Linda Liao's Reviews Page 20/102

MINORI GELATO

MINORI GELATO is a popular shop serving gelato made with Shodoshima-grown ingredients out of a retro-chic kominka-style house just steps from the Kusakabe Port bus stop.

Kagawa
Light Meals

15 Oct 2026 See More

Don’t miss the adorable MINORI GELATO when visiting Shodoshima! As a gelato lover, I was instantly drawn in as I walked by. They have a wide variety of flavors, including persimmon! With one bite, the rich, smooth creaminess blends with the natural, delicate sweetness of the persimmon. The flavors are layered without being too heavy. If you’re traveling to Shodoshima, don’t miss it〜

Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten Branch Miyage Nara Sanjo Store

In July 2022, Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten, a retailer of handicrafts and goods from across Japan, carried out a major renovation of its “Nihonichi Nara Sanjo Store,” transforming it into a shop offering about 1,300 Nara-themed souvenirs crafted with a focus on local handwork.

Nara
Miscellaneous Goods

15 Oct 2026 See More

Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten also has a location at Haneda Airport! Whenever I take a domestic flight in Japan, I can’t resist stopping in to browse when I pass by. Rooted in traditional Japanese crafts, the store is dedicated to incorporating artisan techniques into modern life. From household goods to everyday items, every product is thoughtfully designed and well made. If you’re looking for practical, stylish, and less common items with a distinctly Japanese touch, I highly recommend taking your time to hunt for treasures here!

DOUTOR COFFEE SHOP Tokyo Station Yaesu Central Exit Store

DOUTOR COFFEE SHOP is known as a pioneer among Japan’s homegrown café chains. Its Tokyo Station Yaesu Central Exit Store, near the station’s Yaesu Central Gate, opens at 6:30 am.

Tokyo Station, Nihonbashi, Marunouchi
Cafés

15 Oct 2026 See More

If you’re traveling in Japan and want an affordable cup of coffee, Doutor is also a very good option. It mainly offers reasonably priced coffee, sandwiches, and breakfast sets. Some locations also have power outlets and free Wi-Fi, making it convenient to take a break and charge your devices. I didn’t expect the Tokyo Station Yaesu Central Exit store to open as early as 6:30 a.m.—it’s super convenient for travelers catching an early train! Next time I’m passing through Tokyo Station, I’d like to stop by for coffee and breakfast.

Nagatanien Matsutake-no Aji Osuimono

A long-selling instant clear soup mix first released in 1964. Simply add boiling water to prepare osuimono, a traditional Japanese clear soup.

Food & Drink

15 Oct 2026 See More

Nagatanien Matsutake Mushroom Clear Soup is a convenient soup to keep at the office. Just add hot water, and you can quickly enjoy a piping-hot bowl of soup. The broth is light and flavorful, with a subtle matsutake aroma and the mellow taste unique to Japanese dashi. It goes well with a bento and is recommended for anyone who enjoys soup.

Shinjuku Subnade

Approximately 100 shops are in Shinjuku's largest underground shopping area. You can enjoy yourself to the fullest with fashion aware of the latest trends, shops with general goods, diverse services that support dressing stylishly, and restaurants and cafes of various food styles.

Shinjuku, Okubo, Yoyogi, Yotsuya
Commercial Buildings

15 Oct 2026 See More

Located near Kabukicho, Subnade is an underground shopping arcade with an everyday feel. It has affordable clothing, household goods, restaurants, and even a capsule toy store. Even if you don’t have a shopping trip planned, you can browse while catching a train or making a transfer, and you don’t have to worry about getting wet on rainy days.

JR Mojiko Station

JR Mojiko Station, facing the Kanmon Straits in Moji, is the starting point of the JR Kagoshima Main Line. The wooden two-story station building, designed in a Neo-Renaissance style, is characterized by a symmetrical exterior said to represent a "gate," and it has been beloved as a landmark of Moji Port for many years.

