Naminoue Shrine | Review by Eddie

📸 Asakusa in May, Kaminarimon in the sunlight

On this trip to Tokyo, I was looking forward to the scenery in Asakusa the most. The May sunlight was just right—warm but not harsh, illuminating this historic corner of the city.

Standing beneath the famous giant Kaminarimon lantern and looking at its red body and gold lettering, I felt as though I could sense the long history and sacredness of this place. Although it was crowded, everyone had a smile on their face. This place truly is full of energy and joy.

In Asakusa, you can not only pray and worship, but also try all kinds of traditional Japanese snacks. Walking along Nakamise Shopping Street, the aromas from the shops and the wide variety of souvenirs were almost overwhelming.

It’s a great place for the whole family to visit. If you’re planning a trip to Tokyo, remember to add Asakusa’s Kaminarimon to your itinerary! ✨

Looking at this photo taken at Kinrin Lake in December, I still remember just how cold it was. In the morning, the surface of the lake was covered in thick mist, making the mountains and woods in the distance look a little blurry. It made the whole scene feel very peaceful.

The small Western-style building across the lake was also hidden in the mist, with only a faint outline visible, giving the entire scene a very distinctive feel. Although it was very cold, seeing the morning mist made getting up early well worth it.

Seeing the photo now actually makes me miss winter in Japan a little. If I have another chance to visit Yufuin, I think I'll still want to come back to Kinrin Lake and see what it looks like early in the morning.

Aso and the Yamanami Highway in December shed their lush summer green and turn into an endless expanse of dazzling gold.

The winter air is especially crisp and cold, but whenever sunlight breaks through the clouds, the entire mountainside seems to light up with a warm, gentle glow. The distant peaks are partly hidden by thick clouds and mist, while the wind rustles through the silver grass. The view is so vast that you lose track of time.

Away from the busy peak season, the roads in winter are less noisy, with more of nature's stillness and vastness. I really love December scenery like this—clean, pure, and wide open.