王小鈞's Reviews Page 4/11

Akanko Ainu Kotan

The Akanko Ainu Kotan, located in the southern area of Lake Akan-a famous freshwater lake and a top tourist destination in Eastern Hokkaido-serves as a vibrant hub for experiencing Ainu history and culture.

• Kushiro and Nemuro
• Tourist Attractions

After checking in at a Lake Akan hot spring hotel, you should definitely go for an evening walk! The Ainu village on the south side of Lake Akan is lit with warm yellow lights at night, and with snowflakes falling, the whole street feels as romantic as a fairy tale.

This is the largest Ainu settlement in Hokkaido. It has unique woodcarving crafts and traditional culture, and at night it takes on a quiet, mysterious atmosphere.

Walking slowly through the snow and breathing in the cold, fresh air made the pace of the trip slow down too. Lake Akan in winter isn’t just about beautiful scenery. It’s a happy moment that makes you want to stay a little longer.

Tsutenkaku Tower

A steel tower which looks like the Eiffel Tower and 75 meters high was built In 1912, on top of a building which was the motif of the Arc de Triomphe, and named “Tsutenkaku” meaning “A building reaching the heaven'' by Nangaku Fujisawa, a Confucian in the early Meiji period. After being broken down due to a fire, citizens lobbied for rebuilding and the current 2nd Tsutenkaku was built in 1956.

• Osaka
• Observatories

I visited Osaka’s landmark, Tsutenkaku Tower. During the day, you can look out over the city, and at night, it becomes even more romantic once it’s lit up. Going up to the rooftop to enjoy the night view is totally worth it!
Besides the observation deck, there’s now the super thrilling TOWER SLIDER. You slide all the way down from high up, and even though it only lasts a few seconds, the speed is such a rush. It made me want to do it again!
If you like taking photos, enjoying night views, and trying exciting attractions, Tsutenkaku is definitely one of Osaka’s must-visit spots.

Shinsekai Hon-dori Shopping Street

Tsutenkaku Tower, Jan Jan Yokocho Street, Spa World are in Ebisu-Higashi, Naniwa District. People started calling this area Shinsekai (New World) in 1912, when Tsutenkaku and Japan’s second amusement park, Luna Park, opened. It meant a new-born tourist spot in Osaka. Since then, this amusement street has grown, used as a location for movies and TV dramas, and became a famous site in Osaka.

• Osaka
• Shopping Streets

When I arrived at Osaka’s Shinsekai Hon-dori Shopping Street, I was immediately blown away by the over-the-top 3D signs! Giant pufferfish, octopus, and kushikatsu signs—every shop looks like it’s competing to be the most eye-catching. Every quick photo feels so Osaka.
Even on a weekday, it was packed with tourists from all over the world and incredibly lively! The area is full of all kinds of restaurants and street food. The smell of kushikatsu, takoyaki, and grilled meat drifts through the street, making it hard to stop eating as you walk.
If you want to experience authentic, down-to-earth Osaka culture, Shinsekai is definitely a must-visit!

Tennoji Zoo

Tennoji Zoo opened on January 1st, 1915 and had its 100th anniversary in 2015. Almost 170 species and 1000 animals are kept in about 11 hectares of the zoo. In the reptile house, "Ifar," and in “African Savanna Zone” where hippopotamus, giraffes, and lions live, the ecological exhibition introduces reproduced scenery of animals’ habitats as closely as possible.

• Osaka
• Zoos & Aquariums

If you're staying in Tennoji while visiting Osaka, I really recommend spending half a day at Tennoji Zoo!
I thought it would just be a small city zoo, but it was much bigger than expected. There’s a great variety of animals, from giraffes and lions to penguins and polar bears.

The layout is easy to follow, so you don’t have to keep backtracking, and it makes for a really comfortable visit. The grounds are also kept clean and tidy.
It’s great for families with kids, and also perfect for anyone who enjoys taking a slow walk while looking at animals. If you have enough time, I’d recommend setting aside 2–3 hours to explore at a relaxed pace. You definitely won’t get bored!

Tennoji Park

An urban park located just steps from Tennoji Station, one of Osaka’s major terminal stations. This historic park opened in 1909 on the former site of the 5th National Industrial Exhibition, which was held in 1903. Its vast 26-hectare grounds are home to a variety of attractions, including Tennoji Zoo.

• Osaka
• Parks & Gardens

We stayed near Tennoji Station this time, and the transportation was seriously super convenient. Tennoji Park was just a few minutes away on foot. The wide-open green space and relaxed atmosphere made me instantly forget I was right in the middle of busy Osaka.
The park has spacious lawns, cafes, and you can also visit Tennoji Zoo and Keitakuen Garden while you're there. It’s perfect for letting kids burn off some energy, or for slowing down and taking a break during your trip. The weather was great that day, and it felt so nice sitting on the grass, enjoying the breeze, and watching people picnic leisurely around us. If you’re staying near Tennoji Station, I definitely recommend setting aside half a day to take a walk here and experience a more laid-back side of Osaka.

