Holly's Reviews Page 2/7

KABUKI CAFE NAGOYA za

A theater where the Nagoya Sanzaburo Ichiza troupe performs "Nagoya Kabuki." Opened in April 2016 as a new landmark in Nagoya's Endoji Shopping Street, it offers a unique and immersive performance experience that feels like an attraction. The close proximity to the stage enhances the sense of excitement.

• Nagoya
• Museums

I originally came just to explore Endoji Shopping Street, but after walking around, I found the area much quieter than I had expected. As I approached KABUKI CAFE NAGOYA za, the atmosphere suddenly changed completely. Quite a few people had gathered outside, and the place felt especially lively, bringing a burst of energy to the quiet shopping street.
The contrast was so striking that I couldn't help stopping to look into it. The sign seemed to indicate that it had something to do with kabuki and stage performances. From the enthusiasm and anticipation of the girls waiting there, it was obvious that this was a very local cultural event. I looked it up on my phone and learned that it was a small theater combining kabuki elements, sword fighting, dance, comedy, and audience interaction. It seemed like it might be easier to understand than kyogen. I actually considered going in to join the fun, but it looked like there might not be any tickets left, so I gave up.
But because of that, it ended up being the most memorable place from my visit to Endoji Shopping Street. In a relatively quiet old shopping street, there was suddenly this energetic little theater surrounded by enthusiastic fans. The contrast was huge.

Asakusa Shrine

The shrine is located next to the main hall of Senso-ji Temple, well known for its Kaminarimon-Gate. It is also called "Sanja-sama" because it enshrines three local deities who contributed to the construction of Sensoji Temple. Although the exact date is unknown, it is believed that "Sanja Gongen-sha," the origin of Asakusa Shrine, was founded in the late Heian period or early Kamakura period or later.

• Asakusa, Tokyo Skytree
• Shrines & Temples

Asakusa Shrine is right next to Senso-ji Temple. When many people visit Asakusa, it's easy to focus entirely on Senso-ji and overlook this shrine. In fact, the very famous Sanja Matsuri held every May is Asakusa Shrine's annual grand festival and one of the liveliest events of the year in all of Asakusa.
I happened to visit during the Sanja Matsuri this time. Although I didn't specifically try to catch the major highlights, such as the mikoshi leaving and returning to the shrine, the shrine grounds alone were already very lively. I also saw many local residents in festival clothing and various related activities. When the mikoshi aren't being carried through the streets, they are kept on the shrine grounds for worshippers to visit.
It was only after taking a closer look around the shrine this time that I realized the famous fox amulet, the “Kitsune Mamori,” which I had seen before, is actually offered by Hikan Inari Shrine, a subordinate shrine on the grounds of Asakusa Shrine. Hikan Inari Shrine is located toward the back of the grounds and enshrines Ukanomitama-no-Kami as its main deity. There are many stone fox statues nearby, creating a very different atmosphere from the lively main sanctuary of Asakusa Shrine in front. If you already like foxes or Inari worship, I highly recommend walking a little farther to the back of Asakusa Shrine when visiting Senso-ji Temple.

Sensoji Temple

This iconic destination in Asakusa sees as many as 30 million visitors each year. It stands as a well-loved mainstay in Tokyo, all while hosting a number of annual traditions like the first temple visit at New Years, Setsubun and more across the year.

