BobbyJenny's Reviews Page 35/76

Near Kumamoto Castle, besides visiting the castle itself, I also highly recommend stopping by Sakuranobaba Josaien. The entire complex was designed around the concept of an Edo-period castle town, and the streets are full of Kumamoto character, creating a charming historic atmosphere as you walk around.

There are many local Kumamoto foods, souvenirs, and specialty shops here, so you can take a stroll and browse at your own pace. Kumamoto specialties such as horse meat dishes, mustard-stuffed lotus root, and Kumamoto ramen can all be found here, making it very convenient for people who like to snack as they walk around.

I think the most appealing thing about Josaien is that it combines sightseeing, shopping, and food all in one place. There's no need to rush through your itinerary, and it's very pleasant to explore at a leisurely pace.

While visiting Beppu Myoban Onsen, I made a special trip to Okamotoya Shop. This long-established shop is best known for its Jigoku-Mushi Pudding. The pudding is steamed using hot spring steam, giving it a smooth texture and rich egg flavor. It's sweet without being too rich, and the slightly bitter caramel is just right. The shop also has quite a few Beppu specialty snacks. Eating dessert while taking in the sulfur aroma of Myoban Onsen feels very local. This trip to Beppu left me with some very special memories. If I have the chance, I'd love to come back for the Jigoku-Mushi Pudding again!

While taking a morning walk along Kobe Harbor, I unexpectedly came across the Kobe Meriken Park Oriental Hotel. My first impression was that it was very unique! Located by the harbor, the building has a distinctive design, and with the morning ocean view, it looked especially inviting and had a real vacation feel.

I was only passing by this time and didn’t stay there, which felt like a bit of a shame. Just seeing it from the outside made me want to experience it. If I come back to Kobe, I hope I can arrange to stay for a night, enjoy the relaxing atmosphere by the harbor, and take in the different daytime and nighttime views of Kobe Harbor.

While driving around Okinawa, we stopped at Michi-no-Eki Kyoda. Besides taking a break, getting something to eat, and browsing for souvenirs, you can also buy discounted tickets to the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium here, so we specifically planned a stop to purchase them. Buying tickets on-site was very convenient. Once we had them, we could head straight to the aquarium without having to wait in line there to buy tickets.

Michi-no-Eki Kyoda itself is also fun to browse, with plenty of local Okinawan products and snacks. You can also pick up drinks and treats to recharge. For a road trip, it’s a very practical rest stop along the way.

If the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is on your itinerary and you’re driving, I think it’s worth stopping by Kyoda to take a break and buy your tickets before continuing to the next attraction. It makes the trip flow very smoothly!

At Byodoin Temple in Uji, besides the famous Phoenix Hall, I also recommend stopping by the Hoshokan Museum. The museum building itself is very distinctive, making use of underground space. Once inside, the atmosphere is quiet and solemn, creating a very different feeling from the gardens outside.

The museum displays Buddhist art and cultural properties from Byodoin’s collection. What fascinated me most were the phoenix statues from the roof and the Cloud-Borne Bodhisattvas, each in a different pose. Seeing them up close, I realized how intricate the carvings are, with each figure having its own unique features.

Visiting the Hoshokan Museum also gave me a deeper understanding of Byodoin. It’s not just about taking photos of Phoenix Hall and looking around the gardens. Through the museum’s collection, you can experience the history and artistic beauty of the Heian period.

GRANDE RIVIERE Hakone rusks are a souvenir that easily catches your eye when visiting Hakone! The bread is sliced and baked until thin and crispy, with a light buttery aroma and a satisfying crunch. They’re not overly sweet and go well with coffee or black tea.

I really like how light and easy they are to carry, and the packaging also feels like a classic Hakone souvenir. They’re great for afternoon tea or as a snack when you’re craving something. Before you know it, you’ve eaten one after another and finished them all. If you’re visiting Hakone and like crispy cookies, give them a try!

At Chion-ji Temple in Kyoto, what caught my eye most was the Sanmon Gate, known as the “Golden Pavilion.” The gate has a historic appearance, and its wooden architecture exudes a strong sense of history. Standing in front of it, you can feel the solemn atmosphere unique to Kyoto temples.

The Sanmon Gate, also called the “Golden Pavilion,” is one of Chion-ji Temple’s most iconic structures. Looking closely at the roof, wooden pillars, and overall structure, you can really see the character of traditional Japanese architecture. Although I didn’t stay long, just taking photos in front of the gate and admiring the architecture made the visit feel worthwhile.

After arriving at Miyama Kayabuki no Sato and walking around, I made a point of stopping by the Kaya-no-Sato Souvenir Shop to look for souvenirs. The shop has quite a few local Miyama specialties and keepsakes, and browsing through them really made it feel like I was traveling.

In the end, I chose a magnet shaped like Miyama to take home. Although it’s just a small souvenir, it feels especially meaningful. Whenever I see it, I’ll remember this visit to Miyama, the rows of beautiful thatched-roof houses, and the quiet, relaxing mountain village scenery around them.

I also bought a bottle of Miyama milk. It was nice and cold, with a natural milky flavor, and having a bottle after walking all around was really refreshing.

When I travel, I like buying small souvenirs. They don’t have to be expensive, but they let me bring home memories of the place.

While visiting Kayabuki no Sato in Miyama, I came across Noda Shop, a small store with a real local feel. Compared with shops at typical tourist attractions, it has a more down-to-earth, rural atmosphere. Stepping inside also gives you a sense of everyday life in Miyama.

The shop carries some local everyday items and specialty products. There’s no pressure while browsing; it feels more like casually exploring a small village. Stopping by to look around after getting tired from walking was also a very pleasant little moment during the trip.

What I liked most was how well Noda Shop fit in with the surrounding thatched-roof houses. As soon as you step outside, you’re greeted by Miyama’s distinctive traditional village scenery, with forests, fields, and rows of thatched-roof houses all woven together. It really has the feel of the Japanese countryside.

I joined a one-day tour of Miyama this time, so the schedule was fairly limited. When we arrived at Chii Hachiman Shrine, I only had time for a short walk near the foot of the mountain and couldn’t make it all the way up to the shrine, which was a little disappointing. The surroundings along the way were very quiet and enclosed by forest, with the natural atmosphere unique to the Miyama countryside.

Although I didn’t actually make it to the top, just seeing the shrine and the surrounding scenery near the entrance was enough to feel how different the atmosphere was from shrines in the city. It was less crowded and noisy than a tourist attraction, and more simple and peaceful.

My biggest regret was that there really wasn’t enough time. If I had planned an independent trip, I could probably have walked and taken in the scenery at a leisurely pace without constantly checking the meeting time.

So for now, I’ll keep Chii Hachiman Shrine in mind and save this small regret for next time. When I return to Miyama, I hope to allow plenty of time and walk all the way up to see the entire shrine for myself!