一個漸漸喜歡上慢旅的人's Reviews Page 4/35

On this Christmas trip to Tokyo, I made a special point of experiencing the romantic winter-only illuminations. I originally thought the highlights would all be along the streets of Roppongi Hills, but Mohri Garden at night was even more stunning. The entire garden sparkled with countless lights, and the water perfectly reflected the illuminations and the Christmas tree in the center. Looking up, the iconic modern buildings and glass facades of Roppongi Hills formed the backdrop. The dreamy atmosphere created by the blend of a traditional Japanese garden and a modern city nightscape was truly memorable. I highly recommend experiencing it if you visit Tokyo in winter. This garden was an unexpected find, and the tiny lights looked like fireflies, creating one of my most unforgettable views of Tokyo.

Maybe it’s because of the strong impression Japanese dramas left on me, but I’ve always felt that if you want to experience Tokyo’s fashionable, upscale side, you have to visit Omotesando in person. After arriving by train, I took a stroll along the pleasant tree-lined avenue. The luxury boutiques on both sides were all impressively designed, one stunning building after another. Along the way, I unexpectedly discovered a cute little shrine, Akiba Shrine, tucked between tall luxury retail buildings. It was a delightful little surprise.

As a local landmark, Omotesando Hills truly lives up to its reputation as a work by master architect Tadao Ando. The beautiful lines and interplay of light and shadow make it hard not to stop and take another look. Leisurely walking and shopping here not only lets you experience its distinctive urban aesthetic, but also a completely different side of Tokyo’s refined atmosphere.

This time I made a special detour to Tokyo Midtown Yaesu mainly to buy the extremely popular souvenir I’d been wanting for a long time: New York Perfect Cheese cheese butter cookies. Before leaving, I did some research and found out there was a shop here. I could conveniently stop by while transferring at JR Tokyo Station without having to line up at one of the popular locations. I was so happy that I was able to get these cheese cookies.

After buying what I came for, I leisurely explored the underground shopping area and mall. The space was comfortable and easy to browse. For travelers, it’s perfectly connected to Tokyo Station, and getting around is very smooth and convenient. It’s a nice place that I’d like to visit again.

When it comes to Tokyo’s most iconic souvenirs, Tokyo Banana is definitely one of them. A friend had previously given me the classic version, and I’ve always liked its cute banana shape. On this trip to Japan, I happened to see the super eye-catching Pikachu collaboration and was completely won over by how adorable it looked, so I couldn’t resist buying it.

Overall, the design is really detailed and unique, and the texture is still soft and fluffy. However, the filling was a little too sweet for me. If you enjoy it with a cup of unsweetened black coffee or hot tea, the sweetness becomes just right and it tastes much better overall.

Many cities in Japan now offer digital tickets, and Sendai’s MaaS system is very convenient. The best part is that there’s no need to download another app—you can easily use it right from your phone’s web browser.

You can freely combine transportation tickets based on your itinerary. It’s especially cost-effective to use a MaaS combination ticket if you plan to visit the planetarium or the Anpanman Children’s Museum. With just a few taps, you can buy a one-day sightseeing bus pass in advance without worrying about accidentally losing a paper ticket. This digital service lets you handle all your transportation and attraction tickets with just one phone and no physical tickets, making independent travel plans more flexible and efficient. It’s a very convenient new option that I highly recommend when visiting Sendai.

This time, I stayed at a hotel connected to JR Kagoshima-Chuo Station. Gourmet-Yokocho and Miyage-Yokocho are both easy to reach from the Central Exit, so the location is incredibly convenient.

There are not only plenty of food options here, but the connected department stores also have just about everything you need. You can browse household goods at Hands, shop for electronics at the huge Bic Camera, or visit a bookstore. I especially recommend Miyage-Yokocho to anyone like me who enjoys train-related items. You can get unique capsule toys featuring JR trains, which are such a delightful surprise that you won’t want to put them down.

There’s no need to worry if it rains during your trip, since you can easily move around entirely within these connected buildings. For breakfast, you can also stop by Seattle’s Best Coffee to pick up coffee and bread to eat on the train. Best of all, before leaving Kagoshima, you can simply head downstairs, buy all your local souvenirs in one place, pack them into your suitcase, and be ready to go.

After seeing a Japanese TV program about the history of the Nakasendo, I had always wanted to walk it myself. This time, I finally got the chance to walk the section from Tsumago-juku to Magome-juku. Thinking about how people in the past traveled all the way from Tokyo to Kyoto on foot was truly a little hard to imagine.

As I walked, I admired the old streets that seemed frozen in time and imagined what the scenery looked like in the past. When I visited in May, a light rain was falling, adding a hazy beauty to the entire post town. Many small shops that have survived since the Edo period are still open today. The Nakasendo, filled with traces of history, is truly worth taking the time to appreciate.

Meiji Macadamia Chocolate is one of my personal go-to snacks whenever I visit Japan. I really like the macadamia nuts inside. They taste very fresh and retain the distinctive crunch and natural aroma of the nuts.

The rich, smooth chocolate coating pairs with them in just the right proportion. It’s sweet without being too rich and is very snackable. Sometimes when I’m browsing drugstores or convenience stores in Japan, I’ll specifically look for the large package to bring back to Taiwan so I can eat my fill. It’s truly so satisfying. If you like the classic combination of nuts and chocolate, this is definitely a tasty option worth picking up when you’re in Japan.

I really love the fresh, mellow aroma of Japanese green tea. The best part is that it has none of the astringency commonly found in tea leaves. For convenience, I especially prefer this kind of tea bag packaging. Whenever I go to Japan, I always stop by Don Quijote or a drugstore to buy boxes of ITO EN green tea bags to bring back to Taiwan. It really is an essential tea to keep at home, and it’s perfect year-round. In the hot summer, I make cold-brew green tea for a cool, refreshing drink; in the winter, I brew a steaming cup and add a little honey, which makes it even mellower and tastier.

It’s great whether I’m enjoying a cup while relaxing at home or serving it to friends and family. This practical and delicious Japanese household staple is definitely a classic product I always haul home whenever I visit Japan.

Speaking of Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory, I first tried it when a friend brought it back from Japan as a souvenir, and I immediately fell in love with its light texture. The outer cake is fluffy and soft, paired with a smooth cheese cream filling that has a rich milky flavor. It's sweet but not too heavy, making it hard to stop after just one bite.

What makes it special is that they also release limited-edition flavors for different seasons, so there's always a new surprise each time I visit. It has now become a popular souvenir that I always pick up a few boxes of at the airport duty-free shop before flying home. If you also like desserts that are rich yet refreshing, this one is definitely worth trying.