Linda Liao's Reviews Page 9/102

When traveling in Japan, how could a classic nighttime itinerary not include Don Quijote? The Shinjuku store is especially convenient for night owls and travelers with packed schedules. It’s open 24 hours, so no matter how late it gets, you can stop by to stock up. I’m no exception—every time I walk in and see the huge selection of snacks, cosmetics, medicine, daily necessities, and all kinds of household goods, I end up browsing for 1-2 hours without realizing it. Besides buying the products I normally use, I also check out the discounted snacks displayed by the entrance. Once, I found Pocky for nearly half price and immediately stocked up. The most fun part about shopping here is that you never know what great find is waiting around the next corner. Remember to leave yourself some time to browse for hidden treasures~

On this trip to Kagoshima, I discovered a new mixed-use shopping complex in front of the station called Li-Ka1920. Not only is it conveniently located, but it also has quite a few unique stores worth exploring. The mall is next to Kagoshima-Chuo Station, with retail floors spanning the 1st through 7th floors, so you'll need to set aside a little extra time if you want to browse the whole place. I recommend checking out the food area on the 1st floor, which has restaurants such as Kushikatsu Tanaka and sushi places, as well as plenty of options for trying local food. On the 2nd floor, there's the bakery café Idainaru Hatsumei, a good place to buy some bread and take a break with a cup of coffee. If you like household and lifestyle goods, you can also browse the 3rd floor for practical and cute items. It has dining, shopping, and places to rest all in one, and you can shop comfortably even on a rainy day.

I happened to see in a tourism magazine at the train station that there was a mandarin orange-picking experience in Yorii, Saitama Prefecture. I was immediately interested and invited some friends to go with me! Picking fruit yourself feels completely different from buying it directly at a supermarket. Walking through the orchard and searching for ripe fruit is fun in itself. However, we arrived a little before peak season, and since it was already afternoon, the trees weren’t as full of oranges as we had imagined after the morning visitors had finished picking. We had to use our sharp eyes and carefully hunt for them. Even so, everyone still had a great time, and we went home with plenty of fruit. If you want to go mandarin orange picking, I recommend checking the best picking season in advance and arriving as early as possible so you can enjoy a more plentiful fruit-picking experience~

I’ve been to Sakurajima twice, and every time I visit the island, I make sure to stop by the Sakurajima Yogan Nagisa Park Foot Bath~ This natural hot spring foot bath is free to use, with long wooden benches set up along the coast. Soaking your feet while admiring Kinko Bay and the scenery in the distance is so relaxing. Especially when visiting in winter, dipping your feet into the warm hot spring slowly spreads warmth throughout your body and helps you completely relax. What surprised me even more was the affectionate cats that hang out here! They’re like little ninjas lying in wait nearby. As soon as they notice someone sitting down to soak their feet, they immediately come over and may even jump right onto your lap to be petted and keep warm. They’re so cute they’ll melt your heart. Enjoying a foot bath amid Sakurajima’s magnificent natural scenery, with cats keeping you company, is an unforgettable and soothing experience. No wonder I can’t bear to miss it whenever I visit!

Known as “Grandma’s Harajuku,” Sugamo Jizo-dori Shopping Street is filled with a nostalgic Showa-era atmosphere. As you stroll along, you can sample the famous salt daifuku and fragrant old-fashioned treats, and don’t forget to visit Koganji Temple to pray for health and safety. The street is lined with all kinds of clothing stores and prepared-food shops. The pace here is relaxed, and you can experience the warmth of Tokyo’s traditional downtown neighborhoods and the charm of everyday life~

Every cherry blossom season, a lively cherry blossom festival is held here. The cherry trees along both sides of the waterfront gradually come into bloom, their delicate branches swaying in the breeze against the clear water, creating an especially charming view. If you’re lucky enough to catch a shower of cherry blossoms in the wind, you can watch the pale pink petals drift down and gently scatter across the ground and water, like a dreamy scene from a movie. Compared with popular cherry blossom viewing spots in central Tokyo, it’s much less crowded here, so you can take a leisurely walk along the riverbank and enjoy the flowers in a more relaxed mood. That day, I also met some visitors from Taiwan, and everyone enthusiastically helped take photos for one another, adding a warm, friendly touch to the trip. If you want to enjoy a relaxing spring cherry blossom outing, this place is worth adding to your list!

While taking a leisurely walk and snapping photos by Lake Kinrin, keep an eye out for a small stone torii gate by the lake. This is Tenso Shrine. The shrine is small, but it has a captivating, mysterious atmosphere. In addition to Tenso Kami, it also enshrines Yasaka Shrine and Konpira Shrine. The most interesting part is that the torii gate doesn’t stand on the shore but rises from the lake itself. Together with its reflection, it looks as though it’s floating on the water. There is also a local legend about a dragon god, adding a touch of fantasy to the lake. On autumn and winter mornings, if mist forms over the water, the haze, torii gate, and lake scenery blend together, making it feel even more like stepping into a dream. I originally stumbled upon this small spot while taking a walk and didn’t expect it to have such a story behind it.

In late spring, just as summer was beginning, I set aside an afternoon to stroll through the rose garden at Ina Town Organization Enforcement Memorial Park. I’ve always felt that roses have a commanding presence—even a single rose in a vase can become the focal point of a room. As soon as I entered the garden, I was greeted by all kinds of roses competing in beauty: passionate reds, romantic pinks, and bright yellows. The layers of petals and enchanting fragrance were truly refreshing. The garden has about 5,000 rose bushes representing around 400 varieties, including many unusual ones that you don’t often see. It’s a great place to slow down, admire them closely, and take photos. It’s also fairly easy to get to. Take the Saitama New Urban Transit New Shuttle to Uchijuku Station, then walk about 10 minutes. If you visit when the roses are in full bloom, it’s definitely worth planning a little flower-viewing trip!

At first glance, when you see Calbee’s Kappa Ebisen, you can’t help but think, isn’t this just the Japanese version of Taiwan’s Hsia Wei Hsien shrimp snacks? It’s interesting that Taiwan and Japan have such similar classic snacks. They’re long, thin, and hollow, with a light shrimp aroma. They’re crispy, not overly seasoned, and increasingly addictive the more you eat. Besides the classic shrimp flavor, you may also come across different limited-edition flavors, so I can’t help keeping an eye out whenever I browse the supermarket. These crackers are easy to find at convenience stores and supermarkets throughout Japan. They’re great for snacking while watching shows or whenever you’re craving something—a timeless national favorite!

Omokagebashi Bridge is located along Tokyo's Kanda River and is a nice little spot for a walk around Waseda. In spring, cherry blossoms bloom along both sides of the river, and the sea of pink flowers reflected in the gently flowing water creates a very romantic atmosphere. When riding the Toden Arakawa Line, you can also get off at Omokagebashi Station and take a leisurely walk along the Kanda River, enjoying the streetscape where cherry blossoms and trams come together. Compared with Tokyo's popular cherry blossom viewing spots, this area feels more relaxed and local, making it perfect for an easy springtime stroll.