Teradomari Chuo Suisan Marunaka Shokudo
Teradomari Chuo Suisan Marunaka Shokudo is a Japanese restaurant on the second floor of the fresh fish market at Teradomari Chuo Suisan in Nagaoka City, Niigata Prefecture. It serves fresh seafood dishes run directly by a fish market.
It’s lively and bustling! There’s also a large parking lot nearby, so you can shop and eat without any worries. Eating inside is great, and taking it to go and eating outside is great too!
Drum Gate and Hospitality Dome (Kanazawa Station)
Kanazawa Station, the gateway to Kanazawa, is bustling with visitors as the Hokuriku Shinkansen arrives and departs, making it a hub for Hokuriku tourism. The eye-catching Drum Gate and Hospitality Dome, completed in 2005, are located at the Kenrokuen Gate (East Exit) facing the city center.
A huge, torii-like gate at Kanazawa Station.
It’s even bigger than I expected, and it totally blew me away!
It was raining, so I took photos from under the roofed area.
Inawashiro Lake
Overlooking Mount Bandai in the north, Inawashiro Lake is the fourth largest in Japan, covering an area of approximately 103 square kilometers and reaching depths of up to 93 meters. During the summer, the lake becomes a bustling hub for water activities such as swimming, boating, and fishing. Centrally located in Fukushima Prefecture, it spans the cities of Aizuwakamatsu and Koriyama, as well as Inawashiro Town.
Mount Bandai looks gorgeous across the lake!
The water is so clear and beautiful too!
Usui Third Bridge (Megane Bridge)
Quietly nestled in the mountains of Annaka, Gunma, the Usui Third Bridge, better known as Megane Bridge, is one of Japan’s largest brick arch bridges, completed in 1892. Designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan as a railway structure from the Meiji era, its massive four connected arches, 91 meters long and 31 meters high, draw a graceful curve across the valley.
Speaking of Usui Pass, there’s the old Japanese National Railways Shinetsu Main Line’s “Megane Bridge.” People back then really had good taste! It’s so beautiful. I end up stopping by every time I pass through.
Asakusa Nakamise Shopping Street (Main Approach to Asakusa Temple)
Located on the approach to Asakusa Temple, this shopping street consists of food and souvenir shops lining the approximately 250m stone-paved path from Asakusa Temple's main gate, the Kaminarimon Gate, to the "Treasure House Gate". Known as "Nakamise", about 90 stores are built across the approach, bustling daily with visitors to Asakusa Temple and tourists from both Japan and abroad.
It’s always lively! It’s so fun shopping for uniquely Japanese souvenirs!!
Tenka Ippin Honten
Starting as a street stall in 1971 (Showa 46), Tenka Ippin now boasts over 200 stores nationwide. It holds a special place in the hearts of Tenka Ippin enthusiasts, particularly at its flagship store in the fiercely competitive ramen battleground of Ichijoji, Kyoto, where many famous shops are located.
If you’re a Tenka Ippin fan, the flagship is a must-visit at least once!
I tried their limited “Gyusuji Ramen” (beef tendon ramen), which you can only order at this location.
I also added extra chashu and left super satisfied. So good!!
To-no-Hetsuri
Formed over a million years through repeated erosion and weathering, this scenic area features a series of remarkable rock formations. "Hetsuri" is a local term meaning "cliff" or "dangerous wall”. Stretching over 200 meters, this grand landscape of massive columnar cliffs is a unique example of riverine erosion, first designated as a national natural monument in 1943.
Apparently, this place used to be the sea a long time ago. The cliffs and steep rock faces are just stunning! The weather was perfect when I visited, and it was a really pleasant season, so there were a lot of people around. You can also have fun shopping for souvenirs at the little shops! They even sell some unusual things like mamushi (snake) extract.
HORI "Yubari Melon Pure Jelly Petit Gold"
A signature product from HORI, a confectionery maker based in Sunagawa City near the center of Hokkaido. This luxurious sweet is made with fully ripened Yubari melon pulp, a famous Hokkaido specialty, capturing its rich aroma and juicy sweetness in jelly form. You can easily enjoy the melt-in-your-mouth smoothness and mellow sweetness that make Yubari melon so distinctive in these bite-size jellies.
It had a real fresh melon taste and was delicious! They also have smaller packages, which makes it convenient as a little souvenir.
Taushubetsu River Bridge Ruins (Former JNR Shihoro Line)
Located in Kamishihoro Town in northern Tokachi, the Taushubetsu River Bridge Ruins is a remnant of the former Japan National Railways’ Shihoro Line, which was decommissioned during privatization. Spanning Lake Nukabira-a reservoir for hydroelectric power-the bridge is submerged for much of the year, only emerging when water levels drop from winter to early summer. This fleeting appearance has earned it the nickname “phantom bridge.”
A nostalgic old bridge. After a short walk from the parking area along the main road, you reach the viewing spot. The bridge is weathered, so I really wanted to see it before it collapses—glad I made it! Just a heads up, this is bear country, so make sure to bring a bear bell or take precautions.
Mikuni Pass Observatory
Mikuni Pass takes its name from its location at the junction of the Ishikari, Tokachi, and Kitami regions. Nestled within Daisetsuzan National Park, this mountain pass is the highest point on any national highway in Hokkaido, sitting at an elevation of 1,139 meters.
This pass is right in the heart of Hokkaido. It's an awesome spot for a drive or motorcycle tour through breathtaking nature! Also, the coffee at the café on the pass is really good, so I recommend stopping by for a break.
