王小鈞's Reviews Page 6/11

AFURI Ebisu

Located just a 3-minute walk from Ebisu Station, this stylish ramen shop specializes in tanrei-kei (light and refined) ramen, crafted with pure natural spring water from Mount Afuri in Kanagawa and a carefully simmered blend of chicken and seafood. AFURI has expanded from Tokyo to Kanagawa, Hokkaido, and even overseas in the U.S. and Hong Kong. The Ebisu branch is open until 5 a.m. and operates as a completely cashless restaurant.

• Meguro, Ebisu

If you’re traveling to Tokyo and love ramen, you absolutely can’t miss the super popular AFURI Ramen.

My top recommendation this time is their yuzu shio ramen. It’s light, refreshing, and full of depth. The hot broth has a rich chicken aroma with a gentle hint of yuzu, and it never feels greasy. The more you sip, the smoother it gets!

The noodles have just the right texture, and the aroma of the seared chashu makes every bite unforgettable. It was so good that before heading home, I even went to a convenience store to buy AFURI instant ramen so I could bring a little taste of Tokyo back with me.

If you like lighter-style ramen, AFURI’s yuzu shio ramen is definitely worth adding to your Tokyo must-eat list!

CIAL Yokohama

“CIAL Yokohama” occupies the floors B1 to B3 of “JR Yokohama Tower”, a station building directly connected to the West Exit of JR Yokohama Station. It is a shopping center that meets a wide range of gourmet needs, with the first basement floor selling high-quality sweets, prepared foods, and grocery items; the second basement floor has a fresh food market selling mainly fresh foods; the third basement floor has a food hall that can be used as a favorite stopover space.

• Yokohama

If you’re staying near Yokohama Station, CIAL Yokohama is a food paradise you’ll want to visit every day! You can find everything here, from breakfast, lunch, and dinner to desserts. There are all kinds of Japanese food, ramen, cafés, and souvenirs.

The basement floors also have a supermarket, which makes it super convenient to buy fruit, prepared foods, drinks, or late-night snacks. You really don’t have to worry about finding something to eat.

It’s easy to get to and fun to browse around. Whether you’re traveling independently or staying near Yokohama Station, I highly recommend adding this place to your daily must-visit list!

I'm donut ? Nakameguro

I’m donut ? is a specialty takeout donut shop located under the elevated railway tracks, just a 10-second walk from the east exit of Nakameguro Station. You’ll know it by the chic white-themed and glass-paned exterior that just begs you to watch each delicious round fry up close.

• Nakameguro, Daikanyama
• Light Meals

When you come to Japan, you can’t miss the wildly popular I’m donut ?! There are huge lines every day, especially on weekends when the line stretches outside the shop, but it’s honestly worth it for that first bite.

The texture isn’t dense like a traditional donut. It’s fluffy, slightly moist, and melts in your mouth. Every flavor has its own personality, so it’s no surprise it went viral online.

If you’re planning to pass by, be sure to set aside time to wait in line and try this dreamy donut that you’ll fall in love with after one bite!

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.