The place that amazed me the most—and that I’ll never forget—on my first solo trip was Miyajima.
I usually get seasick super easily, so I was honestly a little worried before leaving. Maybe I was just too excited, but surprisingly I didn’t feel seasick at all during the whole ferry ride. The ocean views along the way were already beautiful, and once I actually arrived on Miyajima, I was even more blown away.
As soon as I got off the ferry, I saw deer everywhere, casually wandering around the island without being afraid of people at all. The whole island made me slow down without even realizing it. I walked along the streets feeling like I had somehow wandered into a hidden paradise. Even though there were plenty of tourists, it didn’t affect my enjoyment one bit.
I really loved all the little details hidden around Miyajima. The guardian-beast statues at the shrine had such cute expressions—one of them looked adorably goofy, and it made me laugh. The one on the other side looked totally serious, like it was there just to set the tone.
I happened to visit at low tide, so I got to admire the Great Torii up close. That’s when I noticed the pillars were covered in moss, which made me laugh again—it was such a different side of it.
Even now, when I think back on it, I’m still impressed with myself. Even though I knew I get seasick easily, I still chose to take this trip. I didn’t mind that the hems of my pants got covered in wet sand, because everything in front of me was absolutely worth it.
And because of Miyajima, my lucky trip to Japan was given its most unforgettable page.
Itsukushima Shrine | Review by 雨妤魚
Other Reviews by 雨妤魚
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Namba Marui
Located in the heart of Osaka's Minami area, Namba, it is directly connected to the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line Namba Station via an underground pathway, allowing customers to enter without getting wet even on rainy days. It also has good access from other JR and private railway stations.
We came here because my second aunt wanted to shop at either GU or UQ—I forgot, hahaha.
I looked around a bit myself and thought it was just okay〜
But unexpectedly, I went inside and found my favorite, gelato pique!
I thought I’d try my luck and see if they had the shark set, and they actually did! It was for men, but they happened to be having a big summer sale. I originally thought new items wouldn’t be included, but when I checked the official website, it actually was.
(When I looked for it in Okayama before, the last one was in the hands of the woman right in front of me, and the employee told me directly that they were out.
But I actually happened to find it here〜〜〜
The employee went out of his way to find the remaining ones for me and said these were all they had left. I got the feeling he thought I wouldn’t buy them, but I’m the kind of person who’ll surprise you. I didn’t even try them on and bought them right away, hehe.
They were 30% off the original price, with an additional 10% off if you bought two items, plus tax-free shopping. Wasn’t everything perfectly aligned?
And it was my favorite shark design. I must be the goddess of luck, right?
I immediately said, “これください！”
The female employee’s eyes widened, and she quickly called the tax-free counter for me, then led me as we ran all the way through the department store〜
The person at the tax-free counter was a Chinese international student. He told me I was so lucky because they would have closed if they hadn’t just gotten the call. He also said my card looked really fancy.
Then the next second, he actually dropped my card?
Me？？？I was speechless⋯
But anyway, I was super happy that I got those two pieces!
I even went back specifically to thank the female employee〜〜
Then, right when I was feeling happy, my second aunt and cousin got into an argument!
My second aunt thought my cousin had picked a size that was too small, but I think he just likes his clothes fitted?
My second aunt told him to choose for himself, but after he did, she picked another one that she thought was better.
My cousin got super angry right away.
(I’d be angry too
“Then why did you ask me to choose?”
The two of them stayed angry the whole way, so even though I’d gotten my favorite shark set, I didn’t dare show how happy I was at all.
And we actually came to this department store twice. We came back again on the last day because my second aunt probably felt she was a little in the wrong, hahaha.
But in the middle of all that chaos, I also saw a beautiful sunset glow.
On one hand, I unexpectedly got the shark set I’d been longing for. On the other, my family suddenly got into an argument for no apparent reason. Then at the end, I looked up and saw a beautiful sunset.
But that’s what traveling is like—messy and chaotic, but with some very lucky memories worth remembering too, I guess〜(˶‾᷄ ⁻̫ ‾᷅˵) -
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SKIN AQUA Hyaluronic Serum UV
In addition to SPF50+ / PA++++ UV protection, this sunscreen contains a high concentration of three types of hyaluronic acid to help keep moisture on the skin’s surface. It covers a wide range of UV rays, from UV-A to UV-B, and uses Light-Durability Capsule NEO®, which helps keep its UV protection from breaking down due to exposure to light such as UV rays.
Because so many people recommended it, I easily lost all self-control, and it also claims to be non-sticky〜 so I bought it〜 It's so easy to make money off women (⁎⁍̴̛ᴗ⁍̴̛⁎)
I still think it's a little sticky. Compared with others, it's already not that sticky, but I'm pretty picky. It doesn't make your hair stick, though, and it has a faint sunscreen smell!
But I'm also pretty lazy and can't be bothered to apply it, so I don't really know how effective the sun protection is. There are lots of videos where they divide the skin into sections and test products under strong sunlight, and this one is pretty good〜 The strongest is still black tape hahahaha
You can also use it on your face〜 -
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Black Thunder
This chocolate snack is very popular for its affordable price of 40 yen and deliciousness. Cocoa cookie and plain biscuit are coated with chocolate. You can taste the light bitterness of a cocoa cookie matched with the sweetness of chocolate. Crunchy texture and the volume which can fill your stomach lightly pleases you.
Super-sweet chocolate + crunchy cookies = Black Thunder
It had been a really, really long time since I'd had Black Thunder. It was hugely popular for a while, and I was obsessed with it in elementary school. I heard you couldn't even buy it in Japan back then!
I think one of my classmates brought back a bag to hand out to everyone, and everyone looked at them like they were a celebrity. It was hilarious 😆
I was no exception, because I also wanted to taste what everyone was scrambling to get〜
Sure enough, it tasted extra special. I also had a huge sweet tooth back then. Wow, it was so good〜 I really wanted another one.
Back then, anyone who had Black Thunder was a celebrity. Elementary school was so simple and uneventful, haha.
But now,
when I see it at a convenience store, I don't even feel like buying it. So funny.
I've noticed that chocolate products often cause buying frenzies in Taiwan. Does everyone remember the dirty chocolate bun? -
