Lake Shikotsu | Review by 陳泰任

Travel Notes from Noboribetsu Marine Park Nixe in Hokkaido, Japan

Our Hokkaido trip brought us to Noboribetsu Marine Park Nixe, a marine world that looks like a fairy-tale castle. Upon entering the park, the first thing that caught our eye was the magnificent red-brick castle. It stood out against the deep blue sky and became an unforgettable sight on our journey.

As we strolled through the park, we enjoyed the European-style streetscape and Ferris wheel, but the rich variety of marine life inside was even more impressive. Schools of tropical fish swam through enormous tanks, while colorful coral and reefs created a vivid underwater world. Walking through the transparent underwater tunnel, with fish swimming overhead, was also a fascinating experience.

We took photos in front of the aquarium, capturing the joy and emotion of this trip. Noboribetsu Marine Park Nixe is more than just a place to see marine life. It feels like a journey combining castles, nature, and fairy tales, adding romance and surprise to our Hokkaido trip and leaving us with wonderful memories to look back on.

Nerima, Tokyo · Musashino Academia Musicae

Through an opportunity for musical exchange, we stepped into this world-class music school. From the campus’s stately, richly layered architecture to the elegant library spaces inside, every corner exudes a strong artistic atmosphere. Entering the concert hall, a huge pipe organ stood quietly on the stage. The wooden interior and carefully designed acoustics let us feel the power of music before we even heard a note.

When the orchestra began playing, the stage, space, and sound blended together. The emotion wasn’t just felt by the children; it deeply moved us as well. Watching young students pursue their musical dreams here, we as parents couldn’t help but want to return to our own student days and once again experience the purity and joy of learning amid the sounds of the piano and musical movements.

This trip was not only a musical exchange, but also a journey that reawakened our hearts through music.

A Taste of Home Beneath TOKYO SKYTREE

TOKYO SKYTREE in Tokyo's Sumida City is the most prominent landmark on the city's skyline. During the day, its massive structure soars into the clouds; when night falls, its lights illuminate the city, creating another captivating view.

In April 2023, we visited TOKYO SKYTREE and unexpectedly came across a familiar and welcoming Taiwan Festival. Red lanterns hung overhead, crowds bustled about, and all kinds of Taiwanese street food filled the streets of a foreign country. For a moment, although we were traveling in Japan, it felt as if we were back at a night market at home.

Compared with the strong local Japanese culture of Fukuoka's yatai food stalls, the Taiwan Festival beneath TOKYO SKYTREE offered a different kind of cross-border exchange. Taiwan's warmth and Japan's orderliness came together naturally in this modern city—not in conflict, but in remarkable harmony.

As we gazed up at TOKYO SKYTREE and enjoyed the familiar flavors of home, the sounds of Japanese streets filled our ears while memories of Taiwanese night markets appeared before our eyes. Perhaps the most captivating part of travel is unexpectedly finding a familiar feeling in an unfamiliar city.