Ise Jingu is said to be a place every Japanese person should visit at least once in their lifetime, and I’ve been there twice!
The first time, I underestimated the travel time and could only rush through the Inner Shrine. This time, I gave it another try and successfully visited both the Inner Shrine and the Outer Shrine.
Travel guides say the proper order is to visit the Outer Shrine first and then the Inner Shrine, so we took the Kintetsu train from Toba to Iseshi Station. As soon as you exit the station, you can see a huge torii gate, and straight ahead is the approach to the Outer Shrine. There are quite a few tasteful shops lining both sides of the path. On the shrine grounds, the irises by Magatama Pond had already started to bloom. Walking along the gravel path surrounded by greenery on both sides, we finally arrived at the main shrine to pray.
After that, we took a bus to the Inner Shrine. The Isuzu River was as clear as ever and left an unforgettable impression. Finishing my visit to the Inner Shrine truly made up for the regret I had carried for years.
Ise Jingu | Review by 金己田
Other Reviews by 金己田
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Lake Biwa
Lake Biwa, which belongs to the first-grade Yodo River system and is located in the center of Shiga Prefecture, occupies an area of about 670 k㎡, or about one-sixth of the prefecture's land area, and is the largest lake in Japan in terms of both area and water storage capacity, with 27.5 billion tons of water pouring in through rivers from the surrounding mountains of Ibuki, Suzuka, and Hira, all of which are over 1,000 meters high.
Even though Lake Biwa is a lake, it feels as vast as the ocean, so there are many ways to enjoy it. Whether you take a relaxing walk along the shore or look down on it from above, the views from every angle are picturesque. The calm surface of the lake also has a soothing effect and makes you feel at peace.
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Omokagebashi Bridge
Omokagebashi is a bridge spanning the Kanda River, a first-class river in Tokyo, connecting Toshima Ward and Shinjuku Ward. It is also the name of a tram stop on the Toden Arakawa Line, affectionately known as "Tokyo Sakura Tram." In spring, it's a popular spot for cherry blossom viewing, attracting numerous visitors.
From Takato Bridge to Edogawabashi, about 2 kilometers of the riverside are lined with cherry trees, and the area around Omokagebashi Bridge has the densest concentration.
I started from Edogawabashi that day. There were some people along the way, but it never felt crowded, so I could freely capture the quiet beauty of the cherry blossoms reflected on the water and the way they cascaded down like a waterfall.
Even though the blossoms were not yet in full bloom when I visited, the feeling of spring was still unforgettable. If you do not enjoy overly crowded tourist spots, the Kanda River is absolutely worth a visit. -
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Milk Stand Akihabara
Milk Stand Akihabara is a specialty shop for bottled milk located in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. This long-established stand has been in business for more than 70 years since it opened in 1950. It is on the 3rd floor of JR Akihabara Station, on platform 5 of the JR Sobu Line. Its signature items are bottled milk varieties from regions all across Japan.
Grab a bottle of milk before your train arrives!
This milk specialty shop inside JR Akihabara Station brings together bottled milk from all over Japan. There were so many choices that it was hard to decide, so I started with the winner and runner-up from the milk popularity ranking!
Hokkaido 4.0 milk was rich and flavorful, while the Shinshu Azumino one was light and smooth. According to the lady at the shop, that one was the previous year's No. 1, and I liked it better too.
There’s also a row of vending machines next to the shop where you can buy regional limited-edition milk. I honestly recommend trying Fukushima’s Rakuo, especially the coffee au lait! -
