Standing by the ropeway station getting ready to head up the mountain, I was already surrounded by autumn leaves turning red and cool air. As the ropeway slowly climbed, the forest below looked like a huge colorful carpet spread out beneath my feet. As we went higher, Otaru Port and the blue sea in the distance came fully into view, and the scenery opened up tremendously.
After reaching the summit, you can first take a walk around the small and charming Tenguyama Shrine. Fallen leaves completely covered the ground around the rustic torii gate, making a rustling sound underfoot, while the area had a very quiet and mysterious atmosphere.
Finally, I walked to the outdoor observation deck, where the densely packed houses of downtown Otaru and the beautiful curves of the harbor stretched out before me. Standing there and looking at the scenery below really makes you want to stop and stay for a long time, and before you know it, your mind begins to feel calm too.
Otaru Tenguyama Observation Platform, Otaru Tenguyama Ropeway | Review by Jk
Other Reviews by Jk
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Momijidani Park
This park is Miyajima's flagship spot for autumn foliage. Every year, around mid to late November, approximately 700 maple trees in the park gloriously change their colors. Of the tree varieties, the Iroha Maple, which turns a brilliant red, is the most predominant with about 560 trees. This is followed by the OoMomiji (Big Maple) with its large leaves, numbering around 100 trees, and then the Urihadakaede and YamaMomiji with about 40 trees combined.
Follow the path behind Itsukushima Shrine toward the mountain and step into Momijidani Park, and it instantly feels like you’ve plunged into a secluded paradise surrounded by lush greenery and red maple leaves! The park sits at the foot of the primeval forest on Mount Misen, Miyajima’s highest peak, with nearly 700 maple trees of all kinds planted along both sides of the Momijidani River. In summer, the mountains are covered in bright, fresh greenery, while the air is filled with the refreshing scent of the forest and the cool mist from the murmuring stream. In fall, it becomes truly spectacular, with the entire valley layered in shades of yellow, orange, and deep red, as breathtakingly beautiful as if nature had spilled its palette! As you walk along the stone path covered in fallen leaves, you may also spot wild deer gracefully strolling and foraging beneath the trees. The scene is so soothing that you won’t want to blink.
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Arima Onsen
A famous hot spring that represents Kansai, which springs at the northern foot of Mt. Rokko. It is a historical hot spring that appears in "Nihon Shoki" and "Fudoki", and is one of the "Three Ancient Springs of Japan".
Hot white steam and a faint rusty mineral scent immediately drift through the air, making you feel like you’ve stepped into an old-fashioned Japanese movie! Ranked as one of Japan’s Three Ancient Hot Springs, its history goes back so far that even ancient emperors, nobles, and the great Sengoku-era ruler Toyotomi Hideyoshi couldn’t get enough of it, coming here from time to time to soak and recover. The entire hot spring town is built along the mountainside. As you slowly climb the winding, hilly stone-paved path called Yumotozaka, you’ll see old-fashioned wooden machiya townhouses, teahouses, and souvenir shops made of dark wood lining both sides. With the crisp clacking of wooden geta, even just wandering around feels incredibly relaxing and restorative.
The most exciting highlight of Arima is definitely its two magical hot springs with completely opposite qualities—Kinsen and Ginsen! Kinsen is originally clear when it emerges, but because the water contains extremely high concentrations of iron ions and salt, it oxidizes upon contact with the air and turns a rich reddish brown. It looks just like a pool of warm, creamy milk tea. It retains heat extremely well, warming your entire body and really driving away the cold. Even the free public footbath by the entrance is always filled with travelers relaxing and soaking their feet. Ginsen, on the other hand, is a clear and transparent carbonated and radioactive spring. After soaking, your skin feels silky smooth, and the circulation throughout your body feels better. Two kinds of enjoyment, all in one visit!
Besides soaking until every pore in your body feels refreshed, the local street food around the hot spring town is impossible to resist! Freshly made, steaming onsen manju are soft, fragrant, and sweet when you bite into them. The thin, crisp traditional tansan senbei have a light sweetness, and you can also grab a cold, refreshing bottle of local Arima carbonated soda along the way. The moment the refreshing bubbles burst on your tongue, they perfectly balance the lingering warmth from the hot spring. -
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Canal City Hakata
On the vast 43,500m² premises, a shopping mall, movie complex, theater, amusement park and two hotels cluster. Its symbol, a 180m-long canal, crosses along the center of the space lined with colorful buildings.
Canal City Hakata, Fukuoka’s liveliest entertainment complex, immediately draws you in with its spectacular, winding, reddish-brown wave-shaped building! The entire mall is cleverly built around a semi-open-air artificial canal about 180 meters long. Water flows leisurely through the center of the mall, while curved terraces rise in layers on both sides, like a miniature Venice hidden in the heart of the city, full of flowing lines and modern beauty. Head to the central Sun Plaza and enjoy the cool breeze, and you can always feel the open and lively shopping atmosphere.
The biggest highlight of Canal City is definitely the fountain show held at regular intervals in the central pool! Accompanied by powerful, rhythmic music, dozens of jets sway gracefully at times, then shoot several stories high like rockets, with the spray sparkling brightly in the sunlight. At night, there’s also a 3D water-screen projection mapping show that incorporates the building’s glass exterior. Dazzling lights, three-dimensional projections, and dancing water fill the air, instantly transforming the entire mall into a huge outdoor fantasy theater. The visual effects are incredibly impressive!
Besides taking photos and watching the shows, this place is also a shopping paradise packed with food, drinks, and entertainment. On the fifth floor is Ramen Stadium (ラーメンスタジアム), a must-visit for ramen fans from all over Japan, bringing together extremely popular shops from Hokkaido to Kyushu that usually have long lines. Whenever you need a break from shopping, you can choose a rich tonkotsu or flavorful miso ramen and dig in. The mall also has a huge JUMP SHOP, a Disney Store, Sanrio, a large Donguri Republic, and all kinds of trendy clothing and accessories. There’s so much to browse and buy that you could easily spend the whole day here! -
