BobbyJenny's Reviews Page 5/17

Oyunuma Pond (Niseko Yumoto Onsen)

Oyunuma is a dramatic hot spring pond located along the scenic Panorama Line that runs between Iwanai and Niseko towns. This geothermal feature was formed by a combination of rainfall, inflow from the Yunokawa (Yusanbetsu River), and the continuous release of high-temperature sulfur gases and thermal steam from beneath the pond.

• Otaru and Niseko
• Nature Spots

As soon as I arrived at Oyunuma Pond in Noboribetsu, I was captivated by the scenery. White steam constantly rose from the water, while a faint sulfur smell filled the air. You could really feel the power of volcanic geothermal activity. It was my first time seeing volcanic terrain this close, and I was filled with excitement and wonder.

Walking along the trail offered different views of the steam slowly rising against the lush green mountains, creating a truly unique natural landscape. After listening to the guide, I learned how hot the spring water is and gained a better understanding of Noboribetsu Onsen’s abundant geothermal resources. The trip offered not only beautiful scenery but also a fascinating learning experience.

Lake Toya

There is no better attraction than the natural landscape of Lake Toya in Hokkaido. The area around a caldera lake, Lake Toya , and an active volcano, Mt.Usu, was designated as the Toya- Usu Unesco Global Geopark in UNESCO Global Geopark.

• Lake Toya and Noboribetsu
• Nature Spots

The lake is crystal clear and calm, reflecting the blue sky and white clouds like a beautiful landscape painting. Walking along the lakeshore with a gentle breeze and fresh air feels incredibly relaxing and offers a welcome break from the busyness of everyday life.

The lakeside has well-maintained walking paths and rest areas where visitors can leisurely enjoy the views of the lake and mountains. A sightseeing cruise offers an up-close view of Nakajima Island and another perspective on Lake Toya’s natural beauty. At sunset, the warm light shimmers across the water, making the scenery even more enchanting and hard to leave behind.

Susukino

Susukino is one of the most famous entertainment districts in Sapporo. Along with Kabukicho in Shinjuku and Nakasu in Fukuoka, Susukino is called one of the "three central entertainment districts in Japan.

• Sapporo Station, Odori, Susukino
• Famous Places

Susukino, Sapporo’s liveliest district, showed me a completely different side of the city from the daytime. Neon lights illuminated the streets, which were lined with restaurants, shops, and local snacks. The vibrant atmosphere drew plenty of visitors for shopping and dining, filling the night with energy.

I strolled around while sampling Hokkaido specialties like ramen, jingisukan grilled lamb, and fresh seafood. Every dish was memorable. The beautiful signs and bustling streets also made for great photos and wonderful memories.

Kitakaro Sapporo Main Store

Originally built as the Hokkaido Prefectural Library, this historic Western-style building was transformed into the Kitakaro Sapporo Main Store in March 2016. The eye-catching, retro-modern architecture is designed by world-renowned architect Tadao Ando, seamlessly blending the old with the new for an exterior and interior that’s stirs with sleek elegance.

• Sapporo Station, Odori, Susukino
• Cafés

I made a special trip to try the famous sweets at Kitakaro. As soon as I walked in, I saw an incredible selection of cakes, cream puffs, baumkuchen, and cookies. Everything looked so beautifully made that I wanted to take it all home.

Kitakaro’s sweets have a delicate texture and rich, milky flavor without being overly sweet. You can really taste the freshness of Hokkaido dairy products.

Rokkatei Otaru Canal Store

Rokkatei, a confectionery manufacturer known for popular Hokkaido souvenirs such as "Marusei Butter Sandwich," "Yukiyakonko," and strawberry chocolate, operates the Otaru Canal Store. This store, built using approximately 100,000 bricks from Tokachi, features a retro exterior that blends seamlessly with the streetscape of Sakaimachi Main Street.

• Otaru and Niseko
• Sweets Shop & Desserts Shop

During this trip to Hokkaido, I made sure to try the famous sweets from Rokkatei. The shop offers a wide variety of beautifully crafted treats and souvenirs, and everything looked tempting. Rokkatei’s elegant packaging has a distinctly Hokkaido feel, making these sweets perfect gifts for family and friends back home.

