Gina C's Reviews Page 2/6

Narita International Airport

The international airport and gateway to Tokyo, visited by 44 million travelers each year (as of 2019). Opened in 1978, this world-famous airport (airport code NRT) has ferried over 6 million flights both in and out of Japan. The airport grounds include 3 different passenger terminals, a freight terminal and is currently planning to open a new runaway in addition to its two runways currently open.

• Narita Airport Neighborhood
• Tokyo
• Airplanes & Airport

On this trip to Tokyo, we stayed in Oshiage. Getting there from Narita Airport was very convenient. We took the Narita Sky Access Line straight to Oshiage Station without having to drag our luggage around while transferring, which saved time and made the trip easy.

After leaving the airport, we enjoyed the scenery of Tokyo's suburbs along the way as we gradually entered the city. Once we arrived in Oshiage, we could go straight to the hotel and rest. The biggest advantage of staying in Oshiage is being close to Tokyo Skytree. Transportation in the area is convenient, making it easy to get to Asakusa, central Tokyo, and other attractions. For families traveling with children, one less transfer and a little more convenience really make it a great place to stay!

Senjogahara Marshland

Located within Nikko National Park, Senjogahara Marshland is an expansive 400-hectare wetland. It was once a lake, but volcanic sediment gradually accumulated, allowing aquatic plants to take root, eventually forming a marshland under the region’s cool climate. The name "Senjogahara" (meaning "Battlefield Marsh") comes from a legend in which the deities of Mount Akagi and Mount Nantai transformed into a giant centipede and a great serpent, respectively, and fought over control of Lake Chuzenji.

• Tochigi
• Nature Spots

Senjogahara Marshland is a very famous natural attraction in Nikko. Compared with the bustling Toshogu Shrine, it feels more expansive and peaceful. When I visited in the fall, the entire marshland had turned golden, with mountains in the distance creating a spectacular view.

Walking along the wooden boardwalk with the cool mountain breeze, I saw endless grasslands and natural scenery, which made me feel especially relaxed. Although there are no ornate buildings, the soothing feeling of nature left a deep impression. Besides seeing the fall foliage, this is a highly recommended stop when visiting Nikko.

Nikko Toshogu

Nikko Toshogu is a shrine dedicated to the Edo shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa. It is the most visited spot within the World Heritage Site “Shrines and Temples of Nikko,” and here you can see 55 exceptional buildings, including 8 that have been designated as national treasures and 34 that have been designated as Important Cultural Properties.

• Tochigi
• Shrines & Temples

Nikko Toshogu makes you gasp in amazement as soon as you walk in! The entire shrine is dazzlingly ornate, and the carvings are so detailed that every corner is worth taking the time to admire.

The most famous sights are the “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil” carving of the three monkeys and the magnificent Yomeimon Gate. Every part has the atmosphere of classical architecture.

I visited in the fall, and the maple leaves covering the mountains made the entire grounds even more captivating. The intermingling red and yellow foliage complemented the ancient buildings beautifully, truly making it worthy of being a World Heritage Site.

Toshogu not only has a wealth of history and culture, but its fall scenery is also so beautiful that you won't want to leave. It's a classic attraction that you have to include on a trip to Nikko.

AFURI Ebisu

Located just a 3-minute walk from Ebisu Station, this stylish ramen shop specializes in tanrei-kei (light and refined) ramen, crafted with pure natural spring water from Mount Afuri in Kanagawa and a carefully simmered blend of chicken and seafood. AFURI has expanded from Tokyo to Kanagawa, Hokkaido, and even overseas in the U.S. and Hong Kong. The Ebisu branch is open until 5 a.m. and operates as a completely cashless restaurant.

• Meguro, Ebisu
• Ramen

AFURI Ramen is perfect for people who don't like strong flavors!

The most distinctive feature of this ramen is its yuzu broth. You can smell the subtle yuzu aroma as soon as it's served, and the first sip of the soup is incredibly refreshing.

The broth is savory, slightly sweet, and smooth, without any of the greasiness of typical ramen. Paired with thin noodles and tender chicken chashu, every bite is comforting. Even after finishing the whole bowl, it doesn't feel heavy. It's perfect when you're tired from shopping and want a bowl of ramen.

If you usually like light ramen, AFURI is definitely worth trying!

Shinkyo Bridge

The World Heritage site "Shrines and Temples of Nikko" in Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture, consists of the Futarasan Shrine, Toshogu Shrine, Rinno-ji Temple, and the surrounding archaeological sites. The Shinkyo Bridge, also known as "Yamasuge's Snake Bridge" or "Sacred Bridge", spans the entrance and is one of the cultural properties that constitute the World Heritage site. It is also designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan.

• Tochigi
• Tourist Attractions

Shinkyo Bridge in the fall really looks like a postcard! The bright red bridge against the maple-covered mountains, with reds, yellows, and oranges all blending together, looks gorgeous from every angle.

