Since I often stay in Chiba Prefecture, AEON MALL Makuhari New City has become one of the shopping spots I plan to visit every time I’m in the Kanto area. You can get there right from JR Makuharitoyosuna Station, and the mall is huge. It has everything from clothing and household goods to dining, so you can take care of most needs in one trip.
That said, because the mall is so spread out, walking through the whole place really tests your stamina. Plus, with Costco right next door, I often end up spending the entire day here without even realizing it.
AEON MALL Makuhari New City | Review by 金己田
Other Reviews by 金己田
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ONIBUS COFFEE Jiyugaoka
ONIBUS COFFEE Jiyugaoka is part of a specialty coffee chain with other locations in Okusawa, Yakumo, and Nakameguro. The café sources beans directly from farmers in regions like Colombia and Ethiopia, roasting them in-house to create the exceptional coffee that has earned it a strong following. Opened in April 2022 along Jiyugaoka Green Road, this location stands out for its warm, natural wooden décor and the calm, sophisticated atmosphere that perfectly suits Jiyugaoka.
ONIBUS COFFEE has solid reviews online, so it’s a café many people add to their Jiyugaoka plans. When I actually visited, it was even more popular than I expected, and finding a seat wasn’t easy. In the end, I got a coffee to go and enjoyed it slowly along the nearby Kuhonbutsu River Green Road, which was a nice way to take in Jiyugaoka’s relaxed atmosphere.
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Kimono Forest
The plaza is located in the corner of "Arashiyama Station Hannari Hokkori Square." Six hundred brightly colored poles decorated with Kyoto-Yuzen designs line the square.
When visiting Arashiyama, besides the classic sights like the bamboo grove and Togetsukyo Bridge, don’t forget to stop by the Kimono Forest at the Randen station on your way back.
Dozens of pillars decorated with kimono fabric are lined up together. When they’re lit up, the light shines through the fabric and creates beautiful shifts in color. You can visit without buying a train ticket. It doesn’t take long to see, but strolling through the glowing forest is the perfect ending to a day trip in Arashiyama. -
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Gono Line
The JR Gono Line is a 147-km-long local train line running from Higashi-Noshiro Station in Akita Prefecture to Kawabe Station in Aomori Prefecture. The line runs along the coast of the Sea of Japan, and passengers can enjoy the spectacular scenery that the Tohoku region is known for.
The Gono Line, which runs along the Sea of Japan, is on the bucket list for many train enthusiasts. I rode it from Akita all the way to Hirosaki. The trip isn’t short, but for much of the ride you can see the Sea of Japan. At times, the train moves slowly right along the coast, with striking rock formations offshore that feel almost within reach. Other times, it passes through small fishing villages and forested mountains.
The scenery keeps changing the whole way, so even after several hours on the train, it never feels long. -
