一個漸漸喜歡上慢旅的人's Reviews Page 7/12

From Kyoto, you can take a train to Lake Biwa, Japan's largest lake. Without researching it beforehand, it's hard to grasp just how vast it is. It looks like an inland sea, with sunlight sparkling on the water. In early spring, the tranquil lake is captivating, making it an excellent place to slow down and escape the crowds of central Kyoto.

Stunning scenery is everywhere: first, visit the Shirahige Shrine torii gate standing in the lake and take in its sacred atmosphere; then head to Ukimido, one of the Eight Views of Omi, to enjoy the Zen-like view of the historic Buddhist hall blending with the water and sky. To take in the entire lake, I recommend riding the ropeway up to the Biwako Valley observation deck. Lake Biwa's serene, profound natural beauty has a deeply soothing effect on the mind and body, and it's definitely worth a special trip!

Located near Lake Biwa and listed as one of the Eight Views of Omi, Mangetsuji Temple's Ukimido is an ancient lakeside Buddhist hall steeped in poetry.

On the way from the parking area to Ukimido, you pass through narrow lanes that retain the atmosphere of an Edo-period port town. The rustic houses, low wooden walls, and occasional breeze are so peaceful and enchanting that they seem to wash away Kyoto's hustle and bustle before you even arrive.

Emerging from the lanes, a stone bridge draws your gaze out across the vast expanse of Lake Biwa. When you finally see the Buddhist hall seemingly floating on the water, its solemn presence is visually stunning. Take off your shoes and step onto the corridor extending over the lake, where the water and sky blend into one. This is the perfect place to slow down, feel the gentle lake breeze, quietly gaze across the water, and immerse yourself in a peaceful moment unique to Japan.

Shirahige Shrine, located on the shore of Lake Biwa, has a long history. Though small and simple, it offers breathtakingly beautiful scenery. The most captivating sight is the vermilion torii gate standing in the lake. With the waves around it, it seems to float on the water, often creating the dreamlike illusion of being at Itsukushima Shrine, one of Japan's Three Scenic Views.

For the best view of this torii gate on the water, the ideal photo spot is the observation deck inside the shrine grounds. From this elevated position, you get an expansive view that captures the depth of the lake and sky blending together while also keeping you safe.

A national highway with fast-moving traffic separates the shrine from the torii gate, and there is no pedestrian crossing at all. For your own safety and that of drivers, please don't be an irresponsible traveler and risk crossing the road to the lakeshore on the other side. The best way to experience this sacred tranquility is to quietly pray in the lake breeze from the observation deck and gaze at the torii gate in the distance.

Hidden away from the world, Sanzen-in Temple is a peaceful sanctuary far from Kyoto's bustling city center. As soon as you enter the grounds, you're greeted by the scenery it is known for: towering cedar trees and carpets of moss. Several innocent-looking little Jizo statues recline and smile on the lush green moss, creating an incredibly soothing scene.

In early March, Kyoto's mountain forests still have a slight chill. At this time, there's nothing better than ordering a tea set in the reception hall. Sitting cross-legged on red felt over tatami, holding warm, slightly bitter matcha with wagashi, and quietly gazing at the picturesque garden framed by the surrounding landscape, it feels as if time has stopped.

After the visit, I walked back along the mountain road toward the bus stop, where the savory aroma of toasted soy sauce drifted from the roadside shops. I couldn't resist buying a skewer of freshly grilled Japanese dango from an elderly Japanese woman. It was piping hot, crisp outside, and tender inside. One sweet-and-savory bite instantly warmed my hands and stomach, bringing this quiet, meditative journey to a warm close.

If I had to recommend a convenient place to stay and shop, I would suggest considering the area around JR Kagoshima-Chuo Station. It has excellent amenities and is an ideal base for shopping and accommodations. The station is directly connected to AMU PLAZA Kagoshima, so if you want to buy Japanese appliances or electronics, just head to the connected Bic Camera. It has everything from beauty appliances and hair dryers to insulated bottles. You can get there as soon as you leave the station and easily shop tax-free, without worrying about carrying your purchases around.

I also highly recommend staying at JR Kyushu Hotel Kagoshima. The hotel is directly connected to the station, with a bustling shopping mall and food court downstairs. After buying electronics, you can take the elevator straight up and leave them in your room. Taking the Shinkansen or airport bus on the way home is also seamless. This trip really showed me how convenient a hotel connected to the station complex can be.

