陳泰任's Reviews Page 1/2

Nerima, Tokyo · Musashino Academia Musicae

Through an opportunity for musical exchange, we stepped into this world-class music school. From the campus’s stately, richly layered architecture to the elegant library spaces inside, every corner exudes a strong artistic atmosphere. Entering the concert hall, a huge pipe organ stood quietly on the stage. The wooden interior and carefully designed acoustics let us feel the power of music before we even heard a note.

When the orchestra began playing, the stage, space, and sound blended together. The emotion wasn’t just felt by the children; it deeply moved us as well. Watching young students pursue their musical dreams here, we as parents couldn’t help but want to return to our own student days and once again experience the purity and joy of learning amid the sounds of the piano and musical movements.

This trip was not only a musical exchange, but also a journey that reawakened our hearts through music.

A Taste of Home Beneath TOKYO SKYTREE

TOKYO SKYTREE in Tokyo's Sumida City is the most prominent landmark on the city's skyline. During the day, its massive structure soars into the clouds; when night falls, its lights illuminate the city, creating another captivating view.

In April 2023, we visited TOKYO SKYTREE and unexpectedly came across a familiar and welcoming Taiwan Festival. Red lanterns hung overhead, crowds bustled about, and all kinds of Taiwanese street food filled the streets of a foreign country. For a moment, although we were traveling in Japan, it felt as if we were back at a night market at home.

Compared with the strong local Japanese culture of Fukuoka's yatai food stalls, the Taiwan Festival beneath TOKYO SKYTREE offered a different kind of cross-border exchange. Taiwan's warmth and Japan's orderliness came together naturally in this modern city—not in conflict, but in remarkable harmony.

As we gazed up at TOKYO SKYTREE and enjoyed the familiar flavors of home, the sounds of Japanese streets filled our ears while memories of Taiwanese night markets appeared before our eyes. Perhaps the most captivating part of travel is unexpectedly finding a familiar feeling in an unfamiliar city.

Tobu Museum: Echoes of Railway History

When we arrived at the Tobu Museum in Tokyo's Sumida City, we originally thought we would just look at model trains and take pictures of old trains. But once we entered the exhibits, it felt like stepping, little by little, into a corridor through the history of Japanese railway development. Through actual railway cars and historical materials, the Tobu Museum traces the development of Tobu Railway from its founding to the present day.

What caught our attention most were the rows of carefully preserved old trains. From early coal-burning, steam-powered locomotives to the electric trains that followed as the railway was gradually electrified, each era has its own appearance and stories. The dark brown vintage electric train was especially charming in the modern exhibition space, with its wooden body, retro windows, and pantograph on the roof. Meanwhile, the vintage train preserved outdoors looked even more like a scene transcending time beneath the blue sky. The museum also preserves Tobu Railway's early No. 5 steam locomotive and a wooden electric train used during the early days of electrification in 1924, making the evolution of railway technology more tangible.

Interestingly, the boy didn't seem particularly excited about the model trains along the way. But when we came face-to-face with locomotives that had actually once raced along the tracks, we all slowed down without realizing it. Looking at the massive machinery, wheels, connecting rods, and driver's controls, we realized that trains are more than just transportation. They also carry the story of how people in an era traveled, lived, and journeyed far from home.

We didn't rush through this visit. Instead, it made us stop and take our time. From coal and steam to electrification and modern railways, trains changed more than just speed; they also changed the distance between people and cities. As we left the museum and looked back at the rows of old trains, it felt as though we could still hear whistles echoing from deep within the years.

Under the Olympic Rings: The Tokyo Olympic Museum

Arriving in Shinjuku, Tokyo, and stepping into the Japan Olympic Museum feels like opening a door through time into the world of sports. Originating in ancient Greece, the Olympic spirit brings together top athletes from around the world every four years to pursue their dreams and push their limits under the five-colored rings. For many athletes, simply reaching this global stage is one of the greatest honors of their lives.

Although we can't attend every Olympic Games in person, we can take the opportunity during a trip to Tokyo to visit this museum and slowly gather memories of the Olympics. The enormous Olympic rings outside are the most eye-catching landmark, while inside, the museum houses Olympic flames, torches, medals, clothing, and valuable footage from past Games. Each exhibit is not only a piece of sports history but also a record of stories and changing times.

In particular, looking at the many Olympic torches of different shapes displayed on the wall, everything from their designs and materials to their symbolism tells of each host city's vision for this global event. As historical footage plays before your eyes, the moments of running, sweating, cheering, and crying offer a renewed understanding of the true meaning of “Faster, Higher, Stronger—Together.”

Sometimes travel is not just about seeing scenery, but about collecting pieces of history that are difficult to experience firsthand. Standing beneath the Olympic rings and feeling the Games' power to transcend borders added a page filled with passion and emotion to the sports journal of this Tokyo trip.

Meiji Jingu Shrine: Making a Wish in a Tokyo Forest

After arriving in Tokyo and passing through the bustling streets of Shibuya, you turn and suddenly find yourself in a tranquil, lush forest. This is the solemn and sacred Meiji Jingu Shrine. At the entrance stands a massive wooden myojin torii gate, said to have been built from a giant thousand-year-old cypress from Alishan, Taiwan. Looking up at it, you can truly feel a sense of awe and reverence.

As you follow the tree-lined path, sunlight filters through the leaves, and the noise of the city gradually fades away, leaving only the quiet rhythm of footsteps and rustling leaves. In front of the main shrine, the dark wooden buildings, gold accents, and elegant rooflines look especially dignified against the greenery.

