This is an excellent place to enjoy Aso’s magnificent natural scenery. Standing at the observation deck and looking out, the view is so beautiful that you can’t help but keep taking photos!
The most appealing thing about Daikanbo is that you can look out over Aso’s spectacular mountains and vast grasslands. Layers of rolling mountains stretch into the distance beneath an endless sky. The entire scene is truly magnificent, letting you feel the vastness and awe of nature.
Sumida River Terrace
Sumida River Terrace is a waterfront promenade developed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government along the levees of the Sumida River to improve earthquake resistance and create spaces where people can enjoy the waterfront. About 36 km of the approximately 47 km along both banks has been completed. Despite its central Tokyo location, it offers an open, relaxing setting for walking and jogging.
There are many bridges along the Sumida River, each with its own design and features. As you walk along the promenade, you can also enjoy the cityscape from different angles. If you have enough time, you can also include Asakusa, Azuma Bridge, and the area around Tokyo Skytree to make your itinerary more varied.
Compared with crowded, popular tourist attractions, I prefer places like this where I can slow down and enjoy the scenery. When traveling in Tokyo, you don’t have to pack your schedule every day. Occasionally leaving some time for yourself to stroll along the river and take in the scenery is also a wonderful travel experience!
Rotating Bridge
Spanning the canal between Miyazu Bay and Aso Sea, home to Amanohashidate, one of Japan’s Three Scenic Views, the Rotating Bridge connects Amanohashidate to the mainland where Chionji Temple’s Monju-do Hall is located. This rare bridge swivels 90 degrees to make way for larger vessels such as sightseeing and cargo ships. Officially named “Shotenkyo” (Small Amanohashidate Bridge), it is one of two bridges in the area, the other being “Daitenkyo” (Large Amanohashidate Bridge), which does not rotate.
The Rotating Bridge is near Amanohashidate, connecting the Monju area with the Amanohashidate sandbar, and it’s a bridge that rotates! When a large vessel needs to pass, the bridge rotates about 90 degrees to let it through. This special design is really interesting. It usually looks like an ordinary bridge, so I never expected it to have such a unique mechanism!
If you happen to be there when the bridge rotates, you can watch it turn and see the vessel pass through. It’s a delightful little surprise worth looking out for when visiting Amanohashidate. The scenery around the bridge is also very pleasant, and you can stroll along the waterway and enjoy the laid-back harbor atmosphere near the Sea of Japan.
Itohkyuemon Uji Main Store Tea Room
Itohkyuemon, a long-established tea shop founded in 1832 (Tenpo 3), is located in Uji, one of Japan's leading producers of high-quality tea leaves. While preserving the traditions passed down since its founding, the shop continuously develops new matcha sweets, introducing new values of tea to the world.
The shop has all kinds of matcha desserts, from matcha parfaits and matcha cakes to traditional Japanese sweets. Every one of them is tempting. Matcha’s distinctive aroma and slightly bitter flavor pair well with sweet ice cream and other toppings, making the desserts sweet but not overly rich and full of Japanese flavor. Being in Uji, a place famous for Japanese tea, makes it even easier to appreciate the appeal of matcha culture.
In addition to desserts you can enjoy at the shop, there are also many souvenirs that are perfect for taking home as gifts, such as matcha cookies, chocolates, and various teas. The packaging is beautiful and has a distinctly Kyoto feel, making them great for enjoying yourself or giving to friends and family.
