Gina C's Reviews Page 4/12

At Kiyomizu-dera in Kyoto, besides admiring the spectacular view from the Kiyomizu Stage, you also shouldn’t miss the famous Jishu Shrine nearby! Jishu Shrine is known for prayers for love and relationships, and many couples and solo travelers make a special visit to worship here. The shrine’s most famous feature is the “Love Fortune Stones.” Many people come here to pray for a good relationship, hoping to meet the person they are destined to be with.

Of course, you can't miss all the limited-edition snacks in Japan! This time, I found a rather unusual amazake-flavored Pocky, and just seeing the flavor made me want to buy it and give it a try! Amazake is a traditional Japanese drink with a subtle rice aroma and natural sweetness. Paired with Pocky's crispy biscuit sticks, it has a distinctive flavor. If you're used to classic flavors like chocolate and strawberry, trying a special flavor once in a while feels fresh! If you like collecting limited-edition Japanese snacks, keep an eye out for it. It's great to buy for yourself or as a souvenir, and it was a nice little surprise to discover while traveling!

MIRAIZA OSAKA-JO was originally the former Imperial Japanese Army 4th Division Headquarters, and the building itself has a unique history. After the war, it was used as the Osaka City Museum. Once the museum relocated, the building was renovated and reopened in 2017 as a multipurpose facility with restaurants, cafés, and souvenir shops. I never expected such a stately-looking historic building to have served so many different purposes!

Nara-style souvenirs with deer motifs everywhere. From snacks to cute little items, everything makes you want to take a closer look. Browsing and shopping, eating and taking a break—it’s such a relaxing stop on a trip to Nara!

Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine is definitely worth adding to your itinerary! It enshrines Sugawara no Michizane, known as the “god of learning.” Many people come here specifically to pray for academic success and to pass their exams, so the entire shrine is filled with a strong atmosphere of prayer and wishes.
As soon as you enter the approach to the shrine, the many shops lining both sides make it fun to browse. Besides buying charms and souvenirs, don’t miss the popular umegae mochi. The outside is grilled until slightly crisp, with a sweet red bean filling inside. Eating one as you walk really makes you feel like you’re traveling!

When traveling in Japan, besides shopping, you also shouldn't miss all the delicious souvenirs! This time, I'd like to share Échiré butter cookies. The packaging alone caught my interest, and they're definitely worth trying if you enjoy the aroma of butter.

The cookies' biggest feature is their rich buttery aroma. As soon as you open the package, you can smell a light buttery scent. They're crisp and delicious, with a captivating butter flavor that spreads through your mouth. They're fragrant without being too rich, and every bite makes you want to keep eating.

In Kyoto’s Arashiyama, besides Togetsukyo Bridge and the Sagano Bamboo Forest path, there’s another very interesting attraction: Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama! Its biggest highlight is the chance to observe the Japanese macaques living on the mountain up close. For animal lovers, it’s a very special experience.

However, seeing the monkeys isn’t as simple as just walking into the park. You first have to hike uphill along a mountain trail, which can be a little tiring for people who don’t exercise much! You can enjoy the surrounding natural scenery along the way. Once you finally reach the top, you can see the monkeys roaming freely around the park and look out over the city of Kyoto from above. When the weather is good, the view is quite nice.

As soon as you enter the bamboo grove, towering bamboo rises straight into the sky on both sides, with layers of dense bamboo leaves overlapping to form a lush green tunnel. Walking through it feels like entering another world, surrounded by emerald-green bamboo. It feels especially peaceful and is a striking contrast to Kyoto's bustling streets.

Sunlight filters through the gaps in the bamboo leaves, accompanied by the rustling sound of the leaves in the gentle breeze. The whole scene has the distinctive atmosphere of a Japanese garden.

When visiting Arashiyama in Kyoto, Togetsukyo Bridge is definitely a classic attraction you shouldn't miss! The bridge spans the Katsura River and is surrounded by Arashiyama's natural scenery. Together with the Japanese-style streets and mountain views, it is full of Kyoto charm. Whether you come to see the cherry blossoms in spring, the fall foliage in autumn, or just take a walk, you can enjoy the beauty of each season.

Unfortunately, the weather wasn't on our side when I visited Togetsukyo Bridge this time, and it happened to be raining. Not only was the sky gray and gloomy, but the river had also turned muddy from the rain, losing its usual clear, emerald-green appearance. It was a bit of a shame! I had hoped to photograph the beautiful combination of blue sky, river, and distant mountains, but instead I could only admire a different side of Togetsukyo Bridge in the rain.

Although the weather wasn't ideal, standing on the bridge and watching the Katsura River flow slowly, with the distant mountains shrouded in rain and mist, created the atmosphere of a Japanese ink painting. After visiting Togetsukyo Bridge, you can also stroll around the nearby Arashiyama shopping street, enjoy some food, buy souvenirs, and experience Kyoto's leisurely pace of travel.

When traveling in Osaka, you definitely shouldn't miss Katsuo-ji Temple, known as the "Temple of Winning Luck"! The temple's most distinctive feature is the adorable daruma dolls found everywhere. From the steps and cracks between rocks to every corner of the temple, daruma dolls of all sizes are on display—so many that it's almost overwhelming!

The daruma at Katsuo-ji Temple aren't just decorations; they also symbolize victory and good luck. Many people come here to pray for success in their careers, passing exams, or overcoming the various challenges in their lives. The temple's Japanese garden is also very distinctive. Together with the traditional buildings and stone steps, the entire setting has a strong Japanese temple atmosphere, and walking through it feels especially peaceful.

Unfortunately, the weather wasn't very good during this visit. The sky was overcast, so the scenery lacked the brightness of sunlight, and I couldn't take the photos I had hoped for. It was really a bit disappointing! Still, even in poor weather, you can feel the unique charm of Katsuo-ji Temple. With so many daruma everywhere, you really never get tired of photographing them.