This place is seriously unreal—so gorgeous it doesn’t even feel like a Starbucks. I came all the way to Dazaifu just for this store, and it was 100% worth it.
Starbucks Coffee Dazaifu Tenmangu Omotesando Store | Review by 王隆佑
Other Reviews by 王隆佑
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Koka Ninja House (Koka-ryu Ninjutsu Yashiki)
The former residence of the Mochizuki family, Koka-ryu ninja, built in the Edo period. From the outside, it looks like an ordinary mansion at first glance, but inside it is a ninja house filled with devices and ingenious tricks designed to prevent enemy intrusions. It is not a structure that was relocated or restored for tourism, but a valuable building that has been repaired and maintained while preserving its original location and condition from that time.
I really like attractions that preserve the original appearance of old buildings. The wooden house has a real sense of history, and you can learn about how ninjas used to live and the ingenious ways they protected themselves. It’s much more interesting than just reading about it.
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Samurai Residences in Kakunodate
In Kakunodate, part of the city of Semboku in Akita Prefecture, exists rows of old houses first attributed to the Ashina family in the early Edo period (around year 1620), that later flourished under the castle town of the Satake-Kita family. This district has been designated as protected in an effort to conserve traditional buildings.
The area isn't very big, but every spot is worth taking your time to walk around and snap some photos.
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Ritsurin Garden
Used as a villa by the Matsudaira clan of Takamatsu, Ritsurin Garden was completed nearly 300 years ago by successive generations of feudal lords who renovated it. While the sprawling strolling garden covers 16 hectares, the total area of this park, including Mount Shiun in the background, extends to an impressive 75 hectares!
If you’re visiting Takamatsu, this Michelin-starred spot is a must-see. The garden is full of rare pine trees, all carefully maintained by experts. I recommend coming during cherry blossom season in March or April.
