Uwajima Castle is one of Japan's 12 surviving original castle towers and No. 83 on the list of Japan's Top 100 Castles! Although the small keep doesn't have much information on display, its old wooden structure is its most precious treasure. Walking on the floorboards and hearing them creak feels like sharing the same moment in time with people from long ago. The view from the top floor of the keep is also captivating! Even more surprising, admission is only JPY 200. There aren't many tourists or much of a commercial atmosphere, and it's as peaceful as a neighborhood park. Besides the keep, the stone walls are another major highlight. Anyone who enjoys exploring castles or studying stone walls should definitely take their time! I spent about 2 hours there and unexpectedly got so much out of it〜
Uwajima Castle | Review by wendy
Other Reviews by wendy
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Kodaiji Temple
At the foot of Mt. Higashiyama, Kyoto, northeast of Hokanji Temple known for Yasaka Pagoda, there is a zen temple. After the death of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, his wife Nene (Kita-no-Mandokoro) moved from Osaka to Kyoto and retired into religion.
高台寺，是豐臣秀吉正室「寧寧」為悼念亡夫、祈求冥福而建立的寺院，也是她晚年生活與長眠之地。擁有深厚歷史底蘊的高台寺，更是京都數一數二的賞楓名所。
可惜這次到訪正值夏天，少了滿山紅葉的絢麗，卻多了翠綠盎然的夏日風情。漫步在枯山水庭園、竹林小徑與古老建築之間，傘亭、時雨亭靜靜訴說著茶道文化，也彷彿還留著寧寧與秀吉的歷史餘韻。
即使沒有遇上最期待的楓紅，夏日的高台寺依然安靜而迷人。放慢腳步，聽風吹竹林、感受樹影搖曳，在京都繁華之中，找到一處讓人沉澱心情的幽靜角落。
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Tofukuji Temple
This is the head temple of Rinzai School. Kujo Michiie wished to have a temple for his family burial under Reverend Shoichi Kokusi’s ministry, and built seven halls during 19 years beginning in 1236.
建於1255年的東福寺，是京都代表性的禪寺之一，也是著名的賞楓名所。寺院歷史將近800年，名字取自奈良東大寺的「東」與興福寺的「福」，寓意規模宏大、寺運興盛。
這裡最有名的就是「通天橋」，每到秋天，橋下兩千多棵楓樹染上紅色，景色美得讓人驚嘆。除此之外，還有日本最古老的三門，以及枯山水大師重森三玲設計的「八相之庭」，不同時代與風格的建築、庭園元素，在這裡巧妙地交會。
有趣的是，東福寺可是「名字有什麼，現場就有什麼」，不像華人取名有時講究「缺什麼補什麼」，東福寺不只名字取得氣派，實際走進來也真的很有「東」與「福」的氣勢。
這次夏天到訪，少了滿山楓紅，卻多了綠意盎然的清幽感。很適合慢慢散步、感受古寺氛圍，也更讓人期待秋天再來看看它最迷人的紅葉景色。
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Pontocho
Pontocho Street runs north to south sandwiched by Kamo River and Takase River, which was originally an island in Kamo River. In the early Edo Period, Takase River was opened and connected to Fushimi, and it began to prosper as a logistics hub. In the late Edo period, it became a downtown. By the early Meiji Period when Kamogawa Dance was performed to promote Pontocho, it was established as a red-light district.
When visiting Kyoto, Pontocho is a street well worth taking your time to explore. It has been a bustling downtown district in Kyoto since the Edo period, and the street still retains a strong sense of old Kyoto. This time, I visited during the day. Without the lively nighttime crowds and noise, the street felt especially quiet and peaceful. Traditional machiya townhouses and narrow alleys line both sides, giving it a uniquely Kyoto charm. Strolling leisurely through the area and experiencing the atmosphere of daily life in the ancient capital has a charm of its own. It's also a great place to take beautiful photos.
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