王小鈞's Reviews Page 16/25

Dazaifu Amusement Park

Located right next to the famed Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, the head shrine of all Tenmangu in Japan and dedicated to the god of learning, Dazaifu Amusement Park has been delighting families since its opening in October 1957. With its nostalgic retro vibe, the park is especially popular among families with small children.

• Fukuoka
• Amusement Parks & Theme parks

Besides visiting Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine and strolling along the lively approach to the shrine, there’s actually a great family-friendly spot tucked right next door: Dazaifu Amusement Park.

It’s basically a happy little paradise for kids! It’s not a big thrill-ride type of amusement park, but it’s packed with rides perfect for young children, like a carousel, a mini train, and family-friendly attractions. Every one of them can keep kids super happy.

I’d recommend planning an itinerary with Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, the Kyushu National Museum, and the amusement park. Adults can enjoy the culture and beautiful scenery, while kids have a place to burn off energy. It’s just right for a full day out.

Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine

Dazaifu Tenmangu is the head shrine of 10,000 different shrines across Japan dedicated to the spirit of Sugawara Michizane. Sugawara was an acclaimed scholar who was deemed innocent posthumously after being exiled to Dazaifu by Kyoto’s Imperial Court. The main hall was built over his grave and has been preserved as a sacred site of Tenjin worship for over 1100 years.

• Fukuoka
• Shrines & Temples

One of the must-visit spots in Fukuoka. Dazaifu is really spacious, and from the approach all the way into the shrine, the scenery is full of Japanese charm. Every corner is great for photos.

The old torii gates, lush gardens, and distinctive architecture make the whole walk feel relaxed and pleasant. It’s not just a shrine visit, but more like a leisurely stroll while taking in the beautiful views.

Each season has its own appeal here, and with the snacks and souvenirs in the nearby shopping street, spending half a day exploring at a relaxed pace is just right. Highly recommended for a trip to Kyushu.

Kyushu National Museum

Dazaifu, where the Museum stands, is an important hub in Japanese ancient history. It was a place to govern the Kyushu Region where lots of exchanges with the world were taking place. With that background, this 4th national museum was opened in 2005 with the unique concept “Understanding Japanese culture formation in the Asian historical view.”

• Fukuoka
• Museums

If you’re planning a self-guided trip to Fukuoka, I highly recommend visiting Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine and the Kyushu National Museum together. You can enjoy two popular spots in one trip!

The museum is right next to Dazaifu and easy to reach on foot, so it fits perfectly into the route. By chance, there was an exhibition of Taiwanese artifacts that day. I don’t usually take the time to appreciate them carefully back in Taiwan, but somehow I ended up really enjoying them in Japan. It felt like a special connection.

After the museum, you can head to Dazaifu’s old shopping street for food and souvenirs. It makes for a rich and fulfilling full-day itinerary. If you love history and culture, don’t miss it!

Daisetsuzan Sounkyo Kurodake Ropeway

Located at the center of Hokkaido, Daisetsuzan, a mountain range of eight volcanos, is called the ‘’god’s playground.” One of them is Mt.Kurodake, rising 1,984m above sea level. A nature hike along alpine plants and Ezo chipmunks in spring and summer, gorgeous fall foliage in autumn, and ski or snowshoe hike in winter. Daisetsuzan is fun to visit throughout the year.

• Asahikawa and Sounkyo
• Ropeway

Sounkyo is one of the most popular spots in Daisetsuzan, Hokkaido. I was originally looking forward to taking the ropeway and looking out over the snowy mountain scenery, but unfortunately it was closed that day due to the weather. That was a little disappointing.

Still, seeing Sounkyo from another angle was beautiful, too. In the falling snow, it looked like a fairy-tale world, with the mountains and forests covered in white. Every quick photo looked like a postcard.

That’s how travel goes sometimes. Even though there was a small regret, I also got to enjoy a different kind of winter-only romance. I’m looking forward to coming back next time and finally experiencing the ropeway!

Otokoyama sake brewery museum

Otokoyama, Hokkaido's famous sake, with a history of about 350 years. The Otokoyama Sake Brewing Museum is operated by Otokoyama Corporation to convey the history and traditions of sake brewing where Otokoyama is produced and sold.

• Asahikawa and Sounkyo
• Museums

If you’re visiting Asahikawa in Hokkaido, you should definitely make time for the Otokoyama Sake Brewing Museum! 🍶

This place doesn’t just introduce the history and brewing process of Japanese sake. It also displays many valuable brewing tools and historical items, giving you a deeper look into Japanese sake culture.

The highlight, of course, is the free sake tasting. You can sample several different styles of Otokoyama sake at once and find the flavor you like best. After tasting, don’t forget to browse the shop. The limited-edition sake and souvenirs are well worth taking home.

It’s an Asahikawa spot that sake lovers shouldn’t miss!

