This was my first visit to Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park. I had always wanted to take an outdoor trip away from the city, so this time I specifically planned a visit to Nishizawa Valley, known for its beautiful scenery. As I followed the forest trail, I could hear the sound of flowing water and enjoy views of clear streams, unusual rock formations, and dense forest along the way. I also crossed the Futamata Suspension Bridge, which offered a different perspective on the valley's natural scenery. Unfortunately, the weather was a little unstable that day, with occasional light rain. For safety, I decided to turn back after reaching the suspension bridge. I had been most looking forward to Nanatsugama Godan Falls, a magnificent landscape formed by five tiers of waterfalls and emerald-green pools. I was disappointed that I didn't get to see it in person this time, so I'll just have to come back on a clear day to complete the trip.
Nishizawa Valley | Review by Linda Liao
Other Reviews by Linda Liao
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Unagi Pie Factory
Shunkado’s Unagi Pie is a staple Shizuoka souvenir. You can observe the production process of Unagi Pie, which is popular for its crunchy texture and the perfect amount of sweetness, at the factory, which is brimming with a playful spirit, like all the railings are in the shape of eels. In addition, you can purchase goods at the factory-direct shop and enjoy sweets made with Unagi Pie at the cafe. It’s definitely a popular place for families and couples.
When visiting Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, how could you miss the famous Shunkado Unagi Pie? Travelers who enjoy this souvenir may want to plan a visit to the Unagi Pie Factory to learn more about how this popular treat is made. The factory tour shows you the production process, from making the dough to baking it. Every step is quite interesting and makes you look forward to tasting the finished product even more. There is also a shop where you can buy Unagi Pie in different packages and even find limited-edition products. Best of all, the company thoughtfully provides visitors with a souvenir, so everyone can leave with something to take home.
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Blue Festival Featuring Iris and Lavender
Kuki City has a nationally famous spot for iris and lavender. Shobu-Joshi Ayame-En (Iris castle ruin garden) has almost 16,000 irises, and around Shobu Sogo Shisho (Iris general office), there are Lavender Garden, Lavender Banks, and Shirasagi Park with nearly 11,000 lavenders planted.
If you enjoy flowers, don’t miss Hokkaido’s flower-viewing season in mid-June! This is when all kinds of flowers are in full bloom, and the summery Iris and Lavender Blue Festival is especially worth a visit. Throughout the grounds, different flowers compete to bloom, with purple lavender and colorful blossoms creating a beautiful landscape that makes you want to slow down, take it all in, and snap some photos. Besides enjoying the sea of flowers, you also shouldn’t miss the popular lavender ice cream. It has a light, delicate lavender fragrance, is sweet without being too rich, and has a very distinctive flavor. Walking through the flower fields with an ice cream in hand and Hokkaido’s captivating summer scenery before you truly gives you that happy feeling of being on vacation.
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Date-Style Irori Grill Kuranosho Main Branch
Just a 3-minute walk from Sendai Station in Miyagi Prefecture, Kuranosho Main Branch is a long-established izakaya founded in 1987. As a gateway to Sendai, it’s loved not only by locals but also by travelers and business visitors. The house specialty is irori-yaki, grilled over a large irori hearth. An irori is a traditional Japanese heating fixture, a sunken hearth fueled by firewood or charcoal.
When visiting Sendai, besides beef tongue, I also highly recommend experiencing robatayaki, one of the area’s most representative food traditions. This style of cooking is said to have originated in 1950 at Kyodo Shutei Ganso Robata, founded by Tomiya Amano in Sendai’s Kokubuncho district. Fresh fish, seafood, and vegetables are slowly grilled over charcoal, allowing the ingredients to retain their natural flavor and sweetness. What I love most is the warm, welcoming atmosphere. Guests sit around the charcoal grill, drinking and chatting while watching the chef skillfully turn the ingredients. Some traditional restaurants even serve the food using long-handled wooden paddles, adding a distinctive sense of ceremony. The aroma of charcoal mingling with lively conversation and laughter really lets you experience the appeal of a Tohoku izakaya!
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