Sanrio Puroland
Guests can meet Sanrio characters like Hello Kitty and My Melody at this indoor theme park. Sanrio characters put on authentic performances like shows and parades that mix stories, dances, and songs together.
A dreamy wonderland that brings back so many memories for girls of all ages...
Sugamo Jizo-dori Shopping Street
While Sugamo Jizo-dori Shopping Street is affectionately known as "Grandma's Harajuku", in recent years it has been drawing attention as a spot enjoyable for people of all ages and genders. Spanning approximately 780m, the shopping street is home to about 200 stores covering a diverse range of genres, including Japanese sweets, Western sweets, bakeries, tea shops, rice cracker shops, and Buddhist altar accessory shops.
Came here for my first shrine visit of the year. There aren't many foreign tourists around.
Jishu Jinja (Kyoto, Kiyomizu)
Kyoto’s famous tourist spot in Kiyomizu Temple near the Stage of Kiyomizu. It is said to have been built before the country of Japan was established while Kyoto Valley was still a lake. The shrine was worshipped as the place for longevity. The halls and the ground are designated as national important cultural properties and the world cultural heritage site.
This is the shrine inside Kiyomizu-dera that's dedicated to love. There are two 'love stones' at Jishu Shrine, and legend says if you walk from one stone to the other with your eyes closed while thinking of your crush, your wish will come true!
Todaiji Temple
In the Nara period (710-794), Emperor Shomu had the Rushana Daibutsu (Great Buddha) built at his request, and a memorial service was held in 752. This temple is one of the representative temples of Nara. It took nearly 40 years to build the temple complex.
The Great Buddha came first, and then they built the world's largest wooden building, the Daibutsuden. It's been standing for over 1,300 years.
Dotonbori
Crab, octopus, cow, crane….these are just a few of the oversized 3D signboards that make up the look and feel of the bustling Dotonbori Area. Its packed with a number of eateries along the northern Dotonbori River and main street along its southern side.
The broth at Kinryu Ramen is delicious and the portions are generous. Plus, you get unlimited side dishes! I always make sure to grab a bowl whenever I'm in Osaka.
Kyoto Botanical Gardens
Opened in 1924 as “Taiten Kyoto Botanical Garden”, the oldest prefectural botanical garden in Japan with about 100 years of history. This garden was once used to grow vegetables during World WarⅡ and condemned by the Allied Forces after the war, passing through such a tough time, restarted as a botanical garden in 1961. The facilities and contents have been fulfilled based on the concept of “The most interesting and relaxing botanical garden in Japan” since 2009.
They have over 100 varieties of cherry blossoms here, just as impressive as the ones at the Osaka Mint Bureau.
Kenninji Temple
The oldest Zen temple in Kyoto and the head temple of the Kenninji sect of the Rinzai school. In 1202, Minamoto no Yorie, the second shogun of the Kamakura Shogunate, donated the temple area to the temple and founded it with Yousai Zenji as the founder.
Located near Hanamikoji Street, the famous Wind and Thunder Gods screen is a national treasure, and the Twin Dragons painting is also a precious cultural artifact.
