Linda Liao's Reviews Page 16/93

I rode my bike to the Kurushima Strait, and the ocean views along the way were beautiful. Cycling in the sea breeze felt especially refreshing, and I finally understood why this is called a dream route for cyclists. Along the way, you can enjoy the deep blue sea, impressive bridges, and distant islands. The scenery kept making me stop again and again to take photos. Besides cycling, you can also take a tidal current sightseeing boat for an ocean adventure. The seawater moves rapidly with the tides, creating whirlpool-like patterns all around, which is very interesting.

The karst terrain here is a rare and surprising natural landscape in Japan. As soon as you arrive, the view opens up, with blue skies, greenery, and a vast expanse of gray rocks scattered across the landscape. You naturally slow down, and your mind feels more open too.

Limestone rocks of all different shapes are scattered across the ground. After a long period of weathering and erosion, they have formed the unique landscape seen today. From a distance, the clusters of rocks look like a flock of sheep leisurely grazing on the grassland. The longer you look, the more interesting it gets! You can't help but marvel at nature's craftsmanship. If you like nature, it's well worth planning a trip here~

Meijo Park is a rare patch of greenery in central Nagoya. Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, it’s especially pleasant and relaxing to stroll through. The park has shady trees and spacious lawns, with different scenery in every season. Cherry blossoms bloom in spring, swaying gently in the breeze; summer is lush and green, while fall brings warm colors. It’s perfect for a leisurely walk along the paths, taking in the reflections on the pond and Nagoya Castle’s keep in the distance. It’s a great place for a walk, a picnic, or simply slowing down and enjoying Nagoya’s more relaxed side.

While visiting Dogo Onsen, I unexpectedly found this brand-new footbath café opened by the historic Yamatoya ryokan. Regular visitors can enjoy it without staying at the ryokan!

What’s unusual is that they don’t sell admission tickets. Each person just needs to order at least one drink to use the footbath, and a complimentary footbath towel is also provided. Sipping a drink while soaking my feet in the warm water, I gradually felt completely relaxed. Greenery has been deliberately planted along the side facing the road, so sitting there feels like being in a forest, surrounded by lush greenery.

I stopped by Shibuya Hikarie, a shopping center that combines shopping, food, and lifestyle offerings. This time, I browsed all the way up to the 5th floor and picked out several elegant and practical handkerchiefs in the household goods section as souvenirs for friends and family. After shopping, I went up to the 11th floor, where there is a free observation area offering views of Shibuya’s bustling streets and crowds from above. You can enjoy the city views while shopping, getting the best of both.

After climbing Kotohiragu Shrine, I returned to the shopping street and was immediately drawn to the ice cream shop. I ordered the original soft serve, and the best part was that the shop provided “oiri,” a traditional celebratory sweet unique to Kagawa, so you could decorate it yourself. The colorful, cute toppings made the ice cream look great in photos, and they were crispy, light, and melted in my mouth. Every bite was so satisfying!

When I traveled on a tight budget as a student, I would always stay at a guesthouse near Ikebukuro's west exit. Every day when I went out, I often passed through the lively Ikebukuro Nishiguchi Park, and I still miss those familiar street scenes. Before heading back to the guesthouse, I would also make a point of stopping by a nearby standing noodle shop for a steaming bowl of soba. It was inexpensive, tasted pretty good, and offered great value for the money.

KANRO Non-Sugar Sakan candies infuse the aroma of tea into candy, giving them a refreshing taste without being overly sweet. The different tea-inspired flavors are all distinctive, but coffee is my favorite. It has a rich aroma and a slightly bitter complexity. If you enjoy more sophisticated flavors, give it a try! You're actually more likely to find these at regular supermarkets, so keep an eye out while you're shopping.

I visited Kyoto’s Sannenzaka for some shopping in winter. The old-fashioned streets were charming, but the cold wind really made me shiver! After getting tired from walking around, I quickly found somewhere to sit and rest. I stopped at the Umezono Kiyomizu Branch and ordered a piping-hot bowl of sweet red bean soup with mochi, which warmed both my stomach and my heart. The sweet red bean soup paired with chewy mochi was nice and hot, instantly giving me a boost of energy〜

When visiting Kobe Kitano Ijinkan, don’t miss this distinctive Starbucks! The building retains the strong character of an old Western-style residence, giving it a more vintage and elegant atmosphere than a typical location. If you’re tired from walking, stop in for a cup of coffee. I also saw quite a few international visitors inside, all taking photos and experiencing the building’s unique charm. Combined with the international atmosphere of the Kitano neighborhood, it’s one of the area’s classic photo spots.