Overall, it was a pretty nice place. The environment is comfortable, the pace feels relaxed, and it’s nice to wander around without feeling rushed. It’s not the kind of spot that makes you go wow right away, but the more closely you look, the more charm it has.
It doesn’t get overwhelmingly crowded, so it’s just right for photos and a walk. A great place to fit into the middle of an itinerary as a relaxing break.
Ibe Townscape | Review by 林雲珠
Other Reviews by 林雲珠
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GRANSTA TOKYO
GRANSTA TOKYO is JR East’s largest train station mall. The huge open space with the sign “SQUARE ZERO” hosts select sweets shops, cafes, restaurants and general stores, which looks like a town itself.
Walking in feels like a mini shopping town.
They’ve got bento from all over Japan, desserts, coffee, and lots of little specialty shops.
It does get pretty crowded, so if you want to browse slowly, make sure to leave yourself some extra time. -
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JR Tokai Food Service Co., Ltd. “Piyorin”
This adorable chick-shaped sweet is made using eggs from Nagoya Cochin, Aichi Prefecture’s prized brand of chicken. A rich custard pudding made with Nagoya Cochin eggs is wrapped in a fragrant vanilla bavarois, then coated with finely crumbled sponge cake to create its fluffy texture and signature chick shape. Each one is decorated by hand-from the wings and beak to the tiny comb-giving every Piyorin its own unique expression.
The little chick shape is so cute—perfect for photos! The dessert itself is super soft and fluffy, like pudding with fresh cream. The texture is really smooth, and it's on the sweeter side, but not in an overwhelming way. Overall, it's a safe choice if you love adorable desserts.
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Oyunuma Pond (Niseko Yumoto Onsen)
Oyunuma is a dramatic hot spring pond located along the scenic Panorama Line that runs between Iwanai and Niseko towns. This geothermal feature was formed by a combination of rainfall, inflow from the Yunokawa (Yusanbetsu River), and the continuous release of high-temperature sulfur gases and thermal steam from beneath the pond.
This place is super unique! The whole pond is steaming, and there's a strong sulfur smell, but it really gives off that hot spring vibe. It honestly feels like watching a giant natural pot boiling water, lol. There are trails around the area, and when I visited in winter, the steam with the snowy scenery was just beautiful. The smell can be a bit intense though, so I wouldn't recommend staying too long. Overall, it's a really impressive natural spot. If you're into geothermal landscapes, you'll definitely think it's cool.
