Eddie's Reviews Page 3/4

When I walked into Okayama Korakuen in the morning, the sky was a little overcast and there wasn't much sunlight, but that actually made the whole garden feel very peaceful.

I slowly followed the paths, surrounded by wide stretches of greenery, with occasional views of ponds and traditional Japanese buildings. It was very pleasant to walk around. My favorite part was the pond in front of Renchiken. The thatched-roof building was reflected in the water, with pine trees and a stone bridge nearby. It really had the feel of a Japanese garden.

Later, I stood by the pond with the breeze blowing and listened to the birds nearby. I didn't have any particular itinerary planned; I just walked slowly and took my time looking around, which actually felt very relaxing. Korakuen has also preserved many features from the Edo period, and once you actually walk through it, it feels different from a typical tourist attraction.

Although the weather wasn't very good that day, I actually thought Korakuen had a special charm under the cloudy sky. Taking a quiet walk around the garden was quite pleasant.

If you have plenty of time in Okinawa, I really recommend walking straight from Kokusai Street to Naminoue Shrine.
It only takes about 15 to 20 minutes, and as soon as you turn into the side streets, it gets so much quieter. The streets are lined with ordinary little Japanese houses, with lots of potted plants by the doors, and every now and then you’ll see a few small shisa ornaments sunning themselves on the rooftops. Get a drink you like from a vending machine and slowly wander around while sipping it, listening to the bird sounds from the traffic lights at the intersections. It really gives you the illusion that you’re temporarily living nearby.
Once you reach Naminoue Shrine, say a prayer and buy a little schoolbag-shaped omamori. Then follow the path down beside it to Naminoue Beach, take off your shoes, and step into the water. It feels so good, and the breeze in September is just right.
Compared with constantly taking transportation and rushing from one attraction to another, aimlessly walking through the local side streets is actually the most relaxing.

📸 Asakusa in May, Kaminarimon in the sunlight
On this trip to Tokyo, I was looking forward to the scenery in Asakusa the most. The May sunlight was just right—warm but not harsh, illuminating this historic corner of the city.
Standing beneath the famous giant Kaminarimon lantern and looking at its red body and gold lettering, I felt as though I could sense the long history and sacredness of this place. Although it was crowded, everyone had a smile on their face. This place truly is full of energy and joy.
In Asakusa, you can not only pray and worship, but also try all kinds of traditional Japanese snacks. Walking along Nakamise Shopping Street, the aromas from the shops and the wide variety of souvenirs were almost overwhelming.
It’s a great place for the whole family to visit. If you’re planning a trip to Tokyo, remember to add Asakusa’s Kaminarimon to your itinerary! ✨

Looking at this photo taken at Kinrin Lake in December, I still remember just how cold it was. In the morning, the surface of the lake was covered in thick mist, making the mountains and woods in the distance look a little blurry. It made the whole scene feel very peaceful.

The small Western-style building across the lake was also hidden in the mist, with only a faint outline visible, giving the entire scene a very distinctive feel. Although it was very cold, seeing the morning mist made getting up early well worth it.

Seeing the photo now actually makes me miss winter in Japan a little. If I have another chance to visit Yufuin, I think I'll still want to come back to Kinrin Lake and see what it looks like early in the morning.

Aso and the Yamanami Highway in December shed their lush summer green and turn into an endless expanse of dazzling gold.
The winter air is especially crisp and cold, but whenever sunlight breaks through the clouds, the entire mountainside seems to light up with a warm, gentle glow. The distant peaks are partly hidden by thick clouds and mist, while the wind rustles through the silver grass. The view is so vast that you lose track of time.
Away from the busy peak season, the roads in winter are less noisy, with more of nature's stillness and vastness. I really love December scenery like this—clean, pure, and wide open.

When I arrived at Shirakawa-go, I finally got to see the gassho-style houses I had always seen in photos. Once I actually walked into the village, I found it even more beautiful than I had imagined. The thatched-roof houses scattered throughout the valley, together with the surrounding mountain scenery, create a very special feeling as you walk among them.

Before leaving for the trip, I simply thought the houses looked distinctive. But after arriving and reading about the history of Shirakawa-go, I realized that each house exists for a reason. The unique roofs were designed to withstand the heavy winter snow, and in the past, the villagers had to help one another to keep these houses preserved.

