Gina C's Reviews Page 3/4

Kyoto Tower (Nidec The Kyoto Tower)

It is located right in front of Kyoto Station. It was designed in the shape of a lighthouse to illuminate Kyoto, and is the tallest building in Kyoto at 131 meters. It has been visited by over 32 million people since it opened in 1964.

• Kyoto
• Observatories

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.

Todaiji Temple

In the Nara period (710-794), Emperor Shomu had the Rushana Daibutsu (Great Buddha) built at his request, and a memorial service was held in 752. This temple is one of the representative temples of Nara. It took nearly 40 years to build the temple complex.

• Nara
• Shrines & Temples

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!

Kyushu Natural Animal Park African Safari

The African Safari is the largest safari park in Japan where around 1400 animals of 70 species roam freely in its enormous area. The park is divided into two zones; the “Animal Zone” with its 6km safari road where visitors can get close to the animals from the “jungle bus” and the “Interacting Zone” where visitors can actually touch the animals.

• Oita
• Zoos & Aquariums

We came to Kyushu Natural Animal Park African Safari and were really looking forward to riding the jungle bus, but we couldn’t get tickets. That was a bit disappointing!

Still, driving through the park ourselves let us see lots of animals up close, and the kids couldn’t take their eyes off them the whole way.

The funniest part was that we happened to see a tiger pooping, and our whole family burst out laughing. It was such an unexpected moment, and it ended up being the most unforgettable little highlight of the trip.

Quick tip: If you can’t get tickets when you first enter, don’t give up. You can check with the counter anytime—you might still be able to hop on the jungle bus!

Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

“Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium” is a popular tourist spot, located in Okinawa’s Kaiyohaku Park. If you take the building’s escalator down from the 4th floor to the 3rd, you’ll find yourself at the entrance to the aquarium. The aquarium is designed as a “deep dive” into the ocean as you go down to the 2nd and 1st floors, so as you descend, a magnificent world filled with mysterious Okinawan ocean creatures unfolds before you!

• Yanbaru, Nago, Motobu
• Zoos & Aquariums

Visiting Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium with kids was totally worth it! As soon as we walked in, the kids got so excited seeing all the marine life and kept running around.

The giant Kuroshio Sea tank was absolutely stunning, with whale sharks and manta rays swimming gracefully. Even the adults couldn’t stop taking photos.

Along the way, we also saw all kinds of tropical fish, jellyfish, and adorable sea creatures. The kids were completely captivated. The aquarium is spacious and comfortable, making it a great place for families to explore at a relaxed pace and create lots of wonderful memories.

Mojiko Retro

Moji Port was opened in the early Meiji Period and prospered in international trade. Nostalgic architecture, built from the Meiji into early Showa Periods, are still standing today. It is a fun area to meander.

• Kitakyushu
• Tourist Attractions

When visiting Mojiko, you definitely can’t miss the adorable Banana Man!

As soon as we saw him wearing a hat and a suit, we couldn’t help but stop and take photos.

It turns out Mojiko used to be an important banana import port in Japan, which is why they have such a fun mascot.

As we strolled around, we spotted Banana Man everywhere. It added a lot of charm to the whole port area and gave us plenty of cute, memorable photos.

Takachiho Gorge

Takachiho Gorge is a narrow v-shaped chasm made over thousands of years by the Gokase River’s erosion of Mt. Aso’s volcanic rock. This spectacular place is surrounded by cliffs that average 80 meters in height (reaching up to 100 meters) and extend along for 7 kilometers. Takachiho Gorge has been designated as a National Place of Scenic Beauty.

• Miyazaki
• Nature Spots

Takachiho Gorge was one of the most breathtaking spots on this trip. As soon as we stepped onto the trail, we were surrounded by lush greenery, and the air felt fresh and comfortable.

The towering gorge, vibrant green forest, and clear stream complemented each other beautifully. Along the way, we could also enjoy the famous Manai Falls, which made the scenery feel incredibly soothing.

Sunlight filtered through the treetops, and a gentle breeze made the whole forest feel even more alive. Walking along the trail, we could hear the sound of flowing water from time to time, and it really helped us relax.

There’s none of the noise of the city here, only the pure beauty of nature. It makes you want to slow down and fully enjoy the peace and emotion brought by all this greenery.

Beppu Onsen

Beppu onsen is the collective name for all of the hot springs across Beppu City in Oita Prefecture. With 2,847 different springs that produce about 130,000 kiloliters of spring water every day, its ranked among the highest of hot springs in Japan. Beppu Onsen is divided into 8 areas and is also called Beppu Hatto or Bappu Onsenkyo. The many different springs offer different water properties and colors, so you won’t want to miss the chance to visit as many different hot springs as possible.

• Oita
• Famous Places

Beppu Yukemuri Observatory is one of the best places to take in the view of Beppu Onsen. From the observation deck, you can see white hot spring steam rising all over the city, slowly drifting upward and creating the unique “yukemuri” scenery. It really gives you a feel for Beppu’s rich hot spring culture.

The daytime views are wide open, and after the lights come on at night, the atmosphere becomes even more romantic. It’s a great spot to take photos, enjoy the scenery, and make unforgettable travel memories.

Sagiridai Observatory

An observation deck built at the foot of Mt. Yufu, formed by two peaks to the east and west, along Prefectural Route 11, a well-known scenic drive. From an elevation of Approx. 680 m, you can take in a panoramic view of the Yufuin townscape. The sweeping views are impressive, and the beauty of the surrounding wilderness is just as captivating.

• Oita
• Observatories

Sagiridai is one of the best viewpoints overlooking the Yufuin Basin, with a wonderfully open view. From the observation deck, you can take in Mt. Yufu and the entire town of Yufuin, making for a truly impressive scene.

On clear days, the views are crisp and beautiful. In the early mornings during fall and winter, you may even get to see a sea of clouds and light mist, which gives the area a special charm. It’s a lovely place to feel the breeze, take photos, and enjoy the beauty of nature. It really opens up your mood, too.

Karii Honpo Mojiko Retro store

This restaurant specializing in yaki curry stands in Mojiko, a popular tourist spot located at the northernmost tip of Kyushu. Yaki Curry is a local dish originating from Mojiko where curry is poured over rice, topped with cheese and eggs, and baked in the oven. The cheese topping, which has now become commonplace, began when the owner, Matsui san, covered the egg yolk with cheese to prevent it from bursting.

• Kitakyushu
• Curry

If you visit Mojiko, you have to try the yaki curry at Karii Honpo! Hot curry rice is topped with plenty of cheese and an egg, then baked until fragrant. Every bite is rich and satisfying.

The curry has a slight kick, and it pairs perfectly with the stretchy cheese and soft, runny egg. The textures and flavors are layered and delicious. After strolling around retro-style Mojiko, enjoying this local specialty is truly unforgettable.

Kanmon Straits

Located at the westernmost end of Honshu, separating Yamaguchi Prefecture's Shimonoseki City and Fukuoka Prefecture's Kitakyushu City, it's said to have formed about 6,000 years ago. The name "Kanmon Straits" is derived from the initials of Shimonoseki, historically known as Makan, and Moji, a district in Kitakyushu City.

• Yamaguchi
• Tourist Attractions

The Kanmon Straits Tunnel is a really unique attraction because you can walk directly from Honshu to Kyushu. The route is a little over 700 meters and takes about 15 minutes on foot.

Inside the undersea tunnel, you can also see the marker showing the border between the two prefectures, where many people stop to take photos. In just a short walk, you can cross between two prefectures at once. It’s both novel and fun, and definitely a special experience worth trying.