金己田's Reviews Page 12/15

Fukuroda no Taki (Fukuroda Falls)

Fukuroda Falls, a prominent tourist spot in Ibaraki, are located in Taki River which stems from Kuji River running through Okukuji District. The great waterfall is 120m-tall and 73m-wide, one of Japan's Three Great Waterfalls along with Kegon Falls in Tochigi and Nachi Falls in Wakayama. It was also selected into 100 best waterfalls in Japan.

Ibaraki
Nature Spots

5 Mar 2026 See More

Heading north from Mito, I made it to Fukuroda Falls just to see one of Japan’s Three Great Waterfalls.
I expected something super grand and dramatic, but it was surprisingly elegant—gentle streams flowing down slowly.
There are two viewing platforms, and the different distances give you totally different views.

Unshoji Temple

Unshoji is a Soto Zen temple located on the Oga Peninsula, the westernmost point of Akita Prefecture. It is said to have been founded in 1624, and its main hall, a historic building, was constructed during the Edo period. The temple's principal image is a statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, reportedly crafted by a sculptor from Osaka.

Akita
Shrines & Temples

5 Mar 2026 See More

While planning my trip, I randomly came across this “must-see before you die” view, and I decided I had to go!
Getting there isn’t very convenient, but seeing such an incredible sea of hydrangeas for the first time was totally worth it. It really reminded me of the magic of Japan’s four seasons—and now I want to go out and collect even more seasonal scenery!

A-FACTORY

A-FACTORY is a good place to stop by at the end of your trip in Aomori Prefecture. It is a spot where you can find a wide variety of foodstuffs, sundries, traditional crafts, and gourmet foods produced in Aomori.

Aomori
Local Products Center & Souvenir Stores

5 Mar 2026 See More

The exterior is super photogenic, and inside it’s more of a multi-purpose shopping complex. For souvenirs, compared with the nearby Aomori Prefecture Tourist Center ASPAM, the items sold here feel a bit more refined.

I also bought my second Aomori apple pie here. It was tasty, but compared to Angelique in Hirosaki, it wasn’t as memorable.

Inoda Coffee

This is the main shop of a long-established coffee cafe since 1940. The machiya-style townhouse with classical lighting and chairs provides a restful space for their specialty coffees and light meals.

Kyoto Station, Shijo Kawaramachi, Kyoto Imperial Palace
Cafés

5 Mar 2026 See More

Came to Inoda Coffee to get a taste of everyday life in Kyoto.

From the outside, it’s a traditional wooden building. But once you step inside, it feels like a retro Western-style café. The servers are a bit older, in red-and-white uniforms, and they move briskly between the tables.

It was close to noon when I visited. I ordered an egg-salad sandwich and some pasta, along with their signature Arabica Pearl. Looking around, I noticed plenty of local seniors dining there.

On a trip, getting to experience a slice of locals’ daily routine is one of the best parts of traveling.

Mt. Otowa Kiyomizu-dera Temple

Opened in the year 778, the temple was registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in 1994. In the 130, 000 m2 area of the precincts spread out on the hillside of Mt. Otowa, there are more than 30 cathedrals and monuments, including national treasures and important cultural properties.

Gion, Higashiyama, Yamashina
Shrines & Temples

5 Mar 2026 See More

After Kiyomizu-dera’s renovations and once the pandemic had passed, I finally got to visit this famous spot.

From the moment I got off the bus, I walked up the sloped road, surrounded by that classic Kyoto scenery. I passed the Niomon Gate and the three-story pagoda, and ended up at the Kiyomizu Stage.
A super classic Kyoto sightseeing route.

Tsukannon Temple (Enichizan Kannonji Daihoin)

This historic temple is said to have been founded in 709, and its official name is “Enichizan (Enichizan) Kannonji Daihoin.” Locals have long affectionately called it “Kannon-san.” The principal image, “Sho Kannon Bosatsu,” is known as “Tsukannon,” and is counted as one of Japan’s Three Great Kannon temples alongside Tokyo’s “Asakusa Kannon” and Aichi’s “Osu Kannon.” It is said to bring a wide range of blessings, including good fortune and success in business.

Mie
Shrines & Temples

4 Mar 2026 See More

Tsukannon is considered one of the Three Great Kannon temples, along with Asakusa Kannon and Osu Kannon. But location-wise, if I hadn’t stayed near Tsu Station this time, I probably would’ve skipped it.

After actually visiting, compared with Asakusa and Osu, Tsukannon has a much quieter, more peaceful atmosphere for worship. It made it easier to really focus on the temple’s vibe and history.

Michi-no-eki Daiku-no-sato

During the WWI, captured German soldiers were kept in Bando POW camp. The former camp was renovated into German Village Park. Michi-no-eki is added in the park and named as Daiku no Sato (Home of #9) since Beethoven’s Symphony #9 was played first in Naruto City of all Asia.

Tokushima
Stations & Roadside Stations & Tourist Information Centers

4 Mar 2026 See More

In Japan, roadside stations are a great way to get to know the local food.
While doing the Tokushima pilgrimage, I took a little detour to Michi-no-eki Daiku-no-sato and tried a bowl of Naruto udon. Unlike Sanuki udon, the noodles are flat and irregular, more like plain wheat noodles. With a light, refreshing broth and local specialties like chikuwa fish cake and wakame, it was easy to keep taking bite after bite—even in the summer heat.

Iizaka Onsen

Izaka Onsen is easily accessible from JR Fukushima Station by a 20-minute ride on the Fukushima Kotsu Iizaka Line and is a familiar hot spring resort for the people of Fukushima. The history of the hot spring is long.

Fukushima
Famous Places

27 Feb 2026 See More

As soon as I got out of the station, I went straight to Haraiju and hopped into the nice, steaming hot spring. All my travel fatigue disappeared in an instant.
After the bath, I strolled around the onsen street. The sloped roads and historic buildings had such a great vibe.
I seriously love Iizaka Onsen!

Nanukamachi-dori Street / Noguchi Hideyo Seishun Street

Nanukamachi-dori Street and Hideyo Noguchi Seishun Street are two retro sightseeing streets in Aizu Wakamatsu City. The streets are lined with buildings from the Meiji, Taisho, and early Showa eras, and visitors can experience the atmosphere as if they were transported back in time. The two streets are connected at right angles, and the entire route takes about 20 minutes (1.2 km).

Fukushima
Famous Places

27 Feb 2026 See More

Stepping out of Nanukamachi Station felt like traveling back in time.
I loved the vibe of the street—quiet, lived-in, and not overly commercialized.

Sendai Asaichi Morning Market

“Sendai Asaichi" has the advantage of being extremely accessible, only a five-minute walk from Sendai Station. The market sells mainly fresh local Miyagi fresh food products. There are also many diners, allowing visitors to enjoy all the food Miyagi has to offer, from shopping to dining.

Sendai
Shopping Streets

27 Feb 2026 See More

Sendai Asaichi Morning Market is a small local produce market. The streets are clean with no bad smells, and the seasonal fruits and veggies are neatly displayed.
Walking through the market and getting a feel for local everyday life is one of the best parts of traveling.