雨妤魚's Reviews Page 2/5

Kabukicho

Kabukicho is the entertainment district that sits just steps from the east exit of Shinjuku Station. It’s a major hub for izakaya pubs, amusement centers and nightlife spots to enjoy after hours. With neon signs lit up through the entire night, it’s earned the nickname of “the city that never sleeps”.

• Shinjuku, Okubo, Yoyogi, Yotsuya
• Shopping Streets

My mom told me this is kind of a red-light district and said I shouldn’t go, but I was on my way to Mt. Fuji, and if I went straight back at night I would’ve been starving, so I came anyway.
Hahaha, it was great.
And honestly, even if she said that, I still would’ve gone~
I’ve never really been the obedient type.
But I didn’t think it felt that dangerous.

The 3D Cat at Shinjuku East Exit

Located above the East Exit plaza of Shinjuku Station, one of the busiest train stations in the world, the giant 3D calico cat peers down at passersby in a dynamic video display. Since its debut in July 2021, the lifelike, seemingly popping-out 3D cat has captured widespread attention and has been featured in both domestic and international media.

• Shinjuku, Okubo, Yoyogi, Yotsuya
• Tourist Attractions

The kitty is super cute!
It’s one of Shinjuku’s major landmarks, and there were seriously so many people taking photos. I filmed a video instead, and this is a screenshot from it~
I was too hungry at the time, though, so right after filming I went to find something to eat haha

First Avenue Tokyo Station

"First Avenue Tokyo Station (Tokyo Station Ichibangai) " is directly connected to "Tokyo Station", the gateway to Japan.A wide variety of stores are gathered here, including ramen, local gourmet foods from all over Japan, Japanese and Western confectioneries from famous and long-established stores, and popular character goods.

• Tokyo Station, Nihonbashi, Marunouchi
• Shopping Streets

It’s HUGE. I was fully ready to shop like crazy.
Then I realized you have to pay by section. The first time I went, I was running around with a basket, and a staff member told me, “No no no.” My mom laughed at me, and I was so embarrassed.
The second time, what made me super, super sad was that I missed getting Calbee’s freshly made chips/fries by just three minutes.
If you’re as directionally challenged as me, you can follow my landmarks to get there!
You’ll arrive at First Avenue right away, because I got lost.
Tokyo Station really is unbelievably huge.
Oh well, third time’s the charm, right?
Next time I’m definitely going to get to eat them. Please 😭

JR KYUSHU RAIL PASS

The JR KYUSHU RAIL PASS is a great-value rail pass offered by JR Kyushu for international visitors. It provides unlimited travel on JR lines throughout Kyushu-including local trains, limited express trains, and even the Kyushu Shinkansen. You can choose from 3-, 5-, or 7-day passes, and select the area that suits your itinerary: Northern Kyushu, Southern Kyushu, or All Kyushu.

• Kyushu Region
• Tickets & Passes

I have a lot to say about this. I originally booked the Aso Boy!, but because of the rain, the streetcar was moving super slowly and I missed it. I got into a huge argument with my friend, and I even squatted on the ground and cried.
I really hate it when things don’t go according to my plan. It was also my first time planning a trip by myself. I know plans can’t always keep up with changes, but when it completely falls through, I just feel like everything is ruined.
Maybe I had also built up too much stress... because some of the earlier parts of the trip had already changed too, so I kind of had a meltdown haha.
But then my friend immediately booked the Yufuin no Mori. I got on the train very unwillingly, though I had already planned to stay in Yufuin for one night.
I mean, I really wanted to go see Beppu, and I wanted to see the decorations on the Aso Boy! too. That dog must have been so cute...

Well, my friend bought me ice cream, so I had no choice but to forgive him.

Kinrin Lake

Kinrin Lake is one of many popular tourist spots in the hot springs town of Yufuin. The lake sits under Mt. Yufu and as such was called takemoto-no-ike (lit. “lake under the mountain”) for years. However, it was renamed to Kinrin, or “golden scales”, by Mori Kuso in 1884 when he saw the golden glimmering scales of fish as they swam at sunset.

• Oita
• Nature Spots

I was supposed to happily welcome my 22nd birthday here, but I was really unhappy.
There was morning mist, but it honestly didn’t look good at all.
It’s just a lake. I really don’t know why it’s so popular.
I was so upset. I hadn’t slept all night and was super excited for it, so being this disappointed first thing in the morning really got to me... I even stayed here for a night on purpose, and it took almost half an hour to walk here in the freezing cold...
Maybe I just came at the wrong time.