If you want to go shopping, I recommend Tenmonkan Shopping Street, Kagoshima's liveliest shopping district. It's a covered arcade that provides shade and shelter from the rain, making it pleasant to explore in any weather.

Stationery and lifestyle goods lovers shouldn't miss LOFT on the corner. You'll find all kinds of designer stationery, planner stickers, and Japanese-style goods, and could easily spend an hour or two browsing. This is also a hub for classic Kagoshima cuisine: for dessert, stop by the original shop that created Shirokuma shaved ice to try the most authentic and super-cute version; for dinner, I recommend visiting one of the area's famous kurobuta restaurants and enjoying shabu-shabu made with Kagoshima black pork, known for its delicate texture and sweet flavor. Food, drinks, and shopping all in one place—it's a must-visit landmark for experiencing Kagoshima's local energy!

When visiting Kagoshima, you have to try the adorable signature dessert, Shirokuma shaved ice. Fluffy, finely shaved white ice is drizzled with sweet condensed milk, then cleverly decorated with dried fruit and red beans to resemble a polar bear's face. It has a rich milky flavor and a light, refreshing sweetness.

If you don't want to wait in line, besides the popular original shop in downtown Tenmonkan, there's also a surprisingly good hidden version of Shirokuma at Sengan-en! Sit down at the garden's teahouse restaurant and leisurely enjoy this classic dessert while looking out over magnificent Kinko Bay and Sakurajima, which occasionally sends up plumes of white smoke. With each cool bite and stunning view, you can take in Kagoshima's unique nature and flavors at the same time. It offers a relaxing experience completely different from an ordinary dessert shop and is highly recommended.

When visiting Kagoshima, don't miss Sengan-en, the Shimadzu family's garden from the Satsuma Domain that uses borrowed scenery. You can get there directly from downtown by bus or streetcar, making it very convenient.

I recommend buying an experience package so you can enjoy the thrill of archery and the fun of making your own Satsuma kiriko glass charm. You can also feast on local specialties and jambo mochi in the garden. It's well worth setting aside an entire afternoon to explore at a leisurely pace. This Japanese garden uses Kinko Bay as its pond and Sakurajima as its artificial hill. As you stroll around, you can sometimes see the active volcano across the bay billowing white smoke. The view is breathtaking.

After entering, I recommend first heading all the way toward the wooded area at the far end. Even in December, we were lucky enough to catch the beautiful sight of golden ginkgo leaves intertwined with deep-red late-season maple leaves. Along the way, don't forget to visit the Cat Shrine, a rare shrine in Japan where people pray for their cats' safety and health. Next to it is a unique little shop selling elegant Japanese-style goods and small cat-themed crafts, making it a great place to pick out souvenirs and preserve warm memories of this garden visit filled with history, nature, and hands-on fun.

Plans never keep up with changes. I had planned to visit Saraku Sand Bath Hall, but it was unexpectedly closed. Fortunately, a fellow traveler I met on the bus recommended Yamagawa Sunamushi Onsen Sayuri (Fushime Onsen), and we decided to go together. This unexpected detour became my most unforgettable memory of Ibusuki. Since I'd come all this way, I couldn't miss this natural steam sand bath, a rarity found in only a few places worldwide.

After getting off the bus, we had to walk a long stretch of rolling hills. The slight soreness in my legs made the warmth enveloping my entire body when I later lay in the black sand heated by geothermal steam feel even more soothing.

Supplies and yukata can be rented on-site, which is very convenient. After sweating and fully unwinding to the sound of the waves, I bought a bottle of cold, rich coffee milk in the lounge and drank it down. I felt refreshed from head to toe, bringing this serendipitous hot spring experience to a perfect close.

Located at the southern tip of the Satsuma Peninsula, Kaimondake is known as “Satsuma Fuji” for its nearly perfect conical shape and is also one of Japan’s 100 Famous Mountains.

This time, we traveled all the way from Ibusuki Station by bus to Cape Nagasakibana. After visiting the legendary Ryugu Shrine, the best part of the trip was finding a bench facing the sea and quietly sitting down. Gazing at the beautiful mountain rising from the sea, accompanied by the waves—even though the sky was overcast, the gentle breeze on my face was an irreplaceable pleasure for the soul during the journey. At one point, the sun came out, and Satsuma Fuji’s reflection seemed to take on the captivating appearance of an upside-down Fuji.