Linda Liao's Reviews Page 1/95

The first time I saw Mount Yufu in a travel photo, I was deeply captivated by its scenery. In summer, its slopes are covered in lush greenery and full of life. This time, I visited in early winter. From a distance, Mount Yufu had already changed into its fall and winter attire, with a thin layer of white snow covering the summit like a dusting of frosting. It lacked the liveliness of summer, but had a more solitary and mysterious beauty. Mount Yufu stands about 1,583 meters above sea level and is one of Yufuin's most iconic mountains. Because of the silhouette of its two side-by-side peaks, it is also affectionately known as the “Mt. Fuji of Bungo.” Its appearance changes with the seasons, and whether it is covered in verdant forests, fall foliage, or winter snow, each view has its own charm.

Whenever I have some free time during a business trip to Fukuoka, I always enjoy taking a walk around the Fukuoka Castle Ruins and Ohori Park, stealing away half a day of leisure. That time, while strolling around the moat, I happened upon a man focused on sketching outdoors beside the rustic Shiomi Turret. Following the tip of his brush with my eyes, I saw a pond full of water lilies blooming gracefully, their small, delicate flowers floating gently on the green surface, creating an especially serene and elegant scene. I quietly stood behind him, admiring the delicate reflections of the lilies in the pond while watching him capture this beauty on canvas. At that moment, the man absorbed in his painting and the pond full of water lilies were also a beautiful scene in my heart.

Whenever I travel to a new city, browsing the souvenir shops inside the station has long been a regular part of my trip. This place brings together all kinds of Kagoshima specialty souvenirs, from famous local sweets and Kurobuta pork products to other regional specialties, all in one place. When you get tired of shopping, there are also restaurants where you can sit down and enjoy a proper meal. My usual routine is to finish visiting the day's attractions, return to the station, and then browse around to see if there is anything good I missed. If you still haven't bought enough, you can come back to stock up before leaving Kagoshima! It's convenient to get to and has plenty of choices, so you don't have to worry about missing any classic souvenirs.

Yudofu is one of Kyoto's signature dishes, and after wrapping up this business trip, I finally got to try it with my colleagues! Kiyomizu Junsei Okabeya is located near Kiyomizu-dera Temple, and enjoying a steaming pot of yudofu after sightseeing was especially comforting. The soft, white tofu arrived steaming hot and looked appetizing right away. It had a delicate, silky texture and a subtle soybean aroma. With minimal seasoning, the tofu's natural sweetness came through even more, making it light and pleasant to eat. I originally thought tofu dishes might be rather plain, but I was impressed after actually trying it. If I get the chance to visit Kyoto again, I'd also like to try the restaurant's yuba set meal and experience a different soybean flavor.

To ride the special sightseeing train “A-Train,” I set aside an afternoon to explore Misumi Port in Kumamoto Prefecture. You can see the Amakusa Five Bridges from the harbor. The five bridges connect mainland Kyushu with the Amakusa Islands, and islands of all sizes dot the water, creating a charming bay view. This route is also known as the “Amakusa Pearl Line,” named after the pearl farming that once flourished in the area. The scenery along the route has also earned it a place among Japan’s 100 Best Roads. Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t very good that day, so I had to cancel my boat trip at the last minute. Instead, I took a leisurely stroll around the station and found a place for afternoon tea. Travel plans don’t always work out, so you just have to find another way to enjoy the moment~

If you don't know where to eat or shop at night, the Tenmonkan shopping arcade is definitely the best place to go downtown. This is an important commercial center in Kagoshima, with all kinds of restaurants, dessert shops, souvenir stores, and department stores lining both sides of the street. Even if your daytime itinerary is packed, you can come here at night to continue exploring. If you want something sweet, look for Jokiya's popular custard cakes, but keep in mind that they have a fairly short shelf life, so you may want to buy them just before returning home. Shirokuma shaved ice is also a must-try. The generous toppings and cute presentation are very eye-catching, and every time I visit, I want a bowl to satisfy my craving.

Okinawa summers are always blazing hot. After finishing our morning activities, a friend traveling with me suggested that we have lunch and take a short break at Kouri Island Station Sorahashi before continuing our trip. It's located right next to Kouri Bridge. In addition to Okinawan cuisine, seafood, and tropical fruit desserts, you can also shop for local specialties and unique souvenirs. Best of all, there is a beautiful beach nearby. Looking out at the deep blue water made the heat disappear, and my mood instantly improved after feeling a little tired from the hot weather.

I still remember my first winter trip to Hokkaido, when I happened to catch the first snowfall! When I woke up early the next morning and looked outside my room, the world before me was already covered in silvery white, and I was quite excited. After breakfast, I immediately headed out for a walk in Nakajima Park in central Sapporo, wanting to fully experience the snowy landscape I had dreamed of. Usually lush and green, the park seemed completely transformed under the snow. The bare trees against the white snow had a lonely kind of beauty, and even the air felt especially fresh.

Every time I come to Sendai, I can't resist stopping by Zunda Saryo! The first time I tried the zunda shake, I was impressed by its delicate, mellow bean aroma. It has just the right amount of sweetness, and the smooth texture still has tiny bits of edamame in it. I like it more with every sip. Zunda paste is one of Sendai's signature local foods, and the shop has incorporated this traditional edamame treat into a modern drink that has become a popular favorite. Besides the must-try zunda shake, there are also sweets such as zunda mochi and zunda butter cake. Each offers its own appealing combination of rich bean flavor and different textures. For me, this shake has long been a regular part of every trip to Sendai. Whenever I taste that familiar flavor, I feel the happiness of being back in Sendai.

How can you take a train trip without an ekiben? For me, it's an essential ritual of traveling by rail! Located inside GRANSTA at Tokyo Station, Ekibenya Matsuri carries specialty ekiben from all over Japan, with everything from seafood and beef to local specialties. Just standing in front of the displays trying to choose leaves you spoiled for choice. Popular varieties often sell out quickly, so if you arrive too late, you might miss out. Although most of the bentos are served cold, Japanese ekiben always pay close attention to color and presentation. Every time I open the lid, it feels like opening a treasure chest, full of anticipation and making my mouth water! Enjoying the scenery outside the window while eating a bento after boarding the train is the perfect start to the journey ahead.