Linda Liao's Reviews Page 81/90

Saka no Ue no Kumo Museum

Saka no Ue no Kumo, or “Clouds Over the Slope”, is a best-selling historical novel by the prominent novelist Ryotaro Shiba. The novel is focused on three main characters from Matsuyama City; Yoshifuru Akiyama, his brother Saneyuki Akiyama, and their poet friend, Shiki Masaoka. The museum was built around the theme of this novel.

Ehime
Museums

21 Aug 2026 See More

Compared with popular attractions like Dogo Onsen and Matsuyama Castle, the Saka no Ue no Kumo Museum is much more understated, but once inside, I was surprised by how much it had to offer. The museum is themed around Ryotaro Shiba's novel Clouds Over the Slope and introduces three figures from Matsuyama—Shiki Masaoka, Yoshifuru Akiyama, and Saneyuki Akiyama—as well as the Meiji era in which they lived. Through valuable historical materials, photographs, videos, and timelines, the museum shows how Japan transitioned from tradition to modernity during the Meiji era. It's worth taking some time to explore!

Towel Museum

A unique museum in Imabari, Japan’s leading towel-producing city, that shares towel lifestyles and towel culture. Visitors can see the towel-making process up close and enjoy exhibits that blend towels with art. In addition to permanent exhibitions such as Moomin and Hawaiian quilts, the museum hosts a variety of special exhibitions showcasing towel art.

Ehime
Museums

21 Aug 2026 See More

Imabari is a well-known towel-producing region in Japan, and the quality is excellent. Besides learning about towel production and culture, there are shops selling all kinds of Imabari towels, as well as restaurants and cafés, making it a good place to spend half a day. There’s a huge variety of products to choose from, ranging from practical towels and household items to cute character collaboration merchandise〜

GAUFRES AU GOUTER

"Gaufres" are sweets that sandwich cream between thin layers of baked dough, made using Western confectionery ingredients such as flour, sugar, milk, and butter, utilizing the technique of baking Japanese senbei (rice crackers).

Snacks

21 Aug 2026 See More

A snack the whole family loves. It's thin and crispy, with a light texture that doesn't feel heavy, making it easy to eat one after another and hard to stop. Besides the usual packaging, there are also cute small tin versions. The designs on the tins are all adorable, and seasonal limited editions are released too, making me want to collect them every time I see one. After finishing the cookies, the small tins can also be used to store little items, making them both practical and memorable〜

Iyotetsu Takashimaya

“Iyotetsu Takashimaya” has an array of seasonal items available from the latest fashion to Depachika sweets. The department store comprises a Main building and a South building, and the Main building is a station building, integrated with the Matsuyama City Station.

Ehime
Commercial Buildings

21 Aug 2026 See More

Located across from the streetcar terminal, it's very conveniently located and easy to visit as soon as you get off. The department store has a full range of shops, including various brands and souvenirs, as well as the familiar MUJI, where you can browse at your leisure, combining shopping and relaxation in one place. From the rooftop Ferris wheel, you can look down over the entire city of Matsuyama and take in the cityscape.

Old Karuizawa Ginza Street

Millions love to visit this must-to-see shopping street in Karuizawa each year. Souvenir stores with local specialties and gourmet shops serving take-out meals and sweets cluster here. Not only the main street, but also the alleys have fun stores. Take time to explore them and find your treasure.

Nagano
Shopping Streets

21 Aug 2026 See More

It's a retro old street full of nostalgic charm, lined with all kinds of cute and distinctive shops that make you want to explore them one by one for hidden treasures. The pace here isn't too rushed, making it comfortable and relaxing. Every time I visit Karuizawa, I stop by Boulangerie Asanoya. It's very popular, and in addition to selling bread, it also has a dining area where you can enjoy a full meal. It's a great place to rest and recharge while shopping.

Shinano Railway's Karuizawa Station

The Karuizawa station building, demolished with the opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen in 1997, was revived in October 2017 as the Shinano Railway Karuizawa Station and the Old Station Building entrance. It utilizes the historically significant building that had been preserved as the Old Karuizawa Station Building Memorial Hall, maintaining the serene ambiance characteristic of Karuizawa.

Nagano
Tourist Attractions

21 Aug 2026 See More

This time, I took a local Shinano Railway train from Karuizawa Station to Naka-Karuizawa Station, then walked to my hotel. Sitting in the retro-style train car as it traveled slowly, I enjoyed the lush green scenery along the way, which was very refreshing.

SNOOPY Chaya Yufuin

Located in some of Japan’s most popular tourist destinations, SNOOPY Chaya offers a unique chance to step into the world of the globally beloved beagle Snoopy and his PEANUTS friends while also experiencing the charm of the local area.

Oita
Cafés

21 Aug 2026 See More

The whole place is filled with cute Snoopy touches. From the food and decor to the merchandise, you can't help but keep saying “kawaii”〜 The shop sells all kinds of Snoopy items, with so much to choose from. It's a great place to pick up a few travel souvenirs. The café dishes are just as creative, with Snoopy designs incorporated into every item. They look cute from every angle!

Yukari by Bankaku Sohonpo

Yukari is a cracker made with shrimp paste which is believed to bring good luck in Japan. Yukari was once presented to Tokugawa Mitsutomo in the Owari domain during the Edo Period and carries on its history and excellence. Using 7 natural shrimps for each cracker, it is carefully roasted in a unique double baking method consistent with the Edo Period.

Aichi
Snacks

21 Aug 2026 See More

A well-known Nagoya souvenir, with locations in department stores around Japan. The crackers are thin and crisp, but not hard to bite. The shrimp aroma bursts out as soon as you take a bite, with a rich, savory flavor that lingers. Great for those who like savory snacks, especially paired with tea.

Aso Kumamoto Airport

Kumamoto’s gateway to the skies, with a future vision of becoming the “Kyushu Central Gateway Open to the World and the Region.” In 2023, a new passenger terminal building opened, integrating domestic and international terminal functions. It features the latest facilities to help reduce congestion, including self-check-in machines and smart lanes. The airport has also been praised for its user-first convenience, with amenities such as a kids’ space for families and workspaces for business travelers.

Kumamoto
Airplanes & Airport

21 Aug 2026 See More

As soon as I got off the plane, almost everyone around me was Taiwanese, and for a moment I felt like I was in Taiwan〜

Kumamoto Airport isn't very large, but its transportation connections are actually quite convenient. It's easy to get to downtown Kumamoto from here, and Fukuoka isn't too far away either, making it a convenient starting point for a trip around Kyushu.

Nagaoka Kyo Ogura Sanso “Karuta Hyakunin Isshu”

Based in Nagaokakyo City, Kyoto Prefecture, Ogura Sanso is a long-established confectionery shop specializing in rice crackers. The brand is known for creating products that reflect the elegance of Heian-period culture and the world of classical Japanese poetry, particularly the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu anthology.

Nagaokakyo, Otokuni
Snacks

20 Aug 2026 See More

Ogura Sanso, a classic Kyoto rice cracker brand, has a crisp texture that isn't too hard to bite into, with a subtle rice aroma. They're also great for seniors and children.

There's a wide variety of flavors, from classic soy sauce and seaweed and lightly salted to Japanese curry. Saga no Yaki is a classic sweet-and-savory soy sauce flavor with seaweed, while for something a little different, I recommend the curry-flavored Ogura Meigetsu, which is crisp and airy with a mild curry aroma.