Linda Liao's Reviews Page 41/90

If you're shopping in Umeda, Osaka, don't miss Grand Front Osaka! Located right next to Osaka Station, it's extremely convenient to get to. Combining shopping, restaurants, cafés, and office space, it's one of Umeda's most iconic commercial complexes. It features many Japanese brands and unique shops, with plenty to browse, from fashion and beauty products to household goods. It's also home to the largest MUJI flagship store in the Kansai region, spanning three floors. In addition to an extremely extensive selection of clothing, household items, and food, it also has Cafe & Meal MUJI, which serves healthy light meals, as well as a dedicated home design consultation area. It's a pilgrimage spot MUJI fans shouldn't miss.

Every year around Christmas, Hakata Station Plaza lights up with a million dazzling lights and hosts a festive Christmas market. Vendors sell limited-time treats such as mulled wine and German sausages. The strong holiday atmosphere and romantic lights make it a great place to gather with a few friends, have fun, and take memorable photos.

BIG BOX Takadanobaba is a great place to browse! It’s conveniently located right outside the station and has stores such as UNIQLO and LOFT, plus restaurants like Sushiro on the 9th floor. It meets all your shopping, everyday purchasing, and dining needs in one place, and you can easily spend 2 to 3 hours here! There are also plenty of entertainment options, including claw machines, billiards, and bowling. It often attracts students and young people looking to hang out and relax after school or on their days off.

The Toei One-day Pass (JPY 700) provides unlimited rides on the Toei Subway, Toei buses, and the Nippori-Toneri Liner. It also covers Tokyo’s only streetcar, the Toden Arakawa Line, and pays for itself after 3 to 4 rides. The pass also offers admission and shopping discounts at participating businesses. There are plenty of highlights along the routes: take the Arakawa Line to see flowers at Asukayama Park or browse the Sugamo Jizo-dori Shopping Street and experience the atmosphere of a Showa-era downtown neighborhood. The subway provides direct access to Senso-ji Temple and Tokyo Skytree, while Akabanebashi Station offers a close-up view of Tokyo Tower. It’s a great way to experience Tokyo’s local culture and scenery in depth.

Azabudai Hills is a new landmark mixed-use urban development in Tokyo. Designed around the concept of a "modern urban village," the complex combines a lush central plaza, luxury residences, Michelin-starred dining, and an immersive teamLab art exhibition. The observation deck on the 33rd floor features large windows with excellent views, allowing you to look out over Tokyo's bustling cityscape up close and take in the full, striking view of Tokyo Tower.

Kojimaya in Ameyoko is a long-established shop founded in 1956, about a two-minute walk from JR Okachimachi Station. The store mainly sells nuts and dried fruit, along with rice crackers, snacks, and foods that pair well with drinks, offering a very wide selection. There are especially many varieties of nuts and dried fruit, and the prices are relatively affordable. It's the kind of store that makes you want to stop and take your time browsing while exploring Ameyoko.

Toden Memorial Square preserves the atmosphere of Tokyo's early streetcar era. Through its displays of old streetcars and related materials, you can get a glimpse of the history of the Toden system, from its days as one of the city's main forms of transportation to its gradual decline as subways and roads were developed. Today, the Toden Arakawa Line still runs through Tokyo's streets, passing old neighborhoods, shopping streets, and residential areas along the way. Come here to experience old Tokyo, then take a ride on a vintage streetcar for a truly nostalgic trip.

Hokkaido University has a spacious campus filled with greenery. Every fall, its ginkgo avenue becomes one of Sapporo's well-known spots for enjoying the autumn colors. Golden ginkgo leaves drift down in the wind and cover the road, creating a beautiful scene like a yellow carpet. Strolling through the campus, you can feel the strong sense of fall while also admiring Hokkaido University's historic campus buildings. It's a relaxing experience well worth including in a trip to Sapporo.

ICOCA is a very convenient transportation card when traveling in the Kansai region. You can simply tap it when taking trains or buses, and it can also be used at many convenience stores and vending machines. The card's main design features a refreshing blue-green color, and the most eye-catching part is its cute mascot, Iko-chan. Designed as a platypus with a round appearance and simple lines, the character is very recognizable~

When visiting Kyoto, the walk along Shijo Street toward Yasaka Shrine through the Gion Shopping Street is definitely not to be missed! The route is filled with Kyoto charm, from traditional machiya townhouses to many long-established shops that have been in business for decades or even centuries. You can browse as you stroll and slowly take in Kyoto’s elegant atmosphere.

Kagizen Yoshifusa, founded over a century ago, is known for its kuzu-kiri with brown sugar syrup. Gion Tsujiri is a must for matcha lovers, with popular matcha desserts and drinks. If you like wagashi, you can also look for Gion Komori, where you can enjoy sweets while admiring a traditional machiya townhouse.
But the most charming part of Gion is still the unique Kyoto atmosphere found in its narrow streets. If you’re lucky, you may even spot geiko or maiko on their way to work, hurrying down the street in gorgeous kimono and wooden sandals. For a moment, it feels like you’ve traveled back in time. Just remember to keep your distance when taking photos and respect the local rules so you don’t disturb them too much.