Linda Liao's Reviews Page 7/11

Irifuneyama Memorial Museum

In 1889, the Kure Naval District was opened. At that time, the "Irifuneyama Memorial Museum" preserved and opened the building that was built as the commander-in-chief's office. In 2016, it was certified as one of the components of the Japanese heritage "Chinjufu Yokosuka, Kure, Sasebo, Maizuru town”, where you can experience the dynamics of modernization in Japan".

• Kure Area Neighborhood
• Museums

The Irifuneyama Memorial Museum is located in Kure, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan, and is an important site preserving Kure's naval history. Its most notable building is the former official residence of the commander-in-chief of the Kure Naval District. Built during the Meiji era, it blends Japanese and Western architectural styles and has been designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan. The ornate kinkarakami wallpaper in the Western-style building is especially intricate and quite rare. Walking through the museum, I could really feel the atmosphere of the Meiji era, and it also gave me a better understanding of Kure's history.

Onomichi Hondori (Main street) Shopping district

"Onomichi Hondori Shopping Street" runs 1.6km in parallel between the sea and mountain, dotted with sightseeing spots in Onomichi City. It comprises five shopping streets, "Ichiban-gai," "Naka-shopping street," "Honcho Center Street," "Chuogai," and "Onomichi street." The shopping district has about 400 unique shops and is well-known for its retro atmosphere.

• Hiroshima
• Shopping Streets

Onomichi Hondori Shopping Street retains a strong sense of Showa-era nostalgia, while also hiding many innovative and cute little shops. Walking through it, you can almost feel the determination of local young people working in their own way to preserve this old city.

The shopping street is lined with over a hundred stores, including artsy little shops, unique restaurants, and local snacks. You could easily spend an entire afternoon slowly exploring this area alone.

Life moves slowly in Onomichi, without the noise and rush of a big city. This relaxed and peaceful atmosphere is exactly what makes Onomichi so charming, and it's something other big cities simply can't replace.

Onomichi City Museum of Art

Located within Senkoji Park, which stretches from the summit to the mid-slope of Mt. Senkoji, the Onomichi City Museum of Art first opened in 1980 and was redesigned in 2003 by world-renowned architect Tadao Ando.

• Hiroshima
• Museums

The Onomichi City Museum of Art is like a sparkling gem hidden in Senkoji Park. Designed by renowned architect Tadao Ando, its clean, minimalist architecture complements the surrounding natural scenery, making it well worth a special trip.

On the way to the museum, you may also encounter friendly cats that come over to greet you and roll onto their backs asking to be petted. Their adorable antics are impossible to resist.

When it comes to the Onomichi City Museum of Art, nothing is more talked about than the adorable, years-long back-and-forth between the museum's security guard and Ken-chan, a black cat. This amusing everyday story has captured many hearts and was even compiled into a book, making Ken-chan an unconventional star of the museum.

I was especially lucky during this visit because a complete collection of Japanese ukiyo-e master Utagawa Hiroshige's The Fifty-Three Stations of the Tokaido series happened to be on display. Seeing the entire series at once was truly impressive. From the architecture and art to the comforting cats, the whole visit was full of surprises and left me wanting more. I've quietly added the Onomichi City Museum of Art to my list for a return visit.

Mt. Senkoji Ropeway

The Mt. Senkoji Ropeway is a throughway connecting Nagaeguchi Station at the base to Senkoji-yama Station at the summit of Mount Senkoji, a 144.2 meter-tall towering member of Onomichi’s three famed peaks.

• Hiroshima
• Ropeway

Take the Mt. Senkoji Ropeway up the mountain, and as it slowly rises, you can admire the port town of Onomichi, nestled between the mountains and the sea, from different angles. Along the way, the hillside houses, Onomichi Port, and the distant Seto Inland Sea gradually come into view, offering a very expansive panorama.

Senkoji is listed among Japan's 100 Best Cherry Blossom Spots and has over a thousand cherry trees, including Somei Yoshino, weeping cherry, and double-flowered cherry trees. When the cherry blossoms are in full bloom in spring, the entire mountain becomes even more romantic, making it a highly recommended season for cherry blossom viewing and travel.

After visiting Senkoji, you can also explore the nearby Cat Alley along the hillside. The alleys are quiet, with occasional encounters with cute cats and various small shops. Wandering around aimlessly and at your own pace lets you appreciate Onomichi's unique laid-back charm even more.

Senkoji Temple

The Senkoji temple is located on the mountain sides of Mt. Senkojiyama and has a centuries old history since its establishment in 806.

• Hiroshima
• Shrines & Temples

You can take the cable car up the mountain to save yourself quite a bit of walking. If you have enough time, you can also try walking up, but most of the route consists of slopes and stairs, so it's best to consider your fitness level.

Once you reach the top, the peaceful, pleasant surroundings offer views of Onomichi Port and the Seto Inland Sea. The city and seascape come together in a tranquil scene, creating a relaxed atmosphere.

