If you also love the idea of a water-side getaway, I’d definitely recommend a trip to Oirase Gorge in northeastern Japan and a stay at Hoshino Resorts Oirase Keiryu Hotel.
You can listen to the soft rain falling on the leaves and grass, and drift off to sleep with the gentle sound of the stream. It’s incredibly relaxing.
The hotel’s facilities and service were excellent. What stood out most to me, besides the art installation in the lobby, were the welcome apple tea, the apple wall in the restaurant 🍎, and the apple desserts.
The air was filled with phytoncides, the earthy scent of the soil, and the sweet aroma of apples. It was truly healing!
Hoshino Resorts Oirase Keiryu Hotel | Review by 周黛西
Other Reviews by 周黛西
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Kanmon Bridge was wrapped in clouds and mist. It's a key transportation link connecting Honshu and Kyushu, and the Kanmon Straits run below it. There's also an undersea tunnel you can walk through.
Shimonoseki is the hometown of former Prime Minister Abe, and I unexpectedly came across his authentic calligraphy while dining at a restaurant. -
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When I got to Shimonoseki, my first stop was Karato Market. The fresh fugu sashimi was sliced paper-thin, and there was also nigiri sushi and a huge variety of seafood on display.
But honestly, all I really wanted was a photo with the fugu. -
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The main building has a strong Japanese-Western architectural style, and the interior is clean and beautifully organized. Studying in a place like this must have felt wonderful, so it’s no surprise that it produced many outstanding figures of the Meiji Restoration.
Visiting Meirin Gakusha also brought back memories of many old school buildings in Taiwan, especially elementary schools built during the Japanese colonial period. It would be wonderful if they could also be preserved and managed in a similar way. -

















