王小鈞's Reviews Page 4/29

Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown

During the Edo period, Nagasaki was actively engaged in trade with China, and the land reclaimed from the sea to build a baggage warehouse to store goods from Chinese ships was called Shinchikurasho. Today, a monument to the Shinchikurasho site stands in the center of Chinatown.

• Nagasaki
• Shopping Streets

When you come to Nagasaki, of course you have to visit Shinchi Chinatown, one of Japan's three major Chinatowns!
The whole area is actually pretty small. The four gates give it a distinct Chinatown feel, and the streets are lined with Chinese restaurants, dessert shops, souvenir stores, and some unique little shops.
There were still tourists on a weekday, but the area really is quite small.
Even taking your time and stopping for photos, you can finish walking around it pretty quickly.
If you're not specifically planning to eat here, it's a nice place to stop by, see the streetscape, experience Nagasaki's unique Chinese culture, and have a quick look around〜

Blue Wing Moji

Spanning approximately 108 meters, it is one of the largest pedestrian bascule bridges in Japan. The bridge crosses the First Boat Basin of Mojiko Port and opens and closes six times a day to allow ships to pass. Watching the bridge rise dramatically to a 60-degree angle above the water is a sight not to be missed.

• Kitakyushu
• Tourist Attractions

If you visit Mojiko Port, be sure to check out Blue Wing Moji.
This 108-meter-long blue bridge is Japan's only pedestrian-only drawbridge, and it opens six times a day to let boats pass. Watching the bridge slowly rise to about 60 degrees as boats pass through is truly unique and makes you want to keep taking photos!
From the bridge, you can also see the impressive Kanmon Bridge in the distance and enjoy the sea breeze and views of the Kanmon Strait. The scenery is every bit as beautiful as the popular attractions. If you're lucky, you may catch the moment the bridge opens, which is truly breathtaking!
When visiting Mojiko Port, don't forget to check the bridge opening times in advance. This unique sight can only be seen here and is definitely worth stopping to enjoy.

JR Mojiko Station

JR Mojiko Station, facing the Kanmon Straits in Moji, is the starting point of the JR Kagoshima Main Line. The wooden two-story station building, designed in a Neo-Renaissance style, is characterized by a symmetrical exterior said to represent a "gate," and it has been beloved as a landmark of Moji Port for many years.

• Kitakyushu
• Tourist Attractions

Mojiko Station was one of my favorite stations on this trip to Kyushu.
The entire wooden building has a retro feel, and stepping inside is like going back a hundred years. What stands out most is its symmetrical design, which is said to be based on the concept of a “gate.” It’s simple but distinctive.
Even though it’s just a station, I couldn’t help stopping to take more photos and look around every corner. Together with the nostalgic streets of Mojiko Port, it really has the atmosphere of an old Japanese port town.
If, like me, you enjoy old buildings and traveling at a leisurely pace, Mojiko Station is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Kanmon Straits

Located at the westernmost end of Honshu, separating Yamaguchi Prefecture's Shimonoseki City and Fukuoka Prefecture's Kitakyushu City, it's said to have formed about 6,000 years ago. The name "Kanmon Straits" is derived from the initials of Shimonoseki, historically known as Makan, and Moji, a district in Kitakyushu City.

• Yamaguchi
• Tourist Attractions

The Kanmon Straits Tunnel was more interesting than I expected!
I thought it would just be a walk through a tunnel, but I didn't expect to be able to walk from Honshu to Kyushu. It was a truly special experience. The route is a little over 700 meters long and takes about 15 minutes to complete. It's flat and easy to walk, like taking a stroll under the sea.
The one thing you shouldn't miss is the marker at the border between Yamaguchi and Fukuoka Prefectures. Standing in the middle with one foot in Honshu and the other in Kyushu, many people take photos here as a souvenir.
No boat or car needed—just a short walk lets you cross between two islands and two prefectures. I highly recommend experiencing this unique Kanmon Straits walk for yourself and making a different kind of travel memory.

Former Moji Mitsui Club

Built in 1921, it served as a social club for Mitsui Bussan. The building showcases the half-timbered style, a traditional European wooden architectural technique, where the wooden structure, like beams and pillars, are exposed on the exterior. This design, combined with the dark brown wooden elements emphasizing its vertical and horizontal lines against the contrast of the white window frames, characterizes its distinctive appearance.

• Kitakyushu
• Tourist Attractions

While strolling around Mojiko, I was unexpectedly drawn to this century-old Western-style building. The Former Moji Mitsui Club was built in 1921, and the entire building has a European feel. The dark wood paired with white window frames gives it an elegant look, and it looks great in every photo. It used to be a place where Mitsui Bussan entertained guests, and even Einstein stayed here when he visited Japan!
What I like most is that this old building doesn't feel overly commercial and just stands quietly on a street corner. Taking your time to walk around and look at it, it has more character than you'd expect. When you visit Mojiko, don't just focus on taking pictures of the harbor—this building is also worth stopping by.

