Linda Liao's Reviews Page 13/90

KANRO Non-Sugar Sakan candies infuse the aroma of tea into candy, giving them a refreshing taste without being overly sweet. The different tea-inspired flavors are all distinctive, but coffee is my favorite. It has a rich aroma and a slightly bitter complexity. If you enjoy more sophisticated flavors, give it a try! You're actually more likely to find these at regular supermarkets, so keep an eye out while you're shopping.

I visited Kyoto’s Sannenzaka for some shopping in winter. The old-fashioned streets were charming, but the cold wind really made me shiver! After getting tired from walking around, I quickly found somewhere to sit and rest. I stopped at the Umezono Kiyomizu Branch and ordered a piping-hot bowl of sweet red bean soup with mochi, which warmed both my stomach and my heart. The sweet red bean soup paired with chewy mochi was nice and hot, instantly giving me a boost of energy〜

When visiting Kobe Kitano Ijinkan, don’t miss this distinctive Starbucks! The building retains the strong character of an old Western-style residence, giving it a more vintage and elegant atmosphere than a typical location. If you’re tired from walking, stop in for a cup of coffee. I also saw quite a few international visitors inside, all taking photos and experiencing the building’s unique charm. Combined with the international atmosphere of the Kitano neighborhood, it’s one of the area’s classic photo spots.

I made a special trip to Shinsaibashi PARCO to browse Wpc., a well-known Japanese umbrella brand! Wpc. is a rain gear brand from Osaka built around the concept of “making rainy days more fun,” combining practical features with stylish designs. No wonder its products can be found in so many stores across Japan. Although Wpc. umbrellas are available in many places, it’s not easy to find a physical store dedicated to the brand, so you definitely shouldn’t miss it when visiting Osaka. This opportunity doesn’t come often!

The store’s many different umbrellas all look like works of art, making it hard to choose. There are simple styles, patterned designs, and umbrellas for both rain and sunshine to suit different needs and functions, making them very convenient for everyday use. If you don’t want to carry an ordinary clear umbrella on a rainy day, there are also plenty of attractive and distinctive clear umbrellas to choose from. Rainy days used to feel like a hassle, but with a good-looking umbrella, I’ve actually started looking forward to the next time I get to go out with it~

Whenever I visit Kyoto, whether it’s summer or winter, I still want to stop by Itohkyuemon and order a matcha parfait! As soon as the gorgeous, delicate parfait arrived at the table, everyone pulled out their phones to take pictures before even starting to eat. It was just so eye-catching〜 The parfait had layer after layer of different textures and wasn’t overly sweet, making it a nice treat to enjoy during a break in your travels. After finishing your parfait, don’t forget to pick up some matcha products to take home and share the delicious flavors of Kyoto matcha with family and friends!

It turns out that local ingredients from Ehime can also take on a different kind of Western flavor. Restaurant Kadota has an elegant and comfortable atmosphere, and the dishes focus not only on taste but also on presentation. Every dish looked very refined when it arrived at the table. Made with fresh local ingredients, the food had familiar flavors while also offering something new. Occasionally changing things up during a trip and enjoying a leisurely Western-style meal is also a great travel experience, though the prices are a little on the high side.

Yufuin is especially cold at night in winter. When the cold wind blew, all we wanted was to quickly find a warm restaurant for dinner. Our group decided without hesitation to try the area's famous clay pot rice. Everyone ordered a different flavor, and I especially liked the dish made with local Kyushu chicken. The chicken was tender and flavorful, and it was delicious with the piping-hot rice. The clay pot rice was still steaming when it arrived, and the aroma that rushed out the moment we lifted the lid immediately whetted our appetites. You can first enjoy it as is and savor the aroma of the rice and toppings, then add condiments or broth according to your preference to experience different layers of flavor. Having a piping-hot pot of rice on a cold night felt especially comforting, and it became a warm memory from this trip to Yufuin.

Dogo Milk Cheesecake has recently become popular in the Dogo Onsen shopping street. Whenever you pass by, you can see quite a few Japanese people stopping, and they often enthusiastically recommend it to the friends and family with them. I couldn't resist following the crowd and buying one to try. The shop offers a variety of flavors. Rich, savory cheese surrounds sweet and refreshing Ehime orange, and when eaten cold, the combination of salty and sweet flavors works surprisingly well! Products like this that put real effort into promoting local specialties deserve support.

Hotel Kowakuen Haruka is a distinctive hot spring hotel. In addition to the hot spring facilities, it also has a café where you can sit down and enjoy a cup of coffee after a soak, making for a very relaxing experience.

The shop on the first floor is also well worth browsing. It offers a carefully selected range of local Ehime products and stylish goods, from souvenirs to household items, all with plenty of local character. The entire space is comfortable, and whether you're soaking in the hot spring, drinking coffee, or browsing the shop, you can really feel the relaxing resort atmosphere of Dogo Onsen.

While visiting Fukuoka, I spent an evening browsing Mitsukoshi in the Tenjin shopping district to see if the department store had any new and interesting products. It happened to be Christmastime, so the whole store was filled with a festive atmosphere. The most eye-catching sight was Mitsukoshi’s iconic lion at the entrance, which was even dressed in an adorable Christmas outfit. I couldn’t help but stop to take a photo. It was just so cute.