Besides the ski resort and outlet mall at the Prince Hotel, Karuizawa is also perfect for exploring by bicycle. Kumoba Pond is a gorgeous lake that visitors often come to see. It is a long, narrow man-made lake surrounded by bald cypress and maple trees. It takes about 20 minutes to walk around the pond. The water is as clear as a mirror, reflecting beautiful scenery in every season. If you can visit in the fall, you can include it as one of your stops for viewing the autumn leaves. Each season offers different scenery. Being here lets you forget the noise and fast pace of the city, slow down, and enjoy the view.
Kumoba Pond | Review by hdwf2002
Other Reviews by hdwf2002
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Azabudai Hills
Azabudai Hills, is the megaplex hub that opened in Azabu in November 2023 with some 150 shops for fashion, culture, and unbeatable food across its floors. The central plaza and halls throughout feature fresh greenery and wide open, luxe vibes to bring you the best of dining and shopping.
Azabudai Hills is a large shopping and dining complex made up of several buildings, about a 15-minute walk from Tokyo Tower. There are many must-try places to eat inside, making it worth visiting for afternoon tea, lunch, or dinner. If you come in early spring, I recommend stopping by Sakura Asa Street. The cherry blossoms in full bloom alongside the distinctive architecture offer a little moment of happiness in the big city of Tokyo.
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Osu Kannon Temple
This temple is the branch headquarters of Shingon Sect, Chisan School, officially called “Kitanosan Shinpukuji Hoshoin Temple ”. It started in Hashima City, Gifu and moved to the current location by General Tokugawa Iyeyasu’s order. It is regarded as one of Japan’s Three Kannon Temples along with Asakusa Kannon in Tokyo and Tsu Kannon in Mie.
Osu Kannon Temple in Nagoya is one of Japan’s three major Kannon temples. Besides its centuries-old history, its location is very convenient for travelers on a short visit to this bustling area. The surrounding Osu shopping streets are divided into many sections, offering everything from food and vintage toys to the latest fashions and electronics. Even without an itinerary, once you step onto the shopping streets, you’ll naturally follow the crowds and see where your feet take you. It truly is a must-visit attraction. Highly recommended!
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Sakura Jingu
Koshiki Shinto is a belief system that emerged spontaneously in Japan from ancient times-founded in 1882 in Kanda, Tokyo, to revive the ancient Shinto tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation since ancient times. Unlike the "Nirei-Nihakushu-Ichirei" used by most Shinto shrines, the official way of worship is "Nirei-Shihakushu-Ichirei" (two bows, four-beat, one bow).
Besides the commonly recommended spots in Tokyo during cherry blossom season, Sakura Jingu is a highly recommended place to see early-blooming cherry blossoms. From Shibuya, take the train to Sakura-shimmachi Station, and it’s just a short walk from there. Of course, besides the beautiful cherry blossoms, the main highlights are the limited-edition omamori charms and goshuin stamps. There’s always a line during cherry blossom season, so I recommend arriving early. The wait is usually over an hour. If you don’t want to wait in line, you can also draw an omikuji fortune. It has a square design with a bell inside and can also be used as a decoration or souvenir.
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