Sky-Go-LAND
Sky-Go-LAND is a Ferris wheel in the Family Area of Yomiuriland. Loved as a symbol of YOMIURILAND, it reaches 59 m at its highest point and takes Approx. 14 minutes per rotation. Enjoy views across the park, and on clear days, you can even see Mt. Fuji.
When taking the Yomiuriland gondola into the park, you can already see the super eye-catching Ferris wheel. I started getting excited before I even entered the park.
HMV record shop Shinsaibashi
HMV record shop Shinsaibashi is a used vinyl record specialty store operated by HMV, a major CD shop chain. Inside its bright and open store, you will find a wide range of items centered on used vinyl records, along with new vinyl records, CDs, cassette tapes, and record-related goods. With around 50,000 items in stock, it boasts one of the largest selections in the Kansai region.
Besides vinyl records, they also have plenty of CDs, music merchandise, and limited-edition items. The shopping environment is comfortable overall, making it one of the record shops in Osaka that’s definitely worth a visit.
Oshino Hakkai – The 8 Springs of Oshino
Oshino Hakkai is the collective name for Mt. Fuji’s 8 natural ponds, Deguchi-ike, Okama-ike, Sokonashi-ike, Choshi-ike, Waku-ike, Nigori-ike, Kagami-ike and Shobu-ike. Once a former lake, the area has dried up and formed the 8 spring-sourced ponds that remain today.
I originally thought it would just be a few ponds, but it had way more charm in person than I expected. The thatched roofs, flowing water, and Mt. Fuji all go so well together. It’s not just a spot for photos of Mt. Fuji, but also a place with a wonderful Japanese countryside atmosphere. Walking through the little village felt really relaxing.
Kawa no Soba
After drinking around Nakasu, Fukuoka, Kawa no Soba is a place you will want to stop by. Located along the Nakagawa River, this restaurant works both as a place for chuka soba, a light ramen-style noodle dish, and as an izakaya-style spot, making it a popular choice for ending the night. It has counter seats that are easy to use even when visiting alone, as well as relaxed table seating, making it convenient as a second or third stop.
The white soy sauce ramen broth looks light, but it has a lot of depth and doesn’t taste overly salty. Once the noodles soak up the broth, they go down really smoothly.
It was my first time trying Hakata’s specialty gurukawa, and the chicken skin was grilled crispy on the outside and pleasantly chewy inside. The more you chew, the more flavorful it gets, and it pairs really well with the ramen. If you’re around Tenjin, I definitely recommend giving this place a try. The white soy sauce ramen with their signature chicken skin skewers is a combo that makes me want to come back again.
Kinoko no Yama
Kinoko no Yama, a long-selling product that represents Meiji Co., Ltd. (hereafter, Meiji), has been a beloved national chocolate snack across generations since its launch in 1975. Its most distinctive feature is its cute mushroom-shaped form. The cracker is light and fragrant, while the chocolate portion has a two-layer structure that gives it a smooth melt-in-the-mouth texture. The slight saltiness of the cracker brings out the sweetness, while the clean finish makes it easy to enjoy.
Each piece is just the right size for one bite, and it doesn’t leave too many crumbs. It’s super convenient as an afternoon snack.
Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo
Opened in 1971 with the aim of being a "city square" in Shinjuku, the biggest town in Japan with high-rise buildings lining up. This high-rise hotel is 170 meters tall, consisting of two towers: the main building and the south building. It is conveniently located just a 5-minute walk from the west exit of Shinjuku Station. It provides services as a high-quality international hotel for guests visiting from both Japan and abroad.
The location is really convenient. It’s not too far to walk from Shinjuku Station, and the area nearby is lively with plenty of places to eat and shop.
For Tokyo, the room was fairly spacious, which made the stay much more comfortable.
Oniyanma Gotanda Main Store
Just within a mere 100 meters of Gotanda Station, Oniyanma proudly serves authentic Sanuki udon in the bustling and convenient Gotanda area, a hub known for its eclectic mix of office districts, entertainment hubs, and upscale residential neighborhoods, all in close proximity to Shinagawa.
Even late at night, there were still a lot of people.
It was just a simple bowl of udon, but it was really memorable. The fried toppings with the broth were especially comforting.
The Maple Mania: "Maple Butter Cookie"
"The Maple Mania" is a dessert brand that offers sweets made with maple sugar, including financiers, pie sandwiches, and baumkuchen. The "Maple Butter Cookie" has been the brand's number one best-seller and has been beloved for over 10 years since its inception.
The packaging feels really premium, so it makes a great gift. The cookies themselves have a light caramel and buttery milk flavor, and overall they really feel like a perfect fall and winter dessert.
Keio Department Store, Shinjuku
Keio Department Store, Shinjuku is a large department store directly connected to Keio Line Shinjuku Station. It spans 11 floors from B1F to RF, covering a wide range of categories including food, cosmetics, daily goods, fashion, and restaurants. Since opening in 1964, it has been popular with shoppers of all ages for its diverse selection and comfortable spaces.
Keio Department Store is right next to Shinjuku Station, and you can really feel that classic department store vibe. The location is super convenient. The basement food floor is fun to browse, and there are lots of choices for Japanese souvenirs and bento boxes, so it’s very tourist-friendly.
Toyosu Senkyaku Banrai
This new arm of Toyosu Market opened in February 202, buzzing with two areas to explore: a hub of food and tasty bites at Toyosu Jogai Edomae Ichiba and the hot springs day spa Tokyo Toyosu Manyo Club for all the best of food, shopping and ease at the hot springs.
The overall environment is clean, and the layout makes it easy to get around. There are lots of food options, but the prices are on the high side. It’s missing the local everyday feel of Tsukiji, and feels more like a polished, carefully designed tourist food hall.