Risa Lee's Reviews

Nogeyama Zoo

Nogeyama Park is located up on a hill that looks out over Yokohama city, and it is also the home of Nogeyama Zoo. Opened in 1951, the zoo is home to around 1,800 animals across around 80 types, including giraffes, lions, and lesser pandas (also known as red pandas).

Yokohama
Zoos & Aquariums

15 Aug 2021 See More

Nogeyama Zoo is right in Yokohama, so it's easy to get to, and admission is free. Took my kids and they had a blast. You can see animals like giraffes up close. The best part was getting to hold cute animals like guinea pigs and little hens.

Hitachi Seaside Park

Hitachi Seaside Park is a large park that spans an area of about 215 hectares. During springtime, daffodils, tulips, and nemophila bloom. In early summer, there are roses, and in summer, there are zinnias and sunflowers. Autumn brings forth kochia and cosmos. During winter ice tulips, plum blossoms, and other seasonal flowers bloom. In particular, the nemophilia that bloom from mid-April through early May are lauded for their gorgeous blue color, blending the sky, sea, and flowers together into a vast expanse of blue.

Ibaraki
Parks & Gardens

16 Apr 2021 See More

The park was closed last year. Looks like it's open for visits this year. April and May are the best times to see the nemophila in full bloom. No matter the season, you can always enjoy a variety of seasonal flowers and plants here.

Tonkatsu Taro

Tonkatsu Taro is the original birthplace of tarekatsudon, a signature dish from Niigata City. Tonkatsu Taro’s special katsudon is a large portion of five thinly sliced pork cutlets dipped in their secret sauce.

Niigata
Japanese Cuisine

9 Apr 2021 See More

Sauce katsu is one of Niigata's specialty dishes. I heard Tonkatsu Taro is the original shop for Niigata-style katsu. Unlike other places, their katsu doesn't come with egg or any veggies. The taste is good, but if you're not a fan of oily food, it might feel a bit heavy.

Nezu Shrine

The main shrine building and gates were all finished in 1706 and remain intact to this day, and they have been designated as Important Cultural Properties of Japan. Also popular are the beautiful scarlet torii corridor (“senbon torii”) and the “praying nutmeg tree” that’s said to grant people’s wishes.

Ueno, Nippori
Shrines & Temples

6 Apr 2021 See More

The bright red 'Senbon Torii' gates and all the azaleas everywhere are just fantastic!

Rikugien Gardens

Starting in 1695, Rikugien was constructed over 7 years as a Japanese garden of undulating scenery. Designed in the Kaiyushiki style, it features strolling paths around ponds and hills. It is designated by the Japanese government as a Special Place of Scenic Beauty.

Ueno, Nippori
Parks & Gardens

6 Apr 2021 See More

Rikugien is a classic Japanese stroll garden with ponds, woods, walking paths, wooden bridges, and all kinds of flowers. There’s so much to see, you could easily spend a whole day here and still not get enough. Highly recommended!

Lake Towada Winter Shuttle Bus

Lake Towada and Oirase Gorge are iconic tourist destinations of Japan’s Tohoku region. In the wintertime, their beautiful and snowy landscapes give way to a fantastical atmosphere, and visitors from all over Japan and from abroad flock to the area.

Aomori
Buses

14 Dec 2020 See More

I went to the Winter Story event by Lake Towada, and it was super fun and magical. If you take this shuttle bus, you can also check out places like the Oirase Gorge ice falls—so convenient! I hope I get a chance to ride the shuttle again once the pandemic is over.