Ginza is a shopping paradise where many visitors love to browse and shop. After you've finished shopping and your feet are tired, consider taking a walk in nearby Hibiya Park. It's within walking distance of Ginza, so you can easily find yourself in this urban oasis while exploring the area. Each season has its own charm. In spring, you can enjoy soft pink cherry blossoms, while in fall, golden ginkgo leaves and colorful maple leaves decorate the park, creating different scenery as the seasons change. Sometimes it's nice to do nothing at all and simply sit quietly on a park bench, watching people pass by and children play while enjoying the afternoon sun.
Hibiya Park | Review by Linda Liao
Other Reviews by Linda Liao
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Senkoji Mountain Ropeway (Senkoji Park)
Mount Senkoji, one of Onomichi's three mountains, rises 144.2 meters above sea level. Senkoji Park extends from the summit to the mountainside. A ropeway connects downtown Onomichi with the park in about three minutes, offering easy access. Along the way, passengers can admire views of the Onomichi cityscape, which is recognized as a Japan Heritage site.
I've visited many well-known attractions in Japan, but Onomichi is a place I can never forget and have always loved. This unpretentious seaside town lies between the mountains and the sea, with homes, small shops, and temples tucked among its rolling hills. Wandering through them feels like entering a maze, never knowing what surprise awaits around the next corner. To experience Onomichi's charming scenery, start at Senkoji Park and take the Senkoji Mountain Ropeway slowly up to the summit. As the ropeway climbs higher, the city of Onomichi, the Seto Inland Sea, and the islands scattered across the water gradually come into view. The scenery where the mountains meet the sea is refreshing and uplifting. After reaching the summit, you can also stroll through the park, admire the distinctive sight of Senkoji Temple built into the mountainside, and take in the tranquil atmosphere of this ancient temple.
As I made my way down the hillside, what I looked forward to most was visiting Neko no Hosomichi, or Cat Alley! Cat lovers should definitely take a walk here and enjoy the fun of looking for cats. Along both sides of the winding path are many adorable cat-shaped stones, painted stone slabs, and other creations hidden throughout the alleys and corners. Every discovery brings an involuntary smile. You may also unexpectedly encounter real cats along the way. Some are friendly and outgoing, while others are aloof and proud, as if welcoming travelers at their own pace.
Along the way, you can also visit the Onomichi City Museum of Art, an art space tucked away in Senkoji Park and designed by renowned architect Tadao Ando. The clean, minimalist architecture complements the surrounding natural scenery, and simply admiring the building is satisfying. The museum is also known for the adorable, years-long back-and-forth between Ken-chan, a black cat, and a security guard, which adds a heartwarming and amusing charm to the place. During this visit, I happened to catch an exhibition of Utagawa Hiroshige's complete series The Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido, which was another unexpected surprise.
From the magnificent mountain and sea views from the ropeway and the charming atmosphere of the hillside alleys to the leisurely moments filled with cats and art, Onomichi always moves me in unexpected ways. I'm sure I'll return to this captivating town again soon to search once more for the surprises hidden around each corner!
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Kinrin Lake
Kinrin Lake is one of many popular tourist spots in the hot springs town of Yufuin. The lake sits under Mt. Yufu and as such was called takemoto-no-ike (lit. “lake under the mountain”) for years. However, it was renamed to Kinrin, or “golden scales”, by Mori Kuso in 1884 when he saw the golden glimmering scales of fish as they swam at sunset.
In the early morning, the lake was covered in a thin mist, and the chilly air made me instinctively tuck my neck into my collar, as if the lake were veiled in mystery. After waiting for quite a while, the sun finally began to peek out. The morning mist slowly lifted with the light, and the lake and mountains gradually came into view. Ducks swam leisurely across the water, creating an exceptionally peaceful and soothing scene. Kinrin Lake is said to have gotten its name from the way fish scales shimmer gold when the setting sun shines on the water. Also, hot spring water and fresh water flow into the lake from below, so the water stays relatively warm in fall and winter, making it easy for dreamy morning mist to form—one of the lake's special features. There is also Cafe La Ruche by the lake, where you can sit down with a cup of coffee and enjoy the view outside. Set aside one or two hours for a leisurely walk and some photos, and enjoy the relaxing time without rushing to your next stop~
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IBUSUKI NO TAMATEBAKO
This reservation-only sightseeing train makes three daily round trips between Kagoshima-Chuo Station and Ibusuki Station. Its name and concept come from the legendary Japanese tale of Urashima Taro and the Dragon Palace, famously set on the Satsuma Peninsula. The train’s striking exterior-half-black and half-white-represents the story’s transformation: when Urashima Taro opened the magical "Tamatebako" (treasure box), instantly turning his hair from black to white. Mist sprayed when the doors open evokes the white smoke from the box.
Riding Kagoshima's IBUSUKI NO TAMATEBAKO sightseeing train is itself a journey filled with fairy-tale charm! The train's design was inspired by the Japanese legend of Urashima Taro. Its exterior is black and white, symbolizing how Urashima Taro instantly changed from a young man into an old man after opening the tamatebako. Even more interestingly, white mist appears when the train stops at a station, just like the smoke rising from the treasure box when it was opened. It brings the fairy tale into the actual train experience, and I really admire the Japanese ingenuity behind these thoughtful details.
Stepping inside the train reveals a whole different world. The interior has warm wood tones, and instead of the uniform rows found on ordinary trains, the seats are arranged along both sides of the car so passengers can comfortably enjoy the scenery outside. The train travels along the coast, and looking out at the deep blue sea and wide-open sky made me feel relaxed as well. There are also cute children's books inside, so families traveling with kids won't get bored. You can see the care put into every detail!
Trying the train's exclusive pudding is also a must. It's a popular item, so I recommend buying it as soon as you board. Otherwise, if you wait too long, you may only be able to watch enviously as other people enjoy theirs. The train also thoughtfully provides commemorative stamps and postcards for passengers to use for free, giving you a special keepsake from the journey~
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