Sounkyo Choyotei

Perched on a hill in Sounkyo Onsen and surrounded by dramatic canyon scenery, this inn sits amid towering columnar-jointed cliffs, with a star-filled sky at night. On the top floor, you’ll find the panoramic large public bath “Kurodake” and the open-air “Asahiyama,” where you can take in the canyon through expansive windows or soak outdoors with the ridgeline of Mt. Asahi and the rugged, columnar rock faces right in front of you.

• Asahikawa and Sounkyo
• Hotels

This time I stayed at Sounkyo Choyotei in Hokkaido’s Sounkyo Onsen area and chose a Japanese-style tatami room. The room was comfortable and had a wonderful Japanese atmosphere.

What impressed me most was the dinner and breakfast buffet. The selection was incredible, with all kinds of fresh seafood, hot dishes, and desserts. There were so many choices that I didn’t even know where to start.

After eating, soaking in the relaxing hot spring instantly washed away the fatigue from a full day of travel. It was such a treat!

If you’re traveling in Hokkaido, I highly recommend staying at Choyotei for a night and fully enjoying the double comfort of great food and hot springs.

Okhotsk Ryu-hyo Museum

Located at the summit of Mount Tento in Abashiri at an elevation of 207 meters, this science museum focuses on the theme of drift ice and the creatures of the Sea of Okhotsk. The museum offers stunning 360-degree panoramic views of the Sea of Okhotsk, the Shiretoko Peninsula, and the Shiretoko Mountain Range from its third-floor observation terrace.

• Shiretoko and Abashiri and Kitami and Monbetsu
• Museums

If you come to Abashiri in Hokkaido, I definitely recommend stopping by the Okhotsk Ryu-hyo Museum! Through interactive exhibits, the museum introduces how drift ice forms in the Sea of Okhotsk, along with marine life and drift ice knowledge. Even if it’s not winter, you can see real drift ice up close and experience the charm of the polar world.

After your visit, don’t forget to head up to the rooftop observation deck. The vast Sea of Okhotsk stretches out right in front of you, and on a clear day, the view is amazing. In winter, you may even get to see drift ice floating on the sea—an unforgettable sight. If you love natural scenery or are traveling with family, this is definitely worth adding to your itinerary!

Kushiro Fisherman’s Wharf MOO

It is a commercial complex located adjacent to the Nusamai Bridge at the Kushiro River’s mouth. MOO is an acronym for “Marine Our Oasis” and is popular as a symbol of the waterfront.

• Kushiro and Nemuro
• Commercial Buildings

I made a special trip to Kushiro Fisherman’s Wharf MOO, hoping to feast on seafood and snack my way around. After visiting, though, I found there weren’t as many shops as I had imagined, so it was a bit different from what I expected.

Still, I picked up a few Hokkaido souvenirs, took a relaxing walk by the harbor, snapped some photos, and enjoyed the beautiful views of Kushiro Port. That turned out to be its own kind of travel fun.

It wasn’t the most impressive stop on this trip, but the harbor scenery really is gorgeous. It’s definitely worth coming here to slow down and enjoy Kushiro’s laid-back atmosphere.

Kushiro City Red-Crowned Crane Natural Park (Kushiro Japanese Crane Reserve)

Doors flew open in 1958 at this esteemed park founded to protect and increase the population of red-crowned cranes, a designated Special Natural Monument of Japan. Once on the brink of extinction, the reserve successfully implemented artificial hatching and advanced breeding techniques that saved the species.

• Kushiro and Nemuro
• Zoos & Aquariums

I visited Kushiro City Red-Crowned Crane Natural Park this time and was really looking forward to seeing lots of red-crowned cranes. In the end, though, it was a slightly disappointing stop on my Hokkaido trip.

Maybe it was because of the winter season, or maybe my timing just wasn’t ideal, but I saw far fewer cranes than I had imagined. It didn’t have that dramatic, breathtaking scene I was hoping for.

That said, it was still special to see the elegant red-crowned cranes up close, and the park itself was comfortable and nice for a walk. If you’re like me and hope to see more cranes, I’d recommend checking the season and best viewing times in advance. You might have a much better experience!

Kushiro City Zoo

Kushiro City Zoo, opened in 1975, is Hokkaido's largest zoo, spanning an impressive 47.8 hectares.

• Kushiro and Nemuro
• Zoos & Aquariums

I visited Kushiro City Zoo this time, but unfortunately, it was almost closing time when I arrived, so I only had about 30 minutes to look around. The zoo grounds are huge and there are quite a few animals, but I had to rush through and couldn’t really take my time in many areas, which was a bit disappointing.

That said, the zoo has a very natural setting, and it was really pleasant to walk around. It still left me with a good impression. Next time, I’d definitely like to set aside at least half a day and explore the whole zoo properly to make up for what I missed!