Linda Liao's Reviews Page 22/93

The Setouchi Triennale, held once every three years, finally brought this long-awaited trip in 2025. I boarded the ferry from Takamatsu Station, with the sea breeze blowing in my face as I gazed out over the deep blue water, already full of anticipation. As the outline of Naoshima slowly appeared on the distant horizon, I couldn't contain my excitement and couldn't wait to get off the ferry and start exploring!

Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine is a well-known place in Kawagoe to pray for good relationships. The grounds are peaceful, and as soon as you enter, you can feel the atmosphere of a traditional Japanese shrine. During this visit, I also tried the cute “carp amulet,” where you fish out a little carp yourself. It was fun and also great for taking commemorative photos.

While I was visiting the shrine, a newlywed couple happened to arrive by rickshaw for their wedding ceremony. During cherry blossom season, seeing them complete such an important life ceremony at the shrine in traditional wedding attire was romantic and full of happiness. There is also a café on the grounds where you can sit down, have a drink, and take a short break. The overall atmosphere was very comfortable.

When visiting Kawagoe, you’ll almost certainly pass by the Toki no Kane, or Time Bell Tower, which is filled with Edo-period charm. The old-fashioned wooden bell tower is one of Kawagoe’s most iconic landmarks, and its bell still rings at set times. The melodious chimes add a nostalgic atmosphere to the historic streets. Many traditional kurazukuri buildings have been preserved nearby, and walking along Kawagoe Ichibangai feels like stepping through a time tunnel. With the dessert and souvenir shops lining the street, it’s a great place to take a leisurely stroll, snap photos, and experience Kawagoe’s unique historic atmosphere.

You can enjoy Osaka-style okonomiyaki in Tokyo too! Located in Odaiba, Tsuruhashi Fugetsu is a well-known, long-established okonomiyaki restaurant from Osaka. Each order is freshly prepared by mixing plenty of cabbage with batter and grilling it, resulting in a fluffy texture with the mild sweetness of the vegetables. Their signature okonomiyaki is topped with a special sauce, mayonnaise, and bonito flakes, giving it a wonderful aroma. You also get to enjoy the experience of having it served piping hot and freshly made.

If you're staying at a hotel near Tennoji Station, you'll definitely come here in the evening to shop. I especially like browsing Loft for cute stationery. Last time, I also picked up a few finely made lace tapes here, which made journaling even more fun.

When visiting Osaka’s Shinsekai area, one of the most iconic shopping routes is Shinsekai Hon-dori Shopping Street. The street is full of Osaka’s old-fashioned working-class charm and offers a real sense of everyday local life. You’ll find all kinds of kushikatsu restaurants, izakayas, souvenir shops, and food stalls, along with distinctive signs and neon lights. As you stroll around, you can also enjoy the lively atmosphere with a touch of nostalgia. Tsutenkaku Tower is nearby, so it’s very convenient to visit both together.

Kanazawa Castle Park was once the residence of the Maeda family of the Kaga Domain and is now an important place to learn about Kanazawa's history and architectural culture. The park preserves historic buildings such as the Ishikawa Gate and Sanjikken Nagaya, and castle structures such as the Hishi Yagura, Gojikken Nagaya, and Hashizume Gate have also been reconstructed. The Gojikken Nagaya is particularly impressive. One of the most fascinating features of Kanazawa Castle is its variety of stone walls, with distinctive masonry styles from different periods. You can enjoy cherry blossoms in spring and fall foliage in autumn, and each season offers a different view. It's a great place to visit together with nearby Kenrokuen Garden.

The Kanmon Straits lie between Japan's islands of Honshu and Kyushu. They are an important sea route connecting the Seto Inland Sea and the Sea of Japan, and also separate Shimonoseki in Yamaguchi Prefecture from the Mojiko area of Kitakyushu in Fukuoka Prefecture. At their narrowest point, the straits are only a few hundred meters wide, and ships pass through very frequently. If you're visiting Mojiko or Shimonoseki, it's worth stopping by for a walk.

This large bridge over the sea connects Fukuoka Prefecture in Kyushu with Yamaguchi Prefecture in Honshu. Looking out from the Mojiko area, you can take in the expansive scenery created by the bridge and the straits. It's especially impressive on a clear day, when the blue sky, sea, and bridge complement one another. While strolling through the Mojiko Retro district, you can also enjoy views of the Kanmon Bridge from different angles, and you may even see ships passing underneath it!

Anpanman, who almost every child in Japan knows! I've heard that in many Japanese families, Anpanman's words sometimes work even better than Mom and Dad's, haha. No wonder there are so many Anpanman museums, themed attractions, and special trains throughout Japan.

I also watched the Anpanman cartoon when I was little, and seeing the familiar characters again as an adult still brings a little sense of nostalgia. On this trip to Shikoku, I also planned to ride an Anpanman-themed train. Departing from Matsuyama Station, the train travels along the Yosan Line. Northbound trains go to Iyo-Saijo and Takamatsu, with some services continuing all the way to Okayama. Southbound trains head toward Iyo-Ozu, Yawatahama, and Uwajima. While enjoying the scenery of Shikoku along the way, adults can also relax and enjoy the fun of being surrounded by Anpanman.