Sunshine 60 Observatory TENBOU Park
Located on the 60th floor, this observatory feels like a park in the sky, surrounded by greenery and open space. Whether by day or night, in sunshine or rain, it offers a fun and relaxing experience at any time.
There's an open-air deck on the top floor of the observatory where you can really feel the openness of the sky.
Jigokudani Monkey Park
Located along the Yokoyugawa River flowing from the Shiga Highlands and sitting at an elevation of 850 meters, Jigokudani Monkey Park exists in a harsh environment where one-third of the year is blanketed in snow. With its rugged cliffs and steam rising from hot springs everywhere, it's no wonder the place is called Jigokudani, or "Hell's Valley."
I braved the snow for almost an hour just to see the monkeys soaking in the hot springs. I even almost slipped along the way, but seeing those adorable monkeys made it all worth it.
Kamikochi
Kamikochi offers one of Japan's most spectacular mountain sceneries. Its magnificent landscape is designated as a Special Natural Monuments along with Special Places of Scenic Beauty. Walter Weston, a British Anglican missionary praised Kamikochi in his writing “Mountaineering and Exploration in the Japan Alps” in 1896 which made Kamikochi an internationally well-known mountain area.
I've dreamed of coming here for so long. After a really long walk, the stunning scenery made everything worth it.
GRANSTA TOKYO
GRANSTA TOKYO is JR East’s largest train station mall. The huge open space with the sign “SQUARE ZERO” hosts select sweets shops, cafes, restaurants and general stores, which looks like a town itself.
I hadn't been to Tokyo Station in a long time, and after the renovation, I was honestly so surprised. The whole place feels super clean, bright, and stylish, and they've brought in a lot of popular brand shops. Now, the station isn't just for catching trains—it's a fun place to eat, drink, and shop. The overall design and layout are really impressive. I have to say, the attention to detail from the Japanese is amazing.
Omoide Yokocho
Walk just 2 minutes from the West Exit of Shinjuku Station to find yourself at a retro pub alley. With ticket shops and around 80 different establishments offering delicious food and drinks, it's a great place to enjoy the local cuisine and atmosphere.
A lot of places are open even during the day, but most of them serve simple lunch sets or soba noodles. They have English menus for foreign visitors, and if you want to grab a drink, there are izakayas too.