王小鈞's Reviews Page 14/25

Lake Towada

Lake Towada spans over Towada City, Aomori and Kosaka Town of Kazuno county, Akita. The volcanic activities of Mt. Towada, which began almost 200,000 years ago, has created the caldera lake. The 12th largest lake in Japan, the 3rd in depth, it is designated as Japan's Area of Special Scenic Beauty and a natural monument along with the Oirase Gorge stemming from the lake.

• Aomori
• Akita
• Nature Spots

Lake Towada in the fall is as beautiful as a painting slowly unfolding.
The lake reflects the reds, yellows, and oranges of the surrounding mountains and forests. The calm water and stunning scenery made me want to stop and take photos with every step along the shore.
This beauty, shaped by nature over countless years, was all right there in front of me. It really made me feel the true meaning of travel.
If you’re visiting Tohoku, autumn at Lake Towada is absolutely worth remembering!

Lake Tazawa

Lake Tazawa is the deepest lake in Japan at 423.4m deep. The lake, with its breathtakingly beautiful cobalt blue surface, is a scenic spot in Akita Prefecture, selected as one of the 100 most scenic spots in Japan. In 2022, the moon rising over Lake Tazawa will be recognized as one of Japan's 100 Most Beautiful Moons, adding even more charm to the lake.

• Akita
• Nature Spots

Lake Tazawa is so beautiful, I couldn’t help but stay a little longer 💙
The water has a dreamy cobalt blue color and is so clear it looks like it has a filter on it. No wonder it’s known as Japan’s deepest lake. The weather was great that day, and the sunlight sparkling on the lake, with the mountains in the background, made every random photo look amazing.
There isn’t much noise or bustle here. Just quietly taking in the lake view made the trip feel extra relaxing and totally worth it.

Ouchi-juku

More than 30 thatched-roof homes stand in Ouchi-juku, where the townscape still reflects the Edo-Period. It used to prosper as a post station along the former Aizu West Highway 400 years ago.

• Fukushima
• Famous Places

Ouchi-juku feels like stepping right into the Edo period. The whole street is lined with thatched-roof houses and charming old-fashioned scenery. Walking through it feels like traveling back in time, and every corner has so much character and is perfect for photos.
Unfortunately, we arrived too late this time, and most of the shops had already closed, so I was a little disappointed I didn’t get to try the local food. Still, with fewer crowds, I was able to capture the quiet beauty of this old village, which became a lovely memory in its own way.
Next time, I’ll definitely come earlier and take my time exploring!

Zao Fox Village

A fox paradise in the mountains of Shiroishi City. More than 100 foxes of seven species, including north foxes , cross foxes , and arctic foxe s, are kept here. Visitors can feed and photograph the free-range foxes outdoors, and even hold a fox cub in their arms.

• Miyagi
• Zoos & Aquariums

I really recommend visiting Zao Fox Village in Miyagi during the winter! The best part about the cold weather is that you can barely smell the animals, which makes walking around the park much more comfortable.
The fluffy foxes running around in the snow were so cute I couldn’t stop taking pictures. They roam freely, so you can enjoy seeing them up close, but don’t randomly reach out to touch or feed them. Foxes are still wild animals, so be careful not to get bitten.
Keep your distance and follow the park rules, and you can safely enjoy this healing and unique fox experience!

Zao Ropeway

The Zao Ropeway is a scenic cable car system located in Yamagata City's Zao Onsen, one of Japan’s oldest and most celebrated hot spring resorts, known for its abundant hot water and highly acidic sulfur springs.

• Yamagata
• Ropeway

If you visit Zao in winter, you have to ride the ropeway at least once!
I was lucky to have amazing weather, with a blue sky over a whole silver-white world. It felt like stepping into a fairy tale. As the ropeway climbed toward the summit, the snow monsters became more and more spectacular, and every scene made me want to grab my camera and keep shooting.
Winter weather in Zao can change quickly, so getting a clear day felt incredibly lucky. This trip was absolutely worth it and became one of the most unforgettable memories of my Japan travels!

