The weeping cherry trees here are huge and stunning—no wonder they're among Japan's top 100 cherry blossoms. The samurai houses are also the most iconic Edo-period samurai street, so it's no surprise Kakunodate is called the 'Little Kyoto of Mutsu.'
Samurai Residences in Kakunodate | Review by Chun-Hao Wang
Other Reviews by Chun-Hao Wang
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Daimyojaya
Daimyojaya, founded in 1962, is a long-established kappo located about a 5-minute walk from Kanazawa Station. You can enjoy reasonably priced Kaga kaiseki (traditional multi-course cuisine) using seafood from the Sea of Japan and Kaga vegetables. It is highly trusted by local luxury ryokan, and it is frequently featured on gourmet TV shows. It is known as one of Kanazawa’s leading Kaga cuisine restaurants.
The ingredients feel fresh, and the flavors are on the steady, classic side.
You don’t come here just to get full—it’s more about the whole experience. -
Kuromon Market
Kuromon Market in Minami, the heart of Osaka, is said to have started around 1822 and was approved as an official market by Osaka Prefecture in 1902. The market got the name “Kuromon Market (Black gate market)” because the gate to Enmyoji Temple near the market was black. Since then, it has been loved as Osaka’s favorite kitchen, and it has become a popular tourist attraction these days.
You can find almost anything in this market, and there are tons of snacks. I especially picked out seafood to try—so satisfying!
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Tower of Osaka Castle
Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who unified the country during the Azuchi-Momoyama period (1568-1600), began construction of the tower of Osaka Castle in 1583 and completed it in 1585. The castle was later destroyed during the Osaka Natsu no Jin（summer campaign of Osaka） in 1615, but was rebuilt by the Tokugawa Shogunate in 1626. However, the castle keep was destroyed by lightning in 1665. In 1931, the castle tower of the Toyotomi period was reconstructed with donations from Osaka citizens.
I'm really curious how they managed to transport such huge stones with the engineering techniques of that time.
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