The Gashapon Department Store is truly an “evil” place. I only planned to look around, but as I kept browsing, I couldn't resist trying a few! Japanese gashapon come in such a wide variety of designs, from cute and comforting items and useful little gadgets to all kinds of wildly creative designs. Most of them are also quite finely made, and even though they're tiny, they're very collectible. Turning the handle is fun too—there's a little thrill to it, and you can test your luck to see if you'll get the one you want most on the first try. Just be sure to quit while you're ahead, or your wallet will take a serious hit〜
Gashapon Department Store Ikebukuro Main Branch | Review by Linda Liao
Other Reviews by Linda Liao
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Dogo Onsen Tsubaki no Yu
Dogo Onsen, often referred to as Japan's oldest hot spring, is even mentioned in the "Nihon Shoki." The iconic "Dogo Onsen Honkan," designated as an important cultural property, has a sister facility called "Dogo Onsen Tsubaki no Yu." This public bathhouse is beloved by tourists and locals alike, serving as a place of relaxation and community.
椿之湯是道後溫泉著名的公共浴場之一，與道後溫泉本館、別管館距離都很近。浴池蠻寬敞的，之前平日的離峰時段去泡湯還幸運包場呢！來松山旅遊一定要來體驗道後溫泉的魅力，才不會不虛此行。
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Hachiman-bori Canal
Omihachiman city is located in the Koto area on the eastern shore of Lake Biwa in the central Shiga Prefecture. It is a scenic castle town where the blessings of Kokoku (Lake Country) and old and new Western and Japanese culture are alive.
When it comes to Omihachiman in Shiga Prefecture, you definitely can't miss Hachiman-bori Canal, with its Edo-period atmosphere. This waterway was once an important transportation route for the castle town below Mount Hachiman and was closely connected to the development of the Omi merchants. Today, white-walled storehouses, old machiya townhouses, and stone-paved paths still remain along the canal, and walking through the area feels like stepping into a time tunnel.
Spring is an especially good time to visit. When the cherry blossoms bloom in April, the soft pink flowers stretch along the canal banks. Together with the gently flowing water, small bridges, and historic buildings, the scenery looks picturesque from every angle. It isn't as crowded as the more popular cherry blossom viewing spots, so it's very pleasant to take a leisurely walk and take pictures. If you have time, you can also take a boat ride and admire Hachiman-bori from the water, experiencing the history and scenery of this small town from a different perspective.
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Omi Beef Morishima
Omi beef is one of the top-3 wagyu brands from Japan. This spot, Omi Beef Morishima has been in business for 142 years, for about as long as the beef brand itself. It started in 1879 when beef consumption was still not popularized in Japan. Its roots trace back to opening in the Asakusa area of Tokyo as a butcher shop and beef hot pot eatery, known as “Yone-kyu” and has hasn’t stopped ever since.
Omi Beef Morishima is a very popular Omi beef restaurant in Omihachiman that specializes in Omi beef dishes. You can enjoy all kinds of beef dishes here, from melt-in-your-mouth marbled steak to sukiyaki and beef sushi, all of which are very tempting. As one of Japan’s three major wagyu brands, Omi beef has a fine texture and is tender, with a natural sweetness that makes it especially enjoyable to eat. If you have the chance to visit Omihachiman, I highly recommend trying it.
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