Mifuneyama Rakuen

Mifuneyama is the symbol of Takeo Town. With its cliff in the background, Nabeshima Domain’s 28th Takeo lord, Nabeshima Shigeyoshi spent three years building a garden. This garden with a path encircling a big pond was completed in 1845. It can contain 10 Tokyo domes, boasting a vast 123-acre ground.

• Saga
• Parks & Gardens

Mifuneyama Rakuen is really so large that it feels like a forest park. It's very pleasant to take a leisurely stroll along the flower-viewing paths, surrounded by greenery the whole way. It feels very relaxing.
The timing of this visit was a little unfortunate, since it was neither cherry blossom season nor fall foliage season, so it was a little less impressive. Still, it was well worth it just to enjoy the garden scenery and take a leisurely walk. If I can come again when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom in spring or when the mountain is covered in red leaves in fall, I'm sure it will be so beautiful that I won't want to leave.

Floating Torii Gates of Ouo Shrine

Tara Town faces the Ariake Sea which shows a drastic tidal variation. Ouo Shrin's submerged Torii gates are attracting attention at SNS lately with the fantastic three gates lined in the sea at the highest tide.

• Saga
• Shrines & Temples

This place really didn't disappoint me at all!
It had been on my list for a long time, and this time I even checked the tide times before coming.
At low tide, you can walk all the way up to the torii gates and admire them standing quietly in the sea up close; when the tide comes in, they look as if they're floating on the water. They're two completely different views.
If you pair it with the sunset, the sky and sea are painted in rainbow colors. The scene is so beautiful it looks like something from a movie, and every photo has a special atmosphere. I recommend checking the tide times before you go. It's best to plan for low tide and sunset together—it really makes the trip even more worthwhile!

Hado Misaki Cape

A small port sticking out from the Higashimatsuura Peninsula. It is famous for its scenic views of the Genkainada Ocean, where visitors can feel the ocean breeze atop a grass patch. The cape is on the “Genkai Quasi-National Park” which spans across the North West of Kyushu. Visitors can enjoy hiking, camping, swimming, and other fun activities.

• Saga
• Nature Spots

Hado Misaki Cape is the northwesternmost point of Kyushu's main island.
I thought it would be a popular tourist spot, but when I visited on a weekday, I practically had the place to myself, with only the sound of the waves for company. It unexpectedly became the most relaxing stop on this trip.
It's romantically known as a “Lovers' Sanctuary” and is also famous for its turban shell dishes. But for me, the most appealing thing was the vast ocean view. Just sitting there, feeling the sea breeze and looking out at the ocean, was soothing enough.
Travel doesn't always have to be about chasing popular attractions. Sometimes quiet, uncrowded places like this make you want to stay a little longer.

Miyazaki City Phoenix Zoo

A leisure spot where you can enjoy animal viewing and attractions in a tropical setting. It is also known as Japan’s first “ecological zoo,” featuring mixed-species exhibits. The Approx. 150,000-square-meter grounds overlook the Pacific Ocean and are lined with palm trees, creating an open, Miyazaki-style atmosphere. The zoo is home to Approx. 900 animals from 80 species, including Asian elephants, flamingos, and red pandas.

• Miyazaki
• Zoos & Aquariums

When I came to Miyazaki City Phoenix Zoo, I was really looking forward to enjoying the rides, seeing the cute animals, and leisurely exploring the entire park.
Unfortunately, the weather didn't cooperate, and it rained all day. Many of the outdoor attractions were unavailable, so I could only take a slow walk under my umbrella. However, because of the rain, there were very few visitors, which made it especially pleasant to walk around, and the animals looked different than they do on sunny days.
That's how travel is—it may not be perfect every time, but every trip leaves you with memories of your own. I hope I get the chance to come back and fully enjoy everything here next time.

Miyazaki Jingu Shrine

This shrine is the crown jewel of Miyazaki, and it worships the first Emperor Jimmu. Alongside the emperor, his parents, the god Ugayafuki-Aezu-no-Mikoto, and goddess Tamayorimi-Himenokoto is worshiped. Visitors pray to the altars in hope for being successful in education, business, and maternity. The festivals in October is dubbed “Jimmu-sama”, and is attended by many.

• Miyazaki
• Shrines & Temples

Miyazaki Jingu Shrine is one of Miyazaki's most iconic shrines. It enshrines Emperor Jimmu, Japan's first emperor, and the Grand Festival held every October is an important local event.
We visited on a weekday, and there really weren't many people. As soon as we entered the shrine grounds, everything became quiet. The tall trees, wide approach, and pleasant surroundings naturally made us slow down and quietly take in this rare sense of tranquility.
It isn't the kind of flashy, eye-catching attraction, but it's a good place to stop by while you're in the area, take a walk, snap some photos, and enjoy a relaxing trip without the crowds.