BobbyJenny's Reviews Page 31/76

While in Kurume, I also made time for a trip to Mount Kora! As I headed up the mountain, the surrounding views became more and more expansive, completely different from the bustle of the city. The route is surrounded by mountain forests, and the air feels especially fresh. It’s a great place to walk around and slow down.

Mount Kora itself has a strong sense of history and nature, and Kora Taisha Shrine is also located on the mountain. The whole area is very quiet and peaceful. Walking around the shrine, you can really feel the atmosphere of a Japanese mountain shrine, which is different from shrines in the city.

My favorite part was looking out from above, with the city of Kurume right before my eyes. When the weather is good, the view is very pleasant. The mountain scenery also changes with the seasons, making me really want to visit again.

At the Kurume Castle Ruins and Sasayama Shrine, besides taking in the historic atmosphere of the castle ruins and shrine, what surprised me most was the super cute “Shiba Inu fortunes”! When I saw the little Shiba Inu-shaped fortunes, I really couldn’t resist taking one home as a souvenir.

Drawing the fortune was fun too. I originally just came to pay my respects, but the cute Shiba Inu immediately caught my attention. It also looks great in photos when held in your hand. For Shiba Inu lovers, it’s truly an unexpected little treasure.

In the Mojiko Retro District, don’t miss the historic Former Moji Customs House! The red-brick exterior with white trim gives the building a very distinctive look. It’s easy to spot while walking by the harbor and is also one of Mojiko’s most iconic attractions.

Photos taken in front of the building have a lot of character. With the harbor and retro streetscape beside it, the whole scene feels very nostalgic. As you slowly walk around the area, it feels quite different from typical modern city attractions, almost like going back to an old port city.

Near the Former Moji Customs House, there are other distinctive buildings in the Mojiko Retro District, such as the Former Osaka Shosen Building and the Dalian Friendship Memorial Hall, so you can visit them all on one walking tour. It’s also very pleasant to stroll slowly along the waterfront and enjoy the sea breeze.

In Nikko, you’re sure to pass through the famous Irohazaka Winding Road! The most distinctive thing about this mountain road is its series of curves. As it winds its way up the mountain, driving here really feels like a “mountain road adventure.”

As you head farther up the mountain, the scenery outside the window keeps changing, from forests to valleys, with the view becoming more and more expansive. Especially during the fall foliage season, the entire mountain turns red and yellow, and driving through scenery like this is truly beautiful.

Irohazaka is also an important road for reaching Nikko attractions such as Lake Chuzenji and Kegon Falls, so it’s usually included in the same itinerary. Although there are many curves along the way, they also make enjoying the mountain scenery more fun.

Passing through Irohazaka this time, I felt that it’s not just a “transportation route,” but part of the Nikko travel experience itself. If you come to Nikko by car or bus, seeing these continuous curves and the mountain forest scenery will help you appreciate Nikko’s natural beauty even more!

At Roppongi Hills, besides shopping and visiting the observation deck, I also included a visit to the Mori Art Museum! The museum is located inside Roppongi Hills, and the entire space has a very modern feel. The exhibitions often go beyond traditional art, featuring lots of contemporary art, design, and other forms of creative work.

I really enjoyed the exhibition this time. Some pieces may be hard to understand at first glance, but after slowly reading the descriptions and looking closely at the details, you discover many interesting aspects. Instead of just breezing through the exhibition, you can’t help but stop and take a closer look.

I really like this “art + city” way of experiencing Roppongi. After seeing the exhibition, you can continue shopping and eating at Roppongi Hills, then head to Tokyo City View to see the Tokyo skyline. It all fits together smoothly as a full-day itinerary.

In Nikko, the Akechidaira Lookout was another stop I was really looking forward to! As the ropeway slowly climbed the mountain, the scenery became more and more expansive. From high above, you can take in the valleys, forests, and distant mountains all at once.

The ropeway ride isn’t very long, but watching the scenery change outside the window was still very interesting. Especially when the weather is good, the sweeping mountain views are truly beautiful and make for great photos.

After reaching the lookout, you can appreciate Nikko’s natural scenery even more. The views between the valleys are spectacular and completely different from the temples and shrines in the city. Standing high above with the wind blowing feels really refreshing.

In Nikko, when I first walked into Senjogahara Marshland, I really felt that the scenery in front of me was completely different from the city! The endless wetlands, distant mountains, and wide-open sky made for a very pleasant view. Walking here felt like getting away from the city.

The trail at Senjogahara Marshland stretches along the wetlands, offering natural scenery from different angles along the way. There aren't many man-made structures, just forests, grasslands, and fresh air. It was really relaxing to take in the views while walking.

When the weather is nice, the sunlight shining over the grasslands makes the whole landscape especially beautiful. In fall, you may also get to see silver grass mixed with red and yellow foliage, offering a travel experience completely different from the tourist attractions in the city.

When you're in Roppongi, Tokyo, of course you have to explore Roppongi Hills! The whole complex is huge, bringing together shopping, dining, exhibitions, and recreational facilities. On my first visit, I really felt there was a lot to explore, and you could spend several hours just walking around inside.

The architecture and streetscape have a very modern, urban feel, and there are plenty of restaurants, cafes, and stores nearby. When you get tired from walking around, you can find somewhere to sit down and take a break. It also feels different depending on the time of day. Once the lights come on in the evening, all of Roppongi takes on more of a Tokyo nightlife atmosphere.

What I was most excited about was the view of Tokyo Tower! The Roppongi area is already a popular place to see Tokyo Tower, and looking for different photo angles while shopping really gives you that Tokyo travel feeling.

If you're planning to visit the Roppongi Hills observation deck, Tokyo City View, you can explore Roppongi Hills at the same time and spend the whole day here from daytime until night.

Tokyo City View at Roppongi Hills is really worth adding to your Tokyo itinerary! Looking out from high above, the entire Tokyo cityscape comes into view at once, with skyscrapers, streets, and distant city lights all blending together. The view is very expansive.

During the day, you can enjoy views of the Tokyo cityscape, but it's even more beautiful around sunset. As the sky slowly darkens and the city lights come on one by one, the atmosphere becomes completely different. If the weather is good, you can also see Tokyo Tower in the distance, and the photos really feel like Tokyo.

I don't think this is just a place to enjoy the view. Roppongi itself is also great for exploring, so after visiting the observation deck, you can go shopping and get something to eat, spending the whole afternoon and evening in the area.

When getting ramen in Kyoto, I made a special trip to the famous Honke Daiichi Asahi! I'd heard for a long time that this place was very well known, but it wasn't until I arrived that I realized just how many people were lined up. The line of people waiting stretched all along the outside of the restaurant. Its popularity is no joke!

Although I was a little stunned when I saw the line, I'd already come all this way, so I decided to wait patiently. While standing in line, you could really feel that everyone had come for this bowl of ramen. People were constantly coming and going, and the atmosphere was very lively.

When it was finally our turn to sit down, a steaming bowl of ramen was brought to the table. The broth had the aroma of soy sauce, and eating it with the noodles and chashu was very satisfying. After waiting so long, my first bite really made me think, “I finally got to try it.”

If Honke Daiichi Asahi is on your itinerary, be sure to set aside time to wait in line. Otherwise, the crowds can easily delay the rest of your plans. Although the wait is fairly long, it's still worth experiencing at least once for anyone who likes Kyoto ramen and wants to visit this famous spot!