Linda Liao's Reviews Page 2/79

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.

I made a special trip to Shinsaibashi PARCO to browse Wpc., a well-known Japanese umbrella brand! Wpc. is a rain gear brand from Osaka built around the concept of “making rainy days more fun,” combining practical features with stylish designs. No wonder its products can be found in so many stores across Japan. Although Wpc. umbrellas are available in many places, it’s not easy to find a physical store dedicated to the brand, so you definitely shouldn’t miss it when visiting Osaka. This opportunity doesn’t come often!

The store’s many different umbrellas all look like works of art, making it hard to choose. There are simple styles, patterned designs, and umbrellas for both rain and sunshine to suit different needs and functions, making them very convenient for everyday use. If you don’t want to carry an ordinary clear umbrella on a rainy day, there are also plenty of attractive and distinctive clear umbrellas to choose from. Rainy days used to feel like a hassle, but with a good-looking umbrella, I’ve actually started looking forward to the next time I get to go out with it~

Whenever I visit Kyoto, whether it’s summer or winter, I still want to stop by Itohkyuemon and order a matcha parfait! As soon as the gorgeous, delicate parfait arrived at the table, everyone pulled out their phones to take pictures before even starting to eat. It was just so eye-catching〜 The parfait had layer after layer of different textures and wasn’t overly sweet, making it a nice treat to enjoy during a break in your travels. After finishing your parfait, don’t forget to pick up some matcha products to take home and share the delicious flavors of Kyoto matcha with family and friends!

It turns out that local ingredients from Ehime can also take on a different kind of Western flavor. Restaurant Kadota has an elegant and comfortable atmosphere, and the dishes focus not only on taste but also on presentation. Every dish looked very refined when it arrived at the table. Made with fresh local ingredients, the food had familiar flavors while also offering something new. Occasionally changing things up during a trip and enjoying a leisurely Western-style meal is also a great travel experience, though the prices are a little on the high side.