You can get really close to the birds and actually interact with them. It feels like you’re stepping into the birds’ home as a guest.
The flowers are beautifully in bloom too, and there are tons of photo-worthy spots! When I visited, the lotus flowers were blooming and they were gorgeous.
I was especially moved to see a shoebill—famous for barely moving—actually walking around.
みのさん's Reviews Page 1/4
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I go to the Tokyo Opera City Art Gallery a lot because I really like the exhibition themes and the way everything is curated.
Another nice perk is that with an exhibition ticket, you can also see the permanent collection and the feature corner for emerging artists.
It also seems that if you show your ticket, some of the restaurants in Opera City offer discounts or other deals. -
I personally love the exhibition themes and the curation, so I come here regularly.
They’re open late, which is great—you can just swing by after work.
Highly recommended for contemporary art lovers. -
This gorgeous castle, also known as White Heron Castle, is absolutely worth seeing!
They even have manhole covers with designs inspired by the castle and the egret orchid (the flower of Himeji City), so keep an eye on the ground too.
In the bar district near the station, I tried the local sake Yukihikoyama.
It’s always fun to taste the local booze when you travel, right? It was delicious. -
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Once you make it up all 785 steps, an amazing view is waiting for you. Wear comfortable shoes!
On the approach, there’s a long-established candy shop called Ike Shoten. The owner, Mr. Ike, really knows the history of Konpira-san, so if he happens to be in, you’re lucky—try chatting with him and asking questions. The fruit candy you can eat there is also worth trying. As a souvenir, I recommend Kamiyo-ame (かみよあめ), which comes with a mini mallet so you can take the good fortune home and share it with everyone.
Like the article mentioned, I heard you’ll have some good luck if you can float a 1-yen coin in the water jar near Asahisha, so it’s a good idea to bring a 1-yen coin.
After your visit, I also recommend stopping by Donzo Brewing (呑象ブリューイング) to quench your thirst with a Kotohira craft beer. -
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This is a famous shrine dedicated to the god of learning. Back when I was a student, I used a special pencil from Tenmangu Shrine and wished to pass my entrance exams (and I did!).
When I visited, the main hall was a temporary structure, but it was designed by the same architect who created the Grand Roof Ring for the Osaka-Kansai Expo. The building blended beautifully with the surrounding plants.
There are lots of different omikuji (fortune slips), but the "water omikuji," where the writing appears when you dip it in water, is especially fun.
As for local specialties, I really like the ume-no-mi hijiki from Etoya. It goes perfectly with rice! -
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The sunrise over the ocean here is a must-see. Wrapped in orange light, the whole moment feels incredibly blissful. I definitely recommend waking up early to experience it!
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Within the grounds of Kamado Jinja, there's a shrine dedicated to Muso Gonnosuke, the founder of Shinto Muso-ryu Jojutsu, a traditional Japanese martial art. During the Ryuso Festival held in September, you can watch impressive performances by practitioners of the staff and sword who come from all over Japan.
There was also a café near Kamado Jinja that had kawara soba (a specialty from Yamaguchi Prefecture) on the menu, possibly inspired by Demon Slayer, since it was served on a roof tile. It was delicious! -
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There's this cat that pops up on the big screen at the intersection heading toward Kabukicho from the East Exit of Shinjuku Station. It's a calico, which is a classic Japanese cat, and it's super cute! When I saw it, the cat was happily purring, but other times I've seen it playing around, knocking over cups and stuff for fun. Waiting at the crosswalk is way more enjoyable now.
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It's directly connected to Shibuya Station, so it's super convenient to stop by for some quick shopping. It's especially handy when you need to pick up some thoughtful sweets as a gift. Also great for grabbing deli items for a potluck or home party.
