Linda Liao's Reviews Page 2/102

A coworker once gave me a Nagasaki souvenir called “Kujukushima Senbei,” and I was always curious about its unusual name. After looking it up, I learned that Kujukushima is a famous tourist attraction in Sasebo, and I thought I definitely wanted to see it for myself someday. On this trip to Nagasaki, I finally added Tenkaiho to my itinerary, but I had such a good time exploring Glover Garden that afternoon that it was already close to evening when I arrived.

After climbing to the observatory, I saw the Kujukushima Islands before me, with one small island after another scattered across the sea in the glow of the sunset. The scenery was like a painting. Looking at the islands, I couldn't help thinking of the senbei souvenir I had received. Its shape was such a lifelike resemblance that it made me smile. A travel wish that began with a souvenir was finally fulfilled amid this beautiful scenery!

While strolling along Sendai's famous Jozenji-dori Avenue, I was impressed not only by the beautiful rows of zelkova trees, but also by the uniquely designed Sendai Mediatheque. Its striking glass curtain wall is very eye-catching, transparent, and modern. I learned that it was designed by renowned Japanese architect Toyo Ito. The building combines a public library, art and cultural exhibition spaces, and a variety of other facilities. There is also a shop where you can buy distinctive Tohoku crafts and souvenirs, making it a free attraction that offers both culture and leisure. This time, I happened to visit during the winter illumination event on Jozenji-dori Avenue. When I stepped outside, sparkling lights decorated the zelkova trees on both sides, adding a touch of romance to Sendai in winter.

I spent a leisurely afternoon in the Red Brick Warehouse area, browsing from afternoon into the evening. There is a retro-style building here called Hakodate Meiji-kan. Originally the former Hakodate Post Office, completed in 1911, it has now been converted into a shopping space filled with distinctive stores selling all kinds of Hokkaido crafts and souvenirs. I lingered in the glassware section for a long time. Looking at the colorful glasses, each decorated with beautiful patterns, I couldn't help imagining drinks served in them and how they could add a little sense of occasion to everyday life. Hakodate came into contact with Western culture after its port opened many years ago, and its glasswork also incorporated the character of this port city, making it a local handicraft worth appreciating. In recent years, rather than snack souvenirs, I've come to prefer collecting small items like these that have a local story, allowing my travel memories to live on.

Before traveling to Kanazawa, I was really looking forward to seeing the city’s famous Kaga Yuzen dyeing craftsmanship. Compared with a typical yukata experience, Kanazawa kimono have a more refined fabric texture and dyed patterns, with rich layers of color and a fairly crisp fabric. Wearing one really does add an extra touch of elegance. I finally had the chance to try one on this time and chose the popular local kimono rental shop Kanazawa Kirara. As long as you do your makeup beforehand, there’s no need to worry about your hairstyle, hair accessories, or how to coordinate the outfit. The professional staff will take care of everything, and you can also choose a handbag you like, so you’ll look beautifully coordinated from head to toe. Strolling through the Kazuemachi Chaya District in a kimono, surrounded by historic streets and traditional wooden machiya houses, every casual photo was filled with Japanese charm. It felt like traveling back in time and left me with many photos and memories worth treasuring.

The SOMPO Museum of Art in Shinjuku has an important collection of modern Western paintings, including works by Seiji Togo, Renoir, Cézanne, and other artists, but the most notable is Van Gogh's Sunflowers. Van Gogh has always been one of my favorite painters. When I traveled to the Netherlands before, I made a special visit to the Van Gogh Museum to see the master's original works. When I happened to learn that the SOMPO Museum of Art in Shinjuku had Sunflowers in its collection, I knew I had to make time to go.

The bright yellow flowers in the painting are especially striking, with the petals built up in layers of thick, bold brushstrokes, as if they were filled with warmth and vitality. Even the flowers themselves look vivid and full of life. Every time I see Van Gogh's work, I can feel his intense and sincere emotions, making it hard to look away for a long time. Before leaving, I made a point of buying a 3D postcard of the painting to take home for my collection.

If you're looking for a place in central Tokyo where kids can burn off some energy, Sunshine Aquarium at Sunshine City in Ikebukuro is a great choice for a short family outing. Although the aquarium isn't especially large, it cleverly uses its different exhibit areas to create an ocean world full of surprises. From colorful tropical fish and jellyfish to all kinds of marine life, there is plenty to keep both adults and children captivated. The most eye-catching attraction is the popular penguin exhibit. Thanks to the special tank design, the penguins seem to swim and fly among the skyscrapers, creating a very unusual visual effect that is extremely popular.

There's no need to rush off after visiting the aquarium. Sunshine City itself is a large shopping and entertainment complex with department stores, clothing shops, specialty goods, anime merchandise, and all kinds of restaurants. There is even an observation deck and a planetarium to visit. Adults can shop to their hearts' content while children have fun, making it a great Tokyo attraction for the whole family, rain or shine.

When you think of summer, sunflowers easily come to mind. This time, I drove with friends to the Akeno Sunflower Fields. Before we even got close, we were already deeply drawn to the vast expanse of golden flowers before us. As far as the eye could see, tens of thousands of sunflowers were blooming in the sunlight, their faces brimming with energy under the sun. Together with the blue sky and white clouds, the whole scene was as beautiful as a postcard. Although the location is rather difficult to reach, seeing this spectacular sea of flowers in person truly filled me with an indescribable sense of emotion.

When you're in the Shinjuku area, you can always look up and see many uniquely shaped skyscrapers. One of the most recognizable landmarks is Shinjuku Park Tower, with its triangular spires at the top. This high-rise consists of three towers of different heights, and its tiered design is quite distinctive, making it a prominent part of the Shinjuku skyline. The building is home to the renowned Park Hyatt Tokyo, which was used as a filming location for Lost in Translation. From the observation decks of nearby high-rises, you can take in views of Park Tower, Shinjuku Gyoen, and the surrounding cityscape, experiencing Tokyo's bustling and captivating urban atmosphere.

Walking along the approach to Shibamata Taishakuten, it’s easy to be drawn to this nostalgic old shop, Ishii. Founded in 1862, it originally started as the Ishii kimono shop, but the tea snacks and pickles served to customers became so popular that it gradually transformed into a long-established wagashi shop. The storefront retains its old wooden architecture and has a strong Edo-era shitamachi atmosphere. In addition to traditional wagashi, the shop also offers creative sweets such as its signature Kome Kome Roll. The Kome Kome roll cake caught my eye that day, but unfortunately the portion was quite large, so I reluctantly passed on it and bought a Tora-san-yaki instead. This dorayaki is a little smaller than the ones usually sold in stores, and there are several flavors to choose from. I ordered the classic red bean flavor and really liked that it was sweet without being overwhelming.

On a shopping trip to Akihabara, I happened to discover GENERAL STORE RAILYARD after exiting the JR station gates. The wide array of merchandise caught my eye from a distance, and once I went inside, I realized it was a little treasure trove for railroad fans! They have all kinds of JR East railroad merchandise, especially items featuring my favorite Suica penguin mascot. From plush toys and stationery to household goods, everything was so cute that I couldn't put it down, and I lost track of time while browsing. After a struggle between reason and the urge to shop, I finally took home a penguin shopping bag made in collaboration with Shupatto, which is both practical and collectible. Even now, I still take it with me every day when I go out. I can quickly unfold it whenever I buy something, making it convenient and eco-friendly~