Linda Liao's Reviews Page 2/11

Iyotetsu Takashimaya

“Iyotetsu Takashimaya” has an array of seasonal items available from the latest fashion to Depachika sweets. The department store comprises a Main building and a South building, and the Main building is a station building, integrated with the Matsuyama City Station.

• Ehime
• Commercial Buildings

Located across from the streetcar terminal, it's very conveniently located and easy to visit as soon as you get off. The department store has a full range of shops, including various brands and souvenirs, as well as the familiar MUJI, where you can browse at your leisure, combining shopping and relaxation in one place. From the rooftop Ferris wheel, you can look down over the entire city of Matsuyama and take in the cityscape.

Old Karuizawa Ginza Street

Millions love to visit this must-to-see shopping street in Karuizawa each year. Souvenir stores with local specialties and gourmet shops serving take-out meals and sweets cluster here. Not only the main street, but also the alleys have fun stores. Take time to explore them and find your treasure.

• Nagano
• Shopping Streets

It's a retro old street full of nostalgic charm, lined with all kinds of cute and distinctive shops that make you want to explore them one by one for hidden treasures. The pace here isn't too rushed, making it comfortable and relaxing. Every time I visit Karuizawa, I stop by Boulangerie Asanoya. It's very popular, and in addition to selling bread, it also has a dining area where you can enjoy a full meal. It's a great place to rest and recharge while shopping.

Shinano Railway's Karuizawa Station

The Karuizawa station building, demolished with the opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen in 1997, was revived in October 2017 as the Shinano Railway Karuizawa Station and the Old Station Building entrance. It utilizes the historically significant building that had been preserved as the Old Karuizawa Station Building Memorial Hall, maintaining the serene ambiance characteristic of Karuizawa.

• Nagano
• Tourist Attractions

This time, I took a local Shinano Railway train from Karuizawa Station to Naka-Karuizawa Station, then walked to my hotel. Sitting in the retro-style train car as it traveled slowly, I enjoyed the lush green scenery along the way, which was very refreshing.

SNOOPY Chaya Yufuin

Located in some of Japan’s most popular tourist destinations, SNOOPY Chaya offers a unique chance to step into the world of the globally beloved beagle Snoopy and his PEANUTS friends while also experiencing the charm of the local area.

• Oita
• Cafés

The whole place is filled with cute Snoopy touches. From the food and decor to the merchandise, you can't help but keep saying “kawaii”〜 The shop sells all kinds of Snoopy items, with so much to choose from. It's a great place to pick up a few travel souvenirs. The café dishes are just as creative, with Snoopy designs incorporated into every item. They look cute from every angle!

Yukari by Bankaku Sohonpo

Yukari is a cracker made with shrimp paste which is believed to bring good luck in Japan. Yukari was once presented to Tokugawa Mitsutomo in the Owari domain during the Edo Period and carries on its history and excellence. Using 7 natural shrimps for each cracker, it is carefully roasted in a unique double baking method consistent with the Edo Period.

• Aichi
• Snacks

A well-known Nagoya souvenir, with locations in department stores around Japan. The crackers are thin and crisp, but not hard to bite. The shrimp aroma bursts out as soon as you take a bite, with a rich, savory flavor that lingers. Great for those who like savory snacks, especially paired with tea.

Aso Kumamoto Airport

Kumamoto’s gateway to the skies, with a future vision of becoming the “Kyushu Central Gateway Open to the World and the Region.” In 2023, a new passenger terminal building opened, integrating domestic and international terminal functions. It features the latest facilities to help reduce congestion, including self-check-in machines and smart lanes. The airport has also been praised for its user-first convenience, with amenities such as a kids’ space for families and workspaces for business travelers.

• Kumamoto
• Airplanes & Airport

As soon as I got off the plane, almost everyone around me was Taiwanese, and for a moment I felt like I was in Taiwan〜

Kumamoto Airport isn't very large, but its transportation connections are actually quite convenient. It's easy to get to downtown Kumamoto from here, and Fukuoka isn't too far away either, making it a convenient starting point for a trip around Kyushu.

