Gina C's Reviews Page 21/23

BIJUU’s “Kyo Baum” is a distinctive Kyoto souvenir. It looks elegant and is perfect as a souvenir from Kyoto. This time I tried the matcha flavor, and from the first bite, I could smell the subtle, pleasant aroma of matcha.

What I liked most was the matcha on the innermost and outermost layers. The aroma was very noticeable, and it had a rich matcha flavor. Paired with the Baumkuchen inside, it was soft and had a layered texture.

When I visited Shibuya Hikarie, I made a point of going upstairs to enjoy the free nighttime view. Looking down at the streets of Shibuya from above, the bustling Shibuya Scramble Crossing is what catches your eye the most. Crowds of people and streams of traffic crisscross as the lights from the surrounding buildings illuminate the entire city, creating a lively atmosphere that is uniquely Tokyo.

Watching pedestrians cross the intersection from every direction as the signals change, the dense crowds create an interesting scene. Shibuya is already bustling during the day, but looking down from above at night, you can feel the city's energy even more.

You can enjoy Shibuya's night view for free and take in the iconic crossing all at once, making this a worthwhile stop when visiting Shibuya.

After boarding the Akechidaira Ropeway in Nikko, the scenery outside the window unfolded layer by layer as the cabin slowly made its way into the mountains.

The mountains were covered in a mix of green, yellow, and red, as if someone had accidentally spilled paint across the entire landscape. It wasn't deliberately arranged, yet it was beautiful just as it was.

Along the way, we watched the maple leaves change color with the elevation, gradually shifting from small scenes right before our eyes to a sweeping mountain landscape. At that moment, you can't help but slow down and take in all of fall. Nikko's red maple leaves really are best enjoyed from the mountains.

Walking into Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo - The Making of Harry Potter felt like being instantly transported back to childhood, when I would watch the movies and wait for the magic to happen.

The familiar sets and classic character costumes filled every corner with memories, making me think back to how much I once longed for the wizarding world.

It turns out that even after growing up, the stories we once loved can still make our hearts flutter. I took photos and reminisced along the way, as if I were reliving the magical adventures from the movies.

Finally, I browsed the merchandise shop and brought my childhood dreams of magic home with me, leaving the best possible memory of this trip.

When visiting Kamakura, of course you can’t miss the classic Kotoku-in Temple and the Great Buddha of Kamakura! As soon as you enter the temple grounds, you can see the enormous Great Buddha sitting in the courtyard from a distance. Standing in front of it in person, it really feels more impressive than it looks in photos.

The Great Buddha is one of Kamakura’s most iconic attractions, and the surrounding area is very peaceful, creating a completely different atmosphere from the bustling streets. As you slowly walk closer and admire its details, you can feel the weight of its long history.

I specifically made time to come see it on this trip to Kamakura. Although I didn’t stay very long, it was still well worth seeing the Great Buddha from textbooks and travel photos with my own eyes.

I really love the scenery at Miyama Kayabuki no Sato. The old thatched-roof houses are scattered throughout the mountains, and the entire village is filled with the atmosphere of the Japanese countryside. I just never expected that both times I visited, it would rain. It was really a bit disappointing!

Although rainy Miyama has an added sense of tranquility and a misty atmosphere, the rain also made it impossible to really walk around and explore, and even harder to take the kind of beautiful photos I had in mind, with thatched-roof houses under blue skies and white clouds.

Every time I come, I feel like there are still so many places I haven't been able to fully experience. I especially want to see Kayabuki no Sato surrounded by the mountains and forests on a sunny day.

The Hakone Ropeway is a part of traveling around Hakone that’s well worth experiencing, especially the ride from Sounzan to Owakudani, where the scenery along the way is truly beautiful. As the gondola slowly rises, you can look down over Hakone’s mountain scenery, and when the weather is good, you may even see Mt. Fuji. The views are very expansive.

As you approach Owakudani, the scenery becomes quite distinctive. You can see white smoke constantly rising from the valley and even smell a faint scent of sulfur, making it very different from the scenery on a typical ropeway. The mountains, forests, and volcanic terrain overlap along the way, and it’s also great for taking photos.

I think the Hakone Ropeway is more than just transportation—it’s an interesting travel experience in itself. If you plan it together with Owakudani, Togendai, and Lake Ashi, your whole Hakone itinerary will be even more varied. In particular, slowly crossing the valleys inside the gondola really gives you the feeling of traveling.

Rinku Premium Outlets in Osaka is a great place to include in your itinerary for shopping. It’s also very convenient to get to from Kansai Airport, making it especially suitable for stocking up before heading home. The outlet complex is huge, and the streets are designed to look like an American town, making it very pleasant to walk around and browse.

There’s a wide variety of brands here, offering everything from sportswear, clothing, and shoes to household goods. When there are sales, it’s really easy to keep shopping nonstop. I personally think it’s a good place to take your time comparing prices. Some items are much cheaper than their original prices after discounts, and when I see something I like, I can’t resist buying it.

Besides shopping, the grounds are also great for taking photos. The buildings and streets have an international feel, and when you get tired, you can take a break at a restaurant or café. When the weather is nice, it’s relaxing to stroll around and look at the stores.

If your itinerary takes you near Kansai Airport, I highly recommend adding Rinku Premium Outlets. Not only can you find discounted items from many brands, but you can also make it the last stop of your trip and browse at your own pace. If you enjoy shopping, it’s really worth setting aside half a day to make the most of your final shopping time in Japan!

When I came to Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto, what I looked forward to most was seeing the famous “Senbon Torii” in person. As soon as you enter the shrine, you can see rows of bright red torii gates stretching into the mountain. The sheer number is astonishing, and actually walking through them is even more impressive than it looks in photos.

As you follow the torii gates up the mountain, there are orange-red gates almost everywhere on both sides. Sunlight filters through the gaps, creating a mysterious and solemn feeling as you walk. Along the way, you’ll also see many fox-shaped ema plaques and amulets. Since foxes are regarded as messengers of the Inari deity, the entire shrine is filled with distinctive elements of Japanese culture.

This isn’t just a place for taking photos. Once you enter the Senbon Torii, you can also feel the peaceful atmosphere of a traditional Kyoto shrine. Although the climb becomes more physically demanding as you go higher, the scenery keeps changing along the way, making the walk feel very worthwhile.

Fushimi Inari Taisha is one of Kyoto’s most iconic attractions in my opinion, and the Senbon Torii is especially memorable. If it’s your first time in Kyoto, you should definitely walk through it yourself to truly experience the impressive sight of one torii gate after another stretching into the mountain forest.

The shrine has a very solemn atmosphere, but it doesn’t feel too formal. It feels especially pleasant to walk around the grounds, take your time worshipping, and look at the traditional architecture. Once the lanterns light up at night, it becomes a different kind of enchanting sight.