雨妤魚's Reviews Page 3/7

Sensoji Temple

This iconic destination in Asakusa sees as many as 30 million visitors each year. It stands as a well-loved mainstay in Tokyo, all while hosting a number of annual traditions like the first temple visit at New Years, Setsubun and more across the year.

• Asakusa, Tokyo Skytree
• Shrines & Temples

Sensoji Temple is basically a must-visit photo spot in Tokyo. It feels like if you haven’t taken a picture at Kaminarimon Gate, you haven’t really been to Tokyo. The temple is huge and impressive, and it’s absolutely packed with tourists. There are also tons of people wearing kimono, and of course I had to join in too. I heard the omikuji fortunes here are really accurate.

The first time I went to Sensoji, my family and I somehow stayed for a full seven hours. We shopped, bought souvenirs, and had some amazing Taisho matcha ice cream. Time just flew by, and looking back now, I honestly don’t know how we managed to stay that long.

Of course, I also drew an omikuji. But two sticks accidentally came out, and I remembered both numbers. The first one turned out to be bad luck, so I quietly pushed it back in, haha. Then I opened the drawer for the second one, and although it wasn’t bad luck, all I could think about was that first bad fortune. I was afraid my mom would laugh at me, so I just pretended I didn’t see it.

When I went again the second time, I thought, whatever, good or bad, I’ll just accept it. It’s not a big deal. Plus, this time I was by myself!

I ended up drawing number 89, and I was like, 89? Is it secretly insulting me? But when I opened it, it was actually great luck! The fortune said I was like an unpolished gem and that I’d meet someone who would help me in the future. I was so happy in that moment. I was just about to enter the workforce and was honestly pretty anxious, so reading those words felt like a real confidence boost. I brought the great-luck fortune home to keep, and also to show it off a little〜🤭

It’s only been three months since then, so I haven’t met any special benefactor yet. But I heard omikuji fortunes are good for one year, so I hope when I look back a year from now, it really will have come true. I also hope I’ll have another chance to visit Tokyo again by then.

Cow Brand Red Box

This creamy lathering soap contains milk and squalene to help moisturize. It is a popular, long-selling product that has been on the market since 1928.

• Cosmetics

Does this soap have a fermented smell? It’s a bit like the smell of someone who hasn’t showered in several days.
Then it has a rose fragrance on top of that. To make sure I didn’t get a defective one, I even bought a second bar.
It has a carved cow and “COW” on it, and I actually really like that detail. It kind of makes me want to hurry up and wash it down until it’s flat, haha.
I think it lathers pretty well, and it doesn’t leave my skin feeling too squeaky-clean or tight afterward. Too bad I’m not sure if I’m just too used to synthetic fragrances, but I’m not really used to this scent. It’s a long-established brand, though.

Shiroi Koibito

Everyone in Japan knows Hokkaido’s sweets, “Shiroi Koibito.” Ishiya Co., Ltd.was an ordinary candy maker to begin with, but utilizing quality ingredients in Hokkaido changed them into the producer of the classic dessert. More than 40 years passed since its beginning, but it is still the beloved souvenir of Hokkaido to this day.

• Hokkaido
• Snacks

Shiroi Koibito was one of the souvenirs I loved as a kid!
It’s a super tasty white chocolate sandwich cookie.
It’s a classic choice that never fails!

Back then, whenever I craved it, I’d buy Oreos or a similar 4-piece pack from 7-Eleven for 25 dollars to satisfy the craving. But as a kid, that felt really expensive, haha.
Then when I actually bought some in Japan myself, I ended up letting them expire...? Such a waste...

The one in the photo was actually given to me by an auntie from my part-time job. I didn’t have a photo on hand, so I shamelessly asked her, “Could you bring me one to eat?” and she generously gave me one, hahaha.
So sweet... I feel like I’m getting old. I can’t handle really sweet cookies anymore.

