Linda Liao's Reviews Page 37/75

The Sapporo Clock Tower was originally a drill hall for Sapporo Agricultural College and has now become one of Sapporo's most iconic historic buildings. Inside, there are many exhibits related to the Clock Tower, Sapporo Agricultural College, and the history of Hokkaido's development, offering a deeper understanding of how the city grew. It doesn't look very large from the outside, but there is more to see inside than you might expect.

Naha Airport is an important gateway to Okinawa and the first stop for many people arriving there. The airport isn't very large and has a simple, unassuming feel overall. It didn't leave much of a special impression on me, so I didn't take many photos. Still, as a first-time visitor to Okinawa, I was very excited when I arrived and couldn't wait to begin the trip I had been looking forward to for so long.

If you get tired while exploring Ueno Park and want somewhere to rest, consider stopping by the Starbucks Ueno Onshi Park Store. The exterior was deliberately designed to blend in with the surrounding greenery, and the simple building complements the park's natural scenery. Sitting inside or outside with a cup of coffee feels especially relaxing. Ueno Park is huge, so it's actually quite difficult to see everything in one visit. Walking all the way from Ueno Toshogu Shrine and Shinobazu Pond to the museums can easily wear you out. Taking a break at a café like this to recharge before continuing your walk makes for a very pleasant outing.

If you want authentic monjayaki, Tsukishima Station is the place to go! Tsukishima Nishinaka-Dori shopping street is lined with many long-established monjayaki restaurants. The biggest difference between monjayaki and okonomiyaki is that the monjayaki batter is thinner because dashi is added. The ingredients and dashi are mixed together and slowly cooked on a griddle, then scraped up little by little with a small spatula. It has a moist texture with a toasted aroma. Okonomiyaki, on the other hand, mixes the batter and ingredients into a thick pancake, making it more filling.

Every cherry blossom season, the entire park becomes even livelier than usual. The season generally runs from late March to early April, and when the cherry trees are in full bloom, you can always see many office workers rushing over to view the blossoms as soon as they get off work. There are two cherry trees near the entrance that bloom earlier, so even if you visit ahead of the main season, you can still get an early taste of spring. Cherry blossom viewing in Japan is more like a lively gathering. Junior colleagues often arrive early and reserve a spot with a tarp, then everyone meets up after work to drink beer, eat snacks, and chat beneath the cherry trees, with laughter all around. Viewing the blossoms by day and at night is also one of the most captivating sights of the Ueno Sakura Festival.

At Shinobazu Pond in Ueno Park in early spring, the scenery still has some of the bleakness of fall and winter. The trees along the pond have yet to sprout new leaves, without the liveliness of spring flowers. Walking slowly along the pond and watching the occasional person pedal a swan boat across the water, the bustle of the city seems far away. It's a great place to stop and enjoy a quiet moment. By early summer, the pond takes on a completely different appearance, with broad lotus leaves spreading across the water and soft pink lotus flowers blooming one after another. The scenery is fresh and full of life. Each season has its own charm, but the lotus season is especially worth making a special trip to see.

Yanaka Ginza is a very lively street, especially in the evening. As the setting sun shines between the street and the buildings, looking down from the top of the stairs is a popular angle that many people come specifically to photograph. Besides enjoying the sunset, it's also a great place for a stroll, with many traditional shops, food stalls, and general stores to browse along the way. It's popular not only with tourists but also with local residents, who often come to shop for prepared foods, snacks, and everyday necessities.

We passed through here while driving around Hokkaido, between Asahikawa and Biei. The rolling roads, vast farmland, and scattered farmhouses stretch toward the distant mountains. As the road rises and falls, the scenery changes along with it. It's especially nice to take it in on a leisurely drive, making the drive particularly enjoyable.

A souvenir brought back by a coworker from Fukuoka. As I recall, the bun had a smooth white bean paste filling, and the milky aroma blended very well with the bean paste. The outside was soft and not dry, and the sweetness was fairly noticeable. It combines Japanese wagashi with a Western milky flavor, but I'd still recommend having it with tea or coffee so it doesn't feel too rich.

Shibamata Taishakuten Daikyo-ji Temple is Shibamata's most iconic temple and an important place of worship for local residents. Founded in 1629, one of the temple's most appealing features is its exquisite wood carvings. A closer look reveals many remarkably lifelike works. After walking along the quaint approach to the temple, the bustle of central Tokyo gives way to the relaxed atmosphere of a traditional shitamachi neighborhood. Shibamata was also made famous by the movie series Otoko wa Tsurai yo, so come here to worship, take a stroll, and experience its strong shitamachi character.