Linda Liao's Reviews Page 14/102

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.

After touring Kumamoto Castle, we stopped by Sakuranobaba Josaien for a stroll〜 It recreates the atmosphere of Kumamoto’s old downtown area, with various restaurants serving local cuisine and a wide selection of souvenir shops. Since we had other plans that day, we spent our time browsing and shopping. In the end, we picked up two packets of taipien glass noodle soup to take home. When you want some hot soup but don’t feel like cooking, they’re quick and easy to prepare—practical and convenient.

Kanazawa FORUS is right next to JR Kanazawa Station, just a 1〜2-minute walk from the station, and you can even see the mall from the train platform! It was raining the last time I visited Kanazawa, and I didn't feel like constantly taking out my phone to take pictures, so the only photo I have is this one taken from the platform. The mall has LOFT, a favorite among shoppers, with all kinds of stationery and household goods, as well as niko and..., a clothing and lifestyle store. It's conveniently located and sheltered from the wind and rain, so it's a good place to include at the end of a Kanazawa trip, leaving some time to shop for souvenirs.

On a previous visit to see the plum blossoms at Yushima Tenmangu Shrine in Tokyo, I unexpectedly came across a traveling performance by the Taro Jiro Ichimon troupe, part of Nikko Saru Gundan. It was a delightful surprise during the trip! Known for the traditional Japanese art of sarumawashi (monkey performances), the troupe turns this traditional craft into a fun-filled show through the well-coordinated interactions between highly trained monkeys and their handlers. The little monkeys not only follow instructions but also work with the performers in a variety of amusing skits. Their humanlike gestures make it hard to look away.

From walking on stilts and jumping over fences to increasingly difficult challenges, each act made the atmosphere more and more exciting. The audience laughed out loud while cheering the little monkeys on, and when they successfully completed a trick, loud applause immediately erupted all around. I hope I'll have more opportunities to enjoy such skillful performances at local festivals, tourist attractions, and other places in Japan in the future.

When you visit the Sakae area of Nagoya, it’s hard not to notice Chubu Electric Power MIRAI TOWER standing tall in Hisaya-odori Park! Built in 1954, this TV tower was one of Japan’s earliest consolidated radio towers and is a classic landmark in central Nagoya. The tower is especially striking against the blue sky, surrounded by lush greenery, a modern park, and shopping districts that create a cityscape unique to Nagoya. Once illuminated at night, it takes on a different kind of charm. Whether you stroll around and take photos during the day or enjoy the lights at night, it’s well worth it.