• Asakusa, Tokyo Skytree
• Shrines & Temples

For me, Sensoji Temple is not only one of Tokyo's most famous tourist temples, but also the starting point of my later pilgrimage to the “Three Great Kannon Temples.”
The first time Sensoji made a special impression on me was when I visited during the year-end Toshi no Ichi fair. Sensoji's Toshi no Ichi is held every year around December 17 to 19, and its most iconic event is the Hagoita Market. Stalls selling all kinds of decorative battledores gather throughout the temple grounds, making it a traditional Tokyo event filled with a year-end atmosphere.
Compared with an ordinary sightseeing visit, Toshi no Ichi had a strong, down-to-earth New Year's feeling. Under the warm, dim lighting, the lines of each battledore looked softer, as if they had their own filter. I usually tend to keep my distance from dolls with human faces, but surrounded by the lights and darkness that night, the battledores somehow had a lively and gorgeous beauty.
A photo I took at that Toshi no Ichi later unexpectedly won a participation prize in a photography event. It had been more than ten years since I had last won anything, which made me feel an even more mysterious connection with Asakusa Kannon.
Later, I returned to thank Kannon for the blessing and nervously drew a fortune, only to get “small blessing.” At the same time, I prayed for my upcoming trip to Saihoji Temple to go smoothly. Although it rained all the way through Tokyo until I left on the overnight bus, the weather cleared after I arrived in Kyoto. That also made the visit especially memorable for me.
On several later visits, I never drew a “bad luck” fortune from Kannon. People often say Sensoji has a fairly high proportion of bad fortunes, so I always feel a little nervous before drawing one. But I made it through safely each time, which felt like a small blessing to me. I know drawing fortunes is ultimately a matter of probability, but while traveling, sometimes you really treasure coincidences that work out just right.
Perhaps because of what happened afterward, along with the fact that I didn't get a bad fortune in any of my three draws, now whenever I go to Tokyo and have enough time, I try to visit Sensoji again to pray. For me, it is no longer just a place that's a “must-visit on your first trip to Tokyo,” but more like a place where I check in with Kannon at the start of or during each trip and pray for safe travels. I am very grateful for Kannon's protection along the way, and I hope I can continue coming back to worship on every future trip to Tokyo.

KINTETSU RAIL PASS

The KINTETSU RAIL PASS is a special travel pass for foreign tourists visiting Japan, providing unlimited rides on Kintetsu trains, as well as designated areas on Nara Kotsu buses. The pass can be purchased through the Kintetsu website or at travel agencies, and as of December 2024, it has been upgraded to a digital ticket. This new feature allows users to simply display the pass on their smartphone and tap it at the ticket gate, providing a more seamless and convenient travel experience!

• Osaka
• Tickets & Passes

On this trip, I traveled from Nagoya through Ise, Matsusaka, and Tsu, then continued on to Osaka. I used the KINTETSU RAIL PASS 5day plus. After actually using it, I think that for this pass to really be worth it, it's best to plan at least two longer trips, such as Nagoya to Ise and then Ise to Osaka. If you only have one long-distance trip and the rest are short trips, the savings aren't as noticeable.
The most valuable part of PLUS is that you can take Mie Kotsu buses within designated areas in the Ise region. Places like Futamiura and Naiku aren't most conveniently reached by Kintetsu alone. Especially when going to Futamiura, the bus stop is closer to the main attractions, and you can also walk a lot less when going to Naiku. So if you're only taking Kintetsu, the regular 5-day pass may be enough, but if you want to explore Ise more thoroughly, I'd recommend PLUS.
At one point, I even got on the wrong bus and rode all the way to the area around Shima-Isobe Station, then took Kintetsu back to Ujiyamada. Although I accidentally made a huge detour, having the pass meant I didn't have to recalculate fares the whole way, and it instead became an amusing little incident during the trip.
What's a bit disappointing is that the KINTETSU RAIL PASS has now switched entirely to digital tickets, and the old paper version is no longer available. You now need to buy it in advance or online and display a QR Code on your phone to ride, so you have to keep an eye on your phone's battery and internet connection during the trip. For someone like me who likes to keep physical passes as travel souvenirs, it's still a little disappointing not to have a paper version.

Kyoto City Subway, Bus One-Day Pass

This savvy ticket bundles unlimited rides for one day on all Kyoto City Subway and City Bus lines, as well as on Kyoto Bus, Keihan Bus, and JR Bus routes. Apart from a few excluded sections of the Kyoto, Keihan and JR bus routes, use this pass to get almost anywhere in the Kyoto city limits. Many travelers in the know enjoy using both subway and bus routes with this ticket to get around even the most crowded city spots with ease.

