Yasaka Koshindo | Review by Gina C

This is a very famous tourist attraction near Mount Fuji, known for its crystal-clear spring ponds. It’s also a great place to enjoy Mount Fuji’s natural scenery. Walking into the area feels like entering a small village filled with traditional Japanese charm, surrounded by Japanese-style buildings, thatched roofs, and flowing streams. The whole setting is very distinctive.

Oshino Hakkai is actually made up of eight spring ponds. The water comes from snowmelt on Mount Fuji, which emerges after being filtered through layers of earth over a long period of time. As a result, the water is so clear and transparent that you can clearly see the bottom of the ponds. In the sunlight, the water takes on a beautiful blue-green color, and together with the surrounding natural scenery, it’s truly beautiful! Standing by the ponds, you can’t help but marvel at the wonders of nature. Even casual photos have the atmosphere of the Japanese countryside.

Besides viewing the spring ponds, there are also quite a few shops nearby selling local specialties, where you can buy snacks and souvenirs while strolling around and enjoying the relaxed countryside atmosphere. If the weather is good, you may also get to see Mount Fuji rising behind the village. The snow-covered summit paired with the traditional Japanese buildings makes for a very charming view. However, Mount Fuji is often obscured by clouds, so seeing the entire mountain really takes a bit of luck!

I think when visiting Hokkaido, besides enjoying the snowy scenery and exploring Otaru and downtown Sapporo, you can also set aside some time to shop at a drugstore. Especially during the last few days of your trip, you can pick up any skincare products and souvenirs you still want to buy. However, the product selection, prices, and promotions may vary by location, so it’s worth comparing them a little before buying to find items you like at a good price.

Narita Airport has lots of stores to browse, offering everything from well-known Japanese souvenirs, popular snacks, sweets, and cookies to all kinds of specialty products. It’s truly a paradise for shopping lovers! Especially before returning to Taiwan, if you haven’t finished buying souvenirs, it’s a great chance to shop while waiting for your flight. The wide variety of Japan-exclusive products can be overwhelming. Sometimes you only plan to browse, but end up unable to resist buying several more bags.

Besides shopping, the airport also has dining options. Before your flight, you can get something to eat and take a break before getting ready to board. I recommend arriving at the airport early and leaving enough time for check-in and shopping, so you don’t miss out on something you want to buy because you’re in a rush.