If you get tired while exploring Ueno Park and want somewhere to rest, consider stopping by the Starbucks Ueno Onshi Park Store. The exterior was deliberately designed to blend in with the surrounding greenery, and the simple building complements the park's natural scenery. Sitting inside or outside with a cup of coffee feels especially relaxing. Ueno Park is huge, so it's actually quite difficult to see everything in one visit. Walking all the way from Ueno Toshogu Shrine and Shinobazu Pond to the museums can easily wear you out. Taking a break at a café like this to recharge before continuing your walk makes for a very pleasant outing.
Starbucks Coffee Ueno Onshi Park Store | Review by Linda Liao
Other Reviews by Linda Liao
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Yufudake
Located northeast of one of Japan's premier hot spring resorts, Yufuin Onsen, Yufudake stands at an elevation of 1,583 meters. This twin-peaked active volcano is known for its sheer majestic grandeur and often referred to as the "Mt. Fuji of Bungo”. Legeng here traces back to ancient times when the peak was revered as sacred mountain, appearing in texts as early as the "Bungo Fudoki" and Japan's oldest poetry collection, the "Manyoshu”.
The first time I saw Mount Yufu in a travel photo, I was deeply captivated by its scenery. In summer, its slopes are covered in lush greenery and full of life. This time, I visited in early winter. From a distance, Mount Yufu had already changed into its fall and winter attire, with a thin layer of white snow covering the summit like a dusting of frosting. It lacked the liveliness of summer, but had a more solitary and mysterious beauty. Mount Yufu stands about 1,583 meters above sea level and is one of Yufuin's most iconic mountains. Because of the silhouette of its two side-by-side peaks, it is also affectionately known as the “Mt. Fuji of Bungo.” Its appearance changes with the seasons, and whether it is covered in verdant forests, fall foliage, or winter snow, each view has its own charm.
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Fukuoka Castle Ruins
The castle was built by Yoshitaka (Kanbei) Kuroda and his father Nagamasa over a seven-year period beginning in 1601. It is known as “Maizuru Castle,” the residence of the Kuroda clan of the Fukuoka domain, which reigned throughout the Edo period.
Whenever I have some free time during a business trip to Fukuoka, I always enjoy taking a walk around the Fukuoka Castle Ruins and Ohori Park, stealing away half a day of leisure. That time, while strolling around the moat, I happened upon a man focused on sketching outdoors beside the rustic Shiomi Turret. Following the tip of his brush with my eyes, I saw a pond full of water lilies blooming gracefully, their small, delicate flowers floating gently on the green surface, creating an especially serene and elegant scene. I quietly stood behind him, admiring the delicate reflections of the lilies in the pond while watching him capture this beauty on canvas. At that moment, the man absorbed in his painting and the pond full of water lilies were also a beautiful scene in my heart.
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Satsumachi Kagoshima-Chuo Station – Miyage-Yokocho/Gourmet-Yokocho
Located right outside the ticket gates on the 2nd floor of JR Kagoshima-Chuo Station, a major Kyushu Shinkansen hub, Satsumachi Kagoshima-Chuo Station is the perfect place to find local souvenirs and gourmet delights. At "Miyage-Yokocho," 24 souvenir shops offer a diverse selection of regional specialties, from traditional and Western sweets to Kagoshima delicacies. Signature souvenirs include "Karukan" from Akashiya and "Satsuma-age" from Tsukiagean-both classic local treats.
Whenever I travel to a new city, browsing the souvenir shops inside the station has long been a regular part of my trip. This place brings together all kinds of Kagoshima specialty souvenirs, from famous local sweets and Kurobuta pork products to other regional specialties, all in one place. When you get tired of shopping, there are also restaurants where you can sit down and enjoy a proper meal. My usual routine is to finish visiting the day's attractions, return to the station, and then browse around to see if there is anything good I missed. If you still haven't bought enough, you can come back to stock up before leaving Kagoshima! It's convenient to get to and has plenty of choices, so you don't have to worry about missing any classic souvenirs.
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