黃國棟's Reviews Page 5/15

When visiting Ehime Prefecture in Japan, besides enjoying the beautiful scenery, I also highly recommend making time for a trip to Tobe Zoo! The zoo makes good use of the natural terrain, with lush greenery and a wide variety of animals. The entire grounds are very clean and comfortable to explore.

Admission is inexpensive, and the zoo is a manageable size, so you won't get too tired from walking. You can take your time and see everything in about 2–3 hours. Strolling around while watching the animals is also great exercise! If you bring children, you can easily spend most of the day here and enjoy a delicious meal at one of the restaurants inside the zoo. The most unique activity is buying fish food from a vending machine to feed the seals. Watching them eat up close is really fun!

It's about a 30-minute bus ride from central Matsuyama, so it's fairly convenient to get to. If you're traveling in Ehime and looking for a place that's good for families and a relaxing walk, this zoo is well worth adding to your itinerary!

When visiting Matsuyama City in Ehime Prefecture, you absolutely shouldn't miss Matsuyama Castle, one of the city's iconic landmarks! Known for its strong defenses, Matsuyama Castle is one of Japan's surviving original castle keeps and one of Matsuyama's most representative historic castles. The entire castle has an imposing presence, and its traditional architecture combined with the surrounding scenery looks picturesque from every angle.

I really enjoyed my visit this time! It wasn't crowded, so I could stroll around leisurely and take photos at my own pace, enjoying the castle's magnificent beauty without having to squeeze through crowds. From the castle walls and keep to the historic architectural details, everything made me want to take a few more photos.

Compared with busy, crowded tourist attractions, this place has a greater sense of peace and relaxation, allowing you to fully appreciate the unique charm of a Japanese castle. If you're traveling to Shikoku, Matsuyama Castle is definitely worth adding to your itinerary!

When visiting Matsuyama in Ehime Prefecture, don't miss the KURURIN Ferris wheel on the 9th floor of the Iyotetsu Takashimaya department store! Although the Ferris wheel isn't very large, you can enjoy views of downtown Matsuyama from above. There are also very popular transparent gondolas where you can experience the feeling of floating in the air. If you enjoy taking photos, don't miss it!

Foreign visitors can show their passports to get a discounted fare of 500 JPY per person, which is quite affordable! The gondolas are compact and can seat 2 people on each side, making them ideal for two people to enjoy the view together.

I especially recommend riding around sunset! Through the large glass windows, you can watch the sun set and the sky slowly change from daytime to dusk, followed by the lights of downtown Matsuyama gradually coming on. You can enjoy both the sunset and the enchanting night view in one ride, which is really romantic.

After browsing the department store, consider coming up for a ride on the Ferris wheel. You can experience Matsuyama's cityscape from a different perspective and leave with wonderful memories of your trip!

When visiting Tokushima, I recommend taking the Bizan Ropeway to the summit and enjoying the captivating view of Tokushima City from above! Ride the ropeway while it’s still light out. Once you reach the summit, you can take photos, admire the scenery, or find a place to quietly unwind and enjoy a relaxing time.

As the sun sets, the sky gradually darkens and the city lights come on one by one. Watching the scenery change from daytime views to a glittering nightscape creates such a wonderful atmosphere!

After enjoying the night view, take the ropeway back down and consider seeing Tokushima’s famous Awa Odori performance to make your trip even more memorable! Note the ropeway’s operating hours: 09:00–21:00

On our trip to Tokushima, we made a special stop at Tokushima Family Land! It’s a small amusement park that’s great for families with children, surrounded by greenery and filled with a relaxed atmosphere.

The park isn’t very large, and the rides feel a bit dated. It’s not a big, thrilling theme park, but younger children can still find plenty to enjoy.

If you’re visiting with toddlers or elementary school children, you can stroll around at an easy pace, try some simple rides, and enjoy unhurried family time together. It lacks the excitement and flashiness of a large amusement park, but has a simple, nostalgic feel instead.

If you’re expecting a wide variety of new and modern attractions, you may find it a little ordinary. But if you happen to be traveling nearby with children and want somewhere they can simply have some fun, it’s still a good option!

The Tokushima Prefectural Museum is located in Bunka-no-Mori Park and can be reached by bus from Tokushima Station in about 20 minutes. The museum has a very rich collection of exhibits, covering Tokushima’s natural geology, dinosaur fossils, local history, the Shikoku pilgrimage culture, and even exhibitions related to the wartime period, allowing visitors to learn about all of these topics in depth.

