It was raining when I visited, so I wasn’t able to see the sunrise torii view. I’ll have to save that for next time!
Before leaving, I stopped by Oarai Isosaki Shrine to pray. Maybe because it was a rainy weekday morning, there weren’t many visitors, so I was able to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. Besides wishing for a smooth trip, it also planted the seed in my heart to come back to Oarai again someday.
金己田's Reviews Page 4/8
-
-
In winter, you can take the first train from Mito to Hitachi Station to catch the sunrise. As soon as I arrived, I saw a huge crowd packed into the front row of the viewing area. I didn’t expect so many people to come watch the sunrise!
After glancing outside and seeing the clouds were pretty thick, I figured I probably wouldn’t get great photos. So I moved outside the station first to take some wide shots of the building. When I went back inside, the crowd had gradually thinned out. Right then, the sun finally broke through the clouds, and I got to see the beautiful view where the sea and sky seemed to blend together. -
-
I visited during the season of fresh greenery, and the contrast between the lush green scenery and the red brick warehouses was perfect. It was a real treat to stroll around casually and enjoy such a relaxing time in the middle of a dense urban area.
-
-
I took Kintetsu’s sightseeing train, the "Shimakaze," to Ise. The exterior is painted a deep blue that symbolizes the scenery of Ago Bay, while the seats inside are a fresh pale yellow, almost like the breeze of Ise-Shima.
The ride from Yokkaichi to Toba takes about an hour, so I didn’t have time to stop by the café car for a meal. Even so, that one hour was enough to fully soak in the feeling of traveling. With the spacious, comfortable seats and the large windows looking out on all the greenery, I arrived in Toba before I knew it, in a great mood. -
-
If you want to experience the atmosphere of a down-to-earth Japanese bar, check out Kamiya Bar in Asakusa!
The exterior has a strong retro vibe, and it’s also Japan’s first bar.
Even though it’s a bar, the inside feels more like a casual local diner, and most of the customers are Japanese.
If you want to get a feel for local life during your trip, this might be a great choice. -
-
Instead of taking the Shinkansen, choose the Kintetsu "HINOTORI"!
The Kintetsu Limited Express "HINOTORI," with its crimson-red exterior, runs between Osaka and Nagoya and focuses on providing a comfortable ride. It offers both premium and standard cars, and if you get the chance to ride it, I recommend choosing the premium car. The fare is only JPY 700 more, but the seats are much more comfortable and the windows feel more open and spacious. The whole atmosphere feels upscale, and it makes it easy to fully relax during the trip.
The bench area is another highlight you shouldn’t miss. It’s a great place to change up the mood during the journey. Grab a coffee or snack from the café area nearby and quietly watch the scenery change outside the window—it has a special charm of its own. -
-
The illuminations on Roppongi Keyakizaka, shining in harmony with Tokyo Tower, are a classic part of the Christmas season in Tokyo and a place I’ve always wanted to visit. Seeing them in person was absolutely heart-stirring.
-
-
The beauty of Inuyama Castle comes from seeing it at a distance. From the Rhine Bridge, the sight of Inuyama Castle towering above and the rapidly flowing Kiso River creates a truly breathtaking scene.
-
-
Sunlight shimmered across the lake in Nikko. Walking along Lake Chuzenji during the fall foliage season, with the crisp air and wide-open lake views, felt incredibly refreshing.
-
-
A place where the modern and the traditional coexist. With buildings woven from vermilion and bronze—this is Kanda Myojin, Tokyoites’ guardian shrine.
I’ve visited quite a few shrines, but Kanda Myojin feels the most modern. The on-site cultural exchange center, EDOCCO, isn’t just a place to take a break—it’s more like a mini department store. There’s a café, and you can even pick up anime collaboration merch.
If I had to choose one spot to represent Tokyo, it would have to be Kanda Myojin. -