Tennoji Mio

A highly convenient shopping complex directly connected to JR Tennoji Station and easily accessible from other public transportation. The complex consists of the Main Building and the Plaza Building, housing Approx. 340 shops centered on fashion, along with accessories, cosmetics, and variety goods. It also features 100-yen shops that come in handy while traveling, as well as stores selling popular character goods from anime and manga, making it popular with a wide range of visitors.

• Osaka
• Commercial Buildings

For this trip to Osaka, I chose to stay near Tennoji Station, and it really turned out to be an awesome decision! It’s one of Osaka’s major transportation hubs, so getting around by JR, subway, or heading to Kansai Airport or Nara was super convenient and saved a lot of travel time. The area also has department stores, shopping centers, food courts, and supermarkets, so there’s no shortage of places to go from morning to night. In the evening, the city lights lit up the streets, and the night views were really charming. It made me want to linger a little longer. If you’re traveling independently in Osaka, I highly recommend using Tennoji as your base. The convenience and transportation access are both incredibly satisfying!

Underground Mall Grand Festa / Festa BLD. in front of Himeji Station

Underground Mall Grand Festa is the expansive 7,000㎡ shopping hub that’s directly connected via underground passages at select Himeji Station exits. The entire floor is divided into “streets” 1 through 6, each zone with plenty of Himeji soul food classics, apparel, cosmetics, local sake, Japanese confections and more to shop.

• Hyogo
• Commercial Buildings

We took the train to Himeji Castle early in the morning. Since the crowds were still light, we could really enjoy this beautiful, snow-white World Heritage Site.

After visiting the castle, we stopped by the nearby Himeji City Zoo. It’s not a large zoo, but there were surprisingly quite a few animals. You can also enjoy views of Himeji Castle while strolling around, so it’s great for a family trip.

In the afternoon, we slowly walked back toward Himeji Station and browsed the shopping streets and shopping areas around the station. Compared with popular spots like Osaka and Kyoto, there were far fewer tourists, which made it feel especially relaxed and comfortable. It was nice to take our time buying souvenirs, grabbing small snacks, and enjoying the laid-back atmosphere of downtown Himeji.

Spending the day with an old castle, a zoo, and a relaxed shopping walk felt unrushed and not crowded. It really let us appreciate the charm of traveling in a smaller Japanese city.

Himeji City Zoo

Located within the grounds of the World Heritage Site, Himeji Castle, next to the Sannomaru Plaza, is the "Zoo Inside the Castle." Upon entering the zoo and walking straight ahead, you'll come across the red "Shiromi Bashi Bridge," which offers a picturesque view of Himeji Castle over the moat. From the west side of the old elephant house, you can see the castle's main keep reflected upside down on the moat's surface-a unique viewing spot that draws many visitors.

• Hyogo
• Zoos & Aquariums

At Himeji Castle, besides admiring the impressive white main keep, we unexpectedly found a small and charming zoo right next door.

The zoo isn’t very big, and it doesn’t have as many kinds of animals as a large zoo, but it’s kept very clean. It also hardly had that typical zoo smell, so walking around was really pleasant. It’s an easy little stop if you’re visiting with kids.

The biggest surprise was a hidden photo spot inside the zoo where you can see Himeji Castle from a different angle. The white main keep against the blue sky looked absolutely beautiful!

If you’re visiting Himeji Castle, it’s worth adding this small spot to your route. Along with seeing the historic castle, you can also take some unique and memorable photos.

Himeji Castle

This castle is a World Heritage Site and a Japanese castle masterpiece. The main keep, built by Ikeda Terumasa in the early Edo period, has a five-story exterior, one basement level, and six stories above ground on the inside, making it the largest Edo period castle tower still standing.

• Hyogo
• Tourist Attractions

When I arrived at Himeji Castle, I was genuinely blown away by its beauty at first sight! The bright white exterior and impressive main keep make it easy to see why it’s called the “White Heron Castle.” From a distance, it looks like a castle straight out of a fairy tale, so beautiful that you can’t help but keep taking photos.

I had planned to visit on a weekday, thinking I could stroll around at a relaxed pace, but there were still quite a few visitors. Everyone was busy finding the best angles to capture this centuries-old castle.

Even with the crowds, the moment I saw Himeji Castle in person, I felt it was absolutely worth it! It’s not only beautiful on the outside, but once you step inside, you can really feel the rich history. It’s a classic must-visit spot for any trip to Kansai.

The Osaka Museum of Housing and Living

Japan’s first museum, specialized on the history and culture of life, was opened in April 2001. You can learn about housing and how people lived during Edo, Meiji, Taisho and Showa Periods.

• Osaka
• Museums

Travel back in time to the Edo period!
The Osaka Museum of Housing and Living faithfully recreates the streets, townhouses, and everyday life of that era. Walking through it feels like stepping onto the set of a period drama. Every corner is super photogenic, so if you love taking pictures, you’ll probably never want to stop.
Admission is free with the Osaka Amazing Pass, which makes it a great deal. The museum isn’t huge, so 2–3 hours is just right if you take your time and snap photos.
It’s also perfect to visit along with Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street for a taste of both old and modern Osaka!