Linda Liao's Reviews Page 12/102

If you visit Sendai during the Christmas season, don’t miss the enchanting illuminations along Jozenji-dori Avenue at night! Every winter, the zelkova trees lining both sides of the street are decorated with countless golden LED lights, illuminating the usually quiet avenue and making it feel as though you’ve suddenly stepped into a fairy tale. The dazzling lights stretch across the branches, weaving together in the night to form a glittering tunnel of light. As you stroll through it, even the chill of the winter night seems to fade a little. The street is filled with a festive spirit, with couples walking hand in hand and visitors busy taking photos, creating a warm and romantic atmosphere along the entire avenue. If you have the chance to visit Sendai around Christmas, consider setting aside an evening for this sea of lights and enjoy this captivating winter scene.

I specifically added a stop at Yokosuka Port to my itinerary so I could see the famous museum ship Mikasa in person! Located by the waterfront, Mikasa Park is one of Yokosuka’s most iconic attractions, and its main highlight is the battleship Mikasa docked within the park. This warship once served as the flagship of Japan’s Combined Fleet during the Russo-Japanese War and is now preserved as a museum ship, allowing visitors to experience the weight of history up close. The park also has fountains, monuments, and expansive views overlooking the bay. As you stroll through it, you can enjoy the harbor scenery while learning about the history of Yokosuka and its naval development.

If you want to find all of Onomichi's distinctive souvenirs in one place, just stop by Onomichi Emonya! The shop carries plenty of products inspired by Onomichi and the Seto Inland Sea, ranging from local snacks, cookies, and sweets to all kinds of lemon-themed foods. There's a wide variety to choose from. The adorably packaged cat treats are especially eye-catching. Just looking at the boxes makes you want to take them home, and they also make charming gifts. If you like citrus flavors, don't miss the Seto Inland Sea lemon products, which let you take home some of the area's fresh island atmosphere. Whether you're looking for souvenirs for friends and family or small snacks to remember your trip by, you can take your time browsing for finds here and easily end up spending quite a while!

Several years ago, I visited the Minamisanriku Sun Sun Shopping Village with a delegation. At the time, the earthquake and tsunami caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake had devastated the Tohoku region. Many families suddenly lost their homes, and some even lost beloved family members and friends forever. Faced with such a devastating blow, the local residents did not give up. Instead, they worked together to regain the rhythm of everyday life and bring attention back to Minamisanriku’s delicious food and local appeal. The Sun Sun Shopping Village was born from this effort, bringing local businesses together so people could reopen their shops, rebuild their livelihoods, and gradually emerge from the shadow of the disaster while combating the reputational damage caused by rumors about the disaster and nuclear accident.

Thinking back on that visit, I realized that the shopping village later moved to a new location. Seeing how lively and vibrant it has gradually become fills me with mixed emotions. It’s not just the growing number of shops and visitors—it feels as though the local residents’ tireless efforts over the years have slowly built up to what it is today. I’m sincerely happy for the people here to see Minamisanriku gradually coming back to life. I hope this hard-won prosperity continues for a long time. If I have the chance in the future, I definitely want to return, walk around, and personally feel the strength that keeps this shopping village moving forward.

Shinjuku truly is a shopper’s paradise. There are so many department stores just around the station that you couldn’t visit them all even if you spent the whole day shopping! This time, I made a special trip to the Keio Department Store Shinjuku to look for women’s shoes~ The Japanese women’s shoe brand HIMIKO focuses on footwear that is both stylish and practical, offering everything from elegant heels and everyday loafers to casual shoes. The styles have a distinctly Japanese look, and the designs are easy to coordinate with different outfits. If you’re passing by, head upstairs and take a look. You might find a style that suits you~

Yatsuhashi is a classic Kyoto sweet. Besides the soft, chewy nama yatsuhashi filled with sweet bean paste, I also really like these thin, crispy, koto-shaped baked yatsuhashi! Izutsu Yatsuhashi Honpo was founded in 1805 and is known for its traditional koto-shaped yatsuhashi. Honke Nishio Yatsuhashi is another long-established Kyoto shop that also sells classic baked yatsuhashi. The thin pieces are crisp, with a light cinnamon aroma, and become more flavorful the more you chew. They also keep longer than nama yatsuhashi, making them a good souvenir. Brewing a pot of hot tea in the afternoon and enjoying it with a few pieces of yatsuhashi is a simple little pleasure full of Kyoto charm. Each shop has its own distinctive qualities, so it just depends on which flavor you prefer!

Before the trip, I already knew that Shizuoka oden was quite famous, so this time I made a point of adding the highly rated UMIBOUZU to my itinerary. I finally got to try it for myself! Whenever I eat oden, my must-order combination always includes daikon and boiled eggs. They're especially satisfying after soaking up all the broth. In Shizuoka, you also can't miss the local specialty, black hanpen (黒はんぺん). Made from sardines and other fish, it has a rich fish-paste flavor that gets better the more you chew, and it's very different from the more common white hanpen. If you like seaweed, you can sprinkle on some aonori and fish powder for more layers of flavor. So delicious!

After soaking in Dogo Onsen, nothing feels better than finding a laid-back pub where you can enjoy good food and a slight buzz! Dogo Beer Hall offers four distinctive Dogo beers, each with its own flavor and character, so you can choose based on your preference. Add a few snacks to go with your beer, like crispy, juicy fried chicken, light and silky chilled tofu, and fried fish cake slices with a unique texture. Every dish keeps you reaching for more! Sipping local beer while enjoying the relaxed dining atmosphere adds a little tipsy fun to your hot spring trip.

When visiting Osaka Castle, I highly recommend taking the Osaka-jo Gozabune boat to admire the magnificent castle from a different perspective! The approximately 20-minute ride glides slowly along the moat, offering close-up views of the towering stone walls and castle keep. It feels like entering the flow of history and brings to mind the ambitions of Toyotomi Hideyoshi during the Sengoku period. In 1583, he ordered the construction of Osaka Castle as an important base for displaying his power. After the fall of the Toyotomi clan, it endured war and reconstruction, witnessing the rise and fall of the times. A visit during cherry blossom season is especially beautiful, when the soft pink flowers contrast with the stately castle, adding a touch of romance and poetry and immersing you in an atmosphere where history and scenery intertwine.

If you happen to travel to Fukuoka from November to December, don't forget to set aside some time for the “Hikari no Machi Hakata” Christmas illuminations in front of Hakata Station! Every winter, the plaza in front of the station gets a dazzling makeover, with a dreamy sea of blue lights illuminating the night sky. Combined with shimmering light displays and Christmas decorations, the entire area is filled with a romantic holiday atmosphere. There is also a Christmas market with hot food, hot drinks, and all kinds of stalls to enjoy. Holding a warm drink while admiring the sea of lights on a slightly chilly night, whether you're chatting with friends or enjoying the winter romance on your own, will leave you with warm and unforgettable memories of your trip to Fukuoka!