SAKURA MACHI Kumamoto—Between the Historic Castle and the Future, Bringing the Journey to a Close
At the end of our trip, we arrived at SAKURA MACHI Kumamoto. The glass curtain walls reflected the drifting clouds, modern streetcars traveled through the streets, and department stores, the transit center, and urban green spaces came together to create a new way of life. Not far away, Kumamoto Castle still stood quietly, preserving centuries of historical memory.
The new and the old may seem at odds, yet they find the most natural balance in this city. The historic castle reminds people not to forget where they came from, while modern architecture leads the city toward the future. Technology makes life more convenient, but it cannot replace the warmth left by history; nor should the marks carved by time hinder the steps of progress.
Our five-day, four-night trip through Kyushu came to an end amid this contrast. Perhaps what we truly take away from travel is not just the scenery captured by our cameras, but an understanding of a city—progress and old-world simplicity have never been an either-or choice, but rather complement each other through the passage of time. As the train departed once again, I left with this feeling, looking forward to returning to Kumamoto someday to see how the city will write its next chapter.
SAKURA MACHI Kumamoto | Review by 陳泰任
Other Reviews by 陳泰任
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Otaru Sakaimachi Dori Shopping Street
Located just one street away from the main thoroughfare facing the Otaru Canal, Sakaimachi-dori flourished during the Meiji and early Showa periods, becoming Otaru's main street.
Otaru Canal | Travel Notes
Stepping into Otaru, Hokkaido, feels like entering a nostalgic cityscape painting. Strolling along the Otaru Canal, the old stone warehouses, gas lamps, and street scenery give off a unique northern charm. Along the way, I admired the well-preserved historic buildings around the canal and got a sense of Otaru’s former prosperity as a port city.During the trip, I also visited neighborhoods with a foreign flair, admiring distinctive clock towers, churches, and red-brick buildings. Every casual snapshot captured scenery worth keeping. I stopped at a cozy cafe along the way to have coffee and chat with family and friends, adding a touch of leisure and warmth to the trip.
Otaru’s beauty lies not only in the canal itself, but also in the unique charm created by its old buildings, streets, people, and Hokkaido’s fresh air. This trip to Otaru left me with more than just photos—it also gave me wonderful memories worth savoring.
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Lake Toya
There is no better attraction than the natural landscape of Lake Toya in Hokkaido. The area around a caldera lake, Lake Toya , and an active volcano, Mt.Usu, was designated as the Toya- Usu Unesco Global Geopark in UNESCO Global Geopark.
A Trip to Lake Toya | Time in Hokkaido Among the Lake and Mountains
Arriving at Lake Toya in Hokkaido, I was greeted by a refreshing view of the lake and mountains. The deep blue water sparkled in the sunlight, while Mount Yotei and the distant mountains were reflected on the lake beneath the blue sky and white clouds, like a landscape painted by nature.Strolling along the lakeshore, colorful flowers bloomed by the water, and a gentle breeze brought a rare sense of leisure and tranquility. Looking out over the vast lake from the Lake Toya Observatory and taking precious photos with family and friends added even more wonderful memories to this Hokkaido trip.
Lake Toya is more than just beautiful scenery. It offers time to slow down, connect with nature, and enjoy the moment. This deep blue lake and magnificent mountain scenery will also become one of the most treasured pages of the journey.
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Mt. Showa-Shinzan
Showa Shinzan, in Shikotsu-Toya National Park, was once a wheat field that was uplifted by Mount Usu's volcanic eruption in 1943. Showa Shinzan is a volcano that has received worldwide attention for its status as a national special natural monument, one of Japan's top 100 geological sites, a Japanese Geopark, and a UNESCO World Geopark, among other things.
Japan Showa-Shinzan Bear Park | Hokkaido Travel Notes
When I arrived at Showa-Shinzan Bear Park in Hokkaido, before I even entered the park, I was drawn to the eye-catching wooden “WELCOME HOKKAIDO” sign at the entrance. The cute bear statues and large brown bear sign immediately created a strong Hokkaido travel atmosphere.
What I looked forward to most, of course, was seeing Hokkaido brown bears up close. Through the secure fences and feeding windows, I could clearly see the bears leisurely moving around and waiting for food. A few even came right up to the fence and curiously interacted with visitors. When they looked up at us, the feeling of both excitement and nervousness made me keep reaching for my camera to capture the moment.
Sunlight poured over the park, and the bears against Hokkaido’s natural scenery created an interesting travel scene. This visit to Showa-Shinzan Bear Park wasn’t just about seeing bears; it also became a Hokkaido memory filled with surprises, laughter, and childlike fun. -
