黃國棟's Reviews Page 1/10

When visiting Miyagi Prefecture in Japan’s Tohoku region, how could you miss the incredibly unique Zao Fox Village? More than 100 foxes live here, and you can watch them roam freely, rest, and even chase one another around the grounds. Seeing their daily lives up close is really novel and interesting!

You can take a shuttle bus from the Shiroishi-Zao Station or Shiroishi Station area. It costs about JPY 1,000 each way, and admission is around JPY 1,500. There aren’t many shuttle departures, and seating is limited, so be sure to check the schedule in advance and plan your round-trip transportation so you don’t have to rush!

Besides all the adorable foxes, there are other animals to observe, as well as a paid experience where you can hold a fox. People who love small animals will probably find it very special.

However, we visited in the summer, which happened to be shedding season for the foxes. Many of them had thinner coats and didn’t have the round, fluffy appearance they do in winter, which was a little disappointing for photos. The grounds were also smaller than expected, so I recommend combining your visit with other nearby attractions.

If, like me, you’re most excited to see cute, fluffy foxes or even want to capture dreamy photos of them walking through the snow, visiting in winter may be more likely to meet your expectations!

This time, I got to check off the special experience of observing foxes up close, and it was definitely a very different stop on my trip through Japan’s Tohoku region!

On this trip, I visited Naruko Gorge in Miyagi Prefecture to admire the incredible beauty created by nature! Although I came in summer and missed the vibrant sight of autumn leaves covering the mountains, the lush green trees, spectacular gorge, and towering rock walls were still so beautiful that it was hard to leave.

Naruko Gorge is a well-known fall foliage destination in Japan's Tohoku region. The gorge is about 100 meters deep and 2.5 kilometers long. Looking out from the observation area, you can really feel the overwhelming scale and grandeur of nature. In fall, when the entire forest turns red, orange, and gold, it must be another stunning sight!

I came by train this time, and since I enjoy walking, I chose to explore the surrounding scenery slowly on foot. There were very few visitors that day, so without the noise of the crowds, there was a rare sense of peace. Listening to the wind rustling through the treetops and breathing in the fresh mountain air helped me relax quite a bit. There are also restaurants nearby where you can enjoy a meal, as well as places to buy sweets and souvenirs. It's a nice place to spend a leisurely half day walking around.

If you also enjoy being close to nature, Naruko Gorge is definitely worth adding to your travel list! Be sure to check for information about bear activity and stay on the safe trails so you can enjoy your visit with peace of mind.

Visiting Futakuchi Gorge in the summer, the lush greenery of nature fills your view. The mountains, forests, and valley come together to create fresh and captivating scenery. Walking through it and taking in the natural surroundings makes you feel relaxed as well.

Futakuchi Gorge is full of life in the summer, and the scenery is already quite beautiful! It makes me wonder how stunning it must be in the fall, when the mountains are covered in a mix of red, yellow, and orange leaves.

Each season has its own beauty. This time, I captured the fresh greenery of summer, and if I have the chance, I definitely want to come back to admire the romantic fall foliage!

Matsushima, one of Japan’s Three Scenic Views, truly lives up to its reputation! This time I visited Saigyo Modoshi no Matsu Park. Looking out over Matsushima Bay from the hilltop, I saw islands scattered across the deep blue sea, overlapping in layers. The view was so beautiful that I couldn’t help but linger over it.

I also made a special trip to Oshima. After crossing the bridge, I took a leisurely stroll along the island’s paths. I had only planned to wander around casually, but there turned out to be so many great spots along the way for enjoying the ocean views. There was a different surprise around every corner!

Rather than making a quick stop just to take photos and check in, I prefer exploring slowly like this, discovering unexpected scenery and taking in Matsushima’s unique tranquility and grandeur.

In Matsushima, besides enjoying the beautiful bay views, don’t miss Entsuin Temple, a garden filled with a sense of Japanese Zen. It’s a well-known spot in Matsushima for viewing fall foliage. When the maple leaves turn red in autumn, the garden bursts with color and is enchanting. Personally, though, I think the fresh greenery of early summer has its own charm!

As I strolled along the garden paths, lush green maple leaves filled my view. Together with the beautifully designed Japanese landscaping, they created a quiet and elegant atmosphere that made me naturally slow down and enjoy this rare sense of peace and leisure. Although I didn’t visit during the fall foliage season and missed autumn’s brilliant colors, there was instead a refreshing, natural beauty.

