Mizuki Shigeru Road | Review by Eddie

When I arrived at Shirakawa-go, I finally got to see the gassho-style houses I had always seen in photos. Once I actually walked into the village, I found it even more beautiful than I had imagined. The thatched-roof houses scattered throughout the valley, together with the surrounding mountain scenery, create a very special feeling as you walk among them.

Before leaving for the trip, I simply thought the houses looked distinctive. But after arriving and reading about the history of Shirakawa-go, I realized that each house exists for a reason. The unique roofs were designed to withstand the heavy winter snow, and in the past, the villagers had to help one another to keep these houses preserved.

As I slowly walked around and looked at these historic houses, I couldn't help imagining how people used to live here. This trip made me realize that the appeal of Shirakawa-go isn't just its beautiful scenery. Once you step inside, you can truly feel its simple, peaceful way of life.

Nara Park is much bigger than I imagined, and once you enter, you can see deer everywhere. Some walk slowly along the roadside, some lie on the grass to rest, and others stand right next to visitors, as if they're already used to everyone coming to see them. The park has many tall trees and green lawns, along with old buildings and stone lanterns. It's very pleasant to walk around, and the whole atmosphere is relaxing.

When you visit Nara Park, you have to buy deer crackers to feed the deer. It's practically become a must-do activity. When you first get the crackers, you may think the deer are cute and gentle, but as soon as they notice you have food, they'll immediately come over. Some keep staring at you, while others may follow you, nudge you with their heads, or bite your clothes to hurry you into handing over the crackers.

Be a little careful when feeding them, because more and more deer may gather nearby, and before you know it, you can be surrounded. Although it can be startling when a deer suddenly approaches, it's still fun to watch them eat. When you're done, open your hands to show them there's no food left, and they'll usually slowly walk away.

Besides feeding the deer, it's also pleasant to stroll through the park and enjoy the scenery. Overall, Nara Park is a great place to explore at a leisurely pace, and it also lets you experience Nara's distinctive history and culture.

On this trip to Osaka, I also planned a visit to Kuromon Market. I came in the morning to look around, and the whole market was livelier than I expected. Along the way, there were lots of seafood, fruit, meat, and prepared foods. There were so many choices, and just walking around and looking at everything was interesting.

What I liked most was that many vendors prepared the ingredients right there, so you could eat them immediately after buying them, which was very convenient for tourists. The seafood also looked very fresh, but some prices really weren't cheap, so it's better to compare a little before buying.

Kuromon Market isn't the kind of place where you can slowly spend an entire day, but it's easy to include in an Osaka city itinerary. You can spend an hour or two eating something and buying some fruit, then continue shopping around nearby Nipponbashi and Namba. Overall, it's a place worth stopping by while you're in Osaka.