When visiting Matsushima, besides taking a sightseeing cruise, I also highly recommend visiting Zuiganji Temple, one of the Tohoku region's foremost ancient temples with a thousand-year history. Admission for adults is JPY 1,000, and there are several paid parking lots nearby for about JPY 300 per hour. The temple grounds include a museum, the kuri, and the main hall, all simple and solemn, with a strong sense of history. I spent about an hour exploring at a leisurely pace and taking in the beauty of the temple. If you're traveling to Matsushima, it's a good idea to visit Zuiganji Temple and take a cruise on the same day, so you can experience the mountains, sea, and historic temple all at once.
Zuiganji Temple | Review by 楊雅雯
Other Reviews by 楊雅雯
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Nanjo Art Museum
An art museum located in Nanjo City in southern Okinawa’s main island. Rather than simply viewing works in exhibition rooms, it presents itself as a “scenic art museum” where visitors can experience art through nature, architecture, and spaces of everyday life. The permanent exhibition room features a wide range of works by contemporary artists from Japan and abroad, including pieces by Yayoi Kusama, Park Seo-Bo, and Zhang Xiaogang.
The museum isn't very large, but it has a charm all its own. The indoor galleries and outdoor spaces are beautifully designed, and the contemporary artwork is complemented by the surrounding greenery and natural light. Walking through it feels like moving through a series of three-dimensional paintings. There are some contemporary art group exhibitions and galleries here. The works are interesting and make you want to take your time looking at and experiencing them.
When I visited on a weekday, there were surprisingly few visitors. It almost felt like I had the whole museum to myself! Without crowds rushing around, I could leisurely appreciate each work. This kind of quiet time with art was really relaxing.
It's also a great place for photos. Every corner and every play of light feels thoughtfully designed. The café next door is another plus. After seeing the exhibitions, you can sit down for something to eat and a cup of coffee, enjoying the food and the artistic atmosphere. You could easily spend an entire afternoon relaxing here.
If you like art or photography, or just want a quiet place with a nice atmosphere, I think Nanjo Art Museum is well worth a visit.
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Naha Kokusai-dori Shopping Street
Naha City Kokusai-dori Shopping Street is located in the center of Naha City and is the main street representing Okinawa. It is the largest downtown area in Naha City and is famous as the center of commerce and entertainment. It is known as "Kokusai-dori (International street)," based on the concept of "a people-friendly town and a town that is fun to walk through.
This street was redeveloped from ruins after the war. Because it quickly regained its prosperity, it became known as the “Miracle Mile.” Today, around 600 shops line the street, offering everything from souvenirs and cosmetics to duty-free stores, restaurants, and izakayas. It's basically a shopping paradise for tourists.
This time, my hotel was right on Kokusai-dori Shopping Street, which was incredibly convenient! Whenever I got tired from shopping, I could go straight back to the hotel to drop off my purchases, then head out and keep shopping.
The public market is also in the area, where you can buy fresh produce and prepared foods and sample local Okinawan cuisine. At night, you can also enjoy traditional music and dance, so there's never a dull moment walking around.
However, prices on Kokusai-dori are definitely geared toward tourists, and the same items can sometimes be cheaper elsewhere. Still, the selection is extremely concentrated, making it really efficient if you want to buy all your souvenirs at once.
I stayed for 3 full nights this time, shopping from day to night and eating from day to night too.
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Arashiyama Observation Deck (Nago City, Okinawa)
The observation deck offers an arresting view of small and large islands in the peaceful ocean, which is about 25 minutes away from Nago City in northern Okinawa.
Arashiyama Observation Deck in Nago is a relatively lesser-known attraction that feels almost forgotten. The observation deck itself looks a little old and nearly abandoned, but once you go up, the view completely changes your impression!
When the weather is good, you can see the calm Haneji Inland Sea, Yagaji Island, and even Kouri Island in the distance. The blue sky against the deep blue sea looks beautiful no matter how you photograph it.
What surprised me most was that the restroom was cleaner than expected. If you're already planning to visit Kouri Island or northern Nago, this is a good place to stop by along the way. There are few people, the scenery is beautiful, and it's very relaxing to quietly enjoy the ocean views of Okinawa!
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