It turns out that Entsuin Temple has its own scenery in every season. Whether you come for the autumn leaves or the summer greenery, it’s well worth a stroll to experience the unique elegance and soothing quality of a Japanese garden.

When visiting Matsushima, besides enjoying the beautiful bay scenery, don’t miss the Matsushima Fish Market, which is full of local character!

The market offers an abundant selection of fresh seafood from the Sanriku region. Although it isn’t very large, there are several stalls selling all kinds of snacks, fried seafood, and other treats. You can eat as you browse and experience the everyday atmosphere of a local Japanese fish market.

It doesn’t have the bustle of a large tourist market, giving it a more charming and welcoming local feel that makes it easy and relaxing to explore. When traveling to Matsushima, consider stopping by for a stroll and a few snacks to add a little delicious fun to your bay trip!

When visiting Matsushima, besides taking in the magnificent scenery of one of Japan’s Three Scenic Views, I also highly recommend stopping by Matsushima Rikyu. Combining beautiful scenery, food, and a variety of activities, this tourist complex is a place where you can easily spend an entire day exploring at a leisurely pace.

During this visit, I happened to catch the nighttime light show. The countless lights illuminating the grounds created a dreamy, romantic scene so beautiful that I couldn’t help but stop and admire it. Every angle was perfect for photos!

What surprised me most was how completely different the scenery looked during the day and at night. In the daytime, it was fresh and bright, allowing you to appreciate the grounds as they normally are. Once night fell and the lights came on, the entire atmosphere instantly became romantic and enchanting, as if I had stepped into another world.

At first, I thought the admission price was a little high for a tourist attraction, but considering the overall setting and the nighttime light show, I still felt it was worth it.

When visiting Matsushima in Miyagi Prefecture, you absolutely shouldn’t miss taking a sightseeing cruise around Matsushima Bay! Matsushima is known as one of Japan’s Three Scenic Views, with more than 260 islands of various sizes scattered throughout the bay. Covered in lush trees and striking rock formations, the islands’ unique charm can truly be appreciated up close from the water aboard a sightseeing boat.

This time, I took the very popular Niomaru Course. The entire cruise takes about 50 minutes, passing one unusually shaped island after another. As the boat moves along, the scenery keeps changing, with a different kind of beauty from every angle.

The deep blue water, the islands in all kinds of shapes, and the clear, sunny weather that day made the entire cruise incredibly refreshing! There’s no need to rush. Simply sitting on the boat and quietly admiring the scenery shaped by nature over the years is an enjoyable experience in itself.

Matsushima Cruise | Niomaru Course: The cruise takes about 50 minutes. When visiting Matsushima, besides strolling along the coast and enjoying the island scenery, I also recommend exploring Matsushima Bay by boat to experience a completely different view from what you see on land. This cruise is definitely a worthwhile stop to include in your Matsushima trip!

Visiting Matsushima, one of the Three Great Views of Japan, I finally got to see this breathtaking seascape with my own eyes! We took a sightseeing cruise and enjoyed views of islands large and small, each with a different shape, scattered across the sea. Nearly every island was covered in lush greenery, creating a beautiful natural scene against the deep blue water. As the boat slowly moved along, the islands constantly changed depending on the angle, offering a different view at every turn. I never got tired of looking at them!

Matsushima is definitely worth exploring by boat. Not only can you see many islands at once, but you can also experience the grandeur and charm of this unique landscape from the water. It's no wonder it's considered one of the Three Great Views of Japan. You can only truly appreciate its beauty after visiting in person!

The last stop on this trip to Matsushima was Zuiganji Temple, one of the most prominent historic temples in northeastern Japan. As soon as I entered the temple grounds, it felt as if I were cut off from the noise outside. The ancient, solemn atmosphere made me naturally slow down and quietly take in the history and passage of time here.

The dazzling National Treasure Main Hall is the highlight of Zuiganji Temple. It combines the lavish artistic style of the Momoyama period with features of shoin-style architecture, and the gold leaf, intricate paintings, and detailed wood carvings are stunning everywhere you look! It truly lives up to its status as an important temple rebuilt by Date Masamune, with extraordinary beauty displayed in everything from the architecture to the decorations. Unfortunately, photography is prohibited inside the Main Hall, so you can only take it all in with your own eyes. You really have to visit in person to experience how impressive it is.