Gina C's Reviews Page 13/15

The most breathtaking thing about the great torii gate in the sea at Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima is how dramatically the scenery changes with the tides throughout the day.

At high tide, this massive vermilion structure seems to float on the deep blue sea, set against the greenery of Mt. Misen in the distance, creating an incredible sense of elegance and sacredness. When the water recedes and the tide reaches its lowest point, you can walk right up to it.

Up close, you can really feel the powerful presence of this all-wooden torii, which has stood for centuries relying on its own weight. The most fascinating detail is on the thick camphorwood main pillars. At low tide, when you get close, you’ll see that the natural cracks in the wood and gaps around the barnacles are packed with Japanese coins pushed in by visitors making wishes! From a distance, they look almost like metallic scales, faintly glittering in the sunlight. The grandeur of the natural tides and the unusual traces left by people’s wishes come together to create the torii’s most unique and thought-provoking sight.

From a distance, Himeji Castle looks like a white heron spreading its wings, standing gracefully beneath the blue sky. This all-white Edo-period castle keep is not only one of Japan’s greatest castles, but also a precious miracle that survived the destruction of war.

Crossing the moat, passing through layer after layer of heavy gates designed like a maze, and climbing the narrow wooden stairs of the main keep, you feel the marks of history beneath your feet. All around are cleverly designed defensive features. When you finally reach the top floor, the breeze and the sweeping view over the entire city of Himeji make the power and elegance of the Edo period feel instantly refreshing and inspiring.

If you come to Fukuoka, making a pilgrimage to Ichiran Souhonten is definitely one of the must-do travel experiences.

This entire building in Nakasu has such a powerful presence. It looks impressive during the day, and at night, when the whole wall lights up with red lanterns, it has a lively festival-like atmosphere. Once inside, the classic “flavor concentration booth” lets you focus completely on the bowl of ramen in front of you.

When my customized tonkotsu ramen arrived, the rich, silky broth was amazing from the first sip. The slightly spicy kick from the signature red secret sauce gave it that extra soul. The flavor was familiar, but eating it at the main store added a special sense of ceremony and completion. The thin noodles soaked up the broth beautifully, and with the tender chashu, I finished it in no time. Finally, after drinking every last drop of soup and seeing the message at the bottom of the bowl—“This last drop is the greatest joy”—my pilgrimage to the Nakasu main store felt truly complete.

Kawagoe in spring is truly as beautiful as a painting!

This time, I visited the Shingashi River behind Hikawa Shrine just as the cherry blossoms were starting to fall. When a gentle breeze blew through, a romantic shower of sakura appeared right in front of me, and I couldn’t help but stop and take it all in. The petals softly drifting onto the river was such a soothing sight.

In a few more days, this spot will probably be full of hanaikada, with the whole river covered in pink petals. I’m sure it will be beautiful in a completely different way.

When you visit Kawagoe, don’t just stroll around the old town. Be sure to take a walk along the Shingashi River and enjoy this spring-only romance.

When I visited Kawagoe, I made a special plan to try the eel rice at Ogakiku, and it definitely did not disappoint!

My favorite was the shirayaki eel. Without any sauce, you can really taste the eel’s natural sweetness and aroma. The skin was lightly crisp, and the meat was tender with no muddy taste at all. It was honestly impressive from the first bite. Paired with steaming hot white rice, every bite was so satisfying. If you have a chance to visit Kawagoe, I highly recommend giving it a try. It’s the kind of dish you’ll fall in love with right away.

After arriving in Kawagoe, I’d suggest going to Ogakiku first to get a numbered ticket, then taking your time exploring the old town. Come back for your meal after that, and the whole trip feels much more relaxed and enjoyable.

Visiting Chidorigafuchi during cherry blossom season was truly moving. The cherry blossoms in full bloom on both sides of the path formed a soft pink sea of flowers. When the breeze blew, the petals slowly drifted down, making it feel as romantic as a movie scene.

We strolled and took photos along the way, and every few steps we couldn’t help but stop to admire the view. The cherry blossoms reflected on the moat were beautiful from every angle. It’s no wonder so many people come here every year to see the sakura. If you have the chance to visit when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, it will definitely leave you with unforgettable memories.

During the day, Kaminarimon and Sensoji Temple are always packed with tourists, so I didn’t expect the nighttime atmosphere to feel completely different.

Without the constant crowds, the lighting made everything feel especially quiet and atmospheric. Walking slowly through Kaminarimon and exploring Sensoji Temple without having to rush past crowds made it even easier to appreciate the beauty of this historic temple.

Visiting Lake Chuzenji in autumn was truly stunning. The maple leaves covering the lakeside mountains were dyed in vibrant shades of red, orange, and gold, like a gorgeous cloak draped over the entire mountain. Reflected on the calm surface of the lake, the scene looked just like a painting.

When the breeze blew, maple leaves gently fluttered down, adding even more romance to the moment. Walking slowly along the lakeshore, taking in the layers of autumn colors and feeling the cool fall air, every step offered another beautiful view. It made me want to slow down and keep this scenery deep in my memory.

Every time I come to Kyoto and see Kyoto Tower, it gives me such a familiar feeling, as if it’s saying to every traveler, “Welcome back!”

Seeing the tower from a distance brings back memories of past trips. It’s even more charming when it’s lit up at night. The warm yellow lights against Kyoto’s night view add a romantic and peaceful touch.

When visiting Todaiji Temple in Nara, what I was looking forward to most was interacting with the adorable deer!

The deer are considered messengers of the gods, and they’ll come right up to people as soon as they see them. They’re honestly so soothing to be around. Of course, I bought some deer crackers to feed them, but they were even more enthusiastic than I expected. When I wasn’t paying attention, one of them actually kicked me, which was scary and funny at the same time.

Just a reminder: keep a little distance when feeding them, hold on to your deer crackers, and don’t tease them. That way, you can safely enjoy the fun of interacting with the deer!