MITSUI OUTLET PARK KISARAZU

This resort-style outlet mall ranks among the largest in Japan, complete with all the perks of a naturally rich area and convenient access via the Tokyo Bay Aqua-Line. Over 330 stores await, included coveted domestic and international brands, select shops, and high-end fashion names for a purely unpparalleled shopping experience.

• Chiba
• Commercial Buildings

My visit to MITSUI OUTLET PARK KISARAZU was a really enjoyable shopping experience. The complex is huge, with many international brands, popular Japanese brands, and specialty stores. There’s a wide selection of clothing, shoes, bags, and household goods, so it was easy to find something I liked and enjoy browsing at a relaxed pace.

Beyond shopping, there are plenty of restaurants and cafés where you can try Japanese food or take a break when your feet need a rest.

Ario Kurashiki

Ario Kurashiki is a large-scale commercial complex, comprising about 100 specialist shops, and directly connected to the JR Kurashiki Station North Exit. It has a wide range of shops, from fashion trends, general merchandise, pharmacy to specialty shops that offer various services.

• Okayama
• Commercial Buildings

The mall is spacious and bright, with a great variety of stores offering everything from clothing and household goods to cosmetics, pharmacy items, and food. I had a wonderful time browsing. Each store had something unique, and before I knew it, I had spent quite a while exploring.

After shopping, I grabbed a meal at the food court and tried some local Japanese sweets. They were delicious and satisfying. The mall is clean and comfortable, with thoughtfully designed rest areas, so I didn’t feel tired even after spending the entire afternoon there.

Yufu Mabushi Shin Kinrin Lake Main Store

This restaurant offers three types of "Yufu Mabushi," a dish that explores the unique ways of enjoying rice in Yufuin. Served in clay pots, the dishes feature Bungo beef, local Yufu chicken, and eel, each accompanied by appetizers, pickles, condiments, and red miso soup.

• Oita
• Japanese Cuisine

Visiting Yufuin and dining at Yufu Mabushi Shin was an unforgettable culinary experience. The restaurant has a warm Japanese ambiance, and the simple, elegant setting feels welcoming. When the steaming clay-pot rice arrived, its irresistible aroma immediately whetted my appetite and reflected the care put into every dish.

The pleasantly chewy rice is cooked with fresh ingredients, allowing each grain to soak up their natural sweetness and savory flavors. Every bite highlights the comforting rice and delicious toppings. It is simple yet memorable. Savoring the meal slowly also offered a wonderful appreciation for the refinement and attention to detail found in Japanese food culture.

Hakata Ramen Shin-Shin Tenjin

This popular Hakata Ramen restaurant has six locations in Fukuoka Prefecture. The restaurant boasts a unique pork bone broth that is distinctly different from both Nagahama and Hakata ramen, based on the concept of "pure soup that everyone, young and old, men and women, will drink up.

• Fukuoka
• Ramen

Stepping inside, you can really feel the spirit of Japanese ramen culture. There is often a line of eager diners, but the wait only builds anticipation.

As soon as the steaming bowl arrived, the aroma of tonkotsu broth filled the air. Simmered for hours, the broth is rich without being too heavy, with a smooth, subtly sweet flavor that keeps you coming back for more. The thin Hakata-style noodles soak up the broth beautifully, while the tender chashu, green onions, and wood ear mushrooms add delicious flavor and texture.

Kyushu Natural Animal Park African Safari

The African Safari is the largest safari park in Japan where around 1400 animals of 70 species roam freely in its enormous area. The park is divided into two zones; the “Animal Zone” with its 6km safari road where visitors can get close to the animals from the “jungle bus” and the “Interacting Zone” where visitors can actually touch the animals.

• Oita
• Zoos & Aquariums

My visit to Kyushu Natural Animal Park was a truly special wildlife experience. The park is enormous and feels like the African savanna. You can see lions, tigers, giraffes, elephants, and other wild animals up close while experiencing the beauty and vitality of nature.

Riding the jungle bus through the animal zone was the most memorable part of the trip. Watching the animals approach the bus and even feeding them by hand was both exciting and fun. It also gave me a better understanding of their behavior. In addition to the larger animals, there are plenty of interactive areas with adorable smaller animals, making this a great place for families with children.