• Kyoto
• Tickets & Passes

I actually preferred the simple one-day bus pass, but unfortunately it has been discontinued. Now there's only the combined Subway & Bus One-Day Pass, which costs JPY 1,100 for adults. Although the pass includes the subway, I'm still more used to taking buses when traveling in Kyoto. Many temples, shrines, and smaller attractions in Kyoto are some distance from subway stations, while buses can take you closer to your destination, making it easier to get around on foot.
However, if I'm traveling a longer distance or it's rush hour or a busy sightseeing period, I'll take the subway instead because the roads can get congested. So while this pass isn't as cheap as the old bus-only pass, it at least offers more flexibility. Although it costs more than before, it's still easy to get your money's worth if you're visiting several attractions and taking the bus multiple times that day. And for people who aren't very familiar with Kyoto's buses, this kind of PASS means there's no need to panic too much if you take the wrong bus. It's still quite good.

Toei One-day Pass (Toei Marugoto Kippu)

Valid for one full day, the Toei One-day Pass (Toei Marugoto Kippu) offers unlimited access to Toei subways.

• Tokyo
• Tickets & Passes

I personally find the Toei One-day Pass quite useful, especially on days when I'm getting around central Tokyo a lot. When traveling in Tokyo, my usual approach is to use the subway for long distances and buses for short distances. Although the Tokyo subway is convenient, many attractions are still a bit of a walk from the station. If you don't want to rely on your feet all the time and find taxis too expensive, Toei buses are very useful. In the area between Shinjuku and Tokyo Station, buses run fairly often, giving you much more flexibility when getting around the city.
Buying the pass is also very convenient. Besides subway ticket machines, you can buy it directly from the driver on a Toei bus. I usually have a screenshot of the pass name or an image ready to show the driver, which makes communication much faster.
One thing to note is that even though it's a one-day pass, late-night buses aren't completely free. You have to pay the additional late-night surcharge. Also, the Koto 01 route isn't covered.

Okayama Electric Tramway (Streetcar)

Okayama Electric Tramway, affectionately known as “Okaden,” is a streetcar system that has been operating in Okayama City for more than a century, having first begun service in the Meiji era. It continues to connect key areas of the city today and is widely used not only for commuting and school travel, but also as a convenient way to reach major sightseeing spots such as Okayama Castle and Korakuen Garden.

• Okayama
• Trains & Subway

Whether the Okayama streetcar one-day pass is worth buying really depends on your itinerary that day. In 2026, the adult pass costs JPY 400, while a single streetcar ride has a flat fare of JPY 160, so if you're only riding the streetcar, it doesn't start saving you money until your third ride.
The Okayama streetcar currently has only two lines, the Higashiyama Line and the Seikibashi Line. Tourists most commonly use the Higashiyama Line, which runs from Okayama-Ekimae to Shiroshita, making it convenient for Okayama Castle and Korakuen Garden. The Seikibashi Line is more of a local route. So if you're only making a round trip between Okayama Station and Okayama Castle that day, you may not need a one-day pass. It's best to calculate how many rides you'll take first.
However, Okaden itself is also a little bit of fun because there are so many types of cars. Besides the regular cars, Tigerair has sponsored one featuring Tiggy. There are also KURO and MOMO, designed by Eiji Mitooka, a car recreating the old Tobu Nikko Tramway design, and special streetcars such as the carp streamer streetcar that occasionally runs during the season and is very popular with children. If you like trains, it's pretty fun to use a one-day pass for a few extra rides and see what kind of car you'll encounter that day, even if you're not rushing between attractions.
The paper one-day pass is also easy to buy. It's available at the public transportation information center at the east exit of Okayama Station and is also sold on the streetcars. After you buy it, a staff member will scratch off the date of use for you. After that, simply show it to the driver when getting off.