Nagaoka Kyo Ogura Sanso “Karuta Hyakunin Isshu”

Based in Nagaokakyo City, Kyoto Prefecture, Ogura Sanso is a long-established confectionery shop specializing in rice crackers. The brand is known for creating products that reflect the elegance of Heian-period culture and the world of classical Japanese poetry, particularly the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu anthology.

• Kyoto
• Snacks

Ogura Sanso, a classic Kyoto rice cracker brand, has a crisp texture that isn't too hard to bite into, with a subtle rice aroma. They're also great for seniors and children.

There's a wide variety of flavors, from classic soy sauce and seaweed and lightly salted to Japanese curry. Saga no Yaki is a classic sweet-and-savory soy sauce flavor with seaweed, while for something a little different, I recommend the curry-flavored Ogura Meigetsu, which is crisp and airy with a mild curry aroma.

Blue Bottle Coffee Aoyama Cafe

Blue Bottle Coffee, headquartered in Oakland, U.S.A., is one of the most popular coffee brands, currently operating 25 stores in Japan. Opened in 2015, the Aoyama Cafe has a simple and stylish atmosphere with open terrace seating. You can also relax and casually enjoy hand-drip coffee carefully brewed by skilled baristas after receiving your order in a cozy space.

• Aoyama, Omotesando, Harajuku
• Cafés

Located in the Ginza shopping district, Blue Bottle Coffee's Ginza location is known for its simple, stylish space and high-quality coffee. If you get tired while shopping, stop by for a rich cup of coffee with a dessert and take a break. In addition to drinks, there are also plenty of items to choose from in the display case nearby. Their simple, stylish designs are very popular with younger customers.

KITKAT matcha

There is a wide variety of matcha-flavored snacks. If you want to buy the whole box and distribute it to friends and family, "KITKAT Adult's Sweet Matcha" is the most suitable gift.

• Snacks

Besides the matcha flavor, I also highly recommend the dark chocolate flavor. The chocolate taste is richer than regular milk chocolate, with a slightly bittersweet flavor and more mellow sweetness. The crispy wafers pair well with the rich cocoa aroma, creating layers of flavor without being overly sweet or heavy. It's perfect for people who like rich chocolate or slightly bitter flavors, and the individually wrapped pieces are great for sharing with coworkers.

Picchio

Picchio is located in the popular tourist resort area of Karuizawa Hoshino Area, adjacent to the Karuizawa Wild Bird Forest. It offers a variety of tour plans where visitors can observe forest creatures up close. The visitor center sits beside Kera Pond, formed by streams flowing from the forest, in a beautiful and open setting where you can enjoy tours that provide encounters with wildlife throughout the seasons.

• Nagano
• Experiences Facilities

During this stay at Hoshino Resorts in Karuizawa, the on-site facility that impressed me most was definitely Picchio in the Wild Bird Forest. It's not only a place to enjoy the natural scenery; you can also sign up for a guided forest tour and follow professional staff into the woods to look for birds unique to Karuizawa while learning a lot about the ecosystem. It's a very interesting nature experience.

I visited right as fall was turning into winter. The staff explained that once the pond freezes in winter, the park offers a seasonal ice-skating experience. You can rent skates and buy gloves and other supplies there, which is very convenient. Luckily, we arrived just in time for opening and were among the first visitors to try the rink. Since only hotel guests could use it, it wasn't crowded and was especially comfortable to skate. Even beginners can borrow skating aids, so there's no need to worry at all.

I couldn't skate at all, and when I first put on the skates, I was so nervous that I kept holding onto a staff member's hand and wouldn't let go. But after practicing for an hour, I could already skate slowly with an aid, which gave me a real sense of accomplishment! Before I knew it, I'd been there for two hours and reluctantly left. On the way out, I happened to meet three ladies from Taiwan, and I couldn't help recommending that they give it a try. I wonder if they also managed to challenge themselves and make some wonderful memories of Karuizawa?