Santa Maria, a sightseeing sailing boat of the Osaka Port | Review by Linda Liao

The popular dessert B-speak fresh cream roll is a must-buy souvenir for many people! This cake wraps rich, smooth whipped cream in a soft, delicate sponge. It looks simple and unassuming, but the cake and cream are perfectly balanced. It isn't overly fancy, which just makes you want to keep eating bite after bite.

Getting this cake was quite an ordeal~ We knew before our trip that it was very popular, and we walked into the shop full of anticipation, only to find that the tourists ahead of us had bought the last roll. It was a complete shock. We had made a special trip there, only to leave empty-handed, so we were a little disappointed. Unexpectedly, a pleasant surprise came on the Yufuin no Mori sightseeing train on our way back! When we saw that they were selling it on the train, our eyes lit up and we immediately bought one with Japanese yen. Although it was smaller than the full roll sold at the shop, only about half the size, we were all thrilled just to have found it again. We couldn't wait to open it and share it. The delicate cake and smooth cream were gone in no time. Even now, this dessert that we unexpectedly managed to get still seems especially delicious!

When visiting Amanohashidate in northern Kyoto, besides admiring the magnificent scenery of one of Japan's Three Scenic Views, don't miss Kasamatsu Park! Take the cable car or an open-air single-seat chairlift to the top, where you can look down on Amanohashidate's distinctive sandbar. The most famous view here is the “Ascending Dragon View.” Just bend over and look at the scenery upside down through your legs, and the pine-covered sandbar stretching across the bay appears to transform into a giant dragon soaring into the sky. It's quite spectacular and also a lot of fun. There are two ways to reach the top, and I personally prefer the open-air single-seat chairlift! With no cabin blocking the view, you can enjoy unobstructed views of the mountains, forests, and sea along the way. Slowly riding up the mountain in the gentle breeze is very relaxing.

I visited Kyoto’s Nishijin Textile Center several years ago, and the traditional craftsmanship displayed here still leaves a deep impression on me! This attraction is free to visit and offers an up-close look at Nishijin textiles, one of Kyoto’s representative traditional crafts. Artisans demonstrate the weaving process on-site. Watching the threads pass back and forth between their skilled hands, gradually forming intricate and delicate patterns, was truly impressive. The movements may look simple, but they require intense concentration and meticulous skill. Staring at countless fine silk threads for long periods must also be extremely demanding on the eyes and mind. Plain-looking threads are transformed by the artisans’ skillful hands into gorgeous, elegant textiles, with years of expertise hidden in every detail. The center also holds fashion shows featuring models in graceful, elegant kimono, giving visitors a chance to appreciate the beauty of different styles and woven patterns. These live demonstrations let you see not only the beauty of kimono but also the appeal of Kyoto’s traditional craftsmanship being passed down from generation to generation.