Yasaka Shrine is located at the eastern end of Kyoto's bustling Shijo Street, just across the road, and is well worth including on a visit to Kyoto. The shrine has a long history dating back to around the 7th century and has long been revered by Kyoto residents and travelers. It is also one of the places where the famous Gion Matsuri originated. Passing through the vermilion gate, you can immediately feel the solemn atmosphere of a traditional shrine. Besides visiting the shrine, it's also nice to stroll around Gion and Hanamikoji and experience Kyoto's distinctive historical charm.
Yasaka Shrine | Review by Linda Liao
Other Reviews by Linda Liao
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Sennichimae Doguyasuji Shopping Street
About 50 stores are lined up in a 150-meter-long arcade. As the name "Doguya-suji" suggests, the stores sell only the tools that support Osaka's food culture, ranging from kitchen equipment used by professionals to tableware for the general public.
As I walked into Doguyasuji Shopping Street, what caught my attention most were the incredibly lifelike food models in the display windows. I had seen Japanese TV programs showing artisans making food models, from choosing materials and shaping them to carefully adding color at the end. Every step requires patience and skill. Seeing the finished products in person this time, I was truly impressed by the artisans' creativity. They looked so realistic that I couldn't help wondering if they were actually edible.
Besides the food models, there are all kinds of beautiful and practical bowls, plates, and utensils to choose from. The dazzling selection was almost overwhelming. What impressed me most was how exquisitely designed even the tiny chopstick rests were. Some were cute and realistic, making even an ordinary meal feel more cheerful!
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Kuromon Market
Kuromon Market in Minami, the heart of Osaka, is said to have started around 1822 and was approved as an official market by Osaka Prefecture in 1902. The market got the name “Kuromon Market (Black gate market)” because the gate to Enmyoji Temple near the market was black. Since then, it has been loved as Osaka’s favorite kitchen, and it has become a popular tourist attraction these days.
If you're bringing older family members to Osaka, I highly recommend adding Kuromon Market to your itinerary. For Taiwanese visitors who are used to traditional markets, it feels both familiar and new. Older visitors in particular often can't help stopping to take a closer look at the dazzling array of fruits, seafood, meat, and dried goods, compare prices, and search for ingredients that are less common in Taiwan.
Kuromon Market is located in central Osaka and has a long history. It gradually developed into a market during the Edo period, initially selling everyday necessities such as fish and vegetables. Because it has long supplied Osaka residents with their daily needs, it later earned the nickname “Osaka's Kitchen.”
Today, Kuromon Market sells not only ingredients but also plenty of freshly prepared everyday snacks, making it easy to eat as you walk around. If you don't want to eat too much, you can also buy some fruit or sweets to enjoy later at your hotel. The most interesting thing about Kuromon Market is how approachable it feels. Here, you can experience the charm of everyday life in Osaka.
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Dotonbori Giant Ferris Wheel Ebisu Tower
A giant Ferris wheel attached to the large discount store “Don Quijote” Dotonbori store along the Dotonbori River, one of the liveliest spots in Osaka’s Minami area, where buildings with flashy signs line both banks. Facing the river, this striking Ferris wheel is the world’s first oval shape, unlike typical circular wheels. Its four-person gondolas also feature a unique mechanism that rotates horizontally mid-ride-the first of its kind in the world.
I especially recommend riding the Ferris wheel at night. As it slowly rises, you can look down over Dotonbori, taking in the brightly lit city, flashing neon signs, lively streets, and dazzling nightscape of Osaka.
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