Linda Liao's Reviews Page 18/93

When visiting Omihachiman, besides seeing the cherry blossoms and taking a boat ride through the waterways, I also recommend strolling through the old Omi merchant district. Many traditional machiya townhouses from the Edo to Meiji periods have been preserved along the way. With their white exterior walls, lattice windows, and quaint streets, walking around feels like traveling back in time to an old merchant town. This was once an area where Omi merchants were active, and many of them set out from Omi to do business throughout Japan, leaving behind numerous historic buildings. There aren't many tourists in the district, which makes it even easier to leisurely enjoy the atmosphere of the old streets.

Tsubaki no Yu is one of Dogo Onsen's well-known public bathhouses, and it's very close to both Dogo Onsen Honkan and the annex. The bath is quite spacious. I went during off-peak hours on a weekday before and was lucky enough to have the whole place to myself! If you're visiting Matsuyama, be sure to experience the charm of Dogo Onsen so your trip won't feel wasted.

When it comes to Omihachiman in Shiga Prefecture, you definitely can't miss Hachiman-bori Canal, with its Edo-period atmosphere. This waterway was once an important transportation route for the castle town below Mount Hachiman and was closely connected to the development of the Omi merchants. Today, white-walled storehouses, old machiya townhouses, and stone-paved paths still remain along the canal, and walking through the area feels like stepping into a time tunnel.

Spring is an especially good time to visit. When the cherry blossoms bloom in April, the soft pink flowers stretch along the canal banks. Together with the gently flowing water, small bridges, and historic buildings, the scenery looks picturesque from every angle. It isn't as crowded as the more popular cherry blossom viewing spots, so it's very pleasant to take a leisurely walk and take pictures. If you have time, you can also take a boat ride and admire Hachiman-bori from the water, experiencing the history and scenery of this small town from a different perspective.

Omi Beef Morishima is a very popular Omi beef restaurant in Omihachiman that specializes in Omi beef dishes. You can enjoy all kinds of beef dishes here, from melt-in-your-mouth marbled steak to sukiyaki and beef sushi, all of which are very tempting. As one of Japan’s three major wagyu brands, Omi beef has a fine texture and is tender, with a natural sweetness that makes it especially enjoyable to eat. If you have the chance to visit Omihachiman, I highly recommend trying it.

Even before checking in, I had been looking forward to the open-air rose bath experience, which is exclusively for women on holidays. Sharing a wonderful soak with my family under the stars felt like traveling back in time and becoming nobles in an ancient palace, with the romantic feeling of enjoying a luxurious bath. Since an older family member was staying with us this time, we chose a Western-style guest room, which was very comfortable. There’s also a restaurant inside. If your budget allows, you can dine there for an even more Japanese atmosphere.

During my trip to Shiga, I happened to have the chance to shop at the main CLUB HARIE store. What impressed me most was their “Dry Baum.” Unlike the soft, moist texture of regular Baumkuchen, this one is made by slicing and baking the layered cake, giving it a crisp texture with a slightly toasted aroma. The more you chew, the more you can taste the butter and egg. The pieces are small and easy to eat, convenient to carry at room temperature, and beautifully packaged, so it’s no wonder they’re so popular with tourists!

When it comes to Omihachiman, one food you can’t miss is the famous Omi beef! Omi beef is known for its fine, tender texture and rich, even marbling. It has a wonderful fatty aroma as soon as you take a bite, along with a mild beef flavor. While strolling along the shopping street, you’ll come across the long-established Sennaritei, where you can enjoy high-end Omi beef dishes as well as snacks that are perfect for eating on the go.

Since it wasn’t quite mealtime yet, we bought an Omi beef croquette to tide us over. The freshly fried coating was crispy, and the filling was packed with sweet, juicy Omi beef with a subtle sauce aroma. I carefully took a bite—it was piping hot and a little too hot for my mouth, but it smelled so good that I finished the whole thing in no time!

Downtown Omihachiman isn’t very large. We strolled along the old streets, and before we knew it, we had arrived at Himure Hachimangu Shrine. When we visited during cherry blossom season, the shrine grounds were surrounded by soft pink blossoms. The cherry blossoms and old shrine buildings complemented each other beautifully, and every casual photo had a distinctly Japanese feel. I especially noticed that the shrine’s torii gate wasn’t the bright red I had imagined, but had an aged wooden color that gave it an even more rustic charm.

If you’re visiting the Chofu area of Tokyo, it’s worth planning Jindaiji Temple and Jindai Botanical Gardens for the same day! Jindaiji is an ancient temple in Tokyo with a strong sense of history. The grounds are lush with greenery, making it especially peaceful to stroll around. After visiting the temple, you can explore the nearby old streets and try the area’s famous Jindaiji soba. There are also quite a few shops selling wagashi and souvenirs along the street. It’s also an easy walk from Jindai Botanical Gardens, making it perfect for a half-day stroll where you can enjoy the relaxed temple-town atmosphere that is rarely found in central Tokyo.

FUNAYA is a historic, long-established ryokan in Dogo Onsen. It retains a strong Japanese atmosphere throughout, and the garden scenery is especially impressive. You can experience the distinctive qualities of Dogo Onsen’s spring water while bathing, and the meals also feature plenty of local Ehime flavors. It’s a place that makes you want to visit again.