Standing by the bridge and taking in the scenery while watching the stream flow gently by made me feel completely relaxed. Although there were quite a few visitors, the view still made it well worth it.

If you're visiting Nikko for the fall foliage, be sure to include Shinkyo Bridge in your itinerary. Whether you photograph it from afar or up close, you'll come away with beautiful fall memories.

Toyama Castle Ruins Park

Nicknamed the "Floating Castle" for its appearance of floating on water, Toyama Castle Ruins Park is built on the historic site of Toyama Castle, once the residence of feudal lords who ruled the present-day Toyama region. The park retains portions of the original stone walls, moat, and the impressive Chitose Gate, preserving the grandeur of the past.

• Toyama
• Parks & Gardens

Toyama Castle Ruins Park has a quiet beauty in winter that's different from cherry blossom season. The cold weather means fewer crowds, making the park more relaxed and peaceful. Walking along the moat and enjoying the views of Toyama Castle and the surrounding scenery offers a unique charm.

Although the trees are bare in winter, they highlight the castle's elegant appearance, and every photo has a wintry atmosphere. The park is not far from central Toyama and is easy to get to, making it a great place for a leisurely walk, taking photos, and experiencing Toyama's calm and comfortable winter charm.

Toyama Station

Toyama Station is a key transport hub linking travel across Toyama Prefecture and beyond, served by the Hokuriku Shinkansen, JR conventional lines, and Ainokaze Toyama Railway. It also features a rare design in Japan, with a streetcar running north-south through the station for easy travel around the city.

• Toyama
• Stations & Roadside Stations & Tourist Information Centers

Toyama Station is an important transportation hub in the Hokuriku region. It's very convenient whether you're taking the Hokuriku Shinkansen, a conventional JR line, or heading to attractions like the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route or Kanazawa.

The station is well laid out, with restaurants, souvenir shops, and other stores, so you can easily browse while waiting for a connection. We also found the white shrimp ramen we'd been looking forward to and planned to bring the fresh, sweet flavors of Toyama home with us.

Kyoto Porta

Opened about 40 years ago as Kyoto's first underground shopping center, "Kyoto Ekimae Underground Shopping Center Porta" and "Kyoto Station Building Specialty Store Street The Cube" merged in 2023. It has been reborn as a large-scale shopping mall suitable for the gateway to the international tourist city of Kyoto.

• Kyoto
• Commercial Buildings

Kyoto Station’s Porta underground mall is such a fun place to explore! It has popular clothing stores, lifestyle goods, souvenir shops, and plenty of restaurants, so you can shop and dine all in one place.

We shopped for clothes first, then enjoyed some pasta before continuing to browse. It’s perfect for escaping the heat or rain. The layout is easy to navigate, and there’s a great selection of brands, from affordable options to trendy fashion. It’s easy to lose track of time here.

If you’re visiting Kyoto and want a relaxed, convenient shopping and dining experience, Kyoto Porta is definitely worth a stop.

Taiho Ramen Head Store

This famous pork bone ramen restaurant was established in Kurume in 1953 (Showa 28). For over half a century since its founding, the restaurant takes pride in its "call back soup," constantly replenished and never left empty, thanks to its unique technique called "call back." The mellow soup, with its rich umami and deep richness, is so beloved that it is said among ramen enthusiasts, "Do not talk about pork bone ramen without eating Taiho Ramen."

• Fukuoka
• Ramen

Taiho Ramen Head Store is one of Kurume’s most iconic tonkotsu ramen shops and the birthplace of the yobimodoshi soup method, so there are often long lines on both weekdays and weekends.

I stopped by on a road trip through Kyushu and finally got to try this classic tonkotsu ramen, perfected over generations. The broth was rich without being overly salty and packed with pork-bone flavor. It paired perfectly with the springy thin noodles.

The biggest surprise was the sencha served in the restaurant. It was light and refreshing with a subtly sweet finish, perfectly balancing the richness of the broth and refreshing my palate. It was definitely worth the wait. If you’re visiting Fukuoka or Kurume, I highly recommend trying it at least once!

Hakata Ikkousha Main Store

Of all the different Hakata Tonkotsu Ramen stores, “Hakata Ikkousha” is perhaps the most popular. Operating 5 different diverse brands, Ikkousha’s main store front is located in front of JR Hakata Station.

• Fukuoka
• Ramen

On a previous trip to Kyoto, I tried Hakata Ikkousha at Kyoto Ramen Koji. I couldn’t stop thinking about that rich, frothy tonkotsu ramen afterward.

This time, I finally made it to the main store in Fukuoka, and I was so excited! The broth was even richer and more aromatic than I remembered. The velvety foam carried an intense tonkotsu flavor, yet it was surprisingly light and not greasy. Paired with thin noodles and tender chashu, every bite was incredibly satisfying.

After visiting both the Kyoto location and the Fukuoka main store, I not only got to enjoy that familiar flavor again but also experienced the main store’s more refined, authentic appeal. It was definitely worth making a special trip for.