Hachimanzaka Slope | Review by Jk

Tennoji Station, the major transportation hub of southern Osaka, instantly gives the whole city an exciting, energetic rhythm! Looking out from the modern, futuristic pedestrian overpass in front of the station, the JR Tennoji Station building and Tennoji MIO shopping complex shine brightly beneath the deep blue night sky. The station sign, lit up with eye-catching blue and white lettering, looks like a beacon guiding travelers, while the steady stream of cars and people below is full of the distinctive energy and bustle of southern Osaka!
The white steel framework of the overpass has especially striking lines against the night sky. Standing on the bridge in the slightly cool night breeze, watching trains head in every direction and taxis weave through the streets, you naturally feel the exhilaration of being in the heart of a bustling city. This is not only a major transfer hub with direct connections to Kansai Airport, Nara, and Wakayama, but it is also surrounded by enormous shopping centers such as the Abeno Harukas skyscraper and Q's Mall. Once you step inside, the trendy clothing, anime merchandise, and all kinds of local souvenirs will have you shopping until your legs give out!
And if you look down at the sidewalk in front of the station, you'll immediately discover an exciting hidden surprise—a colorful manhole cover featuring MYAKU-MYAKU, the official mascot of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai! Its round red ring of cells is covered with lively eyes and paired with a small blue droplet-shaped body. It really stands out against the sidewalk tiles, looking amusingly strange and full of Osaka humor. If you pass by, you absolutely have to stick out your shoe and take a photo with it!
When you're tired from shopping, head into the underground mall or the surrounding alleys, where the aromas of freshly grilled takoyaki, crispy kushikatsu, and steaming hot broth drift through the air. Pick any long-established izakaya, sit down, and enjoy a feast. With your mouth full of rich flavors and the enthusiastic, booming calls of the Osaka dialect all around you, the satisfaction is off the charts.
From the sparkling city nightscape that looks like a sea of stars from the pedestrian overpass to the strangely mesmerizing and adorable Expo manhole cover found on a street corner, Tennoji Station perfectly combines an extremely convenient transportation hub, endless modern shopping, and the authentic warmth of Osaka's downtown neighborhoods. It's definitely an extremely popular photo spot where the excitement only grows as the night goes on during an Osaka trip!

The moment you step into Hokkaido Shiki-Saikan on the first floor of JR Hakodate Station, you’re instantly overwhelmed by the sheer abundance of Hokkaido souvenirs! This is basically the ultimate last stop for shopping before leaving Hakodate, and the location couldn’t be more convenient. Whether you’ve just gotten off the train to start your trip or you’re dragging your luggage along to catch a train out of town, once you pass by, you’ll inevitably find yourself drawn inside!
The shelves are packed and the store is incredibly lively, with Hokkaido’s biggest souvenir stars everywhere you look! Shiroi Koibito, Rokkatei rum raisin sandwich cookies, ROYCE' nama chocolate, Jaga Pokkuru, and all kinds of limited-edition potato chips are neatly arranged into an impressive wall of souvenirs. There’s no need to run all over the place—you can pick up all the classics you want in one stop.
Besides the popular sweets found throughout Hokkaido, the best part is the huge selection of local items exclusive to Hakodate! There are classic curry pouches from the long-established Hakodate restaurant Gotoken, melt-in-your-mouth Snaffle's cheesecakes, and plenty of seafood treats like shredded grilled squid, dried scallops, and dried salmon. Every item has the uniquely tempting, savory aroma of this port city. Just one lap around the refrigerated cases and snack section, and before you know it, your shopping basket is piled into a small mountain.
They also often have freshly baked snacks and rich Hokkaido milk desserts. Before boarding the train, grab a creamy, velvety soft-serve cone to eat as you walk. The moment that milky flavor melts in your mouth, the happiness is off the charts. The aisles are spacious and clean, and even the checkout counters move incredibly quickly, making this place a total lifesaver for travelers rushing to catch a train.
Whether you’re looking for presentable, sought-after gift boxes for friends and family or want to open a bag of local snacks to enjoy with the scenery on the train, Hokkaido Shiki-Saikan JR Hakodate Store is absolutely the kind of treasure trove you won’t want to leave empty-handed!

Leaving the bustling streets outside Harajuku Station and turning into Meiji Jingu, it feels like the entire world is instantly put on mute! The heavy traffic and noisy commotion of the city are suddenly shut out, replaced by dense greenery that blocks out the sky and the crunch of footsteps on the gravel path. The air is filled with the scent of grass and wood, making you want to take a deep breath as your whole body completely relaxes.
The first thing that makes a powerful impression is the huge torii gate towering over the approach! The entire gate is made from massive, solid logs. Standing beneath it and looking up, its monumental presence is incredibly overwhelming. Above the pillars is a gleaming gold 16-petal chrysanthemum crest of the Japanese Imperial Family, which looks even more solemn and mysterious against the lush green forest. Just taking a photo underneath makes you look incredibly tiny, and you can immediately feel the extraordinary atmosphere of the entrance to sacred ground.
As you slowly wander along the wide gravel approach, the most eye-catching sight—and the one where everyone is sure to stop and snap away—is definitely the spectacular wall of donated sake barrels! Hundreds of Japanese sake barrels wrapped in braided straw rope and decorated with beautiful calligraphy and designs bearing names like “Sakura Masamune,” “Ozeki,” and “Umenoyado” are neatly stacked into a towering wall several levels high. It has so much traditional Japanese festival character and is incredibly photogenic. Capture the perspective from an angle, and practically every shot becomes a fantastic classic check-in photo!
After following the approach to the shrine’s main entrance, the Minami-shinmon Gate, the magnificent wooden two-story hip-and-gable gate is truly breathtaking! Its dark natural-wood structure, stately sweeping eaves, and bracket work look exceptionally imposing against the blue sky and white clouds. Step over the threshold into the open, pristine inner courtyard, walk across the spotless stone paving, and directly ahead is the main sanctuary dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. Beside it stand the enormous, lush “married camphor trees,” symbolizing happy relationships. In the cool breeze, you can put your hands together in worship, clap and pray, then draw one of Meiji Jingu’s special “Ō-mikokoro” fortunes, which contain wisdom about life rather than good or bad luck. It feels as though your spirit has been gently cleansed.
Hidden in the heart of Tokyo’s trendiest area, this man-made forest is not only vast and filled with shady trees, but also perfectly blends the solemnity of traditional Japanese Shinto with the healing power of nature. Whether you want to escape the city’s concrete jungle for some forest bathing or see the enormous wooden torii and impressive wall of sake barrels for yourself, Meiji Jingu is definitely a top sacred destination that remains breathtaking no matter how many times you visit Tokyo!