周黛西's Reviews Page 7/10

Matsushima

One of Three Great Views of Japan along with Kyoto’s Amanohashidate and Hiroshima’s Miyajima. The grand horizon of the Pacific Ocean and large and small 260 verdant islands have been attracting many visitors since the Heian Period.

• Miyagi
• Nature Spots

Matsushima, one of the "Three Great Views of Japan," is known as one of those must-visit places in a lifetime, and it truly lived up to the trip.
Taking a sightseeing boat to admire the islands quietly resting on the sea was amazing. The large and small islands are beautifully arranged across the water. They look somewhat similar at first, yet each has its own character. It felt like wandering into a landscape painting, with depth stretching beyond sight.
Even the haiku poet Matsuo Basho found it hard to put this beauty into words. It’s absolutely worth a visit.

Oirase Stream

Oirase Stream, a renowned tourist attraction awarded two stars in the Michelin Green Guide, stretches approximately 14 kilometers from the shores of Lake Towada at Nenokuchi to Yakeyama. It's a national Special Place of Scenic Beauty and Natural Monument, celebrated for its waterfalls, clear streams, giant rocks, and steep cliffs.

• Aomori
• Nature Spots

Oirase Stream in summer is a famous place to escape the heat, with lush greenery everywhere you look.
The showers the night before made the stream even fuller, and every photo I took with my camera looked like something out of a calendar.
The temperature was cool and comfortable, and the green forest and gently flowing stream made the scenery feel incredibly refreshing.

Nebuta Museum Wa Rasse

Wa Rasse is an eye-catching, modern, red museum close to Aomori Station. It was opened in 2011 to preserve Aomori Nebuta Festival held between 2nd and 7th of August every year.

• Aomori
• Museums

Nebuta Museum Wa Rasse, right next to Aomori Station, has a complete collection of the giant Nebuta lantern floats that have appeared in past festivals. The dazzling exhibits, along with videos and interactive experiences, gave me a deeper understanding of this cultural celebration with 300 years of history. Even if you’ve never actually attended the festival, Wa Rasse is a great place to satisfy your curiosity all at once.
The 2026 Taiwan Chiayi Lantern Festival also invited Wa Rasse to take part. Seeing those vivid, towering character lanterns reminded me of my fun experience in Aomori.

CUPNOODLES MUSEUM OSAKA IKEDA

At the CUPNOODLES MUSEUM in Ikeda City, Osaka Prefecture, the birthplace of instant ramen, 11 exhibits and attractions will delve into the appeal of instant ramen.

• Hokusetsu
• Museums

For Cup Noodles fans, visiting the Nissin Cup Noodles Museum should be an experience that fully delights all five senses. From the building to the souvenirs, even the manhole covers feature the little yellow chick.

When you come to the Cup Noodles “kingdom,” you of course have to make your own cup noodles. Everything from decorating the cup to creating your own flavor really brings out your inner child.

I also learned that Momofuku Ando was actually from Chiayi, Taiwan. His inspiring life story made the visit even more uplifting.

Rokko Garden Terrace

Rokko Garden Terrace, located 880 meters above sea level on Mt. Rokko, is an observation deck where visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the Osaka Plain and Akashi Strait, including the city of Kobe, as well as a "10 million dollar" night view.

• Kobe
• Tourist Attractions

There’s an English-style Peter Rabbit garden on Mt. Rokko, and you can find little surprises in just about every corner.

From Rokko Garden Terrace, you can look out over Kobe, Wakayama, and other areas along Osaka Bay. The view is as colorful and dazzling as opening a jewelry box, and the night scenery sparkles like brilliant gems!

There’s also a ranch and a music box museum here, and you can even make your own music box as a souvenir.

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.

• Shinsaibashi, Namba, Nipponbashi (Minami)
• Famous Places

Dotonbori is a great place to eat, have fun, and walk around.
The flashy, lively atmosphere is incredibly exciting!

Matsue Horikawa Sightseeing Boat

This tour boat with a roof floats on the 3.7km-long moat around the national treasure, Matsue Castle. The boatman gives a guide with humorous stories, while you relax and watch scenery.

• Shimane
• Ships

The Matsue Horikawa Sightseeing Boat is a popular attraction in Matsue. A full loop around the moat of Matsue Castle takes about 50 minutes by small boat.

Along the way, you can enjoy views of the old castle and samurai residences. The boatman gently rows the boat, and in winter there are heated tables on board, which feels very cozy and thoughtful. Seeing everything from the boat gives you a completely different perspective from walking around, and it was a very special experience.

Tottori Prefectural Flower Park（Tottori Hanakairo）

With Mt. Daisen, a tall and beautiful mountain, as a borrowed landscape, this is one of the largest flower parks in Japan where visitors can enjoy seasonal flowers.

• Tottori
• Amusement Parks & Theme parks

Walking into Tottori Hanakairo feels like stepping into a fairy tale. Surrounded by colorful flowers in full bloom, everything looks so vibrant and beautiful.
Strolling through the corridors, you can enjoy all kinds of gorgeous flowers and lush greenery. It feels so dreamy!
It’s a great place to take your time and snap photos. Wandering through the sea of flowers, even the air smells sweet.

Kurobe Dam

Standing 186 meters tall, Kurobe Dam is Japan's tallest and one of the largest dams in the world. It took seven years and the efforts of over 10 million workers to overcome numerous challenges, earning it the title of a "monumental project of the century" at the time of its construction.

• Toyama
• Tourist Attractions

Take the electric bus from Ogizawa Station to Kurobe Dam, at an elevation of 1,454 m. Standing on the dam, you can look out over truly magnificent scenery. To me, the charm of Kurobe Dam is how a sightseeing destination and the beauty of nature exist together in perfect harmony.
In spring, the distant mountain peaks are still capped with snow, and the water reflects the mountains ever so slightly. The air is crisp and refreshing...
I can easily imagine how the changing mountain views through the seasons would bring even more different feelings and impressions.

Sennenzake Kikkawa Izutsuya

Opened in 2017, this was Murakami City’s first specialty salmon restaurant, located in a region of Niigata Prefecture known as Japan's "town of salmon."

• Niigata
• Japanese Cuisine

I really liked Izutsuya’s strong traditional atmosphere. Dining, soaking in the hot spring, and staying overnight were all very relaxing.

Both times, an older lady helped make our futons, and she was very kind.

The salmon dishes went great with rice—I couldn’t help eating a little extra.

If you’re visiting Yumura Onsen, Izutsuya is definitely worth considering. I had a really nice stay.