楊華's Reviews

Hateruma Island

A inhabited island in Okinawa’s Yaeyama Islands and the southernmost inhabited island in Japan. Close enough for a day trip from Ishigaki Island, it can be reached by high-speed boat or ferry, and air service resumed in 2024. Scenic spots showcasing its natural beauty are scattered across the island, including Takanazaki, where the Monument Marking Japan’s Southernmost Point and the Southernmost Peace Monument stand on a dramatic cliffside cape, and Nishi Beach, a popular spot for swimming and sunset views.

Miyako, Yaeyama (Ishigaki Island), Kume Islands
Tourist Attractions

13 Oct 2025 See More

Hateruma Island is seriously gorgeous! The water is so blue and the sand is so white—it’s the kind of view that makes you say wow 🌊✨
The whole island is really peaceful, so it’s perfect for just relaxing or slowly biking around. I especially recommend visiting the Monument Marking Japan’s Southernmost Point and Star Sand Beach. Both are super unique.
At night, you can see a sky full of stars, which feels so romantic 💫 It’s absolutely worth visiting at least once!

Hanayagura Observatory

Mt. Yoshino, known for its approximately 30,000 cherry trees in bloom, is a famous cherry blossom spot. A popular viewing location is the Hanayagura Observatory, reached by climbing the steep, curvy Shishiozaka slope. It is said that here, Sato Tadanobu, a retainer of Minamoto no Yoshitsune, once shot arrows at enemies pursuing them from the mountain's base to facilitate Yoshitsune's escape.

Nara
Observatories

9 Jul 2025 See More

This place is gorgeous! It really feels like standing inside a painting, especially during cherry blossom season—it's absolutely dreamy.

Paris Ogawaken Original Raisin Wich

Established by the Western-style restaurant Ogawaken, founded in 1905 in Tokyo's Shimbashi district. During the mid-Showa period, Jun Ogawa (the second-generation owner) and his brother Akira Ogawa perfected the original Raisin Wich recipe, leading them to establish the dedicated pastry brand "Paris Ogawaken."

Tokyo
Snacks

8 Jul 2025 See More

The cookies are nice and crisp, filled with rich cream and sweet raisins. They’re not too sweet and really addictive—perfect for enjoying with tea.

TOKYO SKYTREE(R) TOKYO SKYTREE TOWN(R)

Boasting a height of 634 meters, TOKYO SKYTREE is the world’s tallest free-standing tower which stands in the center of TOKYO SKYTREE TOWN surrounded by tourist facilities. The tower has two observation decks, Tembo Deck at a height of 350 meters and Tembo Galleria at 450 meters.

Asakusa, Tokyo Skytree
Observatories

27 Jul 2022 See More

When you look down from the Skywalk, the buildings look tiny and the cars look like toy cars. I recommend getting a fast pass ticket—it saves you a lot of time.

Gokasho Kondo Cityscape

Gokasho Kondo Town is located in Higashi Omi City in central Shiga Prefecture. The Gokasho-Kindo area is known as a place associated with the Omi merchants. The main residences of the Omi merchants and traditional farmhouses have been selected as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings by the national government because of their outstanding historical landscape.

Shiga
Famous Places

9 Aug 2021 See More

Basically, these are just the old homes of merchants that were renovated and opened to the public after they became successful.

Gunkanjima (Hashima Island)

Hashima, also known as “Gunkanjima” or “battleship island”, is an uninhabited island that sits approx. 18km off the port of Nagasaki. With the island’s surrounding concrete breakwater wall and multi-story apartment complex inside, the island was nicknamed “Battleship Island” for its apparent resemblance to Battleship Tosa.

Nagasaki
Tourist Attractions

9 Aug 2021 See More

I haven't been there myself, but after watching the Gunkanjima movie and hearing some of the heartbreaking stories, this place really feels like a ghost island.

Mt. Yoshino

Mt. Yoshino is acclaimed as the best spot to see cherry blossoms in all of Japan. In the spring, the entire mountain is washed with flowering trees as they bloom from the Shimosenbon (the lower 1,000 trees) at the foothills up to the Okusembon (the inner 1,000 trees).

Nara
Nature Spots

8 Aug 2021 See More

This is a famous spot for cherry blossom viewing in Japan. You can ride the country’s oldest cable car and enjoy the mountain covered in blooming sakura. Beautiful experience!