Linda Liao's Reviews Page 45/75

When visiting Arashiyama, besides the Bamboo Grove, Tenryu-ji Temple is also worth setting aside some time to explore. The temple looks solemn and historic from the outside, but once inside, I discovered scenery in a league of its own. Sitting on the wooden floor and admiring the garden was especially memorable. Sogenchi Pond and the surrounding greenery complement each other, creating a simple yet layered view that naturally calmed my mind.

Tenryu-ji is one of the most representative Zen temples in Kyoto's Arashiyama area, and both the temple and garden retain a strong sense of traditional Japanese beauty. The garden's most distinctive feature is how naturally it brings together the pond, trees, rocks, and distant mountains. Changes in season and light create a different impression every time. It's also a nice place to escape the summer heat and take a short break while traveling.

Spanning the Katsura River, the bridge is about 155 meters long and has a traditional Japanese style. Its wooden railings complement the natural scenery, giving it a rustic and elegant appearance. Togetsukyo Bridge has a very long history. It was first built around the Heian period and was later rebuilt several times due to flooding and other causes. The current bridge was completed in 1934. Legend has it that Retired Emperor Kameyama was viewing the moon from the bridge and saw it appear to cross over the bridge, so he named it “Togetsukyo,” or “Moon Crossing Bridge.” When the cherry blossoms bloom in spring and the maple leaves turn red in fall, the bridge, mountains, and water complement one another, creating especially beautiful scenery.

Enoshima Shrine is a famous spiritual power spot. It consists of three shrines—Hetsumiya, Nakatsumiya, and Okutsumiya—dedicated to three goddesses associated with safety at sea, travel, good fortune, and the arts. It is located at the end of the shopping street, and you still need to climb a flight of stairs to reach it. If you are traveling with elderly companions who have difficulty walking, you can take the paid escalator to save energy.

This must-visit old-fashioned shopping street leads all the way to Enoshima Shrine. The road slopes gently uphill and is lined with all kinds of unique shops, making it fun to browse as you walk. You can try Enoshima specialties like whitebait snacks and refreshing cucumber sticks, and look for locally distinctive souvenirs and handicrafts. The most eye-catching item is the huge rice cracker, almost bigger than your face, which really stands out in photos.

When you arrive at the LeTAO Main Store, the first thing that catches your eye is its European-style exterior. You can't help but stop and admire it as you pass by.

Besides LeTAO's signature sweets, there are also many exclusive items only available at the main store, making it hard for dessert lovers to resist. There's also a seating area where you can take a break when you're tired from walking around and enjoy desserts and drinks. The super-popular cheesecake is a must-order~

When you're in Nihonbashi, Tokyo, I recommend stopping by Eslite Spectrum on the 2nd floor of COREDO Muromachi Terrace.

For those familiar with Eslite, the space carries on its signature simple, elegant aesthetic. Books, stationery, lifestyle goods, and various curated items are cleverly arranged together without feeling overcrowded, allowing each product to have its own presence. Browsing through the store feels like reading a thoughtfully edited lifestyle magazine, with small details everywhere that are worth stopping to look at.

In addition to books, you can also find many distinctive Taiwanese products, from snacks and tea drinks to stationery, design items, and lifestyle goods. Everything is carefully selected, presenting familiar Taiwanese flavors in a different setting.

Haneda Airport is close to central Tokyo and much more convenient to get to than Narita Airport, making it a shopping paradise for many travelers at the end of their trip. The souvenir shopping areas in the airport are seriously crowded, with so many airport-exclusive items, collaborations, and cute packaging options that it's hard to know where to look.

Interestingly, it isn't just tourists who shop here. Even Japanese people make special trips to Haneda Airport to buy exclusive souvenirs, which shows just how appealing this place is!

If you're a souvenir lover, don't underestimate how much time you'll need to shop at the airport. Most of the exclusive items are concentrated in the domestic terminals. If you want to browse leisurely and take your time choosing without rushing to board, I recommend arriving at least 3–4 hours early so you'll have enough time to explore.

I made a special trip to see the famous statue of Dr. Clark at Sapporo Hitsujigaoka Observation Hill. Dr. Clark was an American agricultural scientist and educator who came to Hokkaido in 1876 and helped establish Sapporo Agricultural College, greatly influencing the development of agricultural education in Hokkaido at the time. What is most memorable is the phrase he left behind, “Boys, be ambitious!” which also became a symbol of Hokkaido's pioneering spirit. Standing at the observation hill and looking at the doctor pointing into the distance, it feels as though he is reminding people to bravely pursue their goals.

It was raining during this visit, so I missed the expansive grassland scenery you get on a sunny day. Because of the bad weather, the sheep were resting indoors, so I didn't get to see them grazing on the grass. I heard that when the weather is clear, around 200 to 300 sheep graze outdoors, leisurely feeding in the lush green fields. It must be a very soothing sight.

Jingisukan barbecue is also one of the must-eat foods when visiting Hokkaido! First, beef fat is spread evenly over the sizzling grill, giving the slices of meat a rich aroma as they cook. Then, tender slices of meat are laid out and slowly grilled. Fresh local Hokkaido vegetables are spread beneath the grill, catching the dripping meat juices and fat. The vegetables soak up all that flavor, creating a delicious mix of savory and sweet! Hokkaido vegetables are already naturally very sweet, and grilling makes them even sweeter and tastier. Eating big bites of meat with the vegetables is simple but incredibly satisfying and enjoyable!

The last time I visited Naruko Onsen was during a cold winter. Soaking in a hot spring was perfect in the frigid air. This small place in northeastern Japan doesn't get many foreign tourists. Most visitors are Japanese travelers, so it feels less bustling and more quiet and unassuming.

Besides its hot springs, Naruko Onsen is also famous in Japan for producing kokeshi dolls. After my bath, I wandered into some shops across the street and happened upon Grandpa Seiichi Okazaki's little shop. It was very simple inside, but felt warm and welcoming. Traditional tools for making kokeshi dolls lined the walls and tables. Each one looked as if it had been used for many years, with the passage of time etched into the wood. They must have accompanied him in his work for a long time.

We naturally started chatting in Japanese, and he seemed very happy. As we talked, he made a small sake cup by hand and gave it to me as a keepsake. It was just a simple little gift, but it added an unexpected touch of emotion to the trip. Before leaving, I also picked out a small kokeshi doll to take home. I never imagined that little wooden doll would sit there for so many years.

I hope I get the chance to return to Naruko Onsen someday and see whether Grandpa Okazaki is doing well.