Juhyo (Rime) in Zao (Yamagata Prefecture)

Zao in Yamagata Prefecture is one of the largest mountain resorts in the Tohoku region. In winter, Zao is a mecca for winter sports, and many tourists come to enjoy the "juhyo," or tree ice formed by snow and ice on the trees.

• Yamagata
• Nature Spots

The Zao rime ice was so beautiful, it felt like stepping into a kingdom of snow and ice! We were super lucky this time and caught a clear blue sky. The whole stretch of frost-covered trees sparkled in the sunlight, and every view looked like a postcard.

I heard that not long after we went back down, the weather turned into a blizzard and the ropeway was affected too. We were so close to not making it up the mountain. Our luck was seriously off the charts!

If you have the chance to visit Japan in winter, definitely add the Zao rime ice to your itinerary. Seeing it in person makes you want to keep pressing the shutter nonstop. Totally worth it.

Nara Park

Nara Park is a scenic area surrounded by historical and cultural treasures, including Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Kohfukuji Temple, Todaiji Temple, the Nara National Museum, and Shoso-in. Visitors can enjoy the breathtaking natural beauty of its expansive greenery while exploring these iconic landmarks. The park is located in the center of the city, making it easily accessible to various tourist spots.

• Nara
• Parks & Gardens

As soon as I walked into Nara Park, before I even started exploring, I was already surrounded by deer. The moment you have deer crackers in your hand, they lock onto you right away. Some keep following you around and even gently nudge you to hurry up and feed them. I thought I was the one feeding the deer, but in the end, it was basically the deer chasing me.
It was a little chaotic, but so much fun. It’s definitely a classic Nara experience you have to try!

Umeda Sky Building / Kuchu Teien Observatory

The 40-story, twin super high-rise was completed in 1993. The two towers are connected on top. In England, it was selected into the “Top 20” list of world buildings as a thrilling skyscraper. The beauty of the building itself is part of its popularity. On the 3rd floor, there is a gate for the elevators to shoot you up to the 35th floor.

• Osaka
• Observatories

Umeda Sky Building is one of Osaka’s must-visit landmarks! From the Kuchu Teien Observatory on the 40th floor, you get a 360-degree view over the entire city. The daytime views are wide open, and at night the lights are absolutely dazzling—so beautiful you won’t want to leave.

The glass-enclosed bridge and open-air observation deck have such a romantic vibe. Whether you’re on a date or traveling on your own, it’s definitely worth adding to your itinerary to enjoy Osaka’s most captivating skyline. It’s sure to be an unforgettable memory from the trip.

Osaka-Jo Gozabune

Osaka Castle was built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a feudal lord of the 16th century. The castle is characterized by its splendid fortifications befitting a base for unifying the country and is now surrounded by a park centering on the restored castle tower.

• Osaka
• Ships

Taking the Osaka-Jo Gozabune is totally worth it if you want to see Osaka Castle from a different angle! The boat cruises leisurely around the moat for about 20 minutes, and its golden exterior really captures the lavish feel of the Toyotomi Hideyoshi era.

Looking up at the castle tower and the impressive stone walls from the water feels even more spectacular than seeing them from land. With the breeze and beautiful scenery, you can take photos while soaking in the history. It’s only 20 minutes, but it leaves a lasting impression. If you visit Osaka Castle, don’t just tour the castle tower—I definitely recommend trying the Gozabune at least once!

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
• Tourist Attractions

Visiting Osaka Castle during cherry blossom season was absolutely worth it! They weren’t in full bloom this time, but the soft pink blossoms with the majestic castle looked like a postcard from every angle. That’s the beauty of travel—you don’t always need perfect timing. Just seeing it in person and feeling the spring atmosphere was already so satisfying. I’m looking forward to coming back next time to catch the cherry blossoms at their best!