WANG's Reviews Page 6/12

Step inside Tsutenkaku Tower and take the high-speed elevator straight up to the observation deck, where you can enjoy unique views of Osaka. The interior is also full of delightful highlights:

Pray to Billiken, the god of good fortune: On the observation deck, you can see the famous Billiken statue. Legend has it that sincerely rubbing the soles of his feet will bring good luck and wealth.

Sky-high views and nearby shopping: From the observation deck, you can see the skyline, including nearby Abeno Harukas. Inside and around the tower, there are also great Glico stores selling all kinds of limited-edition merchandise and souvenirs.

I highly recommend including Tsutenkaku Tower in your walking and sightseeing plans when visiting Shinsekai in Osaka. Whether you're enjoying authentic kushikatsu, rubbing the soles of Billiken's feet, or experiencing the warm, down-to-earth atmosphere of old Osaka, it's sure to leave you with classic local memories of your trip to Kansai!

As soon as you reach the market, the wooden sign and simple entrance give off a strong sense of tradition. Inside, all kinds of seafood stalls, produce shops, and dried-goods stores are neatly lined up on both sides. Unlike typical tourist markets, this place isn't overly commercialized and retains the authentic feel of an Osaka wholesale market. The scents of the sea and fresh produce fill the air, and every stall makes you want to stop and take a closer look.

The market's biggest highlight has to be the chance to choose the freshest seasonal seafood and fruit and enjoy it right there!

The stalls are filled with all kinds of mouthwatering food:

Premium oysters and sea urchin: Large, plump oysters are served fresh with a squeeze of lemon, with a rich, sweet flavor. Plates of golden, generously portioned sea urchin, along with bowls packed with sashimi and scallops, are equally tempting.

Fresh seasonal fruit: The fruit stalls in the market, including well-known produce shops, not only sell beautifully packaged boxes of fruit but also offer freshly cut fruit on the spot. Whether it's sweet, juicy peaches or other seasonal fruits, every bite is pure happiness.

Eat-it-on-the-spot experience: After buying fresh sashimi, sweet shrimp, oysters, and freshly cut fruit, you can find a seat and dig in, enjoying the ultimate freshness of food delivered straight from the source.

I highly recommend setting aside a morning or lunchtime for Osaka Kizu Wholesale Market when visiting Osaka. Not only can you avoid the crowds and browse at a leisurely pace, but you can also enjoy the freshest premium seafood and delicious fruit at very affordable prices. It will definitely leave you with some of the most satisfying culinary memories of your Kansai trip!

Located in the mountains of Minoh, Osaka Prefecture, Katsuo-ji Temple is definitely a great hidden spot for escaping the summer heat and praying for good fortune! As soon as you ride deep into the mountains and arrive at the temple gate, the cool mountain breeze immediately sweeps away the summer heat.

Katsuo-ji Temple has long been known as the "Temple of Winning Luck," and many people come here specifically to pray for success in exams, careers, competitions, or life's many challenges. The most striking and soothing sight when you enter the grounds is the thousands upon thousands of red prayer daruma of all sizes, known as "winning daruma," packed into every corner of the temple. Whether tucked into cracks in stone walls, at the roots of trees, or beside the temple approach, these round red figures are everywhere you look. Seeing them lined up in rows is both spectacular and a little cute.

Especially in summer, although there are no cherry blossoms or maple leaves, the temple grounds are surrounded by lush greenery and forest. Walking along the stone steps and beside the pond, you can not only breathe in the refreshing forest air but also see the cute daruma against the verdant mountain scenery, creating a unique summer view. There is also a beautiful Kannon pond and garden on the grounds, making for a very leisurely and relaxing stroll.

If you're visiting Osaka and want to plan a spiritually uplifting and soothing half-day trip outside the city, I highly recommend adding Katsuo-ji Temple in summer to your itinerary. Here, you can not only write down your wish and take home your own winning daruma, but also enjoy a perfectly cool and sacred time in the lush green mountains!

