Achi Shrine | Review by Eddie

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Achi Shrine

The guardian of Kurashiki atop the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter. (Kurashiki Beautiful Sight Quarter)

5 Oct 2026 See More

When I visited Kurashiki, I stopped by Achi Shrine after walking around the Bikan Historical Quarter. I originally thought it would be a quick visit, but first I had to climb a stretch of stairs, and the walk up was actually pretty tiring, haha.

But once I reached the top, it felt completely different from below. It suddenly became much quieter, and the area was surrounded by trees and traditional shrine buildings. As I walked around, I could also see the streets of Kurashiki from above, which was a different view from what I'd just seen in the old town.

I don't think Achi Shrine is especially grand, but it's a nice place to visit while you're in the area. If you're visiting the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter, you can spend a little extra time walking up here to enjoy the breeze and take some photos, then slowly make your way back down. Overall, it felt quite relaxing.

Other Reviews by Eddie

Kouri Ohashi Bridge

The Kouri Bridge, inaugurated in 2005, is a remote island bridge spanning 1,960 meters, connecting Yagaji Island in Nago City and Kouri Island. As the second-longest bridge in Okinawa that can be crossed for free, it is renowned for the breathtaking view of the emerald-green sea stretching on both sides. This makes it not only a popular drive route but also a highly sought-after scenic spot.
- Yanbaru, Nago, Motobu
- Tourist Attractions
5 Oct 2026 See More

I originally thought Okinawa would be cooler in October, but I didn't expect it to still be this hot. It was honestly a little surprising, haha!

When I arrived at Kouri Island, the first thing I noticed was how blue the water was and how clean the beach was. Just standing by the ocean and enjoying the scenery put me in a good mood. Unfortunately, I was on a day tour this time, so we could only stay for about 30 minutes. It was really too short. I only had time to walk on the beach and take some photos, and before I could fully enjoy it, it was already time to leave.

Kouri Island actually feels like the kind of place that's best explored at a leisurely pace. If I could arrange my own schedule, I could probably spend more time by the ocean and enjoy Okinawa's island atmosphere. If I get another chance, I might have to drive here myself so I won't have to keep rushing and can really appreciate the beauty of this place. This visit was just a quick preview—I'll find another opportunity to come back and explore it properly!
Naha Kokusai-dori Shopping Street

Naha City Kokusai-dori Shopping Street is located in the center of Naha City and is the main street representing Okinawa. It is the largest downtown area in Naha City and is famous as the center of commerce and entertainment. It is known as "Kokusai-dori (International street)," based on the concept of "a people-friendly town and a town that is fun to walk through.
- Naha, Shuri, Itoman, Nanjo
- Shopping Streets
5 Oct 2026 See More

Kokusai-dori is really lively at night, with people everywhere. Don Quijote in particular was packed, and it would take quite a while to browse the whole store. After walking all evening, my feet were really sore and aching, but even though I was already tired, I still couldn't bring myself to go back to the hotel. I kept thinking I should walk around a little longer. After all, it's not often that I get to visit Okinawa, so of course I wanted to fully experience the lively atmosphere at night too.

I also took a photo of a MOS Burger with a green sign, which was different from the red signs commonly seen in Taiwan. It felt pretty novel when I saw it. That's what travel is like. Sometimes you don't necessarily need to plan any particular attractions. Just walking around the streets, browsing, and seeing different stores and street scenes can leave you with plenty of interesting memories too.
Shirakawa Hachiman Shrine

Nestled within the World Heritage-listed Shirakawa-go gassho-zukuri (thatched-roof) village, this shrine dates back to the Wado era (708-715).
- Gifu
- Shrines & Temples
3 Oct 2026 See More

This time I visited Hatogaya Hachiman Shrine. Compared with other, more famous shrines in Japan, it was much quieter here. There weren’t huge crowds, and I didn’t have to keep waiting for people to move out of the way before taking photos. I could take my time walking around and taking pictures, and the whole setting felt very comfortable.

Personally, I think this place is really great for photography. Every angle has a different feel, and every photo comes out looking good. You also don’t have to worry about getting a bunch of strangers in your shots, so you can frame your photos however you want. That’s a big plus! At popular shrines, sometimes you have to wait a long time just to find a good angle, and you still might not get a photo you’re happy with. A quieter place like this lets you really appreciate the surroundings instead.

It was really nice to come across a place like this during the trip. There was no need to rush or squeeze through crowds. I could just walk around and take photos slowly at my own pace. If you also like quieter shrines and want to take some good photos, you’ll feel very comfortable exploring here and can come away with plenty of photos you like.