As I slowly walked around and looked at these historic houses, I couldn't help imagining how people used to live here. This trip made me realize that the appeal of Shirakawa-go isn't just its beautiful scenery. Once you step inside, you can truly feel its simple, peaceful way of life.

Encountering Yokai: A Fantastic Journey in Sakaiminato, Tottori
On a sunny afternoon, I set foot in this mysterious place. As I walked out of the station, instead of bustling crowds, I was greeted by a huge, vibrant mural on the wall—Kitaro and his yokai friends were smiling as they welcomed every visitor. This building is the Minato Sakai Exchange Center, and the colorful artwork on its exterior perfectly foreshadowed the theme of this journey: a city where yokai and humans coexist.
As I strolled along the famous Mizuki Shigeru Road, I saw adorable, intricately crafted bronze yokai statues every few steps. I stopped at a small plaza. It was filled with what looked like ordinary rocks, but upon closer inspection, each one had a lifelike yokai statue sitting on it. Some winked playfully, while others sat quietly in thought, as if ready to tell visitors ancient legends at any moment. Set against the green trees, these bronze statues looked even more distinctive, adding a touch of fantasy to the peaceful afternoon.
This journey left a deep impression on me: in Sakaiminato, Tottori, yokai are no longer frightening beings, but cultural icons that have become part of everyday life, bringing people joy and creativity. If you also enjoy adventure and fantasy, why not come here yourself and experience an unforgettable journey filled with surprises, walking alongside yokai!

Nara Park is much bigger than I imagined, and once you enter, you can see deer everywhere. Some walk slowly along the roadside, some lie on the grass to rest, and others stand right next to visitors, as if they're already used to everyone coming to see them. The park has many tall trees and green lawns, along with old buildings and stone lanterns. It's very pleasant to walk around, and the whole atmosphere is relaxing.

When you visit Nara Park, you have to buy deer crackers to feed the deer. It's practically become a must-do activity. When you first get the crackers, you may think the deer are cute and gentle, but as soon as they notice you have food, they'll immediately come over. Some keep staring at you, while others may follow you, nudge you with their heads, or bite your clothes to hurry you into handing over the crackers.

Be a little careful when feeding them, because more and more deer may gather nearby, and before you know it, you can be surrounded. Although it can be startling when a deer suddenly approaches, it's still fun to watch them eat. When you're done, open your hands to show them there's no food left, and they'll usually slowly walk away.

Besides feeding the deer, it's also pleasant to stroll through the park and enjoy the scenery. Overall, Nara Park is a great place to explore at a leisurely pace, and it also lets you experience Nara's distinctive history and culture.

On this trip to Osaka, I also planned a visit to Kuromon Market. I came in the morning to look around, and the whole market was livelier than I expected. Along the way, there were lots of seafood, fruit, meat, and prepared foods. There were so many choices, and just walking around and looking at everything was interesting.

What I liked most was that many vendors prepared the ingredients right there, so you could eat them immediately after buying them, which was very convenient for tourists. The seafood also looked very fresh, but some prices really weren't cheap, so it's better to compare a little before buying.

Kuromon Market isn't the kind of place where you can slowly spend an entire day, but it's easy to include in an Osaka city itinerary. You can spend an hour or two eating something and buying some fruit, then continue shopping around nearby Nipponbashi and Namba. Overall, it's a place worth stopping by while you're in Osaka.

As soon as you walk in, you see local Okinawan coral and small fish. The water is extremely clear, and natural light comes in from above, making the whole tank sparkle. Watching the little fish dart in and out of the coral is really relaxing.
But the truly impressive part is the Kuroshio Sea tank. The moment you turn the corner and see that huge glass wall, you can't help but say, "Wow." You're completely surrounded by blue. Seeing the whale sharks in person, they're unbelievably huge, slowly swimming overhead, while rays circle around them like they're flying. The immersive feeling is something photos simply can't capture. I found a seat and just zoned out, watching them swim back and forth. Time flew by, and I didn't want to leave at all.
The deep-sea fish in the area afterward looked pretty unusual, and the dim lighting was a big contrast with the earlier sections. Overall, it was really worth the visit. Just sitting in front of the main tank and watching the whale sharks swim around was worth the price of admission.