Linda Liao's Reviews Page 5/102

Ueno Park is vast. In addition to the zoo and art museums, there are many historic temples, and even a full day isn't enough to see everything. Once, while walking through the park, I unexpectedly came across Kaneiji Temple. It sparked my curiosity and made me want to learn about the historical background of its construction. Kaneiji Temple was founded in 1625 by High Priest Tenkai, a close confidant of Tokugawa Ieyasu. It was built to pray for the stability of the shogunate and peace throughout the land, and it was also an important temple for the Tokugawa shogun family. The temple grounds were once enormous, covering the entire area that is now Ueno Park. Most of its buildings were destroyed by fire during the Battle of Ueno at the end of the shogunate, but you can still feel the solemnity and historical depth of this ancient temple today. Walking through the grounds, the atmosphere forms a striking contrast with the lively park, naturally making you slow down and take in the traces of the Edo period left behind by time.

If you want to set foot on Sakurajima and experience the volcano up close, the Sakurajima Ferry is the most recommended way to get there. The ferry runs between Kagoshima Port and Sakurajima Port. It isn't just transportation for tourists, but also an important part of daily life for island residents. What makes it special is that it can carry cars, so you can even bring your vehicle on board, which is quite interesting. As the ferry slowly pulls away from the port, Sakurajima Volcano gets closer and closer, and I can't help but feel excited. The trip takes about 15 minutes. It isn't long, but it's enough time to stand on the deck, enjoy the ocean views of Kinko Bay, and feel the refreshing sea breeze on your face.

When visiting Shimizu, Shizuoka, if you want something simple with local character, you can try Shoan. This restaurant is known for its sakura shrimp fritters and soba, and the sakura shrimp from Shizuoka's Suruga Bay are an especially notable signature ingredient. This time, I finally ordered the sakura shrimp fritters I'd been craving. The crispy coating was wonderfully fragrant, and paired with refreshing soba and piping-hot broth, the meal didn't feel too heavy. As I ate, I enjoyed the delicious combination of Shizuoka's seafood flavors and traditional noodles!

The long-established Hokkaido confectionery Ryugetsu was founded in Tokachi, Hokkaido, and is known for its carefully selected ingredients and delicate baking techniques. Its classic treats are especially popular with travelers as souvenirs. The most iconic of these is the Sanporoku baumkuchen, which has such a distinctive appearance! The chocolate coating is patterned to resemble white birch bark, as if the scenery of Hokkaido’s forests had been turned into a dessert. The cake is moist and delicate, with a rich milky flavor, and its long shape makes it easy to cut and share with family and friends back home. It’s a Hokkaido souvenir that is both delicious and distinctive.

Travelers flying in and out of Narita Airport are probably familiar with the Skyliner! This blue-and-white train is one of the fastest ways to get to central Tokyo. Departing from Narita Airport, it passes through places such as Keisei Takasago and Aoto before heading directly to Nippori and Keisei Ueno. The fastest trip takes about 36 minutes to Nippori and 41 minutes to Ueno. The spacious, comfortable seats and ample luggage space make the journey more relaxing after a long flight. As the scenery outside gradually changes from the suburbs to bustling city streets, your Tokyo trip officially begins~

When I passed by Kawagoe Bakery Rakuraku, I saw a line outside and joined out of curiosity. I unexpectedly discovered that this small, cozy bakery was full of surprises! There was a wide variety of bread, from French baguettes and all kinds of savory breads to melon bread, a Japanese favorite. There were also unusual flavors like coffee and miso, leaving me overwhelmed by the choices. In the end, I chose the simplest salt bread, and its unpretentious flavor really showcased the baker’s skill. I still wanted more after finishing it, so I bought several other kinds that day and saved them for breakfast the next morning, adding a little happiness to my trip.

I came to Osaka on a business trip this time, and at my family's request, I made a special trip to Daimaru to look for the recently very popular Ball & Chain shoulder bags. The colorful embroidered patterns with their bold use of color are eye-catching even from a distance, so it's no wonder they've won over so many people! The bags are made of durable fabric, offer some water resistance, and don't tear easily, making them tough enough for everyday use. They come in three sizes: S, M, and L. The small size works well as a casual shopping bag, while the large size has an impressive capacity, so you won't have to worry about running out of room no matter how much you buy while shopping abroad~ My favorite is the cat series. The embroidery is lively and playful, and it puts me in a good mood every time I carry it. It's both practical and cute!

At the Shimanto River in Kochi Prefecture, Sada Chinkabashi is a very distinctive attraction~ This bridge has no tall guardrails, and its concrete surface runs low across the river, a design known as a “chinkabashi,” which is commonly seen throughout the Shimanto River basin. To reduce resistance when the river rises, there are almost no unnecessary structures on the bridge. The narrow road only allows one car to pass at a time, so vehicles traveling in opposite directions have to carefully yield to each other. Unfortunately, it was raining when I visited, but since I had already come all this way, I decided to rent a bicycle, put on a raincoat, and explore the area. On the way back, as I rode onto the bridge and watched the rain make the river flow even more rapidly, I honestly felt a little nervous. All I could do was slow down and carefully ride forward. After finally reaching the other side, I saw a small car slowly driving across, which made me admire the driver’s skill! Although the weather wasn’t good, this slightly thrilling cycling experience ended up becoming an unforgettable memory from the trip.

YouMe Town Hiroshima is a large shopping complex located on the outskirts of Hiroshima City. It’s not difficult to reach from JR Hiroshima Station, and you can also get off at Yaga Station and walk there. The mall is quite large, so you could easily spend half a day or even a full day browsing around. It has many familiar brands, such as UNIQLO and Daiso. Daiso alone was enough to keep me browsing for ages! Lately, I’ve especially enjoyed hunting for interesting little things at Daiso that adults can have fun with, such as puzzles and craft kits. Many items cost only JPY 100, making them affordable and fun, and I can never resist picking up a few extra things. They’re great for taking out and enjoying during your free time on the weekend.

Standing by the Rainbow Bridge and watching the boats come and go across Tokyo Bay, the lively scene made me want to stop and take it all in. Among them, Yakatabune Mikawaya especially caught my eye~ Yakatabune are traditional Japanese sightseeing boats with spacious interiors where passengers can enjoy Japanese cuisine while taking in the waterfront scenery. Mikawaya is a long-established boat operator with more than a century of history. The boat also has an observation deck on the roof, offering close-up views of the Rainbow Bridge, Tokyo Tower, and other beautiful sights from the water. It's also a different way to experience the beauty of the bay.