While shopping in Daikanyama, I happened to wander into Forestgate Daikanyama and discovered that Blue Bottle Coffee had opened here, so I stopped in for a break. The entire commercial complex features a blend of nature, greenery, and modern architecture. It doesn't feel crowded like a traditional shopping mall, but instead has a more relaxed and refined atmosphere. In addition to the coffee shop, it also has restaurants and lifestyle stores, making it a great place to take a break while shopping and experience Daikanyama's distinctive slower pace.
Forestgate Daikanyama | Review by Linda Liao
Other Reviews by Linda Liao
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Namba Marui
Located in the heart of Osaka's Minami area, Namba, it is directly connected to the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line Namba Station via an underground pathway, allowing customers to enter without getting wet even on rainy days. It also has good access from other JR and private railway stations.
Namba Marui is located right next to Osaka-Namba Station, making it very convenient for shopping or planning a day around Osaka. It features clothing, lifestyle goods, accessories, and a variety of distinctive brands. The overall style is fairly youthful, making it a good place to take your time discovering interesting items. The department store also offers tax-free shopping, but Japan's tax-free system will switch to a refund system starting November 1, 2026, so it may take some time to get used to it after that~
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Akama Shrine
This shrine is notable for its vivid vermilion Suitenmon gate, inspired by the mythical Dragon Palace. It enshrines Emperor Antoku, who tragically perished by drowning at the age of eight following defeat in the Battle of Dan-no-ura. Additionally, the site's predecessor, Amidaji Temple, is famous as the setting for the eerie ghost story Mimi-nashi-Hoichi (Hoichi-the-Earless).
After visiting the Nisshin Peace Memorial Hall in Shimonoseki, I still had some time, so I took a walk along the road to Akama Shrine. The bright vermilion Suitenmon gate has a dreamy, Dragon Palace-like feel, and its design is quite eye-catching. I visited in late fall, just as winter was beginning, when the maple leaves had turned shades of red and orange, adding a touch of poetry to the solemn shrine. However, Emperor Antoku, who is enshrined here, has a sad history: in the 1185 Battle of Dan-no-ura, the emperor, only eight years old, drowned at sea along with the Taira clan. Thinking about this history brings a faint sense of sorrow.
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REAL DRIP COFFEE No.12 by Ueshima Coffee House
A new concept by Ueshima Coffee House, a brand that carries on Japan’s kissaten (coffeehouse) culture, REAL DRIP COFFEE No.12 opened in 2019 on the 5th floor of Shibuya Scramble Square Shops & Restaurants. It retains the refined atmosphere of Ueshima Coffee House, while offering an even more evolved coffee experience.
While traveling, I sometimes skip booking hotel breakfast to keep up with my itinerary. Instead, I look for a café along the way, buy a coffee to wake myself up, and get a sandwich to go to fill my stomach. Once, I stopped by Ueshima Coffee House and ordered a latte. The coffee was rich and aromatic, the milk flavor was mellow, and overall it was quite good—somewhere above average. Ueshima Coffee House is a coffee brand owned by Japan's UCC. It combines the charm of traditional kissaten with modern coffee culture, with a particular focus on coffee's rich, full-bodied flavor. The atmosphere inside is also a bit calmer and more nostalgic than at a typical fast-food coffee shop. If you have time, I also recommend sitting down and enjoying it at a leisurely pace.
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