Linda Liao's Reviews Page 6/11

Ginza-Dori street

Ginza-Dori street is one of Japan's most prestigious shopping districts with a sense of history and elegance. It is lined with department stores and high-end brand stores, rivaling New York's Fifth Avenue and London's Oxford Street.

• Ginza, Yurakucho
• Famous Places

Ginza really has so many stores and department stores worth checking out! Many of the shops here are flagship-sized, with spacious interiors and a very complete selection of products. If you have limited time in Tokyo, I really recommend adding Ginza to your itinerary. One-stop shopping is the biggest time-saver!

You can find Taiwanese favorites like UNIQLO, GU, and Mitsukoshi all in one place. Be sure to set aside plenty of time so you can shop to your heart's content〜

I also really love the atmosphere in Ginza on weekend afternoons〜 Some streets are closed to traffic, temporarily banning vehicles, which is why it's also known as a "pedestrian paradise." Outdoor tables and chairs are set up in the middle of the street, so when you're tired from shopping, you can grab a coffee, sit down, watch people come and go, and enjoy Ginza's relaxed yet stylish afternoon atmosphere.

Marronnier Gate Ginza

A large-scale shopping facility divided into 3 buildings, “Marronnier Gate 1”, “Marronnier Gate 2” and “Marronnier Gate 3”. The name of the shopping center expresses its location as the entrance of Ginza’s Marronnier Street.

• Ginza, Yurakucho
• Commercial Buildings

Every time I come to Ginza, I always set aside some time to browse this shopping center. Besides being able to take my time shopping at UNIQLO and GU, the stores are just the right size compared with the Ginza flagship stores, making it more relaxing to browse.

After buying clothes, I head upstairs to Daiso!
This Daiso is not only spacious but also has a very wide selection, with everything from daily necessities to snacks. With its affordable prices, it's no wonder you often see many international travelers coming here specifically to buy souvenirs. Daiso's sister brand THREEPPY is also not to be missed. I especially like coming here to pick out earrings and hair accessories. The designs are cute and inexpensive, so even if I accidentally lose or damage them, it doesn't hurt too much.

Nemuro Hanamaru JR Tower Stellar Place

This popular conveyor belt sushi chain originated in Nemuro, the easternmost part of Hokkaido, and its JR Tower Stellar Place location is conveniently connected to JR Sapporo Station.

• Sapporo Station, Odori, Susukino
• Japanese Cuisine

Hokkaido's hugely popular sushi restaurant, Nemuro Hanamaru, is now in Tokyo too!

This time, I visited the branch in Tokyu Plaza Ginza. If you want to experience Japan's standing sushi culture, I highly recommend coming here. There's often a long line during meal times, so I specifically went in the afternoon and managed to avoid the crowds.

Watching the chef place each piece of fresh sushi on a bamboo leaf really whets your appetite! The ingredients are fresh, and there are plenty of options. Just order whatever you like—almost everything is delicious, so you really can't go wrong. I also highly recommend their seafood miso soup. It's packed with umami, warms you up, and goes perfectly with the sushi〜

GINZA SIX

GINZA SIX is a luxurious building with a commanding presence, even amidst the high-end brands lining Ginza's central street. It opened in 2017 as the largest commercial facility in the Ginza district, redeveloping the area including the former site of the Matsuzakaya Ginza store in Ginza 6-chome.

• Ginza, Yurakucho
• Commercial Buildings

As expected of an upscale Ginza department store, it brings together many of the trendiest high-end sweets. There was so much to see that every floor felt like a refined dessert exhibition. I saw many well-dressed Japanese women lining up to buy GIN NO MORI's dreamy French-style cookies in a tin, and in the end, I couldn't resist pulling out my wallet.

Opening the tin was such a delightful surprise. It was filled with all kinds of delicate, adorable handmade cookies, each with a different shape and flavor. Savoring them slowly revealed their unique layers of flavor.

As I kept browsing, I even discovered that Taiwan's SunnyHills had opened a location here!
Unexpectedly coming across a familiar Taiwanese brand in an upscale department store abroad made me feel strangely moved and proud. I hope SunnyHills can thrive in Japan for many years to come and introduce more people to the wonderful flavors of Taiwan.