Dogo Shotengai (Dogo Haikara Dori)

Nicknamed “Dogo Haikara Dori”, the Dogo Shotengai is a shopping arcade connected to Dogo Onsen Honkan. At 250-meters in length, this L-shaped shopping arcade connects the stretch from the main building of Dogo Onsen to Dogo Onsen Station, the final stop on the Iyotetsu train lines.

• Ehime
• Shopping Streets

Dogo Shopping Arcade isn't very large, but it's packed with unique shops, making it a great place to browse at a leisurely pace and hunt for finds. You can find almost every Ehime specialty product you can think of here, so shopping is very convenient.

Imabari towels are also well worth buying. Known for being soft on the skin and highly absorbent, they're both practical and high-quality. They're great for personal use and also make a distinctive gift.

Ehime no Shokutaku 1970

Ehime no Shokutaku 1970 is a juice stand in Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture. It is known for its unique style, where mikan juice comes out when you turn a faucet. The shop is located inside Dogo Shopping Street, the arcade that connects Dogo Onsen Station and the Dogo Onsen Main Building.

• Ehime
• Cafés

Ehime is a famous citrus-growing region in Japan, producing all kinds of citrus fruits. Not only are there many varieties, but each one has its own distinctive aroma and flavor, making you want to try them all.

The most unique experience of the trip was tasting mikan juice flowing directly from a faucet. Just gently turn the faucet, and bright golden juice flows out. It was novel, fun, and a delightful surprise. Each variety of juice had its own flavor—some were refreshingly sweet and tart, while others were richly sweet and fragrant. Every sip was full of Ehime's distinctive local flavor.

Matsuyama Castle

Matsuyama Castle is an iconic symbol of Matsuyama City, and it is also famous as being an impregnable castle.

• Ehime
• Tourist Attractions

Matsuyama Castle is one of Japan's 12 remaining original castle keeps and is well worth a visit. This time, I came specifically during cherry blossom season and took the single-seat chairlift up the mountain. Looking down from the chairlift, I could admire the pale pink blossoms up close from above the treetops, which put me in a particularly good mood.

After reaching the top, the majestic keep of Matsuyama Castle came into view. Matsuyama Castle was built in the early Edo period on the summit of Mount Katsuyama and is one of the few castles in Japan that still retains an Edo-period keep. From the top of the keep, you can also look out over downtown Matsuyama and the Seto Inland Sea, making it an excellent spot to enjoy the city views.

Dōgo Onsen Honkan

Boasting a history of roughly 3,000 years, Dōgo Onsen is considered by many to be Japan’s oldest hot spring. Its iconic symbol, the Dōgo Onsen Honkan, was rebuilt in 1894 as a public bathhouse and is designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. After six years of extensive preservation and restoration work, the wooden three-story bathhouse fully reopened in 2024, offering a renewed experience designed to soak in the historical beauty up close.

• Ehime
• Bathing & Spa Facilities

Dōgo Onsen is one of Japan's oldest hot springs, and its old wooden architecture easily brings to mind the bathhouse from Spirited Away.

The Dōgo Onsen Honkan we see today mainly took shape after a major renovation in 1894. With over a century of history, it has also become an important cultural building in Japan.

Starting in 2019, Dōgo Onsen Honkan underwent extensive preservation and restoration work and did not fully reopen until 2024. In addition to restoring the old building, the renovation added modern features such as earthquake resistance and air conditioning, making it more comfortable for visitors.

After the renovation, although the facilities are now more complete, it has lost a little of the nostalgic atmosphere unique to an old hot spring. Ticket prices have also been adjusted, with the basic bathing fee increasing from JPY 460 to JPY 700. I guess that's the price of changing times!

Dogo Park (Yuzuki Castle Ruins)

Covering approximately 8.6 hectares, Dogo Park is a spacious urban park developed on the nationally designated Yuzuki Castle Ruins. The entire park occupies the former site of a castle that stood from the early 14th to the late 16th century, and remnants such as earthen ramparts and moats can still be seen today. The site is protected as a National Historic Site under the name Yuzuki Castle Ruins. The park has an almost tortoiseshell-shaped layout about 350 meters in diameter, with a central hill rising roughly 30 meters. From the observation deck, visitors can enjoy panoramic views over the Matsuyama Plain, making it a popular scenic viewpoint.

• Ehime
• Parks & Gardens

Dogo Park is close to the Dogo Onsen shopping street. You can usually see many local residents walking and chatting here, giving it a relaxed atmosphere. We visited in early spring this time, before the cherry blossoms were in full bloom.

There are also many cute little shops around the park. That day, we casually stopped by Yukemuri Cafe to take a break and escape the heat. The cafe's seating area is on the second floor, and the interior has a retro style. Sitting by the window and looking through the gridded window frame, we could see the street and the hot spring district. As we enjoyed our food and quietly gazed outside, the fatigue that had built up during the trip seemed to slowly fade away.