I do have a sad memory about Shiroi Koibito, though. In elementary school, I went to a classmate’s house to play. I thought my best friend had gone to Japan and brought back a whole box for another friend. When I saw it, I started complaining, like, “Why does he get a whole box and I don’t? I only got one cookie...” Thinking back on it now, it’s so embarrassing.
When you’re a guest at someone’s house, you’re supposed to be polite. And it’s not like I didn’t get a cookie at all. Tsk tsk.
But it was just that kind of feeling, haha.
I just felt like, if I was supposedly his closest friend, why didn’t I get a whole box too? I don’t know why, but I’ve never forgotten that moment.

GariGarikun Soda

Japan’s classic ice treat, GariGarikun Soda, is a simple yet exceptionally well-crafted frozen treat made with soda-flavored ice on the outside and crunchy shaved ice on the inside. Its defining feature is this two-layer structure, with outer ice and inner shaved ice, allowing you to enjoy two different textures in one bar. Along with its refreshing soda flavor, it is also a long-selling product that has been loved by a wide range of generations, from children to adults, for many years.

• Snacks

I had this a long time ago, but compared with soda ice pops in Taiwan, it’s a little sweeter. The middle has a texture kind of like ice cubes? Shaved ice? No wonder it has that crunchy, rattly feel.
It’s pretty fun, though—you should give it a try.

Even though I grabbed both bars, I used a prize gift card I got here. Feeling grateful, lol.
I was being just a tiny bit generous, haha.
I picked first, and my friend took the other one. Turns out his fortune was “great luck,” while mine was just “luck” QQ.
Then he even called me unlucky... hey, I’m the sponsor here! How can you say that? Tsk tsk.

In Taiwan, one bar costs 45 bucks—so expensive.

Itsukushima Shrine

Itsukushima Shrine stands on the island of Itsukushima, which is also known as the island of gods. It is said that the shrine was founded in 593 by Saeki no Kuramoto, and the 3 goddess “Ichikishimahime-no-Mikoto,” “Tagorihime-no-Mikoto,” and “Tagitsuhime-no-Mikoto” are enshrined there. Famous for granting a wide list of benefits, these three goddesses as are worshipped as the goddesses of the sea, transportation, fortune, and art.

• Hiroshima
• Shrines & Temples

The place that amazed me the most—and that I’ll never forget—on my first solo trip was Miyajima.

I usually get seasick super easily, so I was honestly a little worried before leaving. Maybe I was just too excited, but surprisingly I didn’t feel seasick at all during the whole ferry ride. The ocean views along the way were already beautiful, and once I actually arrived on Miyajima, I was even more blown away.

As soon as I got off the ferry, I saw deer everywhere, casually wandering around the island without being afraid of people at all. The whole island made me slow down without even realizing it. I walked along the streets feeling like I had somehow wandered into a hidden paradise. Even though there were plenty of tourists, it didn’t affect my enjoyment one bit.

I really loved all the little details hidden around Miyajima. The guardian-beast statues at the shrine had such cute expressions—one of them looked adorably goofy, and it made me laugh. The one on the other side looked totally serious, like it was there just to set the tone.

I happened to visit at low tide, so I got to admire the Great Torii up close. That’s when I noticed the pillars were covered in moss, which made me laugh again—it was such a different side of it.

Even now, when I think back on it, I’m still impressed with myself. Even though I knew I get seasick easily, I still chose to take this trip. I didn’t mind that the hems of my pants got covered in wet sand, because everything in front of me was absolutely worth it.

And because of Miyajima, my lucky trip to Japan was given its most unforgettable page.

ICOCA

ICOCA, is the easy-to-use transportation IC card by JR West. You’ll know it when you see it by the mascot character, Iko-chan the platypus, marking the card that makes it easy to get around via train and settle up at stores that accept e-money payments.

• Tickets & Passes

Super convenient—even works at hair salons!
The current limit is still 20,000, but I personally prefer loading up the green Suica card first. I call this one the penguin card!
I usually add money when the exchange rate is good. Some stores don’t accept it, but most do. As long as you tell the staff “cardo,” they’ll understand!
Ahhh, I really want to go to Japan!
Just keep in mind that it does expire. I have four cards, and every time I go, I have to make sure to use each one so I don’t forget!
But it only expires once every 10 years. My aunt’s family let theirs sit for 9 years, and the station staff actually laughed about it... haha
Seriously, who can stand not going to Japan for that long?
Also, these are virtual cards now—you can use them on your phone, and you can add them to your watch too!
If you link it to Apple Pay, you can reload it directly with a credit card, which is super convenient. I hope EasyCard can be added to Apple Pay too.

Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal

Opened in 2016, Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal stands as one of Japan’s largest highway bus terminals, located at JR Shinjuku Station’s South Exit. With around 90 bus operators serving the terminal, it connects destinations from Aomori in the north to Fukuoka in the south, with over 1,600 bus departures daily.

• Shinjuku, Okubo, Yoyogi, Yotsuya
• Buses

This terminal is pretty big (I mean in terms of floor space lol). The line for the women’s restroom was all the way outside, and I was worried I’d miss my bus, so I didn’t go~
There are lots of ticket machines, and inside this fairly large terminal there’s also a convenience store!
I got really lucky that day—there were only one or two seats left both ways. It was a super last-minute decision to go see Mt. Fuji!
My physical condition was really bad though... and sure enough, I kept getting nosebleeds over there 😔
*Just a heads-up for everyone: the charging ports on both my outbound and return buses were USB!*
I brought the wrong thing, and the one in the photo was borrowed from the person next to me. Turns out they were Chinese lol.
I was originally going to ask to borrow a cable, but they straight-up gave me a power bank instead! I’m seriously so grateful. Totally unrelated, but they nodded off all the way onto my shoulder hahaha—they were sleeping super deeply, which means the driver was really smooth~

Jagarico

This popular potato snack has a crispy texture.The stick-shaped snack is packaged in a cup, making it easy to carry around.They come in salad, cheese, buttered potato, and tarako butter flavors. Their most popular flavor, salad, includes carrot and parsley.Limited-time and special regional flavors are also available.

• Snacks

Crispy, sweet, and a little salty—so yummy!

The first time I ever had this snack was when my uncle and aunt brought it back from a trip to Japan as a souvenir for me. I fell in love with it right away. After that, every time they went to Japan, I’d look forward to them bringing this back for me. But sometimes they couldn’t because it took up too much space, and I’d end up all pouty... I was little back then.

Now I can go get it myself, hehe.
Every time before heading back to the hotel, I stop by a convenience store, and if I’m not sure what to buy, I just grab this.

Ryukakusan Direct

Ryukakusan is a throat medicine that has been used for over 200 years in Japan to treat coughs, phlegm, and throat pain. The Ryukakusan brand is now releasing a new granule-type medication “Ryukakusan Direct Stick” and a lozenge-type medication “Ryukakusan Direct Lozenge.” The stick-type version comes in peach and mint flavors.

• Medicine

I recently mentioned this campaign to one of the ladies at the company and asked if they had any products they’d recommend, so I’d have something to write about.
She enthusiastically shared that the blue one has a cool minty feel and helps soothe a sore throat, while the pink one is peach-flavored, which makes it taste better and also helps relieve throat discomfort.
At home, though, we don’t use this version. We use the more traditional one that comes in a metal tin. My grandma used to love giving it to me because I often had sore throats. She would use a tiny spoon and pour it right into my mouth, so I actually have a bit of childhood trauma about Ryukakusan lol

Megane Bridge (Spectacles Bridge)

More than ten stone bridges were built over Nakajima river running across the central Nagasaki City, the Megane bridge is one of them and the oldest in Japan. In 1634, a monk, Mokusu-nyojo who was in the second generation of Kohfukuji Temple was said to build this bridge, 22m long and 3.65m wide, and the bridge has been designated as a national important cultural property.

• Nagasaki
• Tourist Attractions

This is Megane Bridge. I came after seeing it featured on YouTube, but honestly, I thought it was a bit ordinary—it’s basically a bridge that looks like glasses.
I actually thought the flowers by the roadside were prettier. Also, that day I saw a lot of what looked like school track teams doing spirited counting drills there, which I thought was pretty cool haha.
On a side note, I did really like the overall landscaping.