It's a pretty nice-looking mall. Whether it's fun to browse depends on the person, but for me, having MUJI and UQ is enough to give it 100 points! There is a MUJI inside, but I don't remember whether there was a UQ.
I thought it was pretty fun to browse. I got a bunch of capsule toys there, and now that Mermaid Melody poster is hanging in my room!
What I thought was great was that the mall restaurants provided ice water. An instant 100 points!
I gave that Crayon Shin-chan toy to a kid at my part-time job. He really loves Crayon Shin-chan.
I thought the chicken nanban was just okay and not very memorable.
Ario Kurashiki | Review by 雨妤魚
Other Reviews by 雨妤魚
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Washuzan
Washuzan Hill is a place of scenic beauty, representing Japan’s first national park, Seto Naikai National Park. The name, “Washuzan”, comes from its appearance, resembling an eagle spreading its wings. It is familiar to the locals as a symbol of Okayama Prefecture.
I've been to Kojima Bus Station twice.
The first time, I wanted to go to Ojigatake to watch the sunset, and I chose between Ojigatake and Washuzan. But while I was looking up how to get back down, I found that Ojigatake was more convenient, except there were no more buses...
I don't know whether I hadn't done enough research or got something wrong at the time. Anyway, I didn't make it to Ojigatake, and I was afraid I wouldn't be able to get back if I went to Washuzan...
It put me in such a bad mood that even three delicious meals couldn't have cheered me up. (I really love sunrises and sunsets.)
So this time, I researched the transportation super carefully, and I actually found out that Washuzan has a sunset bus!
So I made up my mind to rush back from Tottori and watch the sunset to make up for last time.
(If Tottori had a better spot, I definitely would've gone there, but Tottori is really so remote...)
Anyway, in the end I really did get on the sunset bus as I'd hoped!
Overall, it was pretty good. The older driver was also very cute and even made a huge heart sign at us!
The only downside was that the mountain road was really bumpy, and there were no restrooms along the way, so you really should go before leaving. But the driver seemed like he really didn't want me to go, maybe because he was afraid I'd make us late? But there were still about ten minutes left.
So I went anyway, and luckily I did!
After arriving at Washuzan, the scenery before my eyes really felt like a painting. I'll just post the beautiful scenery in this review.
(I'll put the beautiful sunset in the Seto Ohashi Bridge review.
Honestly, I was a little moved. It wasn't simply thinking, wow, it's so beautiful. It was because I'd gone through so much and taken so many detours, rushing all the way back from Tottori, storing my luggage, finding the limited express train, and really worrying that I'd be late. In the end, I finally saw the sunset I'd wanted to see for so long!
I'm so glad I came. No regrets now ٩(˃̶͈̀௰˂̶͈́)و -
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WAKO Main store
Wako's main store, a specialty store, stands on the corner of Ginza 4-chome intersection. The neo-renaissance style building with an eye-catching clock tower on the roof was built in 1932 as the second headquarters building of the K. Hattori & Co. (now Seiko Group) and is recognized as a Heritage of Industrial Modernization.
The time on the vintage clock at night should be accurate, right? I'm pretty curious whether it's plugged in.
Surely it doesn't have a battery inside, or does it use solar panels?
How should I put it... I didn't go inside, but it's quite a distinctive building〜 (Had to take a photo—spoken like a tourist) -
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Dotonbori
Crab, octopus, cow, crane….these are just a few of the oversized 3D signboards that make up the look and feel of the bustling Dotonbori Area. Its packed with a number of eateries along the northern Dotonbori River and main street along its southern side.
Every one of my friends takes their first photo in Osaka with the Glico sign in Dotonbori. It's clear and simple, and I think Glico must be pretty happy about that. Everyone knows this figure, but maybe some people don't actually know the brand? (Because I didn't at first, but I knew Glico...?)
But this place is honestly terrifying—it's absolutely packed with tourists!
The river is pretty, though, especially at night〜
It's a city that never sleeps, but I ate at a nearby ramen shop, and it was so average that it was almost bad...
Tsk tsk.
I feel like if you fly to Osaka and don't take a photo here, it's like you never came〜 There are also quite a few shopping centers, though the shopping experience isn't that great
because it's seriously packed with people.
But I'll still come check it off my list. Just a typical tourist. -