Mojiko, Kokura
Tourist Attractions

15 Oct 2026 See More

The first time I visited Mojiko, I was drawn to the station's retro charm. The interior retains many architectural features from the Taisho era, with wood finishes, classic lighting, and a nostalgic atmosphere that makes you feel as if you've traveled back in time. It's a station with a lot of character.

Yokohama Kiyoken (SHUMAI Bar) Tokyo Station

SHUMAI Bar is a dining concept pairing shiumai (steamed dumplings) with drinks, created by Kiyoken, the long-established company founded in 1908. At Yokohama Kiyoken (SHUMAI Bar) Tokyo Station on Nippon Gourmet Road, you can dine in or take your food away. Its shiumai owe their flavor to a combination of pork and dried scallops.

Tokyo Station, Nihonbashi, Marunouchi
Japanese Cuisine

14 Oct 2026 See More

I was planning to take the Shinkansen to Shizuoka, so I made a point of stopping by the kiosk to pick out an “ekiben.” Somehow, riding the Shinkansen with a railway bento feels like the perfect travel ritual! This time, I tried a bento from Kiyoken. It came with their signature shiumai, and with a little soy sauce, the savory, salty flavor was just right. The seasoning overall was pretty good. I imagine it would taste even better heated up, with the shiumai served piping hot.

Tennoji Zoo

Tennoji Zoo opened on January 1st, 1915 and had its 100th anniversary in 2015. Almost 170 species and 1000 animals are kept in about 11 hectares of the zoo. In the reptile house, "Ifar," and in “African Savanna Zone” where hippopotamus, giraffes, and lions live, the ecological exhibition introduces reproduced scenery of animals’ habitats as closely as possible.

Tennoji, Shinsekai
Zoos & Aquariums

14 Oct 2026 See More

Tennoji Zoo is right in the city center and easy to get to. You can see all kinds of cute animals there, including lions, giraffes, elephants, and hippos. It’s quite relaxing to stroll around and simply enjoy looking at the animals. It’s a good backup plan for a rainy day and also great for families with children.

MIRAIZA OSAKA-JO

A complex of historical buildings located in the plaza in front of the Tower of Osaka Castle. Built in 1931, the former army office building has an eye-catching, stately exterior reminiscent of an old medieval castle in Europe. Inside, the upper walls are decorated with vivid ornaments, and the corner towers on the front and four corners still retain the atmosphere of the past.

Osaka Castle, Kyobashi
Commercial Buildings

14 Oct 2026 See More

MIRAIZA OSAKA-JO, located within Osaka Castle, is more than just a commercial facility—it is also a historic building worth noticing. Built in 1931 to commemorate Emperor Showa’s enthronement, it originally served as the headquarters of the Fourth Division. Its exterior was deliberately designed in the style of a medieval European castle, with distinctive corner towers and massive walls. After the war, it was used by the police and later became the Osaka City Museum. Today, it houses restaurants, shops, and exhibition spaces, and the rooftop offers a close-up view of Osaka Castle’s main tower.

Gion Tsujiri "Tsujiri no Sato"

Founded in 1860 as a manufacturer and seller of Uji tea, Gion Tsujiri is the spot for plumes of rich aroma and the taste of tea in Kyoto, a historic tea-producing region, for over 160 years. Recent years at the tea house have seen an all new kind of buzz thanks to the launch of a widened range of matcha sweets. For sweet and tasty souvenirs, look no further than this go-to brand.

Gion, Higashiyama, Yamashina
Snacks

14 Oct 2026 See More

When visiting Gion Tsujiri in Kyoto, in addition to the matcha desserts, I highly recommend picking up a box of “Tsujiri no Sato”! Crispy thin wafers are rolled into small cylinders and filled with rich matcha cream. When you bite into one, you first get the crisp texture of the wafer, followed by a delicate tea aroma. The slight bitterness of the matcha perfectly balances the sweetness, making it very easy to enjoy. Pair it with the tea bags sold at the shop for an afternoon tea that really tastes like Kyoto.