Linda Liao's Reviews Page 39/90

Gift-giving culture is extremely important in Japan, and one of my coworkers chose elegant treats from The Peninsula Tokyo as a souvenir. The fruit loaf cake has a dense, moist texture and is made with carefully selected, high-quality dried fruit, giving it a rich, refined fruit flavor. The generous size makes it especially suitable for slicing and sharing with coworkers, friends, and family. It's an easy way to enjoy something together while also appreciating the giver's taste and heartfelt thoughtfulness.

When visiting Tokyo Yaesu, you can also stop by the nearby Daimaru department store. The legendary sweets from “N.Y.C.SAND” on the first floor are not to be missed! Its signature “NY CARAMEL SAND” features rich, buttery cookies filled with a thin layer of dark chocolate and silky, slightly warm, gooey caramel. The moment you bite into it, the caramel oozes out, and the rich sweet-and-salty flavors are pure bliss for anyone with a sweet tooth. Since there are only a few locations and it’s quite popular, I’ve heard there can sometimes be a line to buy them. If you’re passing by, don’t miss the chance to pick up a box to share with family and friends~

After seeing it featured on many Japanese TV shows, I’ve always been interested in the Workman brand. It started out making workwear and focuses on highly functional clothing at affordable prices, making it popular with many Japanese people. However, most of its stores are located in the suburbs (which helps keep prices competitive), so if you’re in Ginza, be sure to take the opportunity to visit EXITMELSA. Everything is incredibly cheap—the prices on the tags will make your jaw drop. It’s easy to shop here, and you won’t feel bad replacing things once they’re worn out.

I've been to the Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Milan, Italy, and the interior is very similar, like a large Starbucks museum that's worth exploring. However, there is also a smaller Starbucks Reserve store in Ginza that stands apart from the typical street-side locations. Its biggest feature is its collaboration with the renowned Italian bakery Princi, offering freshly made pizza, focaccia, and a variety of refined savory and sweet treats. The store focuses on a “main dish plus coffee/tea” format, with spacious seating on the second floor and a wide selection of exclusive Tavola meal sets. Since space is at a premium in Ginza and seats are hard to come by, some second-floor seats can be reserved online. It's a great place to enjoy an elegant meal or afternoon tea when you need a break from shopping.

When shopping in Ginza, I often continue on to Yurakucho to shop some more~ Every time I visit LUMINE Yurakucho, my first stop is always Natural Kitchen on the 7th floor. It's filled with countless cute and stylish household and kitchen goods, with many items starting at just JPY 100. The products are good quality and reasonably priced. The tasteful, great-value selection makes it hard to resist buying everything. It's definitely a shopping paradise that housewares lovers shouldn't miss!

I made a special detour to find the Minamoto Kitchoan counter and buy a gift box of fruit jelly for an older family member to give as a present. There is a very impressive and well-known Kamakura Main Store on Komachi Street in Kamakura, which also houses the Kitchoan Museum of Art. Since Yokohama is also conveniently located in Kanagawa Prefecture, Sogo Yokohama has a counter as well. They are best known for their gift boxes of fruit jelly made with premium fruits grown in Okayama Prefecture, such as Shimizu white peaches, Shine Muscat grapes, and Muscat of Alexandria grapes. They aren't cheap, but the quality is very good.

Happy Turn is one of my favorite Japanese snacks! Although it’s a bit like Want Want rice crackers, the special seasoning powder coating the outside has a much richer flavor. The combination of salty and sweet really makes it impossible to stop eating them one after another.

The Cho Happy Turn shop inside Tokyo Station is simply paradise. It has so many special limited-edition flavors and beautifully designed packages that I wanted to try every one. Unfortunately, I didn’t have enough space in my suitcase to bring them all back to Taiwan, so I’ll just have to wait until my next visit to stock up again.

Anyone who loves Japanese ceramics has surely heard of “Arita ware.” As a devoted fan, I made a special trip to Arita, Saga Prefecture, despite the somewhat long journey, to see it for myself. The annual Arita Ceramics Fair, held during Golden Week (4/29-5/5), is the town’s biggest event. Hundreds of kilns and stalls line a 3-kilometer-long street, creating the lively atmosphere of a traditional local market. There’s everything from affordable, beautifully made everyday tableware to works by master artisans, plus great discounts for treasure hunting. It’s definitely a treasure hunter’s paradise that every tableware enthusiast should visit at least once!

When visiting Glover Garden in Nagasaki, besides admiring the Western-style buildings with their exotic atmosphere, you can also take a break at the Jiyutei Cafe inside the garden. This retro Western-style building serves coffee, desserts, and other items. Sit down for afternoon tea and enjoy a leisurely moment in Nagasaki. Afterward, you can stop by the nearby gift shop to browse a variety of distinctive products from the garden, all with stylish designs.

The most appealing thing about Inasayama Park in Nagasaki is the expansive view from high above. Located around the summit of Mt. Inasa, the park overlooks Nagasaki, the harbor, and the surrounding mountains. It is also a popular spot for viewing Nagasaki's nightscape. During the day, you can enjoy the scenery where the mountains and city come together, while after dusk, you can watch the captivating view as the lights gradually come on. If you take the ropeway up the mountain, you can board at Fuchi Shrine Station and enjoy views of Nagasaki from different angles along the way.