Ying Hsia's Reviews

Ginzan Onsen

This hot spring resort was developed along with the Nobesawa Silver Mine which prospered in the Edo Period. After the mine was closed, it was turned into a therapeutic onsen resort until a flood destroyed it in 1913. By early Showa Period, local businesses have helped restore the village close to the current landscape with western-style wooden multi-story buildings on either side of Ginzan River.

Yamagata
Hot Springs & Hot Spring Resorts

13 Jan 2026 See More

Once the lights come on at night, it’s so beautiful it doesn’t even feel real. Day and night feel completely different, and nighttime is definitely the winner.

Lake Towada Winter Story

Lake Towada Winter Story is a seasonal winter event at Lake Towada that began in 1999. Set in a venue blanketed in ice and snow, it offers a wide range of winter-only attractions that both adults and children can enjoy.

Aomori
Winter festivals & Events

12 Jan 2026 See More

It was really cold, but once you see the snowy scenery you instantly forgive the weather.
It actually looks better at night than during the day.
The lights make a huge difference when they come on.

Jukei Hanten Main Restaurant

First opened in 1959, Jukei Hanten is one Sichuan restaurant for the books. The spot marked its 60th anniversary in 2018 with a new 7-story flagship building unveiled on the restaurant’s founding site. Designed by world-renowned designer Alan Chan, the building features a stately exterior and an elegant, tranquil interior. The 6th and 7th floors operate as Yokohama Guesthouse, offering private and special rooms, creating a refined atmosphere where guests can forget the bustle of Chinatown and savor authentic Sichuan cuisine elevated by select ingredients.

Yokohama
Chinese Food

1 Aug 2025 See More

They specialize in Sichuan cuisine—if you love spicy food, you’re going to be obsessed!

Ueno Zoo

This is Japan’s first ever zoo, founded in 1882. Despite its urban setting in the heart of Tokyo, it still keeps a lush, natural environment as well as about 3,000 different animal friends of some 300 different species.

Ueno, Nippori
Zoos & Aquariums

22 Sep 2021 See More

The animals are kept in pretty small spaces just for people’s entertainment. It felt a bit sad to see them like that.

Ashikaga Flower Park

At Ashikaga Flower Park, you can enjoy the sight of all kinds of seasonal flowers, which adorn the park according to eight themes: "Early Spring", "The Spring Flower Festival", "A Tale of the Wisteria", "Rainbow Garden", "Blue and White Garden", "The Flower Faeries Who Float By the Water", "Purple Garden", and "The Garden of Illuminated Flowers". The park is a popular location, enjoying not only local visitors, but those from abroad.

Ashikaga
Parks & Gardens

22 Sep 2021 See More

They really should put up a sign at the entrance when the flowers are out of season. It's disappointing to pay for a ticket and find there's nothing to see.

Hida Takayama Old Townscape

Hida Takayama Old Townscape is said to be a town where the original landscape of Japan remains, as the streets from the Edo period still remain, and the charming town houses and noren (curtains) of old stores continue to be seen.

Gifu
Famous Places

22 Sep 2021 See More

I recommend going before noon so you can catch the Miyagawa Morning Market with local residents selling their goods.

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

22 Sep 2021 See More

The cherry blossom season was already over, so my timing wasn’t great.

Yebisu Garden Place

Yebisu Garden Place comprises restaurants, cafés, department store, movie theaters, museums and more, all within this complex filled with abundant greenery.

Meguro, Ebisu
Tourist Attractions

22 Sep 2021 See More

It's a really spacious plaza, and there are some great little shops tucked away in the alleys too.