Holly's Reviews Page 6/11

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 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 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.

While staying in Asakusa this time, I unexpectedly came across the annual Sanja Matsuri, held in May. Since I hadn't planned for it, I couldn't make time to attend any of the related events, but as long as you're in the Asakusa area, it's actually hard to miss the festival entirely. While walking around Asakusa and Kappabashi, I would occasionally come across mikoshi processions and local residents wearing happi coats and other festival attire. The atmosphere was completely different from Asakusa during a typical sightseeing visit.
I happened to be staying on the outskirts of Asakusa, and after returning to my hotel one evening, I noticed a mikoshi procession passing nearby, so I followed it for a short while. It unexpectedly became a fun memory from the trip. During the festival, many nearby hotels and shops also put up Sanja Matsuri decorations, and throughout the neighborhood, you could really feel that the local residents were involved. It was very interesting for a foreign visitor.

The Shikemichi Townscape Preservation District was much quieter than I expected, but it actually covers a fairly large area. There are many preserved white-walled storehouses, machiya townhouses, stone walls, and narrow alleys, giving it the atmosphere of an old Edo-period castle town. This time, I specifically went looking for the Yanegami shrine. There was a map on-site for reference, so it wasn't difficult to find. Hidden in the alleys are also the Komori Jizo statue, cafes converted from old houses, and small arts and crafts shops, making it fun to explore at a leisurely pace. You can also easily continue on to the nearby Endoji Shopping Street, though it was also surprisingly quiet when I visited.
If you just want to admire the old buildings and take streetscape photos, I think it's actually a good idea to come before the regular attractions open or before evening, since the peaceful atmosphere suits Shikemichi well. But if you want to take your time visiting cafes and variety stores, don't schedule your visit too early or too late, as the businesses here aren't open for very long.

We happened to visit during Kenrokuen Garden's nighttime opening. Although it wasn't quite the season for the classic yukizuri snow-rope scenery, the illuminated garden was truly gorgeous at night. The lights reflected on the ponds, trees, and buildings, and occasional live music performances made the overall atmosphere very romantic.
However, visiting at night also has some clear drawbacks. Many details of the garden are hidden in the darkness. The landscaping, terrain, and overall layout that are easy to see during the day are harder to fully appreciate at night. Some paths are still quite dark even with lighting, so watch your step and follow the staff's directions.
Overall, Kenrokuen Garden at night has a wonderful atmosphere and is worth experiencing once, but I would still treat it as an extra activity in addition to a daytime visit. After all, daytime is better if you want to see more of the garden's details. If you want to enjoy romantic lighting and a seasonal atmosphere, you can plan another visit in the evening. Nighttime openings are also usually free, making them a great addition to a daytime visit.

This time, I came to Toji Temple mainly for the Kobo Market held on the 21st of every month. The market was much bigger than I had imagined, stretching from the temple grounds into the surrounding area. There were antiques, vintage items, secondhand kimono, household goods, handmade products, and food stalls. Even casually browsing takes at least two to three hours.
I’ve been twice. The first time, I arrived close to 2 p.m., and many antique vendors were already getting ready to pack up. The next time, I arrived a little after 6 a.m., which was too early. Many vendors were still unloading, and the food stalls didn’t open until after 7, so I nearly starved. Based on my two visits, around 8 to 11 a.m. is the best time to browse. Most stalls are set up, the food stalls are starting to open, and the crowds haven’t completely filled the place yet.
What appeals to me most about the Kobo Market is the wide variety of goods and the feeling of treasure hunting. It isn’t focused on any one particular type of item. If you like antiques, kimono, or old objects, it’s easy to keep browsing until your legs ache and still not want to leave. If you happen to be in Kyoto on the 21st, I think Toji Temple is well worth adding to your itinerary specifically for this market.

I made a special trip to Oyama Shrine this time to fulfill a vow. The day before, I had briefly lost my wallet. There were two police stations nearby, and one happened to be close to Oyama Shrine, so I decided to report it there and visit the shrine afterward. As it turned out, I actually got my wallet back at that police station, so I wanted to make time the next day, no matter what, to return and thank the deity.
Oyama Shrine itself was also more worth exploring than I expected. Its most famous feature is, of course, the gate at the entrance, which blends Japanese, Chinese, and Western styles. The top level is fitted with stained glass, and the roof even retains the oldest existing lightning rod in Japan, making it one of Kanazawa's most iconic landmarks. On the other side of the grounds, the East Gate was originally the Chinese-style gate of the Ninomaru Palace at Kanazawa Castle and was later relocated here. From the rear of the shrine, you can also connect to Kanazawa Castle via the Nezumitamon Bridge area, so it works well to visit both attractions together.
I also really liked the garden on the shrine grounds. It's a pond-centered strolling garden, with islands designed in the shapes of gagaku instruments. You can also spot some frog-shaped decorations and details nearby, which add a touch of cuteness to the solemn shrine.
I originally came back specifically to fulfill my vow after finding my wallet, but after walking around, I realized that Oyama Shrine itself has a lot of distinctive features. It really is an attraction with a character that's uniquely Kanazawa.

Taisho Pabron is one of the cold medicines I always keep at home. When I started flying to Japan again after the pandemic, I quickly bought a box to keep on hand, because it’s reassuring to have when I suddenly get a slight sore throat, runny nose, or other cold symptoms. It’s also really common in Taiwan. In the past, about half my coworkers at the office had some on hand, so if you started feeling unwell on the way to work, you could ask around and usually borrow some. It was honestly kind of crazy.

Even though it’s easy to buy in Japan, I still carry a few packets with me while traveling in case I suddenly feel unwell in the middle of the night or while in transit. You also need to be especially careful when buying it now because, due to Japanese regulations, drugstores generally only sell one package at a time. You can’t just grab several boxes like before, so that’s different from before the pandemic.

So if you already use it regularly, don’t assume you can stock up on many boxes at once when shopping in Japan now. For me, though, one box of 40 packets is more than enough to keep at home. I go to Japan pretty often anyway, and even if I don’t go, someone around me will, so there’s really no need to stock up.

I visited Wakura Onsen because I had planned it as a stop along the way to Nanao City. Luckily, I unexpectedly caught a Pokémon-themed train that wasn't on the regular schedule, which was such a pleasant surprise. If you like Pokémon, you can check the train schedule in advance.
The 2024 Noto Peninsula earthquake had a major impact on Wakura Onsen. When I visited, many inns and facilities were still being repaired, and there were clear signs of the disaster around town. However, Noto has continued rebuilding over the past few years, with strong support from Pokémon. This year, the collaboration was expanded further, with Pokémon manhole covers installed in six cities and towns in Noto and Noto Satoyama Airport temporarily transformed into "のと里山ポケモン・ウィズ・ユー空港." Judging from the publicity photos, the overall recovery has clearly progressed considerably since my visit.
If you visit Wakura Onsen, I highly recommend stopping by the main Noto Milk shop. It's located in downtown Wakura Onsen and is an easy walk from the bus terminal. It specializes in milk and gelato made with fresh local milk from Noto. There are many flavors to choose from, and quite a few feature ingredients from Noto. Every flavor looks tempting, so the real challenge is deciding which ones to get. That's when I regretted being there alone, because no matter how much I ate, I could only try two flavors.