Linda Liao's Reviews Page 20/75

This plant-based pudding from Ezaki Glico is definitely a hidden popular bestseller in Japanese supermarkets! It’s made without any milk or eggs, using soy milk and plant-based ingredients instead. The texture is still smooth and creamy, with a light sweetness that doesn’t feel heavy. Many Japanese families keep it on hand as an everyday snack, and both adults and children love it. The last time I saw it at the supermarket, there was only one pack left, so I was lucky to get it.

I had seen CA4LA featured on TV before, and this time I finally had the chance to visit while shopping at Rinku Premium Outlets in Osaka. CA4LA isn’t just a hat store—it feels more like viewing a collection of small works of art. Everything from the shapes and materials to the details is carefully considered, and the hats look very elegant when worn. The store has a wide variety of styles, from versatile everyday hats to highly distinctive designs. I couldn’t help trying them on one after another. Recommended for anyone who enjoys collecting beautiful hats.

The Kamogawa River is definitely one of Kyoto's most iconic sights. You can see it as you walk across Shijo Bridge. During the day, it's a great place to stroll along the riverbank, sit by the water, enjoy the breeze, and experience Kyoto's relaxed way of life. Summer is even more special, when riverside restaurants set up “noryo-yuka” platforms where guests can dine above the river while enjoying the cool breeze. This tradition is said to date back to the Edo period. It originally began as a way for people to escape the summer heat and gradually became a signature part of Kyoto's summer dining culture. At night, the bridges and lights along the river are reflected on the water, creating a different kind of romantic view. I love the beautiful summer scenery along the Kamogawa River the most.

AFURI's yuzu shio ramen is a classic and very popular. The broth has a light, salty base that isn't too heavy, with a subtle yuzu aroma that adds a refreshing touch to the whole bowl. It's highly recommended for people who like lighter ramen. They also offer a cup noodle version now, so you can buy a few to keep at home.

When our tour bus traveled along Kaichu Road, the view outside the window really made us gasp! The straight road stretched across the deep blue sea, and everyone on the bus pulled out their phones and started snapping away, afraid they might miss any angle. With wide-open ocean views on both sides, it felt as if the bus were driving right through the middle of the sea. It was such an interesting experience.

The Meguro River cherry blossom cruise is a seasonal, limited-time flower-viewing activity. Once aboard, you don't have to squeeze through the crowds along the riverbanks and can instead enjoy the cherry blossoms in full bloom on both sides from a different perspective on the water. As the boat slowly moves along, the trees full of blossoms stretch out from the banks toward the water, with their branches intertwining and hanging down like a pink waterfall pouring overhead. The scenery keeps changing along the way. If you choose an evening cruise, the illuminated cherry blossoms are reflected on the water, adding to the romantic atmosphere. It's a very special cherry blossom viewing experience.

In spring, the cherry blossoms stretching along the banks of the Kurome River in Asaka City, Saitama Prefecture, are quite enchanting. When the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, the soft pink flowers contrast beautifully with the fields of yellow rapeseed flowers along the riverbank, creating a fresh and vibrant spring scene. Many people come here specifically to take photos. As you stroll along the river, you can admire the cherry blossoms swaying in the breeze and capture shots of the cherry and rapeseed flowers together. The mix of pink and yellow really feels like spring, and every photo turns out beautiful.

Meguro itself is known as an upscale residential area in Tokyo, and the Meguro River is a must-visit spot for many people during cherry blossom season. Every spring, when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, the trees stretching along the riverbanks form a spectacular tunnel of flowers. Branches on both sides extend over the river and even intertwine, so when you look up, you are almost completely surrounded by blossoms. It is a sight you really have to see in person to appreciate. There are already plenty of visitors during the day, but after dark, the lights create a different kind of romantic atmosphere. There are also many vendors selling drinks and snacks along the way, making it even livelier than during the day. Over the past year or two, the cherry trees along the Meguro River have been heavily pruned, and their shape and blossoms are no longer what they once were. The sight of intertwined branches covered in full bloom still remains vivid in my memory, making me appreciate even more how precious it was to witness that magnificent scene in person.

The Kasuga Taisha Manyo Botanical Garden is located within the grounds of Kasuga Taisha Shrine and is surrounded by Nara's natural forests, offering different scenery in every season. Its main feature is its collection of plants associated with the beliefs of Kasuga Taisha, especially wisteria. During blooming season, the hanging clusters of purple flowers are particularly enchanting. The garden also has a variety of seasonal flowers and waterscapes, with a more relaxed pace than the shrine's worship area. Walking through the garden, you can experience the unique atmosphere created by the blend of Nara's natural scenery and shrine culture.

As soon as you enter Kasugataisha Shrine, the tall, stately old trees on both sides immediately shut out the noise from outside. Deep in the shade of the forest, there is also a coolness unique to spring, making it feel as though you are gradually entering the realm of the gods. Founded in 768 AD, Kasugataisha is one of Nara's most prominent shrines and enshrines the ancestral deities of the Fujiwara clan. The grounds are surrounded by a primeval forest, and ancient stone lanterns line the approach, adding a solemn and mysterious atmosphere. The most distinctive sight is the sika deer found everywhere. People in Nara believe that deer are messengers of the deities enshrined at Kasugataisha, so they have been especially revered since ancient times. Walking among the old trees, stone lanterns, and herds of deer, with sunlight filtering through the treetops, the surroundings are so quiet that you naturally slow your pace and feel the sacred atmosphere.