Gina C's Reviews Page 1/15

After getting off at Shimoyoshida Station, it’s just a short walk to the foot of Arakurayama Sengen Park. I originally thought it would be an easy stroll, but once I started climbing, I realized that the real challenge here wasn’t the mountain trail, but the seemingly endless flights of stairs.

As I made my way up, there were so many stairs that I couldn’t help looking back to see how much farther I had to go. But at the top, you can see the famous, captivating view of Mount Fuji and the five-story pagoda together.

One thing to keep in mind: if you’re visiting Arakurayama Sengen Park, wear comfortable walking shoes and be mentally prepared to climb a lot of stairs 😆

When I visited Shibuya Hikarie, I made a point of going upstairs to enjoy the free nighttime view. Looking down at the streets of Shibuya from above, the bustling Shibuya Scramble Crossing is what catches your eye the most. Crowds of people and streams of traffic crisscross as the lights from the surrounding buildings illuminate the entire city, creating a lively atmosphere that is uniquely Tokyo.

Watching pedestrians cross the intersection from every direction as the signals change, the dense crowds create an interesting scene. Shibuya is already bustling during the day, but looking down from above at night, you can feel the city's energy even more.

You can enjoy Shibuya's night view for free and take in the iconic crossing all at once, making this a worthwhile stop when visiting Shibuya.

Cook a bowl of the original Chicken Ramen and add some cabbage and an egg—it’s simple and just right. The aroma of the chicken broth goes well with the light sweetness of the vegetables, and it still has that familiar taste. I’ve been eating it since I was little, and even after all these years, an occasional bowl still hits the spot. That’s how good food is—it doesn’t need many changes. The classic flavor is always there.

Ameyoko is really great for shopping for cosmetics and over-the-counter products, with lots of stores and a wide selection. OS Drug often has very attractive prices, but keep in mind that it doesn't offer tax-free shopping and only accepts cash. Niki no Kashi is great for buying souvenirs—you can stock up on cookies, candy, and snacks all at once, and it's easy to end up buying a whole bagful without realizing it. Shopping at Ameyoko is really convenient!

From the moment I walked into the Ghibli Museum, Mitaka, it felt like going back to my childhood memories of watching animated movies. Familiar scenes and characters from My Neighbor Totoro and Spirited Away appeared right before my eyes, and I couldn't help constantly looking for all the little details hidden in the corners. As a child, I watched these stories, but coming here as an adult made me realize that the scenes I loved have stayed in my memory all along.

The trees in Inokashira Park are truly beautiful. Sunlight filters through the leaves, and walking through the woods feels especially pleasant. This time, I brought a cake here especially for a picnic and found a spot under a tree. Sitting there, eating cake, feeling the breeze, and looking at the greenery in front of me was simple and relaxing. Having an afternoon like this while traveling is also a very happy thing.

Hakone is so cold in winter that while walking along the hot spring street, I barely wanted to take my hands out. I saw someone grilling fish cakes by the roadside, so I got a hot one on a stick and ate it as I walked. It warmed both my hands and my stomach. The grilled fish cake had a subtle charcoal aroma and was springy with a nice fish flavor. Simple but very tasty.

Later, I also had grilled fish. The skin was fragrant and crispy, while the meat inside was still very tender. Eating freshly grilled hot food in the cold weather suddenly felt like one of those simple pleasures that make traveling so enjoyable.

I took my time strolling along the hot spring street without rushing to the next stop, which made it even easier to appreciate Hakone's laid-back atmosphere.

Riding the ropeway slowly up the mountain, we saw the mountainsides covered in red, yellow, and green maple leaves along the way, as if the entire mountain had taken on the colors of fall.

In the distance, Kegon Falls flowed all the way down the tall cliff. The white stream stood out against the valley, looking from afar like a long, slender white waterfall hanging on the cliffside.

As the ropeway continued, the waterfall came into view from different angles, set against mountains covered in red maple leaves. The scenery was truly beautiful. It was a rare chance to enjoy this kind of mountain and forest scenery from a ropeway, and I couldn't take my eyes off it the entire way.

After boarding the Akechidaira Ropeway in Nikko, the scenery outside the window unfolded layer by layer as the cabin slowly made its way into the mountains.

The mountains were covered in a mix of green, yellow, and red, as if someone had accidentally spilled paint across the entire landscape. It wasn't deliberately arranged, yet it was beautiful just as it was.

Along the way, we watched the maple leaves change color with the elevation, gradually shifting from small scenes right before our eyes to a sweeping mountain landscape. At that moment, you can't help but slow down and take in all of fall. Nikko's red maple leaves really are best enjoyed from the mountains.

Walking into Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo - The Making of Harry Potter felt like being instantly transported back to childhood, when I would watch the movies and wait for the magic to happen.

The familiar sets and classic character costumes filled every corner with memories, making me think back to how much I once longed for the wizarding world.

It turns out that even after growing up, the stories we once loved can still make our hearts flutter. I took photos and reminisced along the way, as if I were reliving the magical adventures from the movies.

Finally, I browsed the merchandise shop and brought my childhood dreams of magic home with me, leaving the best possible memory of this trip.