Hakodate Yunokawa Hot Spring | Review by Linda Liao

That evening, I was hurrying to catch the Mt. Hakodate Ropeway to see the night view when I happened to pass by Motomachi Roman Catholic Church and couldn't help but stop. Illuminated by warm yellow lights, the white building looked especially elegant, with the outlines of its spire and rounded tower clearly visible. The most distinctive feature was the rooster ornament at the top of the spire, adding a touch of whimsy to the solemn church. The church dates back to 1859 and was rebuilt in 1923 after a fire. The current building incorporates Gothic-style architecture, and the altar inside was donated by Pope Benedict XV. I had only planned to pass by quickly, but it unexpectedly became a beautiful sight on my evening walk.

Shinagawa Station is a major transportation hub in Tokyo, so naturally there are many commercial facilities around it. Whenever I pass by Atre Shinagawa, I can't help but go in for a look around. Its biggest advantage is that it's directly connected to the station, making it very convenient to fit in some shopping as soon as you exit. Compared with the designer boutiques in department stores, I prefer the shopping atmosphere here. You can take your time discovering lesser-known Japanese clothing brands, household goods, and all kinds of thoughtfully designed Japanese products, and often come across interesting little items unexpectedly. If you get tired from shopping, you can also stop by Blue Bottle Coffee for a drink and enjoy a relaxing break.

Japan is a mountainous country with frequent earthquakes, so it places particular importance on disaster preparedness education. During this visit to the Tokyo Fire Museum, I not only learned about the history of firefighting and rescue equipment, but also learned from the staff how to respond to fires and earthquakes, as well as how firefighters carry out rescue operations in their daily work. Various firefighting vehicles and historical artifacts are also on display, making disaster preparedness knowledge more engaging. After the visit, I realized even more deeply that we should prepare emergency kits, familiarize ourselves with evacuation routes, and develop proper awareness ahead of time so that we can remain calm when an actual emergency occurs.