Linda Liao's Reviews Page 42/75

Are you ready for a meet-and-greet with Mayor Kumamon? When you visit Kumamoto, don’t forget to stop by Kumamon Square. Seeing Kumamon in person for the first time was really fun. His round figure and lively interactions made me laugh nonstop. The merchandise is also a bottomless pit—once you fall in, it’s hard to climb back out!

Tsuruya Department Store was founded in 1952. Its name comes from a nearby residence once known as “Tsuru Yashiki,” and it has been part of Kumamoto for more than 70 years. Now, as the number of Taiwanese residents gradually increases following TSMC’s arrival, familiar Taiwanese products have quietly begun appearing at Tsuruya and its supermarkets. From seasonings and other foods to rice noodles, they have started carrying more ingredients commonly used in Taiwan. For Taiwanese people living in Kumamoto, these small changes on the shelves also reflect how the city’s population and everyday culture are changing, which is quite interesting.

Come once and you'll be hooked; come many times and you still won't want to leave—that's the magic of Tokyo DisneySea!

Every time I step into the park, I still get that feeling of “Ah—I’m back in a magical world again!” Unlike the atmosphere at Disneyland, DisneySea has an added sense of romance and international charm. What you absolutely can’t miss is all the Duffy and Friends stuff 🧸🤎! This is Duffy’s magical kingdom. From the characters and decorations to the merchandise, everything is so cute that it’s completely irresistible. Limited-edition items are especially hard to resist, and I always end up leaving with bags full of purchases.

I personally really like Ariel’s concert. If you sit in the upper-right section, you can even wave to her up close! Compete with friends to see who’s the best shot in the Toy Story laser gun challenge, take a boat ride and explore under the sea with Nemo... and make sure to catch the parade too. It’s a very full day. This year marks the 25th anniversary, so it looks like I have another good reason to go back and explore the new area!

Narita Airport is one of Japan's major international airports. International and domestic flights use different terminals, and the airport covers a large area, so first-time visitors may need some time to get familiar with it. These days, I usually fly in and out of Haneda Airport when traveling to Tokyo, but when heading overseas to places like Hawaii, I still sometimes depart from or transfer at Narita Airport.

Kusasenri in Aso is one of my favorite attractions. Besides the beautiful scenery, it's also not difficult to get to. Even without a car, you can take public transportation, which is very convenient for travelers.

As soon as you arrive at Kusasenri, you see a vast, lush green grassland, with the magnificent Mount Aso in the distance. It feels like you're being embraced by the mountains, grassland, sky, and breeze. After seeing the volcano, I chose a restaurant where I could enjoy the view. Sitting by the window, I enjoyed my meal while looking at the scenery outside. The window frame was like a natural picture frame, turning the entire view into a painting. The volcano in the distance quietly kept us company, and whenever I saw smoke rising from the crater, I couldn't bring myself to look away.

There are also horses freely grazing and strolling across the grassland, and horseback riding is available if you'd like to try it.

On a trip to Aso, even the worries that are usually so hard to let go of seem to rise with the smoke from Mount Aso's crater and drift little by little into the distance on the wind.

Kushida Shrine is located downtown and is easy to get to. You can walk there directly from Hakata Station while exploring the area. The most eye-catching feature on the grounds is the tall, ornate kazariyama float, which is quite striking at first sight. When you look at it up close, you can see how exquisitely detailed the figures, clothing, and other elements are. The colors are vivid, and it has a strong artistic quality. Kushida Shrine is also an important venue for the Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival, and the entire shrine has a strong sense of local culture.

I came to Shinjuku Gyoen in the spring to see the cherry blossoms. After getting tired from walking around, I wanted to find a comfortable place to rest, so I stopped by the Starbucks in the garden. The biggest feature of this location is its large floor-to-ceiling windows. Find a seat by the window, order a cup of coffee, and you can relax while enjoying the view of Shinjuku Gyoen outside. It gets quite crowded during cherry blossom season, and the store also carries seasonal cherry blossom merchandise with slightly different designs each year. If you like collecting Starbucks cups, keep an eye out~

When visiting Kyoto’s Higashiyama area, taking a rickshaw is a sightseeing experience well worth trying in addition to exploring on foot. The rickshaw driver takes visitors through narrow streets full of Kyoto charm while sharing information about the scenery and local history, adding interaction and pleasant surprises to the journey. The Higashiyama area has quite a few slopes, so if you’re traveling with seniors or young children, a rickshaw can reduce the burden of walking and let you enjoy the streets more comfortably. In winter, blankets are also provided, making the ride very comfortable. You can choose from different options according to your budget and needs. It’s a distinctive travel experience.

This chili oil from Momoya is a favorite that I’ll keep buying again and again! It’s not too spicy, just right for people who like a little heat. It’s very fragrant without overpowering the flavor of the food itself. I usually add a little when making noodle soup, and it instantly gives the whole bowl a fragrant, spicy flavor—simple and delicious. It also goes really well mixed into dipping sauce for dumplings. It’s a very useful bottle of chili oil to have at home, and I use it often. Most importantly, the small jar is more hygienic, so there’s no need to worry about it sitting around for too long.

The first time I saw the name “Chinsuko,” I thought it was very distinctive and had a bit of a tropical feel. Okinawan sweets seem to like adding a little sea salt. Chinsuko has a rich buttery flavor with a hint of saltiness, making it sweet without being too rich. Overall, it’s pretty good. However, the texture is slightly dry, so it goes down better with some tea or coffee.