WANG's Reviews Page 9/12

The interior of this large shopping complex is very well laid out and divided into several themed areas. The most irresistible one is **“ekie Omiyage (Souvenir Avenue)”**, which brings together all of Hiroshima's most classic and famous specialty shops. Whether you're looking for maple-leaf-shaped cakes, Setouchi lemon cake, various limited-edition snacks, or a bowl of Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki from the legendary restaurant “Reichan” mentioned earlier, you can get it all here in one place without having to run around outside under the blazing sun.

Besides the souvenir area and food court, ekie also has plenty of fun lifestyle goods, clothing brands, and drugstores to browse. Especially for travelers arriving in or departing from Hiroshima by Shinkansen or JR train, this is practically the perfect “last-minute restocking stop.” Even if you shop until the very last minute, you can simply carry all your bags straight into the station and board your train. The convenience is off the charts. I highly recommend putting “ekie Hiroshima” at the beginning or end of your Hiroshima itinerary. Whether you're looking for food or shopping, you can satisfy both needs in one place!

Whenever I'm shopping in Harajuku, Tokyo, and want to find some affordable, cute items with a quirky Japanese style, WEGO 1.3.5… Harajuku Takeshita Street Store, located near Takeshita Street, is definitely my personal must-visit treasure-hunting spot!

The most interesting thing about this store is the origin of its name—1.3.5 represents the three very affordable price ranges for most items in the store: JPY 100, JPY 300, and JPY 500 before tax. As soon as you walk in, you're immediately drawn to the colorful interior filled with girly charm and trendy touches. The left half mainly sells a dazzling variety of household goods, quirky stationery, phone accessories, party items, eye-catching fashion accessories, and beauty products, while the right half features WEGO's classic trendy clothing and accessories.

There are thousands of different products here, from practical storage items and unbelievably cute statement earrings to all kinds of quirky Japanese souvenirs. Since everything is so inexpensive and easy to buy, I often end up grabbing a huge pile of goodies without realizing it, only to find at checkout that my wallet barely took a hit. The value is off the charts!

The store is just a few minutes' walk from JR Harajuku Station, so it's very convenient to get to. I highly recommend stopping by and hunting for treasures while strolling and shopping along Takeshita Street. You're sure to find plenty of surprisingly affordable and cute Japanese items!

I made a special trip to visit this legendary restaurant inside Hiroshima Station, which has been around for more than half a century—Hiroshima Specialty Okonomiyaki Rei chan (Rei-chan)! The moment I reached the entrance and saw the extremely long line that's always there, I knew this place was considered top-tier by both locals and tourists.

Once seated at the griddle counter, watching the chefs skillfully work in front of the steaming-hot griddle—layering noodles, cabbage, pork slices, and the all-important sauce as everything sizzled—was already a visual treat. When the piping-hot, generously portioned Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki arrived, the aroma of the sauce was truly mouthwatering.

With the first bite, the slightly crispy fried noodles on the bottom and the sweet, tender cabbage, paired with the signature sauce and mayonnaise, created so many layers of flavor! The biggest difference from Kansai-style okonomiyaki is its substantial portion and the wonderful texture created by all the ingredients. Every bite was packed with authentic local flavor. Although the wait takes some time, the satisfaction afterward is absolutely off the charts. I highly recommend adding Rei-chan to your food list when visiting Hiroshima and experiencing the unbeatable appeal of this iconic local dish for yourself!

Definitely one of my top choices for a dependable stay with excellent value! No matter which city, the biggest advantage of this hotel chain is that its locations are usually incredibly convenient, almost always just a few minutes' walk from a subway or major train station. For independent travelers whose legs are worn out from sightseeing every day, it's truly the perfect companion for saving time and energy.

Although the rooms follow the compact, practical style of a Japanese business hotel, the space is very neat, clean, and well designed. There's enough room to open your luggage, the beds are comfortable, and all the necessary amenities are provided. The bathrooms aren't large, but they usually have a bathtub where you can soak. Returning to the hotel for a hot bath after a full day out instantly relieves much of the fatigue.

Another plus is that the hotels usually have self-service laundry facilities or convenient luggage storage at the front desk. The surrounding area is also extremely convenient, with convenience stores and drugstores downstairs or around the corner, making it easy to grab a late-night snack or stock up on supplies anytime. Highly recommended for travelers visiting Japan who value convenient transportation and a good balance with their budget. Adding the Washington Hotel to your accommodation list will definitely make your entire trip comfortable and worry-free!

I made a special trip to visit Tenka Ippin, an incredibly popular restaurant with legendary status in Japan's ramen scene, famous for its ultra-rich broth! As soon as I approached the entrance, I could smell the intensely rich aroma of pork bone and chicken broth from far away, making my mouth water before I even stepped inside.

Once seated, I ordered their signature kotteri ramen without hesitation. When the ramen arrived, I was blown away just looking at the broth, which was almost as thick as a paste. With the first big sip, the intensely rich essence of chicken bones and vegetables immediately spread through my mouth. It was full-bodied yet surprisingly smooth, without being overly salty or greasy like I had imagined. The springy noodles soaked up plenty of the thick broth, so every bite was coated in rich flavor and incredibly satisfying.

If you like strongly flavored ramen, you can add some of their special ramen soy sauce or chili oil to change up the flavor and add more depth. After finishing the noodles, seeing the unusual sight of almost all the broth absorbed at the bottom of the bowl gives you a strange sense of accomplishment. Highly recommended when visiting Japan if you want to try one of the most authentic and iconic ultra-rich styles of ramen. Be sure to add Tenka Ippin to your food list—it's guaranteed to leave a lasting impression after just one bowl!

