Gina C's Reviews Page 3/23

While visiting Okinawa, I made a special trip to the iconic Shurijo Castle Park. Before even entering the main area, I saw the towering red walls and historic stone gates. The style is very different from typical Japanese castles and has a strong Ryukyu Kingdom character. Once inside the park, I slowly made my way up the winding stone paths and steps. The walls on both sides were spectacular, and it felt as if I had traveled back in time and stepped into the history of the former Ryukyu Kingdom.

Along the way, I admired the historic buildings. Although the weather was a little hot and the walk took some effort, seeing these preserved historic ruins made it well worth it. What impressed me most were the vivid vermilion buildings with their intricate traditional Ryukyuan decorations, which gave them a unique, exotic atmosphere.

Visiting in person, I also learned that Shurijo Castle had suffered a fire and that some areas are still being restored and rebuilt. Seeing the reconstruction work gave me a stronger sense of how much local people value and preserve their history and culture. This was more than just a sightseeing trip; it also gave me a deeper understanding of Okinawa's history.

While visiting Nikko, I took a bus to Lake Chuzenji. Along the way, it passed through the very famous Irohazaka Winding Road (いろは坂). Its most distinctive feature is the seemingly endless series of hairpin turns as the road keeps climbing up the mountain, with views of the forested mountains from different angles along the way. I was originally looking forward to enjoying the scenery outside the window, but once I actually rode the bus, I realized that this mountain road was much more thrilling than I had imagined!

The bus kept turning left and right, with a sharp curve every short distance. As it twisted and turned, I started to feel dizzy and even a little nauseous. Motion sickness was really unpleasant. Although the scenery along the way was beautiful, I wasn't in the mood to enjoy it at all and just hoped the bus would reach the destination soon.

When visiting Nikko, you definitely shouldn't miss the historic Shinkyo Bridge. Before I even got close, I could see the vivid vermilion wooden bridge spanning the Daiya River from a distance. It stood out beautifully against the lush green mountains and forest around it. At the bridge, I could hear the gentle sound of flowing water. Above were the blue sky and mountain views, and the scenery in front of me was as beautiful as a postcard.

The moment I saw Shinkyo Bridge in person, I was truly amazed! The red bridge with its traditional Japanese railings looked historic and had a slightly mysterious feel. The stream below was clear and fast-flowing, and the sound of the water hitting the rocks created a beautiful scene together with the quiet forest around it.

You definitely shouldn't miss the famous Nikko Toshogu when visiting Nikko! What attracted me most were the famous Three Wise Monkeys and Sleeping Cat. I finally had the chance to see these classic carvings that often appear in textbooks and travel guides. The three monkeys cover their eyes, ears, and mouth, representing seeing no evil, hearing no evil, and speaking no evil. The carvings are very vivid and interesting. Seeing them in person, I thought they were truly distinctive and couldn't help stopping to take a closer look.

Another must-see is the Sleeping Cat, a small cat carved into the building. It looks very cute, and it's hard to believe it's such a historic work of art. There are also many intricate and elaborate carvings to see, especially the magnificent gold decorations on the buildings. Every detail is impressive.

The entire Toshogu complex was even more fascinating than I had imagined, with many places along the way worth photographing and admiring. Although there were quite a few visitors, seeing these famous historic sites in person was still very worthwhile!

At Nikko Futarasan Shrine, the first thing that caught my eye was the historic Japanese architecture. Surrounded by tall trees, the entire setting felt solemn and tranquil. As I entered the shrine, I felt as though I had left the noise of the outside world behind, and my mind became calm as well.

This is one of Nikko’s most important shrines. It mainly enshrines Onamuchi-no-Mikoto, also known as Okuninushi-no-Kami, and is said to bring blessings for relationships, family well-being, and financial fortune. I went to the worship area and followed the traditional Japanese way of bowing, clapping, and putting my hands together to pray. It was a very special feeling. Although it’s hard to put into words, in the peaceful atmosphere I was able to temporarily let go of life’s worries and sincerely make wishes for myself and my family.

While shopping at Tokyo Station First Avenue, I made a point of buying some cookies from YOKU MOKU. I've always loved their rolled cookies, and this time I also tried the Earl Grey flavor. You can smell the subtle tea aroma as soon as you take a bite. It has a pleasant fragrance and isn't overly sweet. The distinctive aroma of Earl Grey pairs very well with the milky flavor of the rolled cookie itself!

Of course, you can’t visit Uji without trying some matcha desserts. This time, I made a special trip to the Tsujiri Uji Main Store and bought some matcha cookies. As soon as I opened the package, I could smell the subtle matcha aroma. The matcha flavor was very rich with each bite—not just sweet, but with the slight bitterness and fragrance unique to matcha. They were sweet without being too rich, and I liked them more and more as I ate them. Anyone who normally likes matcha will probably love them, especially those who enjoy a strong tea aroma!

My first impression of Uji Shrine was how peaceful and secluded it felt. Compared with the bustling tourist attractions in central Kyoto, it has a quieter, more relaxed atmosphere. Once inside the shrine, I was surrounded by greenery, without too many noisy voices, so I could take my time appreciating the shrine buildings and garden scenery. The surroundings naturally made me slow down, and I felt much more relaxed. Although the shrine isn't as grand as a large temple, it has a simple, comfortable beauty, and even casual photos capture the feel of a traditional Japanese shrine.

When we arrived at Arakura Fuji Sengen Shrine, the first thing that greeted us wasn't the beautiful scenery, but an endless row of stairs! Looking up, the stairs stretched all the way upward, and it really felt like there was no end. At first, I was full of confidence and thought it would be fine if I took it slowly, but before long I was already out of breath, and my legs were getting heavier and heavier. Along the way, I kept telling myself to hang in there a little longer and climb just a few more steps. Still, I couldn't help stopping to rest several times, and I even started to wonder why I had put this on the itinerary.

But since we'd already come this far, of course we had to keep going and make it to the top! When we finally reached the high point, the view instantly made us forget how tired we'd been. Mount Fuji came fully into view in the distance, its majestic shape looking especially spectacular beneath the blue sky. The densely packed houses and streets below, together with the layers of mountains in the distance, created a very beautiful landscape. Standing up high in the gentle breeze and quietly admiring the beauty of Mount Fuji, I couldn't help taking out my phone and snapping photo after photo. I wanted to capture the view from every angle.

This is also a popular photo spot that many people consider a must when visiting the Mount Fuji area. Although the climb up was exhausting, the impact of seeing Mount Fuji right in front of you is truly hard to put into words. All I can say is that beautiful views don't come easily—this one was earned entirely with our own two legs! I recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes and allowing plenty of time to climb at a leisurely pace. Looking at that long stretch of stairs on the way down, I finally realized just how many we'd climbed, and my legs were already starting to protest!

Yakatabune Mikawaya offers a very distinctive traditional sightseeing boat experience in Tokyo. On this trip to Japan, I specifically arranged to take a yakatabune cruise to experience a different side of Tokyo. The boat has a very traditional Japanese appearance, and while onboard, you can enjoy views of the city along the river, which feels completely different from exploring on land. As the boat slowly cruises along, you can take in the riverside scenery and bridges!