Di's Reviews

HEP FIVE

“HEP” stands for “Hankyu Entertainment Park”, where “entertainment” has both meanings; “entertainment” as well as “hospitality”. It was founded in November 1998 aiming to create a place where we serve hospitality which makes people want to visit again and again. When the bright red ferris wheel first appeared in the middle of the city, it became a hot topic because it was the world’s first ferris wheel which is a part of the building and equipped with air conditioning. Since then, it became a landmark of Umeda.

Umeda, Osaka Station, Nakanoshima Area (Kita)
Commercial Buildings

10 Oct 2026 See More

A place where I blew JPY 50,000 in under an hour without buying a single luxury item. I didn't even have time to finish looking around
Seriously terrifying
You ask me why? I don't know either. I really held back, too ><
Bring your passport to the tax refund counter on B1 to get a coupon for foreign visitors~
The drugstore on that floor also has a surprising number of popular niche products. They had quite a lot of color-depositing shampoo in stock, too (?

Chichu Art Museum

Across Naoshima you’ll find art installations that blur the line between art and nature. The island is also home to Chichu Art Museum, a gallery designed by world renowned architect Tadao Ando.

Kagawa
Museums

10 Oct 2026 See More

The use of points, lines, and planes is taken to the extreme.
The exposed-concrete building designed by Tadao Ando is not only a work of art,
but its use of skylights is also truly textbook-level.
Sunlight streaming through the skylights replaces some of the track lighting used in most traditional exhibition spaces.
Besides the architecture, the works inside are also well worth seeing!
(Be sure to book early during the art festival~)

Kobe Meriken Park Oriental Hotel

With its curving design inspired by white waves, this striking hotel stands out in Kobe’s bay area. Located on Kobe Port’s Naka Pier, it is surrounded by the sea on three sides, offering four distinct views to the east, west, south, and north.

Kobe
Hotels

9 Oct 2026 See More

Sitting on the balcony outside the room, enjoying the breeze and a late-night snack, with an hour-long Ferris wheel light show that never repeats—who knew it could be this chill?
The harbor view is truly spectacular.
The honey black tea in the lobby is also delicious!