Linda Liao's Reviews Page 10/102

Bankaku Sohonpo's Osaka Ikaten can be purchased in the basement food hall of Hanshin Umeda Department Store and makes a great souvenir. Each cracker is individually wrapped, so it's easy to carry and hand out to friends and family. The crackers are thin, crisp, and light, with a rich seafood aroma. You can taste the distinct squid flavor as soon as you take a bite. They're savory and so easy to snack on that you'll find yourself eating one after another. It's a very distinctive Osaka souvenir.

The Tokyo Sakura Tram, better known as the Toden Arakawa Line, runs from Minowabashi to Waseda, covering about 12.2 kilometers with a total of 30 stops. Along the way, you can see seasonal flowers such as cherry blossoms and roses, as well as pass through lively local neighborhoods like Oji, Otsuka, and Sugamo. There are also old-fashioned shopping streets, temples, and historic sites along the line. Riding this nostalgic tram and slowly taking in the scenery of Tokyo's traditional downtown neighborhoods feels like a little trip.

If you happen to be in Tokyo during the Christmas season, I recommend visiting TOKYO SKYTREE TOWN® Dream Christmas to enjoy the festive atmosphere. During this period, TOKYO SKYTREE TOWN® is decorated with dazzling lights and features a Christmas market, drawing both local residents and many international visitors. There are all kinds of food, desserts, and specialty stalls, so you can enjoy the romance of winter in Tokyo while shopping~

With a one-day pass for the Toden Arakawa Line, you can set out on a relaxing, nostalgic trip through Tokyo's traditional downtown neighborhoods. Hop on and off as you please along the way until you reach Joyful Minowa Shopping Street. Instead of noisy crowds of tourists, you'll find an authentic glimpse of everyday local life. Stroll beneath the old-fashioned arcade, browse shops with a Showa-era atmosphere, and try freshly fried croquettes and various prepared foods while experiencing the warmth and friendliness of the local community up close.

The popular dessert B-speak fresh cream roll is a must-buy souvenir for many people! This cake wraps rich, smooth whipped cream in a soft, delicate sponge. It looks simple and unassuming, but the cake and cream are perfectly balanced. It isn't overly fancy, which just makes you want to keep eating bite after bite.

Getting this cake was quite an ordeal~ We knew before our trip that it was very popular, and we walked into the shop full of anticipation, only to find that the tourists ahead of us had bought the last roll. It was a complete shock. We had made a special trip there, only to leave empty-handed, so we were a little disappointed. Unexpectedly, a pleasant surprise came on the Yufuin no Mori sightseeing train on our way back! When we saw that they were selling it on the train, our eyes lit up and we immediately bought one with Japanese yen. Although it was smaller than the full roll sold at the shop, only about half the size, we were all thrilled just to have found it again. We couldn't wait to open it and share it. The delicate cake and smooth cream were gone in no time. Even now, this dessert that we unexpectedly managed to get still seems especially delicious!

When visiting Amanohashidate in northern Kyoto, besides admiring the magnificent scenery of one of Japan's Three Scenic Views, don't miss Kasamatsu Park! Take the cable car or an open-air single-seat chairlift to the top, where you can look down on Amanohashidate's distinctive sandbar. The most famous view here is the “Ascending Dragon View.” Just bend over and look at the scenery upside down through your legs, and the pine-covered sandbar stretching across the bay appears to transform into a giant dragon soaring into the sky. It's quite spectacular and also a lot of fun. There are two ways to reach the top, and I personally prefer the open-air single-seat chairlift! With no cabin blocking the view, you can enjoy unobstructed views of the mountains, forests, and sea along the way. Slowly riding up the mountain in the gentle breeze is very relaxing.

I visited Kyoto’s Nishijin Textile Center several years ago, and the traditional craftsmanship displayed here still leaves a deep impression on me! This attraction is free to visit and offers an up-close look at Nishijin textiles, one of Kyoto’s representative traditional crafts. Artisans demonstrate the weaving process on-site. Watching the threads pass back and forth between their skilled hands, gradually forming intricate and delicate patterns, was truly impressive. The movements may look simple, but they require intense concentration and meticulous skill. Staring at countless fine silk threads for long periods must also be extremely demanding on the eyes and mind. Plain-looking threads are transformed by the artisans’ skillful hands into gorgeous, elegant textiles, with years of expertise hidden in every detail. The center also holds fashion shows featuring models in graceful, elegant kimono, giving visitors a chance to appreciate the beauty of different styles and woven patterns. These live demonstrations let you see not only the beauty of kimono but also the appeal of Kyoto’s traditional craftsmanship being passed down from generation to generation.

Shunkado, known for its Unagi Pie, also makes a distinctive local Japanese sweet called Hatcho Miso Manju. Traditional Hatcho miso from Okazaki City, Aichi Prefecture, is kneaded into the manju dough and paired with a smooth house-made red bean paste made from Hokkaido-grown azuki beans. It tastes sweet with a subtle savory saltiness, and the rich, mellow miso flavor blends nicely with the sweetness of the red bean paste, making it quite different from ordinary onsen manju. The dough is soft, with a slight graininess from the sugar on the surface that adds more depth to the flavor. Enjoying it with some hot tea balances the sweetness just right.

If you have plenty of time in Mojiko, I highly recommend going up to the Mojiko Retro Observation Room around sunset to enjoy the captivating twilight view of the harbor from above! The observation room is located on an upper floor of a high-rise apartment building designed by renowned architect Kisho Kurokawa. Its large glass windows offer sweeping views of Mojiko and the Kanmon Strait. In the evening, the setting sun gradually turns the sky red, while the harbor lights come on one by one. Together with the historic red-brick buildings and retro streets, it feels as though you've suddenly been transported to a port city in another country. As the sky grows darker, the harbor, bustling during the day, takes on a completely different romantic atmosphere that makes you want to stop and admire it. If time allows, consider staying until after sunset to experience the enchanting transition from twilight to night in Mojiko.

It was my first time skiing in Japan, and I was really looking forward to it, but just getting all the gear ready was a headache. Before leaving, I visited several sporting goods stores in Taiwan but couldn't find any ski goggles I liked, so I decided to try my luck in Japan. L-Breath Shinjuku Store didn't disappoint. The store is spacious and has a wide selection of products, including ski goggles, padded shorts, and warm gloves. In the end, I found a pair of goggles I liked. Protecting your eyes while skiing is important, after all, so you can't be careless about your gear. It was a very successful shopping trip. Recommended for anyone looking for sporting goods.