The Osaka Museum of Housing and Living feels like traveling back to the Edo period in an instant! Inside, old streets, shops, and homes are recreated in great detail. Putting on a kimono for photos makes it feel even more like you’re in old Japan, and every corner is super photogenic.
The museum isn’t huge, but if you take your time walking around and taking pictures, 2 to 3 hours is just right. If you use the Osaka Amazing Pass, admission is free, so the value is really high. I definitely recommend adding it to your Osaka itinerary for an easy way to experience what life in Osaka used to be like.
The Osaka Museum of Housing and Living | Review by 楊雅雯
Other Reviews by 楊雅雯
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Miyazaki Jingu Shrine
This shrine is the crown jewel of Miyazaki, and it worships the first Emperor Jimmu. Alongside the emperor, his parents, the god Ugayafuki-Aezu-no-Mikoto, and goddess Tamayorimi-Himenokoto is worshiped. Visitors pray to the altars in hope for being successful in education, business, and maternity. The festivals in October is dubbed “Jimmu-sama”, and is attended by many.
Visiting Miyazaki Jingu Shrine really feels like stepping into a shrine in the middle of a forest. It enshrines Emperor Jimmu, Japan's first emperor, and his parents, so it has long been a popular shrine where locals pray for marital harmony, a safe delivery, their children's well-being, success on exams, and victory. Walking along the approach lined with towering cedar trees, you naturally slow down, surrounded by the pleasant scent of the forest.
If you're visiting Miyazaki, I recommend taking some time to stop by. It's not just about worshiping; it feels more like a walk through the forest, where you can experience Miyazaki's most relaxed and historic side. -
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Lake Ikeda
Located in the southeastern part of the Satsuma Peninsula, Lake Ikeda is the largest lake in Kyushu, boasting a circumference of 15 km and a depth of 233 meters. Formed over 5,000 years ago through volcanic activity, it took shape after six major eruptions in the surrounding area, eventually becoming the caldera lake it is today.
I was really looking forward to capturing the dreamy view of blue skies over Lake Ikeda with Mount Kaimon, the “Satsuma Fuji,” in the background. Unfortunately, the weather didn’t cooperate, and it was cloudy the entire time. Still, Lake Ikeda was very appealing! It’s one of the largest lakes in Kyushu and a crater lake formed by a volcanic eruption more than 5,000 years ago. The lake is incredibly vast, and walking along the shore was very relaxing. Although there was no sunshine, the lake had a peaceful quality that gave it a different kind of charm.
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HUIS TEN BOSCH
This is the largest theme park in Japan, with beautiful European-like cityscapes and a canal that leads to the sea. The park is decorated with seasonal flowers and illuminations and has a wide range of the latest attractions. The park is also filled with excitement and a moving experience through a variety of events.
Coming to HUIS TEN BOSCH really feels like being transported to Europe in an instant. The park is huge, and everywhere you go there are fairy-tale streetscapes, canals, castles, and fields of flowers. Every corner is photogenic, and every picture looks like a postcard. There are also plenty of rides and attractions. Even after spending the whole day there, it still felt like there was more to do.
The only slight disappointment was that it was cloudy that day. With blue skies, fields of flowers, and European-style buildings, the photos would definitely have looked even dreamier and felt more like a European vacation. But looking at it another way, the cloudy weather made it less hot and sunny while walking around, and I still took tons of beautiful photos!
If I get the chance, I'll definitely come back on a clear, sunny day and capture HUIS TEN BOSCH at its most beautiful. -
