Ichinokura's Himezen has a very refreshing sweet-and-tart flavor. It starts with a light sweetness, followed by a slight tartness. The overall taste is very pleasant and doesn't feel too heavy.
It's very smooth and easy to drink, with just the right balance of sweetness and tartness. It's especially refreshing when served chilled. For people who don't usually like a strong alcohol taste, this mild flavor is also easier to enjoy.
Miyakojima’s Yukishio “Powder Salt”
Yukishio (Powder Salt) from Miyakojima - A Versatile Gift from the Okinawan Sea A specialty product of Miyakojima, Yukishio is a fine, snow-like powder salt made from the pristine seawater of Okinawa. Unlike regular table salt, Yukishio retains the natural bittern (nigari) minerals that are usually removed-giving it a mellow sweetness and rich umami flavor along with its saltiness.
Miyakojima's Yukishio “Powder Salt” is a specialty souvenir from Miyakojima, Okinawa. The fine, powdery salt looks just like snow and is also very easy to use. I brought some home to try and found that the saltiness was very mild, rather than just sharply salty.
KITTE Hakata
Conveniently located with direct access to Hakata Station, KITTE Hakata is a large-scale commercial complex developed by Japan Post as part of its “KITTE” brand. Spanning B1 to 11 floors above ground, this larger-than life complex boasts approximately 30,800 square meters of retail space and a heaping catalog of impeccable dining and shopping.
Browsing “0101” in Hakata, there are lots of clothes, sundries, and household goods to take your time looking through, and the overall atmosphere is very lively. Each floor has different brands and products, so it’s easy to lose track of time and spend quite a while browsing.
Besides enjoying the food in Hakata, I also set aside time to shop here. Whenever I saw something I liked, I couldn’t help stopping to take a look.
Kotohiragu Shrine
The head shrine of Kotohira Shrine stands on Mt. Zozu. It is visited by about 4 million worshippers a year. The main deity, Oomononushinokami, has been known since before the Middle Ages as a guardian deity of maritime traffic and a deity that brings a bountiful harvest and prosperity of industry and culture.
My strongest impression of Kotohiragu Shrine in Kagawa was, “There are seriously so many stairs!” As I climbed, the scenery and shrine buildings along the way were very distinctive, but toward the end, my legs really started to feel sore.
As I made my way up the steps, I stopped along the way to rest and catch my breath, constantly thinking, “How much farther is it?” When I finally reached the shrine, it really felt like I had completed a challenge. I was completely exhausted, but seeing the view in front of me still made it feel worthwhile.
Kotohiragu Shrine is an attraction that requires some stamina. If you aren't mentally prepared before coming, the endless stairs will really take you by surprise! Still, walking the whole way myself made it a very memorable part of the trip. Next time, I'll definitely wear comfortable shoes and take my time climbing!
