BobbyJenny's Reviews Page 43/76

Otabe (Nama Yatsuhashi with Sweet Red Bean Paste)

Otabe is a Kyoto confection made by wrapping homemade chunky sweet red bean paste in soft, chewy nama yatsuhashi dough. Since its creation in 1966 (Showa 41), it has become just as much a Kyoto souvenir staple as the traditional hard-baked yatsuhashi senbei.

Kyoto
Snacks

9 Sep 2026 See More

A classic souvenir you can’t miss when visiting Kyoto is nama yatsuhashi! The thin wrapper has a soft, chewy texture and is filled with sweet red bean paste. It’s soft when you bite into it without being overly sweet, and it pairs perfectly with a cup of hot tea.

After trying nama yatsuhashi this time, I felt that it really tasted like Kyoto—simple, yet so easy to keep eating one after another.

Rinku Premium Outlets

This outlet mall is in the Rinku Town across the bay from Kansai International Airport and many tourists from other countries visit here. In August of 2020, in commemoration of its 20th anniversary, the mall was expanded for the 5th time into the largest outlet in western Japan.

Kishiwada, Kansai Airport, Senshu
Commercial Buildings

8 Sep 2026 See More

Rinku Premium Outlets Osaka is located in Rinku Town near Kansai International Airport and is one of Osaka's most popular outlet malls. Its biggest draws are the wide selection of brands and steep discounts. It's also very close to Kansai Airport, making it a convenient place to shop on the last day of an Osaka trip.

Brands here include Nike, Adidas, Puma, New Balance, Coach, Michael Kors, and Lacoste. You can shop for clothing, shoes, bags, sporting goods, and household items all in one place.

Kohfukuji Temple

This temple was first built as a private residence of Fujiwara no Kamatari in Yamashina-suehara of Yamashiro-no-kuni (current Kyoto prefecture) and named Yamashina-dera, and later, Fujiwara no Fuhito decided to relocate to the current place at the time of the establishment of the Heijo Ⅽapital in 710, and the temple was renamed Kohfukuji.

Nara
Shrines & Temples

8 Sep 2026 See More

What impressed me most about Kohfukuji Temple was seeing the ancient temple and Nara deer together in the same scene! Admiring the majestic five-story pagoda and traditional architecture while watching deer leisurely strolling nearby really felt uniquely Nara.

Ebisu Bridge

Ebisu Bridge, which is said to have been constructed almost simultaneously with the excavation of the Dotonbori River.

Shinsaibashi, Namba, Nipponbashi (Minami)
Tourist Attractions

8 Sep 2026 See More

Ebisu Bridge is located in Osaka's Dotonbori area and is one of the city's most iconic landmarks. From the bridge, you can take in the lively Dotonbori River, with many restaurants, shops, and huge signs on both sides. The most famous is the familiar Glico Running Man sign.

Osaka Castle Park

Nationally designated special historical site, Osaka Castle Ruin, and the surrounding area were renovated into an urban park. 13 buildings of important cultural properties including Osaka Castle Main Tower, watchtowers and gates dot the vast 261-acre premises.

Osaka Castle, Kyobashi
Parks & Gardens

8 Sep 2026 See More

When I arrived at Osaka Castle Park, the first thing that caught my eye was the majestic Osaka Castle tower! The park is truly expansive, with impressive stone walls, a moat, and large green spaces along the way, giving you a real sense of history as you walk around.

Although I didn't visit during cherry blossom season, the smaller crowds actually made it easier to take a leisurely walk and snap photos. Seeing the old Osaka Castle blend with the modern cityscape had a unique charm.

Tower of Osaka Castle

Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who unified the country during the Azuchi-Momoyama period (1568-1600), began construction of the tower of Osaka Castle in 1583 and completed it in 1585. The castle was later destroyed during the Osaka Natsu no Jin（summer campaign of Osaka） in 1615, but was rebuilt by the Tokugawa Shogunate in 1626. However, the castle keep was destroyed by lightning in 1665. In 1931, the castle tower of the Toyotomi period was reconstructed with donations from Osaka citizens.

Osaka Castle, Kyobashi
Tourist Attractions

8 Sep 2026 See More

It was my first time visiting Osaka Castle, and even from a distance, the castle tower looked truly imposing! After entering Osaka Castle Park, the expansive greenery, impressive stone walls, and moat created a strong sense of history.
Standing near the castle tower and taking in the view of the entire castle, the contrast between the historic architecture and modern Osaka cityscape was especially striking.

Lake Yamanaka（Yamanaka-ko）

Lake Yamanaka covers an area of about 6.57 square kilometers and is about 980.5 meters above sea level. It is located at the third highest point in Japan. The lake is the closest to Mt. Fuji among the “Fuji Five Lakes " and offers beautiful scenery of the four seasons with the majestic Mt.Fuji.

Yamanashi
Nature Spots

8 Sep 2026 See More

Lake Yamanaka is one of the closest lakes to Mt. Fuji among the Fuji Five Lakes and also one of the highest in elevation. It's a popular spot for enjoying Mt. Fuji's reflection and the lakeside scenery. On clear days, you can see the entire mountain towering over the lake, and the scenery is beautiful.

Arakurayama Sengen Park

Arakurayama Sengen Park is famous as a place to view the splendid scenery of the magnificent Mount Fuji with a pagoda dedicated to those who died in battle. Inside the park grounds, about 650 Sakura trees have been planted. In the spring, the picturesque Japanese scenery of cherry blossoms, the pagoda, and Mount Fuji can be seen.

Yamanashi
Shrines & Temples

8 Sep 2026 See More

After climbing quite a few steps, I finally reached the observation deck, and the view before me was absolutely breathtaking! The five-story pagoda with majestic Mt. Fuji looked just like a postcard. I couldn't believe I was seeing it with my own eyes!

When the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, the soft pink flowers together with Mt. Fuji are so beautiful that you can't look away.

Ogimachi Castle Ruins Observatory

The viewpoint is a popular spot to overlook the village of Ogimachi in Shirakawa, Gifu Prefecture, known by the name "Shirakawa-go," from an elevated position. Ogimachi Castle was a small mountain castle built atop a 60-meter hill with dimensions of approximately 60 meters east-west and 50 meters north-south; now, only remnants like earthworks remain.

Gifu
Observatories

8 Sep 2026 See More

The Ogimachi Castle Ruins Observatory is a popular spot for panoramic views of Shirakawa-go's gassho-style village. From above, you can take in the entire village, the lush green valley, and the distant mountains. It's especially like a fairy-tale world when it snows in winter.

Shirakawa Hachiman Shrine

Nestled within the World Heritage-listed Shirakawa-go gassho-zukuri (thatched-roof) village, this shrine dates back to the Wado era (708-715).

Gifu
Shrines & Temples

8 Sep 2026 See More

The first thing I felt when I entered Shirakawa Hachiman Shrine was, "It's so quiet and peaceful!" Surrounded by mountain forests, there's none of the city's noise—only the sound of the wind rustling through the leaves. The whole atmosphere has a distinctively rural Japanese feel. Together with Shirakawa-go's unique gassho-style scenery, it feels like stepping into an old Japanese landscape painting.