Among the Kitano Ijinkan, Weathercock House is one of the most iconic buildings and a must-visit for many tourists. Built during the Meiji era, it was once the residence of a German trader. Its exterior features red brick and timber construction, while the weathercock on the roof is the building’s most distinctive symbol. Inside, you can see furniture and living spaces left from when foreigners lived there and get a sense of the international culture that gradually developed after the Port of Kobe opened. The architectural details are also worth taking the time to appreciate.
Weathercock House | Review by Linda Liao
Other Reviews by Linda Liao
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Heian Jingu Shrine
Established in 1895 to commemorate the 1100th anniversary of the transfer of the capital to Heian-kyo, this shrine is relatively new. The buildings emulate the central government office, the "Chodo-in," where significant ceremonies took place during the Heian period. Once you step into the precincts, adorned with these vermilion structures, you feel as though you've time-traveled back to the Heian era.
平安神宮給人的第一印象就是氣勢十足，巨大的朱紅色鳥居與鮮豔社殿非常吸睛，走進境內後，開闊的白砂庭院更讓人感受到平安時代的莊嚴氛圍。平安神宮建於1895年，社殿以平安京大內裏為藍本復原，後方還有占地約3萬平方公尺的神苑。實際走訪後，覺得建築與庭園各有特色，很適合慢慢散步欣賞。
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JR Kanazawa Station
Kanazawa Station, the gateway to Ishikawa, is served by the Hokuriku Shinkansen, which opened in 2015. It connects Tokyo and Kanazawa in about 2 hours and 30 minutes, and serves as the starting point for sightseeing in Kanazawa and the Hokuriku region.
The moment I walked out of Kanazawa Station, I was immediately struck by the magnificent Tsuzumi-mon Gate! The enormous wooden pillars paired with the transparent glass Motenashi Dome make it instantly recognizable, and it has become Kanazawa’s most iconic city landmark. The gate stands 13.7 meters tall and was inspired by the drums used in Kanazawa’s traditional Noh theater. Its two massive wooden pillars use modern construction techniques, combining traditional charm with a contemporary feel. The Motenashi Dome above was designed around the idea of “holding up an umbrella for travelers,” reflecting Kanazawa’s rainy and snowy climate. On my first visit to Kanazawa, the station itself already made a lasting impression, so it’s no wonder it was selected as one of the world’s most beautiful train stations.
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Houkiboshi “Brown Sugar Cannelés – 10-Piece Set”
The most popular item from Houkiboshi, Okinawa’s first specialty shop dedicated to Brown Sugar Cannelés, is this delightful 10-piece set. Made with premium brown sugar from Tarama Island, each bite offers a rich depth of flavor and an elegant sweetness. The exterior is perfectly crisp, while the inside remains soft and chewy.
Okinawa’s super-popular Houki Boshi cannelés are irresistible just from the packaging alone! Opening the box feels like stepping into a starry sky—it’s exquisite and dreamy. With the smallest 4-piece box, you can choose different flavors. The mini cannelés are made with brown sugar from Tarama Island, Okinawa. They’re slightly crisp on the outside and moist and soft inside, with a subtle brown sugar aroma. In addition to classic brown sugar, there are many distinctive flavors such as Okinawan milk, pineapple, and coffee. Each one is so tiny and cute that I almost couldn’t bear to eat it!
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