The most interesting part is the votive tablet area. Countless ema are covered with wishes from people around the world. Some pray for success, some for safety, and others leave blessings for their families. We also sincerely wrote down our own wishes and hung them in the breeze. Perhaps the meaning of travel is to leave behind a beautiful hope for the next chapter—for ourselves and those we love—in an unfamiliar place.

Nakamise Shopping Street: The Atmosphere of a Century-Old Tokyo Street

After passing through the majestic gate of Sensoji Temple, you are greeted by Nakamise Shopping Street, filled with the atmosphere of old Edo. One of Tokyo's most iconic historic streets, it has about 90 shops lining both sides of the approach. From traditional ningyo-yaki and wagashi to Japanese fans, handicrafts, and souvenirs, every shop has a distinctly Japanese feel.

Walking through the bustling street, the traditional lanterns and colorful signs on both sides, together with the old-fashioned storefronts, make it feel as if you've stepped into the Edo period. Looking at the dazzling array of souvenirs in the display windows, I couldn't resist picking out a few sweets bearing the "Asakusa" name, as well as several fans decorated with kimono-clad women, Mount Fuji, and traditional patterns.

This is more than just a shopping street; it's like a time tunnel preserving Tokyo's memories. The crowds come from all over the world, while the long-established shops continue to preserve their familiar flavors and craftsmanship. The solemnity of Sensoji Temple and the liveliness of Nakamise come together along this one street to create a travel scene that feels distinctly Tokyo.

Memories of Asakusa Beneath Kaminarimon

A trip to Tokyo wouldn't be complete without visiting Sensoji Temple. This ancient temple, one of Tokyo's most iconic, attracts tens of millions of worshippers each year and has long been an important landmark where travelers can experience Tokyo's traditional culture. Before entering Sensoji Temple, the first thing that catches your eye is the imposing Kaminarimon Gate. A huge red lantern hangs in the center of the gate dedicated to the gods of wind and thunder, and the gold characters for “Kaminarimon” on a black background are especially striking. It has also become one of the most classic photo spots of the trip.

Passing through Kaminarimon and walking along Nakamise toward the inner temple grounds, the Hozomon Gate and five-story pagoda gradually come into view. The vermilion beams and pillars, intricate bracket work, and layered gray-tiled eaves look solemn and magnificent against the blue sky. Looking back from in front of the temple, amid the bustling crowds and curling incense smoke, the modern vibrancy of Tokyo and the history of the ancient temple come together in this moment.

Kumamoto · Kumamoto Castle (Ginkgo Castle)

The journey began in Kumamoto and also came to an end there. Standing in front of Kumamoto Castle, looking at the black-and-white keep, the massive stone walls, and the traces of history still being restored, I truly understood that even the strongest fortress is no match for the power of nature. Kato Kiyomasa built this famous castle, which remained standing through wars and fires but was severely damaged in the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake. Today, it is being rebuilt step by step using historical construction methods so that its cultural legacy can continue.

On this journey, I saw not only a magnificent old castle, but also the Japanese people's respect for cultural heritage and their indomitable spirit in the face of disaster. History is not just words in a book, but stories that truly remain in every roof tile, every stone, and every wooden structure. A person's life will eventually become a page in history, and the value of travel lies in broadening one's horizons and gaining knowledge with every stop, making life richer by visiting more places and witnessing more stories.

SAKURA MACHI Kumamoto—Between the Historic Castle and the Future, Bringing the Journey to a Close

At the end of our trip, we arrived at SAKURA MACHI Kumamoto. The glass curtain walls reflected the drifting clouds, modern streetcars traveled through the streets, and department stores, the transit center, and urban green spaces came together to create a new way of life. Not far away, Kumamoto Castle still stood quietly, preserving centuries of historical memory.

The new and the old may seem at odds, yet they find the most natural balance in this city. The historic castle reminds people not to forget where they came from, while modern architecture leads the city toward the future. Technology makes life more convenient, but it cannot replace the warmth left by history; nor should the marks carved by time hinder the steps of progress.

Our five-day, four-night trip through Kyushu came to an end amid this contrast. Perhaps what we truly take away from travel is not just the scenery captured by our cameras, but an understanding of a city—progress and old-world simplicity have never been an either-or choice, but rather complement each other through the passage of time. As the train departed once again, I left with this feeling, looking forward to returning to Kumamoto someday to see how the city will write its next chapter.

Fukuoka, Chikugo | Koinoki Shrine—Discovering Love in Its Purest Form Amid the Ordinary

Located in Chikugo, Fukuoka Prefecture, Koinoki Shrine is the only shrine in Japan dedicated to Koinomikoto, the deity of love. It is also one of the few shrines in the country devoted specifically to prayers for good relationships and success in love. From the approach and amulets to the ema plaques and shrine crest, hearts are everywhere, making it feel like a sanctuary filled with happiness and hope.

Unexpectedly, there were no other visitors when I went. The only sounds were cicadas, the breeze, and the quiet warmth of the sunshine. There was none of the romance of Tanabata or the bustle of Valentine’s Day, which made it easier to appreciate the shrine’s true charm. From Lovers’ Bridge and the sacred Koinoki tree to the guardian statues of the 12 zodiac animals, every detail carries blessings for love, destiny, and happiness.

Perhaps I’m already past the age of butterflies, but in this peaceful setting, I was reminded that love does not have to be dramatic. It can simply mean cherishing the person beside you and continuing to walk hand in hand through ordinary days. Koinoki Shrine watches over more than romance—it celebrates the kind of bond that lasts a lifetime. Among all the heart-shaped symbols, this visit helped me rediscover the simplest joy of happiness.