Have Fun in Okayama 1 Week Free Pass

Okayama is known as the “Land of Sunshine” thanks to its many clear and pleasant days throughout the year. Okayama offers a variety of attractions, from historical sites to gourmet cuisine nurtured by the mild climate of the Seto Inland Sea. The Have Fun in Okayama Pass (officially titled “Have Fun in Okayama 1 Week Free Pass”) offers a convenient and cost-effective way to explore the region.

• Okayama
• Tickets & Passes

I've used the Have Fun in Okayama Pass twice, and overall, as long as you choose the right options, it's actually pretty easy to get your money's worth, especially when there's a discount promotion on the platform.
My most recommended combination is the discount coupon for the Bic Camera Okayama Station Store, the fruit parfait at Hotel Granvia Okayama, and the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter sightseeing benefits. The first is practical, and the second feels like a treat. The Kurashiki sightseeing coupon is great because it's flexible and can be used toward desserts, souvenirs, museums, experiences, and more, making a stroll around Kurashiki more interesting.
However, this pass has one very important restriction: once activated, it must be used within 7 days. If you're planning to visit central Okayama and Kurashiki several days apart, you need to calculate the activation date in advance so you don't run out of time to redeem something.
After using it, I think its biggest advantage is that several of the options are quite practical and located at places that aren't difficult to get to. As long as you're staying in Okayama, you can easily use three options. If you're already planning to visit central Okayama and Kurashiki and can get it at a promotional price, it's really good value for the money.

Sora no Eki Komatsu

A souvenir shop on the first floor of the Komatsu Airport Terminal Building, this antenna shop is packed with the charms of Komatsu. Inside, you’ll find processed foods made with locally grown barley and tomatoes, traditional crafts such as Kutani ware, long-established Japanese sweets, and a wide variety of local sake, all featuring specialties unique to Komatsu.

• Ishikawa
• Local Products Center & Souvenir Stores

Sora no Eki Komatsu is on the first floor of Komatsu Airport and is probably the most prominent souvenir shop as you enter the terminal. The store mainly carries food, sweets, alcoholic beverages, and household goods from Komatsu and the Ishikawa area. If you didn't have time to buy everything earlier in your trip, it's convenient to stock up here at the airport. If you collect goshuin-style airport stamps, you can buy one here. I bought mine here as well.
The capsule toy machines near the entrance are also interesting, but the machine I encountered didn't take coins directly. You had to exchange money for tokens inside the store first. I didn't know that the first time and put yen directly into the machine, but it wouldn't turn. After asking a staff member for help, I learned that I needed to get tokens first.
Buses connecting Komatsu Airport to the surrounding area don't run very frequently. If you miss one and have to wait at the airport for a while, you can buy some snacks and drinks here to tide yourself over.

Komatsu Airport

Komatsu Airport serves as the largest airport in the Hokuriku region from its perch in Komatsu City, Ishikawa Prefecture. The airport offers convenient access to southern Ishikawa and northern Fukui, including Kanazawa and Fukui cities, and is also close to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Gassho-style villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama, making it a key gateway to the Hokuriku area.

• Ishikawa
• Airplanes & Airport

Komatsu Airport itself isn't large, but because it is a joint military-civilian airport shared with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Komatsu Air Base, you can find JASDF-related merchandise inside. For example, there are Kutani ware capsule toys featuring unit emblems such as that of the 306th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Komatsu Air Base. Although the terminal is small, it still tries to bring together as much of the Hokuriku region's character as possible. There's even a moving Fukui raptor on the first floor, and the souvenir shops sell specialties from Ishikawa and Fukui as well as dinosaur merchandise.

Personally, I think the biggest drawback is still the transportation to and from the airport. Buses to Kanazawa and Komatsu Station don't run as frequently as they do in big cities. Most services are scheduled around domestic flights, but if you're flying Tigerair, you should basically be prepared to miss the bus because Tigerair is delayed so often. I even skipped checking luggage and cleared immigration in under 10 minutes, but I still didn't make it. That time, I waited about an hour for the next bus. This was the most inconvenient part of using Komatsu Airport for me, and it really made me miss how considerate Okayama Airport is toward Tigerair passengers.