Shonai Shrine is peaceful and beautiful all year round, but it's especially romantic during cherry blossom season. The shrine honors generations of feudal lords and is rich in history and culture. Definitely worth a visit!
Shonai Shrine | Review by Bibi Chen
Other Reviews by Bibi Chen
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Tempozan Ferris wheel
With a height of 112.5 meters and a diameter of 100 meters, this is one of the world's largest Ferris wheels, lasting about 15 minutes per lap. On a clear day you can see as far as Mount Ikoma in Nara Prefecture to the east, the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge in Hyogo Prefecture to the west, Kansai International Airport to the south, and Mount Rokko in Hyogo Prefecture to the north. While you are here in Osaka, you can feel as if you are taking a round trip around the Kansai area.
This Ferris wheel is really perfect for a nighttime ride. The lights are beautiful, and it moves pretty slowly, so it doesn’t feel too intense. You can just relax and enjoy the night view of Osaka Port.
On a clear day, the view is awesome, and you can even see places farther away. There’s also a shopping mall and aquarium nearby, so it’s a great area to spend half a day exploring at a relaxed pace.
The only downside is that it can get a little crowded during peak hours, but overall it’s still definitely worth riding at least once. It has that romantic, laid-back Osaka Port vibe.
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Goza-no-ishi Shrine
A shrine known for its striking vermilion torii gate near the north shore of Lake Tazawa. Local tradition says that in the Muromachi period, mountain ascetics devoted to Kumano Gongen used this area for training. The name is said to come from Keian 3 (1650), when Akita Domain lord Satake Yoshitaka toured Lake Tazawa and sat on a stone here to rest.
Goza-no-ishi Shrine feels really peaceful and quiet. The place is small, but the vibe is super comfortable.
It’s right by the lake, and on a nice day the view is genuinely great. Just standing there looking out over the water feels really relaxing.
It’s usually not crowded, so it’s an easy, laid-back stop. Perfect to swing by for a walk, take some photos, and soak in the calm lakeside shrine atmosphere.
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Shoan Shimizu Miho Sohonten
Located along Miho Kaido near the UNESCO World Heritage site Miho no Matsubara, this is the very first location of a Shizuoka staple soba chain with 50+ shops mainly in Shizuoka and Aichi. The signature dish is sakura shrimp kakiage, made with carefully selected sakura shrimp, including Taiwan-caught shrimp specially processed for Shoan and locally sourced Suruga Bay shrimp.
The kind of local Japanese spot locals go to, but tourists can totally enjoy too. They focus on soba and fried stuff—nothing flashy, just solid, honest flavors. It feels light and not greasy.
The soba goes down smoothly, and the dipping sauce is just right. The fried sakura shrimp is their signature—crispy, with a really distinct shrimp flavor, and it pairs perfectly with the noodles. Prices are pretty reasonable, and the portions aren’t over the top. You finish feeling satisfied, not stuffed.