The kind of local Japanese spot locals go to, but tourists can totally enjoy too. They focus on soba and fried stuff—nothing flashy, just solid, honest flavors. It feels light and not greasy.
The soba goes down smoothly, and the dipping sauce is just right. The fried sakura shrimp is their signature—crispy, with a really distinct shrimp flavor, and it pairs perfectly with the noodles. Prices are pretty reasonable, and the portions aren’t over the top. You finish feeling satisfied, not stuffed.
Shoan Shimizu Miho Sohonten | Review by Bibi Chen
Other Reviews by Bibi Chen
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Tempozan Ferris wheel
With a height of 112.5 meters and a diameter of 100 meters, this is one of the world's largest Ferris wheels, lasting about 15 minutes per lap. On a clear day you can see as far as Mount Ikoma in Nara Prefecture to the east, the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge in Hyogo Prefecture to the west, Kansai International Airport to the south, and Mount Rokko in Hyogo Prefecture to the north. While you are here in Osaka, you can feel as if you are taking a round trip around the Kansai area.
This Ferris wheel is really perfect for a nighttime ride. The lights are beautiful, and it moves pretty slowly, so it doesn’t feel too intense. You can just relax and enjoy the night view of Osaka Port.
On a clear day, the view is awesome, and you can even see places farther away. There’s also a shopping mall and aquarium nearby, so it’s a great area to spend half a day exploring at a relaxed pace.
The only downside is that it can get a little crowded during peak hours, but overall it’s still definitely worth riding at least once. It has that romantic, laid-back Osaka Port vibe. -
Goza-no-ishi Shrine
A shrine known for its striking vermilion torii gate near the north shore of Lake Tazawa. Local tradition says that in the Muromachi period, mountain ascetics devoted to Kumano Gongen used this area for training. The name is said to come from Keian 3 (1650), when Akita Domain lord Satake Yoshitaka toured Lake Tazawa and sat on a stone here to rest.
Goza-no-ishi Shrine feels really peaceful and quiet. The place is small, but the vibe is super comfortable.
It’s right by the lake, and on a nice day the view is genuinely great. Just standing there looking out over the water feels really relaxing.
It’s usually not crowded, so it’s an easy, laid-back stop. Perfect to swing by for a walk, take some photos, and soak in the calm lakeside shrine atmosphere. -
Furano Ski Resort
Furano Ski Resort is located just 10 minutes by car from downtown Furano in Hokkaido. It is also known as part of the “Hokkaido Powder Belt,” which boasts some of the world’s finest powder snow.
This place is perfect for winter fun! The snow is super fine and fluffy, so it feels great to ski on. The slopes are big enough for both beginners and experienced skiers to find something they like.
The scenery nearby is gorgeous—on clear days, you can see the Daisetsuzan mountain range, which makes for dreamy photos.
After skiing, you can head into town for good food or a hot spring. The whole trip is just awesome!