Linda Liao's Reviews Page 1/90

While wandering around Tokyo Station's First Avenue, I unexpectedly came across a Morinaga confectionery store. The shelves were packed with Chocoball packages featuring Kyoro-chan, instantly bringing back childhood memories—even the Kyoro-chan cartoon I used to watch came flooding back. So nostalgic! This is Morinaga's brand specialty store, and besides Chocoball, it carries Hi-Chew candies in all kinds of flavors. Some items are even exclusive to Tokyo Station. The store also offers unique treats such as freshly baked, oversized Moonlight cookies, so there are surprises everywhere you look. I bought a few packages to take back to the office and share with my coworkers. It satisfied my sweet tooth, and I didn't have to worry about accidentally buying too much just for myself!

Whenever I pass through Tokyo Station, I always want to browse Tokyo Station Ichibangai! It has all kinds of specialty stores featuring anime characters, and as I was walking around, I was drawn into the Pokémon Store Tokyo Station. In addition to plush toys and merchandise featuring popular Pokémon like Pikachu and Eevee, the store also has stationery, household goods, and souvenirs that make great gifts. The most distinctive item is Pikachu wearing a stationmaster’s hat, which really captures the unique atmosphere of Tokyo Station. Just looking at it is enough to make you smile. Even if you’re not a devoted Pokémon fan, it’s easy to fall in love with all the cute merchandise!

I remember a teacher explaining in class that many shops in Japan place cute tanuki statues at their entrances as symbols of good fortune, prosperity, and thriving business. This time, I visited Shigaraki Toen Tanuki Mura in Shiga Prefecture and found myself surrounded by an army of tanuki! With their round bellies, straw hats, and all kinds of funny, adorable expressions, they also reminded me of the tanuki characters in a Hayao Miyazaki film. Shigaraki ware has a history spanning several centuries, and tanuki pottery became even more famous after Emperor Showa visited Shigaraki in 1951. Tanuki can be seen all over the streets of Shigaraki, and if you're lucky, you may even come across a special, unusually colored one for a relaxing and fun treasure hunt!

When you arrive in Nara and head toward Todaiji Temple, it’s easy to be drawn in by the lively sight of mochi being freshly pounded at Nakatanidou. Right next door is Mochiidono Shopping Street! This shopping street is home to many local shops, offering everything from Nara-themed souvenirs and Japanese sweets to a variety of dining options. You may even discover some unexpected little surprises while browsing. Slow down and wander through the street to get a better feel for everyday life in Nara. If you’re planning a day trip to Nara, consider stopping by to add a little shopping and food enjoyment to your visit.

Rikugien Gardens, located in Komagome, Tokyo, is a representative Japanese garden dating back to the Edo period. Known for its pond-centered strolling garden, it offers different scenery in every season. The most breathtaking sight in spring has to be the weeping cherry tree, with its naturally drooping branches! In full bloom, the pale pink flowers cascade down the branches like gentle white waterfalls, swaying gracefully in the breeze—a romantic sight that takes your breath away. Seeing this beautiful cherry blossom scenery in person, you really can't help but stop to admire it and keep taking photos. It's an unforgettable view during Tokyo's cherry blossom season!

Ginza Matsuzaki Senbei is a long-established Tokyo rice cracker shop founded in 1804, known for its traditionally handmade rice crackers. Its signature “Oedo Matsuzaki Koyomi” features seasonal scenery painted on the crackers, making each one look like a small, delicate work of art with a distinctly Japanese feel. The shop also offers a variety of rice crackers and wagashi, all elegantly packaged and perfect as souvenirs. They look a little like Taiwanese tile cookies, and have a wonderful rice aroma!

Compared with the uniform product displays at department stores, I prefer a souvenir shop full of local character like Hokkaido Dosanko Plaza, Sapporo shop! Stepping inside feels like setting off on a Hokkaido treasure hunt. From specialty snacks and local treats to all kinds of limited-edition products, every corner holds an unexpected surprise. You can not only find great products that are usually hard to come across, but also experience Hokkaido’s culture and way of life through them. Rather than just choosing popular local specialties, you can discover unique gifts with stories behind them, making each gift feel more personal and thoughtful.

The first time I walked along Shijo Street, I caught sight of Minamiza in the distance on the other side of the bridge, and I still remember it today. This Momoyama-style theater has a beautiful exterior that makes you wonder what stories are being performed inside.

Minamiza’s history dates back to the early Edo period. With more than 400 years of history, it is one of Japan’s oldest theaters and an important symbol of Kyoto’s kabuki culture. Every December, during the “Kichirei Kaomise Kogyo,” wooden signs bearing the actors’ names are hung in front of the theater, creating a distinctive winter scene in Kyoto.

How could you visit Osaka and not eat takoyaki! Especially in winter, you can watch the chef deftly turn the batter on the steaming griddle, cooking each little ball until golden and tempting. Once plated, the bonito flakes dance in the heat, making your mouth water just from looking at them.

What makes Tamaya special is its rich broth, made by simmering lobster with seafood, meat, and vegetables, which adds layers of flavor to the seemingly ordinary takoyaki. It looks simple on the outside, but each bite is packed with savory flavor and is very comforting〜

Boarding a yakatabune in Arashiyama, Kyoto, feels like stepping into a moving Japanese landscape painting! The boatman propels the boat with a bamboo pole as you admire the lush green mountains, murmuring stream, and Togetsukyo Bridge along the way, taking in Kyoto’s leisurely atmosphere. The highlight is the seasonal summer cormorant fishing experience. Every year from July to September, after nightfall, fishing fires reflect on the water as the fishermen skillfully direct the cormorants to catch fish. This ancient technique has a mysterious charm. Watching the firelight flicker with the waves and listening to the sound of flowing water feels like traveling back through a thousand years. It’s an unforgettable experience.