Gina C's Reviews Page 2/15

When visiting Kamakura, of course you can’t miss the classic Kotoku-in Temple and the Great Buddha of Kamakura! As soon as you enter the temple grounds, you can see the enormous Great Buddha sitting in the courtyard from a distance. Standing in front of it in person, it really feels more impressive than it looks in photos.

The Great Buddha is one of Kamakura’s most iconic attractions, and the surrounding area is very peaceful, creating a completely different atmosphere from the bustling streets. As you slowly walk closer and admire its details, you can feel the weight of its long history.

I specifically made time to come see it on this trip to Kamakura. Although I didn’t stay very long, it was still well worth seeing the Great Buddha from textbooks and travel photos with my own eyes.

When visiting Sapporo, Hokkaido, of course you have to see the classic landmark, the Sapporo Clock Tower! The white wooden building with its red roof has the historic charm of early Hokkaido and is also one of Sapporo’s most iconic attractions.

It was a little smaller in person than I had imagined, but the moment I saw the Clock Tower from the street, it still made the trip feel special. With the surrounding city streets as a backdrop, it’s a great place to take a few photos as keepsakes.

I really love the scenery at Miyama Kayabuki no Sato. The old thatched-roof houses are scattered throughout the mountains, and the entire village is filled with the atmosphere of the Japanese countryside. I just never expected that both times I visited, it would rain. It was really a bit disappointing!

Although rainy Miyama has an added sense of tranquility and a misty atmosphere, the rain also made it impossible to really walk around and explore, and even harder to take the kind of beautiful photos I had in mind, with thatched-roof houses under blue skies and white clouds.

Every time I come, I feel like there are still so many places I haven't been able to fully experience. I especially want to see Kayabuki no Sato surrounded by the mountains and forests on a sunny day.

Kasugataisha Shrine in Nara. Unfortunately, it happened to be raining, which made the whole visit feel a little rushed. I had originally hoped to slowly walk along the approach, surrounded by the atmosphere of the ancient capital in nice weather, but instead I had to make my way there under an umbrella.

Along the way, I saw the tall trees, stone lanterns, and rows of hanging lanterns on both sides. Together with the rain-soaked stone path, they created a very quiet and mysterious atmosphere. Although I didn't get the beautiful sunny-day views I had hoped for, Kasugataisha Shrine in the rain had its own unique charm.

Walking through the forest was especially peaceful, and I occasionally saw Nara's deer wandering through it. It really felt like visiting an ancient shrine. Unfortunately, because of the rain, I wasn't able to take my time and fully explore.

If I visit Nara again, I hope the weather will be nice so I can walk through Kasugataisha Shrine once more and make up for all the scenery I didn't get to see enough of this time!

In Arashiyama, Kyoto, what I was looking forward to most was walking along the Sagano Bamboo Grove Trail. Towering bamboo stretches along both sides, with sunlight filtering through the leaves. Walking through it really feels like suddenly entering another world. Although there are quite a few visitors, the overall atmosphere is still very pleasant.

Strolling slowly along the path, looking up at the dense bamboo, you can hear the leaves rustling when the wind blows. The scenery is really beautiful. The iconic section of the bamboo trail is especially great for taking photos, and every angle has a distinctly Kyoto feel.

After actually walking through it, I felt that this is more than just a photo spot. It’s also a great place to slow down. I recommend coming earlier, when there are relatively fewer people and it’s easier to take photos.

If you’re planning a day trip to Arashiyama, the Sagano Bamboo Grove Trail is definitely worth adding to your itinerary. Visit it together with Tenryuji Temple and Togetsukyo Bridge, and a leisurely walk around the area will let you experience the classic atmosphere of Kyoto.

When visiting Enoshima, you definitely shouldn't miss Enoshima Shrine. As you make your way up the island's steps, you can really feel the atmosphere of a traditional Japanese shrine. The shrine is divided into Hetsumiya, Nakatsumiya, and Okutsumiya. Hetsumiya is the easiest to reach, and there are also plenty of small shops and souvenir stores to browse along the way.

The streets of Enoshima are full of island charm, with many unique little shops on both sides. You can visit the shrines, take a stroll, and occasionally stop to enjoy the scenery. The whole experience feels very leisurely.

I think Enoshima Shrine is especially well suited for a relaxed half-day visit. It's not just about visiting the shrine—the streets, ocean views, and unique atmosphere of Enoshima along the way are all worth experiencing.

