As soon as you walk in, you see local Okinawan coral and small fish. The water is extremely clear, and natural light comes in from above, making the whole tank sparkle. Watching the little fish dart in and out of the coral is really relaxing.
But the truly impressive part is the Kuroshio Sea tank. The moment you turn the corner and see that huge glass wall, you can't help but say, "Wow." You're completely surrounded by blue. Seeing the whale sharks in person, they're unbelievably huge, slowly swimming overhead, while rays circle around them like they're flying. The immersive feeling is something photos simply can't capture. I found a seat and just zoned out, watching them swim back and forth. Time flew by, and I didn't want to leave at all.
The deep-sea fish in the area afterward looked pretty unusual, and the dim lighting was a big contrast with the earlier sections. Overall, it was really worth the visit. Just sitting in front of the main tank and watching the whale sharks swim around was worth the price of admission.
Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium | Review by Eddie
Other Reviews by Eddie
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Yokohama Landmark Tower 69th Floor Observation Deck "Sky Garden"
The Yokohama Landmark Tower, a symbol of Yokohama, is a 70-floor skyscraper standing 296m high. This complex is home to a shopping mall, restaurants, clinics, and more. Positioned on its 69th floor is the "Sky Garden," an observation deck offering 360-degree panoramic views.
If you only want to pick one place in Yokohama to hang out and clear your mind, head straight to the observation deck on the 69th floor of Landmark Tower.
A lot of people wait until after dark to buy a ticket and come up for the night view, but I honestly recommend getting here around 4 p.m. to claim a spot.
Afternoon 16:00
When I first came up, it was still very bright, and the entire Yokohama Port was in full view. The sail-shaped hotel below, the giant Ferris wheel at Cosmo World, and the bridge over the sea in the distance looked like delicate little model toys lined up along the waterfront. The view was incredibly clear and relaxing.
Evening 17:15
This was what I thought was the most worthwhile half hour of the whole trip. As the sun began to set, all the steel and glass across the city were bathed in orange-gold light. Then the sky turned a deep blue with a slight purple tint—the Blue Hour—as the streetlights and lights along the canals came on one by one. That transition was even more beautiful than after it became completely dark.
Night 18:30
Once the sky was completely dark, the view below turned into a jewelry box. The Ferris wheel started its light show, with colorful lights reflected on the water. Together with the harbor bridge and the flow of city traffic in the distance, the view really made me want to keep staring out the window. -
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Chubu Electric Power MIRAI TOWER
The tower is Nagoya’s symbol, built as Nagoya TV Tower for tourism and TV broadcast and completed in 1954. In 2011, TV signals were switched from analog to digital and its function as a consolidated radio tower was ended.
When you come to downtown Nagoya, you have to check out this super cool landmark, Oasis 21! From a distance, it looks like a huge transparent white spaceship parked in the city center, with the super tall and spectacular Nagoya TV Tower standing beside it.
You can take great photos here from just about any angle. Here are a few highlights I have to share:
Spaceship-Aqua on the rooftop: Take the elevator to the top level, where the floor is actually one big transparent shallow pool! A gentle breeze creates ripples across the water, and if you find the right angle, you can see the entire TV tower reflected in it. It looks incredibly dreamy.
Super cute photo spot: Back on the ground-level plaza, there is a large “@NAGOYA” letter installation on the lawn. You can get both the spaceship and the TV tower in the background, making it the perfect tourist photo.
Great underground shopping area: Right underneath the huge spaceship is actually a sunken shopping mall with air conditioning, lots of anime merchandise stores, capsule toy machines, and dessert shops. It’s super convenient to grab something to eat and rest downstairs when you get tired of walking around. -
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Hida Takayama Old Townscape
Hida Takayama Old Townscape is said to be a town where the original landscape of Japan remains, as the streets from the Edo period still remain, and the charming town houses and noren (curtains) of old stores continue to be seen.
Step into the Edo period! A day trip to Hida Takayama Old Town in Japan
This time I visited Hida Takayama Old Town in Gifu Prefecture, and I was seriously blown away as soon as I walked in! The entire street is lined with dark wooden old houses, and clear water flows through the small roadside canals. It feels just like stepping into a cartoon or movie set in ancient Japan.
Besides the unique houses, the best part of the old town is all the great places to eat and shop:
Food to enjoy while walking around: There are soy sauce dango grilled until fragrant and slightly charred, with a soft and chewy texture. There are also the famous Hida beef skewers and beef nigiri. The meat is very tender, and the delicious smell fills the street.
Unique souvenirs: The stores have lots of cute “Sarubobo” dolls. I heard they are lucky charms for safety. Their round red appearance is very charming, and they make great gifts for friends.
Traditional long-established stores: There are lots of sake breweries and miso shops that look like they’ve been around for hundreds of years. Large cedar balls hang outside, creating a strong atmosphere of old Japan.
Taking your time strolling around and eating snacks here is very relaxing. You can take a great photo just by standing in front of any wooden window. It’s a fun place with a real sense of history! -
