I went to the Winter Story event by Lake Towada, and it was super fun and magical. If you take this shuttle bus, you can also check out places like the Oirase Gorge ice falls—so convenient! I hope I get a chance to ride the shuttle again once the pandemic is over.
Lake Towada Winter Shuttle Bus | Review by Risa Lee
Other Reviews by Risa Lee
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Nogeyama Zoo
Nogeyama Park is located up on a hill that looks out over Yokohama city, and it is also the home of Nogeyama Zoo. Opened in 1951, the zoo is home to around 1,800 animals across around 80 types, including giraffes, lions, and lesser pandas (also known as red pandas).
Nogeyama Zoo is right in Yokohama, so it's easy to get to, and admission is free. Took my kids and they had a blast. You can see animals like giraffes up close. The best part was getting to hold cute animals like guinea pigs and little hens.
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Hitachi Seaside Park
Hitachi Seaside Park is a large park that spans an area of about 215 hectares. During springtime, daffodils, tulips, and nemophila bloom. In early summer, there are roses, and in summer, there are zinnias and sunflowers. Autumn brings forth kochia and cosmos. During winter ice tulips, plum blossoms, and other seasonal flowers bloom. In particular, the nemophilia that bloom from mid-April through early May are lauded for their gorgeous blue color, blending the sky, sea, and flowers together into a vast expanse of blue.
The park was closed last year. Looks like it's open for visits this year. April and May are the best times to see the nemophila in full bloom. No matter the season, you can always enjoy a variety of seasonal flowers and plants here.
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Tonkatsu Taro
Tonkatsu Taro is the original birthplace of tarekatsudon, a signature dish from Niigata City. Tonkatsu Taro’s special katsudon is a large portion of five thinly sliced pork cutlets dipped in their secret sauce.
Sauce katsu is one of Niigata's specialty dishes. I heard Tonkatsu Taro is the original shop for Niigata-style katsu. Unlike other places, their katsu doesn't come with egg or any veggies. The taste is good, but if you're not a fan of oily food, it might feel a bit heavy.
