'll have the chance to try the summer kawadoko dining next time. I imagine sitting above the stream, feeling the cool mountain breeze, listening to the flowing water, and enjoying a meal would be a very special experience.

The first time I saw Mount Yotei, I thought it looked a lot like Mount Fuji. Its summit is gently rounded and symmetrical, and the entire mountain rises alone from the land, creating a familiar sense of déjà vu when viewed from a distance.

Mount Yotei is also known as “Ezo Fuji.” Like Mount Fuji, it has a beautiful shape, but the surrounding scenery is completely different. There are no Tokyo skyscrapers or city noise—just endless fields and a vast sky, making the mountain’s outline stand out even more.

As we traveled along and viewed it from different angles, we could always see Mount Yotei standing quietly in the distance. When white clouds drifted over the summit, they added even more depth to the view. I never knew Hokkaido had a mountain that looked so much like Mount Fuji. After seeing it in person, I finally understood why it is called “Ezo Fuji.”

I came to Sawamura in Kyu-Karuizawa for lunch and ordered the restaurant’s special hamburger this time. It looked appetizing as soon as it arrived, with a thick patty, fresh lettuce, and sauce. The bun was toasted until slightly crisp and fragrant, giving the burger plenty of layers of texture and flavor.

With the first bite, the patty was full of savory meat flavor, and it tasted just right with the soft bun and vegetables. Overall, it was super delicious!

While shopping in Karuizawa, it feels nice to find a restaurant you like, sit down and enjoy a proper lunch, then continue strolling and browsing afterward.

Besides keeping my skin moisturized when I go out, sunscreen is also an essential part of my daily routine. This series has a light, refreshing texture and doesn’t feel too heavy on the skin.

I like its subtle fragrance and refreshing feel. It’s convenient for everyday use, and applying a layer before going out doesn’t make my skin feel weighed down. Especially in summer or when spending long periods outdoors, sunscreen feels like an even more important part of skincare.

Lake Okutama is so beautiful in fall that it’s hard to look away. The mountains are colored red, orange, yellow, and green by the autumn leaves, with the different shades overlapping like layers of fall colors spread across the forest.

Taking a sightseeing boat and enjoying the scenery from the lake offers a completely different perspective. The clear water reflects the colorful mountains on both shores, and as the boat moves slowly forward, the view keeps changing, with new scenery around every bend.

Compared with simply admiring the view from the shore, seeing the entire lake surrounded by red autumn foliage from the boat makes the grandeur of Lake Okutama in fall even more impressive.

The Maple Mania's Maple Butter Cookies were one of the souvenirs I brought back from this trip, and I absolutely loved them.

The cookies are crisp and crunchy, with rich maple butter sandwiched in the middle. When you take a bite, you first taste the buttery aroma, followed by the sweet maple flavor spreading through your mouth. The two flavors go together very smoothly. The sweetness is just right, too, so they don't become too rich after just a few bites.

When you come to Nagoya, of course you have to try Yabaton's classic pork cutlet. The thick cutlet has a crispy coating, while the meat inside remains tender. Just seeing it served piping hot is enough to whet your appetite.

The most distinctive feature is the generous amount of miso sauce poured over it. The rich red miso has a savory-sweet aroma and adds layers of flavor to the crispy pork cutlet. Eating it with shredded cabbage helps balance out the richness of the miso.

This was my first time trying Nagoya's famous miso pork cutlet, and it was quite different from a regular pork cutlet. From the cutlet to the miso sauce, everything had a strong local character. After finishing it, I felt like I had checked off one of Nagoya's signature foods.