The Sendai Castle ruins are larger than I imagined. Walking around, you can get a sense of the scale of the former castle. There are no complete buildings left to visit, and the most striking sight is the equestrian statue of Date Masamune, a must-see landmark here. That day, I also came across elementary school students on a field trip. The children listened attentively to the guide and learned about Sendai's history. Their focused and adorable expressions left a deep impression on me. The castle ruins are located on high ground, offering wide-open views overlooking downtown Sendai.
Sendai Castle Ruins (Aoba Castle) | Review by Linda Liao
Other Reviews by Linda Liao
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Kamakura Goro Honten "Kamakura Caramel Sand Dayo"
Released in January 2023, this exclusive treat is available only at Haneda Airport. Kamakura Goro Honten, a confectionery brand with its main store on Komachi Street in Kamakura, created this limited-edition product.
Kamakura Goro's Hangetsu cookies have a satisfying crunch, and the sweet and tart apple flavor is refreshing without being too rich, which left a strong impression! The caramel sandwich cookies exclusive to Haneda Airport were an even bigger surprise. The crisp cookies are paired with a rich filling of nuts and caramel chocolate, creating a deliciously rich, layered texture. Both are beautifully packaged and delicious souvenirs.
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Kiyoken "Old-fashioned shiumai
About 800,000 shiumai are produced daily according to a recipe that has remained unchanged since the product's launch. The signature product, "The old-fashioned Shiumai," has been a long-time favorite souvenir of Yokohama since it was first sold in 1928.
Kiyoken is a legendary Yokohama shop with a century of history, and the defining feature of its signature bite-sized shumai is that they're still extremely delicious even when cold! The shumai are specially made with carefully selected domestic pork and scallops. They're small and delicate, just the right size for one bite. The savory meat juices blend with the rich sweetness of the scallops, giving them a firm, springy texture and a distinctive taste of the sea. In addition to the classic original flavor, the shop often offers special scallop, Berkshire pork, and seasonal varieties. Its signature shumai bento, served with bamboo shoots and pickles, is one of the most iconic old-fashioned foods of Japanese train travel!
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FRANÇAIS "Yokohama Millefeuille”
Francais is the "Brand of confectionery that allows you to enjoy [fruit]." The brand has been highly acclaimed in the Monde Selection, a competition that recognizes the best quality food products by gourmets around the world.
A popular souvenir that my Japanese coworkers like to buy~ Crisp layers of pastry are filled with a rich filling, then covered with a thin layer of chocolate. With each bite, the crisp, fragrant pastry blends with the rich chocolate, creating an extremely layered texture. There are plenty of flavors, including strawberry, lemon, pistachio, and hazelnut, and they often sell out in no time.
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