Every time you visit Osaka, if you don't make a pilgrimage to Ebisu Bridge, where Shinsaibashi and Dotonbori meet, to see the huge Glico Running Man (グリコサイン) neon sign, it's like you never came to Osaka! As soon as you step onto the crowded bridge, the air is filled with excited exclamations in different languages and joyful laughter, with everyone packed onto the bridge trying to capture this iconic scene.

This Running Man sign overlooking the Dotonbori Canal has become one of the clearest symbols of Osaka's urban spirit since it was installed in 1935. The iconic runner crossing the finish line with his arms spread wide against a blue track background radiates unstoppable energy, whether seen during the day or lit up at night. At night in particular, neon lights flash all along the Dotonbori waterfront, and the Running Man's lights reflect on the water. Combined with all the giant three-dimensional signs nearby, such as the crab, takoyaki, and gyoza, the lively atmosphere reaches its peak.

After taking the classic group photo, look out from Ebisu Bridge and you'll see the seemingly endless Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street and Dotonbori's restaurant district on either side. Whether you want takoyaki or kushikatsu, or want to shop till you drop, just turn a corner and you can immediately immerse yourself in Osaka.

I highly recommend including Ebisu Bridge and the Running Man in an evening or nighttime walk when visiting Osaka. You can not only check in and take memorable photos here, but also deeply experience Osaka's most authentic, passionate, and vibrant local spirit!

The UNESCO World Heritage Site Kinkaku-ji is absolutely a timeless classic and top choice! After buying the unique paper admission ticket at the entrance, which looks like a protective charm, follow the lush garden path. The moment you turn the corner and the dazzling golden building comes into view, the visual impact is truly incomparable.

Its exterior walls are covered in precious gold leaf, gleaming brilliantly in the sunlight. The most captivating classic view is from across the Kyoko-chi Pond, where Kinkaku-ji's elegant form is perfectly reflected on the calm water, framed by lush pine trees, blue skies, and white clouds. It looks just like a flawless postcard. Anyone standing here will find it hard to stop taking photos.

After visiting Kinkaku-ji itself, stroll along the garden path to admire the Zen-like strolling pond garden, historic teahouses such as Sekka-tei, and various elegant landscape features. Although you can't go inside the building, simply walking around and experiencing the unique atmosphere that blends the lavish culture of the Muromachi period with the tranquility of Zen is well worth the admission price.

I highly recommend adding Kinkaku-ji to your morning itinerary when visiting Kyoto. See the gold leaf sparkle when the sunlight hits at the best angle, and you're sure to come away with dazzling, unforgettable memories of your Kansai trip!

Every time I visit Kyoto, if I could choose only one temple, Kiyomizu-dera, with over a thousand years of history and standing halfway up Mt. Otowa, would definitely be Japan's most iconic landmark! As soon as you reach Kiyomizu-zaka on the way to the main hall, the lively souvenir shops, pottery stores, and wagashi shops along the street offer so much to see. You can already feel the area's rich cultural atmosphere before even entering the temple.

After passing through the imposing Nio-mon Gate, the most breathtaking sight is the elevated Kiyomizu Stage, built entirely without a single nail and supported by enormous wooden pillars. From the stage, you can take in the cityscape of Kyoto below while surrounded by a magnificent expanse of maple and cherry trees. Whether the hills are covered in soft pink cherry blossoms in spring or fiery red leaves in fall, the changing seasonal scenery is like a huge landscape painting you could never tire of seeing.

After leaving the stage, don't miss the famous Otowa Waterfall below. Its three clear streams represent academic success, love, and longevity. Waiting in line to take a sip is both fun and filled with a sense of ritual and prayer. Before leaving, be sure to stop by the impressive Koyasu Pagoda nearby and experience the ancient capital's solemnity and tranquility.

I highly recommend putting Kiyomizu-dera on your must-visit list when traveling to Kyoto. Whether you're there to experience the grandeur of a UNESCO World Heritage Site or admire the beautiful mountain scenery through the seasons, this is a timeless classic you'll never tire of visiting!

Whenever you're strolling through Kyoto's Higashiyama district and come across a small, colorful temple filled with a playful and prayerful atmosphere, you'll know you've arrived at Yasaka Koshindo, a hugely popular photo spot in recent years! As soon as you reach the entrance, your eyes are immediately drawn to the strings packed with brightly colored ball-shaped cloth charms.