When traveling to Fukuoka, the highlight of dinner naturally has to be trying one of the area's most iconic local specialties—Hakata motsunabe! After carefully considering the options, we chose the extremely popular Hakata Motsunabe Oyama. After actually eating there, I completely understand why it's so popular and highly rated!

As soon as we walked in, the lively yet welcoming atmosphere made us feel very relaxed. We ordered their signature miso-flavored motsunabe. When the piping-hot, bubbling pot arrived at the table, the rich aroma of miso immediately filled the air. Just seeing and smelling it was enough to whet our appetites.

The beef intestines were cleaned very well and had none of the unpleasant odor that can put people off. With each bite, the outside had a slightly springy chew, while the fat inside instantly melted in my mouth. It was incredibly rich, plump, and juicy! Paired with chives and cabbage that had soaked up the rich miso flavor, along with springy champon noodles saturated with broth, every bite was intensely flavorful yet surprisingly hard to stop eating. Having a bowl in slightly chilly weather warmed me from my stomach to my heart—it was truly a luxurious treat.

The rich flavor may be a little heavy for some people, but it pairs perfectly with a refreshing drink or beer. I highly recommend making dinner plans at Hakata Motsunabe Oyama when visiting Fukuoka and savoring this classic soul food of Hakata that will make you a fan after one taste!

Upon entering the shrine grounds, the first thing that catches your eye is the tall, magnificent, and colorfully decorated kazariyama float from the Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival. Seeing the intricate sculptures of historical figures and anime characters up close was incredibly impressive and breathtaking, and I couldn't stop taking photos. Besides the large yamakasa float, the grounds also feature historic sights such as the longevity spring and a thousand-year-old ginkgo tree. Every corner is filled with a strong sense of traditional Japanese charm.

After praying at the main shrine, I stopped by the shrine office to buy a cute amulet and draw an omikuji fortune. The whole experience was very soothing and relaxing. Best of all, the shrine is in an extremely convenient location, just a few minutes' walk from lively Nakasu and the Kawabata Shopping Arcade. After shopping, you can stop by anytime to experience the traditional atmosphere of this peaceful oasis in the city. I highly recommend adding Kushida Shrine to your walking itinerary when visiting Fukuoka and experiencing the authentic cultural charm of Hakata!

I finally made the pilgrimage to the incredibly popular “I'm donut ?,” which has gone viral online and is hailed as the pinnacle of fresh donuts! As you approach the shop, you can see the ever-present line from a distance, while the aroma of freshly baked bread fills the air. Even though my legs were sore from waiting, my anticipation was through the roof.

That day, I bought their signature original fresh donut and several popular flavors all at once. The moment I took a bite, I couldn't help but exclaim to myself: How is this texture even possible? The dough was incredibly moist, soft, chewy, and super light. It had none of the heaviness or greasiness of a traditional American donut. Instead, it melted in my mouth like a cloud. Paired with rich, smooth custard or other fillings that weren't overly sweet, it really was impossible to stop eating one bite after another.

Although you have to spend quite a while waiting in line, the burst of deliciousness when you finally taste one makes it completely worth it! I highly recommend adding “I'm donut ?” to your itinerary when visiting Tokyo so you can experience the appeal of this ultimate dessert that has taken Japan by storm for yourself!

While traveling in Onomichi, I made a point of riding the historic and charming Mt. Senkoji Ropeway to reach Senkoji Park and its spectacular views! As soon as I arrived at the station at the foot of the mountain, I could see the brightly colored, adorable cable car slowly traveling up and down in the distance, instantly bringing out my inner child and filling me with anticipation.

After buying a ticket and boarding, the car smoothly climbed the mountain as the breathtaking scenery unfolded outside the window. The aerial journey only takes about three minutes, but the views are truly incredible! Below is a dense stretch of traditional Japanese houses built along the hillside and a maze of narrow alleys. In the distance are the sparkling blue sea and islands of all sizes scattered across the water. As the car climbs higher, the panoramic view of the Seto Inland Sea becomes even more expansive. Watching the postcard-like scenery from the car had me gasping in amazement and taking photos nonstop.

Once I arrived at the summit station, I stepped out near a spacious observation deck and the famous Cat Alley. Not only can you overlook the magnificent panorama of central Onomichi and the Onomichi Channel, but you can also stroll around and visit the old temples along the way. Even better, the ropeway runs frequently, almost every 15 minutes, making the ride convenient and smooth. If you're visiting Onomichi, I highly recommend taking the Mt. Senkoji Ropeway instead of exhausting yourself climbing the mountain. Enjoy the spectacular scenery of the Seto Inland Sea and hillside town from a relaxing and romantic aerial perspective!

When traveling in Hiroshima, the most memorable transportation experience has to be the Hiroshima Electric Railway, the local streetcar system known as Hiroden! As soon as you step onto the streets of Hiroshima, you can see these cute, nostalgic streetcars clattering down the middle of the road, creating a scene with the unique charm of old Japan.

Hiroden's route network is extremely extensive, connecting nearly all of Hiroshima's popular attractions. Whether you want to visit the Atomic Bomb Dome, Hiroshima Castle, or take the ferry from Miyajimaguchi, you can get there using Hiroden. Even cooler, in addition to modern low-floor streetcars, you may be lucky enough to ride an antique car preserved from elsewhere or even an atomic bomb-surviving streetcar that endured World War II. Sitting inside and looking at the wooden interior and retro driver's cab instantly immerses you in history.

It's also simple and intuitive to ride. Just pay with coins or tap a transit card after boarding, and the fare is quite affordable for city transportation. Sitting by the window and watching Hiroshima's streets slowly pass by is a soothing experience in itself. If you're visiting Hiroshima, I highly recommend skipping the subway and taxis and using Hiroden to get around every day. It's the perfect way to experience the city's most authentic everyday scenery firsthand!