Zin's Reviews

Tottori Sand Dunes The Sand Museum

The world’s first museum, curating sand creations. It is produced by Katsuhiko Chaen, who was selected as “100 Most Respected Japanese People.” He invites sand sculptors from all over the world to display sand sculpture at the global top level.

• Tottori
• Museums

The Tottori Sand Dunes felt like stepping into a boundless world.
The wind was strong, and the sand was so fine. Every step left a mark, only to be quickly erased.
That soft feeling of sinking into the sand made me want to slow down, but also keep walking forward.
Seeing the desert and the sea in the same view was really something special.
I originally thought The Sand Museum would just be about sand sculptures, but the works in front of me were unbelievably detailed. The expressions on the faces, the layers in the folds of clothing, and even the depth of light and shadow were all created entirely from sand.

Izumo Taisha

Izumo Taisha is one of the most revered, ancient shrines in Japan, along with Ise jingu Shrine. Its records go as far back as writings from the Kojiki, Japan’ oldest historical account compiled in 712. The deity enshrined here is Okuninushi no Okami, who is known as the deity of love and marriage.。

• Shimane
• Shrines & Temples

Izumo Taisha is not only one of Japan’s oldest shrines, but it also enshrines Okuninushi no Mikoto, a deity tied to the classic myth of the White Rabbit of Inaba. Rabbits here symbolize healing, rebirth, and good luck, so you can spot lots of small rabbit-themed statues throughout the shrine grounds.

After helping my daughter put on a kimono, she turned around and looked like she had stepped right into a Japanese story. What made her happiest was discovering one little rabbit after another all around Izumo Taisha.

Tsurugajo Castle

The castle is a cherry blossom viewing spot and the symbol of Aizu Wakamatsu City. Its official name is Wakamatsu Castle, and it is also sometimes called Aizu Castle or Aizu Wakamatsu Castle. The castle tower, the only one in Japan covered with red tiles, preserves the beautiful appearance of the castle in the feudal era.

• Fukushima
• Tourist Attractions

Tsurugajo Castle offers free guided tours, and you can also scan a code to watch explanatory videos. It’s a historic site that’s being maintained with great care.

Hoshino Resort Aomoriya

The hot spring inn, Aomoriya, is like Aomori theme park which immerses you in festivals, local cuisine, therapeutic hot spring, and Aomori’s culture. On the premises, there is a nature park dotted with a pond and traditional Japanese homes.

• Aomori
• Inns

Aomoriya is a place that packs Aomori culture into one resort.
The ponies greeting guests and the warm, peaceful tatami rooms made a great impression. At night, “Michinoku Matsuriya” recreates the lively atmosphere of the Aomori Nebuta Festival.
The kids loved the apple juice tap and kept going back for cup after cup.
The buffet dinner was incredibly abundant and full of Aomori特色: sweet, fresh shrimp, thick raw scallops, and freshly grilled miso giant scallops... everything was delicious.
Both the Ukiyu and Motoyu hot springs had a wonderful atmosphere, and the water quality was excellent. They even had a moon-shaped bathtub, a large bath for children, kids’ bathing chairs, and even a crib in the changing room, so little ones could enjoy the hot spring experience too.

Samurai Residences in Kakunodate

In Kakunodate, part of the city of Semboku in Akita Prefecture, exists rows of old houses first attributed to the Ashina family in the early Edo period (around year 1620), that later flourished under the castle town of the Satake-Kita family. This district has been designated as protected in an effort to conserve traditional buildings.

• Akita
• Famous Places

Kakunodate is perfect for taking a slow walk and exploring at a relaxed pace.
Around Bukeyashiki Street, the area still preserves the look of the Edo period. The residences aren’t flashy, but each one quietly holds the marks of time.

Akita Airport

A gateway to the Tohoku region connecting Akita Prefecture with cities across Japan, with flights to Sapporo (New Chitose, Okadama), Tokyo (Haneda), Nagoya (Chubu), and Osaka (Itami). It serves both domestic and international flights.

• Akita
• Airplanes & Airport

On the second floor for domestic flights, they sometimes have Akita dog meet-and-greets!
There’s also a cockpit simulator and model planes for kids, and outside there’s an observation deck where you can watch planes take off and land.