If you're traveling around Kamakura or the Shonan area, I highly recommend adding Enoshima to your itinerary. After visiting Enoshima Shrine, take a walk along the beach and enjoy the ocean views of Shonan. It really feels like a trip to Japan!

The Hakone Ropeway is a part of traveling around Hakone that’s well worth experiencing, especially the ride from Sounzan to Owakudani, where the scenery along the way is truly beautiful. As the gondola slowly rises, you can look down over Hakone’s mountain scenery, and when the weather is good, you may even see Mt. Fuji. The views are very expansive.

As you approach Owakudani, the scenery becomes quite distinctive. You can see white smoke constantly rising from the valley and even smell a faint scent of sulfur, making it very different from the scenery on a typical ropeway. The mountains, forests, and volcanic terrain overlap along the way, and it’s also great for taking photos.

I think the Hakone Ropeway is more than just transportation—it’s an interesting travel experience in itself. If you plan it together with Owakudani, Togendai, and Lake Ashi, your whole Hakone itinerary will be even more varied. In particular, slowly crossing the valleys inside the gondola really gives you the feeling of traveling.

While visiting Kyoto’s Higashiyama area, I found Yasaka Koshindo to be a small and very distinctive attraction. The most eye-catching feature is the colorful kukurizaru hanging all around the temple. Clustered together like little ornaments, they’re bright and adorable, and every casual photo captures the atmosphere of Kyoto.

The temple’s official name is Kongoji Yasaka Koshindo. Although it isn’t large, it has a very special atmosphere. The colorful kukurizaru symbolize binding one’s desires and also carry the wish that prayers will come true. Seeing so many of them hanging together really makes you want to stay a little longer.

The surrounding area is part of Higashiyama’s popular walking route, with attractions such as Ninenzaka, Sannenzaka, and Kiyomizu-dera nearby, so they can all be included in the same itinerary. Walking along the traditional streets in a kimono and taking photos with the colorful kukurizaru creates a scene that feels very characteristic of Kyoto.

What I liked most about Yasaka Koshindo was its compact, colorful atmosphere. Although it isn’t a large temple, it leaves a vivid impression. It’s a great place to stop by for photos and experience Kyoto’s traditional culture, and it’s well worth a visit while walking around Higashiyama.

Rinku Premium Outlets in Osaka is a great place to include in your itinerary for shopping. It’s also very convenient to get to from Kansai Airport, making it especially suitable for stocking up before heading home. The outlet complex is huge, and the streets are designed to look like an American town, making it very pleasant to walk around and browse.

There’s a wide variety of brands here, offering everything from sportswear, clothing, and shoes to household goods. When there are sales, it’s really easy to keep shopping nonstop. I personally think it’s a good place to take your time comparing prices. Some items are much cheaper than their original prices after discounts, and when I see something I like, I can’t resist buying it.

Besides shopping, the grounds are also great for taking photos. The buildings and streets have an international feel, and when you get tired, you can take a break at a restaurant or café. When the weather is nice, it’s relaxing to stroll around and look at the stores.

If your itinerary takes you near Kansai Airport, I highly recommend adding Rinku Premium Outlets. Not only can you find discounted items from many brands, but you can also make it the last stop of your trip and browse at your own pace. If you enjoy shopping, it’s really worth setting aside half a day to make the most of your final shopping time in Japan!

When I came to Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto, what I looked forward to most was seeing the famous “Senbon Torii” in person. As soon as you enter the shrine, you can see rows of bright red torii gates stretching into the mountain. The sheer number is astonishing, and actually walking through them is even more impressive than it looks in photos.

As you follow the torii gates up the mountain, there are orange-red gates almost everywhere on both sides. Sunlight filters through the gaps, creating a mysterious and solemn feeling as you walk. Along the way, you’ll also see many fox-shaped ema plaques and amulets. Since foxes are regarded as messengers of the Inari deity, the entire shrine is filled with distinctive elements of Japanese culture.

This isn’t just a place for taking photos. Once you enter the Senbon Torii, you can also feel the peaceful atmosphere of a traditional Kyoto shrine. Although the climb becomes more physically demanding as you go higher, the scenery keeps changing along the way, making the walk feel very worthwhile.

Fushimi Inari Taisha is one of Kyoto’s most iconic attractions in my opinion, and the Senbon Torii is especially memorable. If it’s your first time in Kyoto, you should definitely walk through it yourself to truly experience the impressive sight of one torii gate after another stretching into the mountain forest.