Hamayaki Noto Fudo Honten
Hamayaki Noto Fudo Honten is a seafood restaurant run by local fishermen. It is located in a community near Noto Bay, making it easy to stop by from nearby restaurants and accommodations. The restaurant was born from efforts to support both the region's fisheries and agriculture, and it is also beloved by locals.
Grilling the seafood yourself is really fun, so you never get bored.
The scallops smell amazing on the grill – definitely a must-order 👍
Kumamoto Ramen Kurotei Main Store
Kurotei, founded in 1957 in Kumamoto City, offers a continually evolving Kumamoto ramen experience. Their creamy, cloudy pork bone soup is paired with fragrant, charred garlic oil, maintaining the tradition of Kumamoto ramen while offering a one-of-a-kind taste. The pride of their soup is the use of low-fat pig's head bones, giving it a rich yet refreshing aftertaste.
Kumamoto ramen totally lives up to the hype. The broth at Kurotei is so fragrant—it blew me away from the very first sip!
Densetsu no Sutadon-ya (The Legendary Sutadon-ya) Akihabara
It is a popular Japanese pork bowl restaurant that has established itself, not only domestically, but also internationally since it was founded in 1971.
It's way tastier than Yoshinoya.
Takashima City Nogyo Makino Pick land
Makino Pick land is an agricultural park located on a plateau in Makino Town, Takashima City, Shiga Prefecture. The vast site consists of three major zones where visitors can enjoy various leisure activities in nature.
Picked and ate fresh cherries right on the spot. It's a fun way to experience farm life!
Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens / Ropeway
Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens is the largest herb garden facility in Japan, where you can see 75,000 herbs of around 200 different species, growing at an altitude of about 400 meters. It is filled with fresh scents and colors all year round.
The owner takes great care of the flowers here—they all look beautiful. It's a perfect spot for taking Instagram-worthy photos.
Minoo Falls
The name "Minoo Ohtaki" (Minoo Falls) comes from the resemblance of the cascading waterfall to the farming tool "Mi". The waterfall has been selected as “One of the 100 best waterfalls in Japan”, and the beautiful scenery can be enjoyed throughout the year. In 1986, Minoo Park, where Minoo Falls is located, was selected as “One of the 100 best Forests for Forest Relaxation Therapy”.
Stayed at the Ooedo Onsen in Minoo and got to enjoy the hot springs. Such a relaxing experience.
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.
You really need to set aside a whole day for this place because it's just so beautiful. The scenery makes it hard to leave. Staying a night at the nearby Hirayu Onsen is also a great idea.
Magome Inn
“Nakasendo” is one of the five highways that were constructed during the Edo period to connect Kyoto and Edo. Magome Inn is the 43rd post town on the Nakasendo. It is an inn town along a slope paved with stone pavement, and you can feel the atmosphere of the Edo period. Both sides of the road are lined with stores selling freshly baked gohei-mochi (rice cakes), oyaki (wheat cakes), etc., where you can enjoy eating and strolling.
It's hard to imagine how people in the Edo period rushed along this route when transportation was so inconvenient.