"Hakone Rusk" at Grand Riviere Hakone | Review by BobbyJenny

While driving around Okinawa, we stopped at Michi-no-Eki Kyoda. Besides taking a break, getting something to eat, and browsing for souvenirs, you can also buy discounted tickets to the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium here, so we specifically planned a stop to purchase them. Buying tickets on-site was very convenient. Once we had them, we could head straight to the aquarium without having to wait in line there to buy tickets.

Michi-no-Eki Kyoda itself is also fun to browse, with plenty of local Okinawan products and snacks. You can also pick up drinks and treats to recharge. For a road trip, it’s a very practical rest stop along the way.

If the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is on your itinerary and you’re driving, I think it’s worth stopping by Kyoda to take a break and buy your tickets before continuing to the next attraction. It makes the trip flow very smoothly!

At Byodoin Temple in Uji, besides the famous Phoenix Hall, I also recommend stopping by the Hoshokan Museum. The museum building itself is very distinctive, making use of underground space. Once inside, the atmosphere is quiet and solemn, creating a very different feeling from the gardens outside.

The museum displays Buddhist art and cultural properties from Byodoin’s collection. What fascinated me most were the phoenix statues from the roof and the Cloud-Borne Bodhisattvas, each in a different pose. Seeing them up close, I realized how intricate the carvings are, with each figure having its own unique features.

Visiting the Hoshokan Museum also gave me a deeper understanding of Byodoin. It’s not just about taking photos of Phoenix Hall and looking around the gardens. Through the museum’s collection, you can experience the history and artistic beauty of the Heian period.

At Chion-ji Temple in Kyoto, what caught my eye most was the Sanmon Gate, known as the “Golden Pavilion.” The gate has a historic appearance, and its wooden architecture exudes a strong sense of history. Standing in front of it, you can feel the solemn atmosphere unique to Kyoto temples.

The Sanmon Gate, also called the “Golden Pavilion,” is one of Chion-ji Temple’s most iconic structures. Looking closely at the roof, wooden pillars, and overall structure, you can really see the character of traditional Japanese architecture. Although I didn’t stay long, just taking photos in front of the gate and admiring the architecture made the visit feel worthwhile.