王小鈞's Reviews Page 20/25

Tokyu Plaza Harajuku Harakado

Doors are wide open at this brand new mega-retailer, opened at the Jingumae intersection between Harajuku and Omotesando in April 2024. Step inside to find nine different floors from basement to 7th floor rooftop terrace, complete with 75 shops and restaurants to browse, plus a public bathhouse, gallery, library, and so much more.

• Aoyama, Omotesando, Harajuku
• Commercial Buildings

Harajuku’s newest popular landmark, HARAKADO, is right at the lively Jingumae intersection. It’s perfect for shopping, food, and photos all in one stop!

The building has both basement and above-ground floors, with fashion brands, lifestyle goods, unique restaurants, and art spaces to explore at your own pace. You could easily spend the whole day here without getting bored.

I especially recommend visiting the rooftop garden. Surrounded by greenery, you can look out over the streets of Omotesando. It feels fresh during the day and has an amazing atmosphere in the evening. It’s the most relaxing little break spot while shopping.

If you’re coming to Harajuku, don’t just stick to Takeshita Street. Be sure to add HARAKADO to your itinerary and experience Tokyo’s newest trendy vibe!

Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Omokado

A shopping center with popular domestic and international brands shops in the heart of Omotesando & Harajuku. From the 5th all the way down to the 1st basement floor you’ll find an equally incredible and eclectic line up of fashion, goods and accessories to browse. Among them, the shops selling cosmetics draw especially larger buzz.

• Aoyama, Omotesando, Harajuku
• Commercial Buildings

Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku is a popular shopping landmark between Omotesando and Harajuku. This multi-floor mall brings together fashion, lifestyle goods, cafés, and unique brands.

Beyond the dreamy kaleidoscope-style mirrored entrance, one of the biggest highlights is the rooftop garden, OMOHARA Forest, which is open to the public for free. Surrounded by greenery with comfortable seating, it’s a great place to relax and clear your mind after shopping. You can also look out over the streets of Omotesando.

Whether you’re here for shopping, food, or photos, it’s definitely worth making time to stop by and enjoy Tokyo’s mix of fashion and laid-back charm.

CUPNOODLES MUSEUM OSAKA IKEDA

At the CUPNOODLES MUSEUM in Ikeda City, Osaka Prefecture, the birthplace of instant ramen, 11 exhibits and attractions will delve into the appeal of instant ramen.

• Osaka
• Museums

If you've been to the Cup Noodles Museum in Yokohama, the Osaka Ikeda location is definitely worth adding to your list too! This is the birthplace of instant noodles, and you can design your very own Cup Noodles by hand. From drawing on the cup to choosing the soup base and toppings, every step is a lot of fun. Once you're done, you get to take home a one-of-a-kind cup noodle.

Even though I visited on a weekday, it was still packed with tourists, which really shows how popular it is. There are also lots of interactive exhibits inside where you can learn about the story behind the invention of instant noodles. Both adults and kids can have a great time here.

I highly recommend adding this stop to a family trip. It's not only fun, but you also get to create your own special travel souvenir!

Comfort Hotel Gifu

Comfort Hotel, a brand operated by Choice Hotels International, is conveniently located about a 2-minute walk from JR "Gifu" Station, making it a highly convenient hotel for both business and leisure travelers.

• Gifu
• Hotels

If you're traveling to Gifu and looking for a convenient, affordable hotel, Comfort Hotel Gifu is definitely worth recommending! The hotel is right near JR Gifu Station, just a few minutes' walk away. There are supermarkets, department stores, and restaurants nearby, so everything is super convenient.

The room was clean and comfortable, making for a relaxing stay. They also offer free breakfast, with plenty of tasty options that give you a nice boost in the morning. Best of all, the room rates are budget-friendly, so the value for money is excellent. It's a great choice for independent travelers or anyone planning a trip around Gifu and the Chubu region. You can enjoy a comfortable stay without spending much, and I'd definitely stay here again next time I visit Gifu.

Hachiman-bori Canal

Omihachiman city is located in the Koto area on the eastern shore of Lake Biwa in the central Shiga Prefecture. It is a scenic castle town where the blessings of Kokoku (Lake Country) and old and new Western and Japanese culture are alive.

• Shiga
• Tourist Attractions

This time I visited Hachiman-bori Canal and finally got to check off the boat ride I'd been wanting to try!
I thought it would be a wide canal, but the waterway was much smaller than I expected. The boat moved along slowly—so slowly it felt like time itself had slowed down too. The water wasn't as clear as I had imagined, but the row of white-walled warehouses and the charming old streetscape along the banks still made it feel like I'd slipped back into the Edo period. The nostalgic atmosphere had so much character. Along the way, the boatman also shared some local history, which added a nice storytelling element to the ride. It's not the kind of attraction that will leave you constantly amazed, but relaxing on the boat while taking in the scenery of Hachiman-bori and experiencing the history and culture of the Omi merchants still made it a travel memory worth keeping.