Rokkatei Flagship Store

Rokkatei is loved as a staple brand for Hokkaido souvenirs. They offer a wide variety of sweets, such as Marusei Butter Sandwiches, Strawberry Chocolates.

• Tokachi and Obihiro
• Sweets Shop & Desserts Shop

On this trip to Hakodate, I made a special visit to the Goryokaku location and enjoyed some delicious treats in the store. I finally got to try the butter ice cream sandwich cookie I’d been craving! The crisp cookies were filled with rich, smooth butter ice cream and moist, sweet rum raisins. Enjoyed with coffee, every bite was pure happiness.

We happened to visit during the Christmas season, and the café chairs were decorated with cute Santa hat covers, which felt very festive. We spent that morning slowly enjoying desserts and coffee, savoring a little happiness during winter in Hakodate.

Sugar Butter Sand Tree

Milky white chocolate is sandwiched between cookies made from a blend of whole wheat, rye and wild oats. With its adorable appearance, your clients or friends and family will be delighted to receive this box of cookies as a gift.

• Tokyo
• Snacks

Sugar Butter Sand Tree is a very popular Japanese souvenir cookie. The outer cookie is made with seven kinds of grains and oats, with a rich white chocolate filling in the middle. It's crisp on the outside and smooth inside, blending the aroma of grains with the sweetness of butter. My friends and family all really like it.

Besides the original, it's also popular to buy a cheaper alternative at 7-Eleven. After comparing the two, I found them quite similar in texture and flavor. The alternative is just as tasty and more affordable too.

Sugar Butter Sand Tree also occasionally releases seasonal packaging or limited-edition flavors. If you're flying in or out of Haneda Airport, keep an eye out for airport-exclusive products and pick up a box to enjoy at home〜

Black Thunder

This chocolate snack is very popular for its affordable price of 40 yen and deliciousness. Cocoa cookie and plain biscuit are coated with chocolate. You can taste the light bitterness of a cocoa cookie matched with the sweetness of chocolate. Crunchy texture and the volume which can fill your stomach lightly pleases you.

• Snacks

Black Thunder chocolate, which took Taiwan by storm when I was a kid, remains a timeless souvenir choice. The individually wrapped pieces are easy to share. On a busy afternoon, make a cup of hot tea and enjoy it with some crunchy, sweet Black Thunder chocolate. That simple sweetness can bring a little moment of comfort〜

Kure Nakadori Shopping Street (Rengadori Brick Lane)

A 420-meter-long arcade shopping street in the center of Kure City. In 1990, Japan's first retractable arcade was installed.

• Kure Area Neighborhood
• Shopping Streets

If you're looking for a restaurant to take a break and have a meal in the shopping street, Calm Cafe might be a good choice. Tucked away in an alley with an inconspicuous entrance, I found this cute little place while following the “Naval Curry Restaurant Guide” I picked up at the station.

The atmosphere inside is cozy, and there's also a small bar area. That evening, we enjoyed rich naval curry and watched a game with the regulars. It felt like we were part of the locals' everyday life, making it an unforgettable experience.

Strawberry Picking Park & Strawberry Cafe Kunouya

A strawberry-picking park with an attached cafe in the Kunou area, a popular strawberry-picking destination lined with many greenhouses along National Route 150 facing Suruga Bay.

• Shizuoka
• Experiences Facilities

Picking strawberries in Japan was a novel experience. Within the allotted time, you can enjoy as many fresh strawberries as you like, including quite a few special varieties that are hard to find in regular supermarkets. Every strawberry was plump and juicy, very sweet, and not too tart, making them incredibly satisfying to eat. Since strawberries aren't exactly cheap, you get your money's worth after eating just a few〜 It's great for both families with children and couples on a date. I was so full by the end and felt very satisfied.

JMSDF Kure Museum

A submarine “Akishio” fulfilled various missions from 1986 to 2004, opens to the public as a museum in JMSDF (Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force) Kure Museum which is called “Iron Whale Museum”. This is the only museum in Japan where you can explore the inside of a submarine used in the past.

• Kure Area Neighborhood
• Museums

The Iron Whale Museum is a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force history museum that mainly introduces the history of the JMSDF and Kure City. A decommissioned submarine is displayed outside, and you can actually go inside to see the cramped spaces where the crew lived and worked. Photography is not allowed inside.