Most of the boatmen will sing or give explanations (mainly in Japanese).
Even if you don’t understand, it still feels quite charming.
Rain, extreme heat, or cold will definitely make the experience less enjoyable, especially in summer when it gets so hot you start questioning your life choices.
Yanagawa River Boating | Review by Derek Ho
Other Reviews by Derek Ho
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Harmonica Alley
Located just outside the north exit of Kichijoji Station, this small alley is home to about 100 shops. The name “Harmonica Alley” is said to come from the fact that the line of small storefronts looks like the holes on a harmonica. Many of the shops sell delicious things to eat, so it’s a great place to stroll while sampling some of the delights. At night, red lanterns light the many izakayas (Japanese style pubs), which are a popular place to have a drink.
It’s especially awesome at night. With the lights and all the chatter, it totally has that Japanese nightlife feel.
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Kushiro City Red-Crowned Crane Natural Park (Kushiro Japanese Crane Reserve)
Doors flew open in 1958 at this esteemed park founded to protect and increase the population of red-crowned cranes, a designated Special Natural Monument of Japan. Once on the brink of extinction, the reserve successfully implemented artificial hatching and advanced breeding techniques that saved the species.
Seeing the red-crowned cranes in winter is especially awesome. The snowy scenery with those white cranes just feels so Japanese.
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gashacoco Ikebukuro
Just about a 2-minute walk from Ikebukuro Station, “gashacoco Ikebukuro” is a specialty shop dedicated to capsule toys. With a sales floor of about 150 tsubo (about 495 m²), it boasts around 1,500 capsule toy vending machines. The lineup spans a wide range of genres, including anime characters, Heisei retro, and food motifs.
I was trying to get an anime character, but I ended up with some super weird food designs instead. It was honestly so funny 😂
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