This temple, formally named Kongoji, is one of the birthplaces of Japan's Koshin faith. The most eye-catching things upon entering the grounds are the colorful, cute cloth figures shaped like monkeys with their hands and feet bound. These are local prayer charms called kukurizaru. It is said that if you write your wish on one and give up one of your desires, your wish will come true. With countless colorful figures hanging together, they not only look great in photos but also create a soothing and distinctive sense of prayer and ritual.

Although the temple grounds aren't very large, it's conveniently located near Hokan-ji Temple (Yasaka Pagoda), making it an easy stop while walking around the area. The rustic wooden main hall, paired with the multicolored prayer charms, gives this historic temple an entirely different sense of lively energy.

I highly recommend adding Yasaka Koshindo to your itinerary for photos and prayers while exploring Kyoto's Higashiyama district. Not only can you take home a cute prayer monkey charm, but you can also add colorful and unique memories to your trip to the ancient capital!

The most memorable feature of this ancient temple with deep historical roots is Hokan-ji's five-story pagoda, commonly known as Yasaka Pagoda. Built in the Asuka period, it stands over 30 meters tall. Although you can't freely climb the pagoda, simply walking along the slopes of Ninenzaka, Sannenzaka, or Yasaka-dori and capturing the old-fashioned streetscape with Yasaka Pagoda in the background creates a classic postcard scene that everyone visiting Kyoto should have on their phone.

It's especially worth visiting early in the morning when there are fewer tourists. With the old streets, warm wooden machiya townhouses, and the five-story pagoda in the distance, you can almost hear echoes of history in the air. At dusk, when the setting sun casts its glow across the stone-paved streets, the atmosphere becomes incredibly romantic.

I highly recommend combining Hokan-ji with a walking route through the surrounding Higashiyama area when visiting Kyoto. Whether you're taking a leisurely stroll in a kimono or simply want to experience the most authentic charm of Kyoto's old streets, this is an iconic landmark you'll never tire of visiting!

This shrine has a very long history. As its name suggests, it has been a sacred place dedicated to the god of ice since ancient times. Before refrigerators existed in Japan, people here stored ice collected in winter and presented it to the Imperial family in summer. Because of this, people from across Japan who work in ice production, food service, or refrigeration come here specifically to worship and pray for blessings. Although the shrine grounds are not large, the rustic shrine buildings and peaceful atmosphere immediately put you at ease.

Besides its deep historical ties to ice production, Himuro Shrine is also one of Nara's famous cherry blossom viewing spots each spring. The grounds have several early-blooming weeping cherry trees. During blossom season, the soft pink flowers cascade down, and together with the traditional torii gate and pond, the scenery is breathtaking. Even outside cherry blossom season, the peaceful atmosphere without crowds of tourists makes it a great place to enjoy a leisurely stroll.

I highly recommend adding Himuro Shrine to your itinerary while exploring Nara. You can experience Japan's unique culture of “ice worship” while also enjoying rare peace and beauty surrounded by nature!

After passing through the main gate and entering the grounds, the first thing you see is the Great Buddha Hall (Kondo), said to be one of the world's largest wooden buildings. Just standing before this enormous ancient structure is enough to appreciate the height of human architectural craftsmanship. Inside the hall, you are greeted by the massive 15-meter-tall bronze Great Buddha of Nara (Rushana Buddha), gazing compassionately down upon all beings. Standing at its feet and looking up in person brings an indescribable sense of awe and calm.

Besides the impressive Great Buddha, the hall also has a famous pillar with a hole said to be the same size as the Great Buddha's nostril. It is said that anyone who can pass through the hole will be blessed with safety and good luck. Many visitors always line up to try, making it a very fun and cheerful experience.

I highly recommend including Todaiji Temple in an in-depth walking itinerary when visiting Nara. Whether you want to experience the majestic presence of a thousand-year-old temple or pay your respects to the solemn Great Buddha, it will definitely leave you with profound and awe-inspiring cultural memories of your trip to Kansai!