The biggest surprise was being able to see dinosaur fossils discovered in Tokushima. Through the various displays and explanations, I gained a more complete understanding of the region. The Tokushima Modern Art Museum is also located there, so you can enjoy different types of exhibitions in one visit, making for a very full itinerary!

Admission is also quite affordable. Being able to explore so much knowledge and culture at such a reasonable price is really worthwhile! If you enjoy Japanese history, natural science, or art, consider adding this place to your itinerary when visiting Tokushima. It’s more than just seeing exhibitions—it’s an educational journey that helps you get to know Tokushima and discover Japan’s regional culture!

The Uzu-no-Michi Walkway is a seaside promenade located inside the Onaruto Bridge, where you can enjoy magnificent views of the Naruto Strait as you walk. The most unique feature is the glass floor, which lets you look straight down at the ocean beneath your feet. If you're lucky, you may even see the famous Naruto whirlpools and experience the incredible power of nature!

The Onaruto Bridge, which connects Naruto City in Tokushima with Awaji Island, is itself a spectacular sight. Looking out from the bridge, the view of the sea meeting the sky is refreshing and relaxing. The surrounding area has not been overly developed, so much of the natural scenery remains, creating a peaceful, laid-back atmosphere.

As for transportation, it is some distance from the city center, but you can take a bus from Tokushima City. I recommend checking the schedule and route before heading out.

This isn't just a great place to enjoy ocean views—you can also experience the exciting and unusual thrill of walking on a glass floor! If you're planning an independent trip to Tokushima, I highly recommend adding this attraction to your itinerary and experiencing the unique natural beauty of the Naruto Strait.

While visiting Kagawa Prefecture in Japan, I made a special trip to the Shikoku Aquarium! It's very different from an ordinary aquarium. Designed around the concept of the "Waterscapes of Shikoku," the exhibits incorporate the natural ecosystems of the seas and rivers surrounding Shikoku. From the moment you step inside, it feels like you're setting off on a journey to explore the ocean.

The most impressive part is the variety of tank designs. The deep blue water and schools of fish swimming together create a scene that is both spectacular and soothing. Standing in front of the large tanks and watching the fish move freely, I felt as if I had become part of the underwater world. There are also unique circular skylights that let you view aquatic life from different angles. They're full of surprises and fun, making it hard to resist taking a few extra photos.

The outdoor dolphin pool is another popular highlight! The dolphins swim gracefully through the water and occasionally leap above the surface, with the endless Seto Inland Sea in the background. The view is especially captivating. If you visit when the sunset turns the sky red, you can truly feel the romance of the ocean and sky coming together.

Rather than simply displaying marine life, the Shikoku Aquarium lets you experience the appeal of combining natural scenery with spatial design. Taking a leisurely walk through the aquarium and seeing the schools of fish, dolphins, and ecosystems from different bodies of water made for a truly wonderful part of the trip!

Visiting Michinoku Lakeside National Government Park in Japan’s Tohoku region, you can’t help but be drawn in by the vast, beautiful scenery! The park is enormous and very well maintained, with greenery and nature everywhere. It’s perfect for slowing down, taking a leisurely walk, admiring the scenery, and enjoying some peaceful time away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

The biggest surprise this time was the yellow cosmos blooming near the parking lot. The bright flowers looked especially dazzling in the sunlight, making it hard not to stop and take photos.

Besides the beautiful fields of flowers, there are also spacious lawns and a wealth of natural scenery, making it a great place to spend an entire day exploring at a relaxed pace. Whether you’re admiring the flowers, walking and taking photos, or simply enjoying nature, it all feels deeply refreshing.

Visit Hiyoriyama Park in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan, and enjoy the relaxing and pleasant scenery of a Japanese park! Hiyoriyama Park is a beautiful park with views of the city, harbor, and Pacific Ocean. The wide-open views and gentle breeze as you stroll around make you forget the busyness of everyday life for a while and enjoy a moment of peace.

This is not only a great place to enjoy the natural scenery, but also a well-known local cherry blossom viewing spot. Every spring, the cherry blossoms bloom, and the sea of soft pink flowers against the harbor must be especially charming, making it a great choice for many people taking a spring trip.

Unfortunately, I visited in the summer this time and missed cherry blossom season, but the park was still lush and full of life. Taking a leisurely walk along the paths, admiring the city and harbor in the distance, and experiencing Yamagata's unique natural atmosphere was also one of the small joys of traveling.

The park is clean and comfortable, with places to sit and slowly enjoy the scenery. If I have the chance to visit again, I would really like to come in spring when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom and see the romantic scenery for myself!