Namba Yasaka Shrine

”Namba Yasaka Shrine”, located in the Namba area of Minami in Osaka, is a historic shrine said to have been founded during the reign of Emperor Nintoku (313-399).

• Osaka
• Shrines & Temples

I really wanted to come here, and I even kept asking the tour guide along the way. I just happened to run into a tour leader from Taiwan too lol.

By the time I got there, the other gates had already been closed, and I was so sad... My cousin even laughed at me, and my mom told me to just give up.

But!

I wouldn’t give up, so I walked all around and finally managed to get in. There were only three minutes left before closing.

I was just about to take pictures, but there was already an older staff member trying to usher people out.
At that moment, an Indian family asked me to take a photo for them, and right after I finished, the staff member said no more photos...

I really wanted to take pictures too... *sob*
And I really wanted to buy an omamori.

But thankfully, I did get to see it!
And honestly, that already made me really happy at the time lol.

Yokai Art Museum

Located in the "Maze Town" area, with its irregular narrow streets near the popular Shodoshima tourist spot "Angel Road," the Yokai Art Museum is a complex of four galleries that utilize old buildings to exhibit yokai art.

• Kagawa
• Museums

I was actually just passing by, but if you’ve seen that I went to Kitaro, you probably already know I’m really into yokai and that whole genre lol.
I especially love Junji Ito’s art style.
It just feels so weird in the best way. Is that a personal fetish? lol
I think I even got a capsule toy at a nearby shop.
I honestly can’t remember whether I actually went into the merchandise-only section, or maybe it was just a store.
That day I was so worried there wouldn’t be a ferry back to Takamatsu, so I was rushing around and didn’t dare wander too much haha.
What I really liked was that even without going inside, the whole exterior was done so well.
It made me go wow, I really want to check it out.
It definitely has that kind of pull.

Kitaro Train

This wrapped train features characters from the popular manga GeGeGe no Kitaro. Running along the JR Sakai Line between Sakaiminato and Yonago, it’s a favorite among Kitaro fans from Japan and abroad.

• Tottori
• Trains & Subway

This is the rainbow I saw on the Kitaro Train.

I didn’t get a photo of the train artwork because I was so tired and just wanted to rest. But when I looked up, I saw this rainbow.

I got so happy that I accidentally pointed at it, and there happened to be a Taiwanese guy sitting across from me. He turned around and took a picture too!

It seriously put me in such a good mood. It was that kind of unexpected little surprise, and the rainbow was so clear.

It was really beautiful. I honestly feel like I get ridiculously happy over little things like this lol.

It’s not really a huge deal, but little moments of happiness during a trip can make you feel so, so happy.

I was already excited because I was out traveling, and then this just added on top of that.

I was like, wow, I’m seriously so lucky lol.

Maybe I’m too easy to please.

I actually do have a photo, but I posted it on IG with some text on it, and the image quality isn’t very good haha.

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

Honestly, Nara Park is super famous!

But it was kind of scary. Buying crackers to feed the deer is basically a must, but the pressure is intense.

They keep surrounding you, and it feels like they might jump on you at any moment.

Also, for some reason I thought there would be giant Buddhas all over Nara lol. Heiji was so cool in that Conan movie hahaha.

It was really funny seeing the deer bowing to people, and then so many people would bow back.

But honestly, I felt like there were almost as many people as deer.

That was actually kind of overwhelming. There were seriously tons of people.

Still, I feel like this is one of those places everyone adds to their itinerary when they go to Osaka.

Monkey D. Luffy Statue

With over 500 million copies in circulation worldwide as of 2020, ONE PIECE has become one of Japan’s most iconic manga series.

• Kumamoto
• Tourist Attractions

It was raining that day. I hope I can collect all of the ONE PIECE statues someday!
There was also a handprint below it, and my hand is tiny.
When I put my hand on it, theirs was way bigger than mine. But I don’t have a photo, so I’m not sure if I deleted it... so sad. I was taking photos nonstop the whole trip in Japan.
Maybe because it was raining, I got to take a good photo with Luffy~
But honestly, I like Levi more.
I don’t know why, but I couldn’t find anything here about Attack on Titan in Hita, only Oita...
Whenever I see Luffy doing this pose, it makes me want to copy it too hahaha. Do everyone’s photos end up with the same pose?