Sennaritei Hachimabori Branch

Operated by Sennaritei Fudo, an Omi beef specialty shop with 80 years of history, Sennaritei Hachimabori Branch is a spot with both a retail shop and a restaurant. With 10 locations across Shiga Prefecture, it is popular with both locals and tourists.

• Shiga
• Japanese Cuisine

If you’re strolling around Hachiman-bori, you definitely shouldn’t miss trying Shiga’s famous Omi beef! This time, I chose Sennaritei Hachimabori Branch and ordered a freshly grilled Omi beef wagyu skewer.

It takes a few minutes to wait, but every bite is worth it. The meat is tender and juicy, with sweet, rich marbling that isn’t greasy. It practically melts in your mouth and leaves you wanting more.

Enjoying delicious Omi beef while taking in the Edo-style scenery of Hachiman-bori is absolutely a food experience you shouldn’t miss when visiting Omihachiman!

Kansai International Airport

Many domestic and international flights carry nearly 28 million people a year at this western Japan’s entrance, Kansai International Airport. It is on an island about 5km off the coast of Senshu in Osaka Bay, famous as the world’s first marine airport on a completely man-made island. The airport code KIX is used as the familiar nickname “KIX.”

• Osaka
• Airplanes & Airport

I plan a trip to Japan every year, and I’ve visited Osaka Airport several times already. Entering Japan again this year, I could clearly feel that immigration efficiency had improved. With paper and electronic declarations separated into different lines, the waiting time was much shorter, and the arrival process was smoother, giving the trip a great start.

However, the airport’s duty-free souvenir area has shifted mainly to ordering electronically on computers. While the shopping process is more efficient, it does take away some of the fun of picking items by hand and browsing slowly for little finds, which is a bit of a shame.

Overall, Osaka Airport is becoming more and more convenient, and it’s still one of my favorite international airports in Japan.

Venus Line

"Venus Line" is a plateau driving course in Nagano Prefecture with a total length of about 76km and an average altitude of 1400m. It is a mountain road that runs through the plateau of Yatsugatake-Chūshin Kōgen Quasi-National Park.

• Nagano
• Nature Spots

This time, I visited Lake Shirakaba and the Kurumayama Highlands, driving along the Venus Line, known as one of Japan’s most beautiful highland roads. The route was filled with wide-open grasslands, rolling mountains, blue skies, and white clouds. Every stretch of scenery was stunning, and I couldn’t take my eyes off it.

That night, I stayed at a hotel in the Kurumayama Highlands. The next morning, when I opened the curtains, I could enjoy the morning light over the highlands and the fresh natural scenery. The air was especially crisp, and it made both my body and mind feel completely relaxed.

Whether you’re going for a scenic drive, taking photos, or simply enjoying the highland views at a leisurely pace, I highly recommend it. It was an unforgettable part of my trip to Nagano.

Kurobe Dam

Standing 186 meters tall, Kurobe Dam is Japan's tallest and one of the largest dams in the world. It took seven years and the efforts of over 10 million workers to overcome numerous challenges, earning it the title of a "monumental project of the century" at the time of its construction.

• Toyama
• Tourist Attractions

Kurobe Dam, the tallest dam in Japan, is also one of the most breathtaking sights on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. This impressive 186-meter dam, surrounded by mountains and emerald-green lake water, is absolutely stunning.

I was lucky to visit on a perfectly clear day. The blue sky and white clouds made the majestic dam look beautiful from every angle, like something straight out of a postcard. Standing on top of the dam and feeling the combination of nature and engineering wonder was truly unforgettable.

If you have the chance to visit Tateyama Kurobe, don’t miss Kurobe Dam. It’s absolutely a place worth keeping in your memories.

Tateyama Kurobe Snow Valley Festival

Located near Murodo, known for its heavy snowfall, the "Otani" area boasts abundant snow accumulation, with depths approaching 20 meters. This area is part of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, a world-renowned mountain sightseeing route featuring peaks exceeding 3,000 meters in elevation. Every year from April to June, the Tateyama Kurobe Snow Valley Festival takes place, centered around the Otani area.

• Toyama
• Spring festivals & Events

As soon as the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route opened this year, I immediately planned a holiday trip there. I finally got to visit this long-dreamed-of destination!

This year, the snow walls in Yuki no Otani were about 11 meters high, which was a little lower than I had expected. But standing there in person between those massive snow walls was still incredibly impressive. The weather was clear that day, and the contrast between the blue sky and the bright white snow walls was gorgeous. Every angle looked beautiful, like a dreamy scene from a postcard.

Taking the different modes of transportation along the route and enjoying the magnificent views of the Tateyama mountain range made the whole trip full of surprises and emotion. Tateyama Kurobe is truly a stunning place you should visit at least once in your life. Highly recommended!