I visited the “Crayon Shinchan Official Shop: Action Department Store, Tokyo Station” at Tokyo Station, and as soon as I walked in, I was drawn to all the Crayon Shinchan merchandise. It was just too cute!
The store has all kinds of Crayon Shinchan products, from plush toys and stationery to household goods. Every item made me want to stop and take a closer look. Seeing Shinchan’s familiar expressions and the character designs was so comforting.
KINTETSU RAIL PASS
The KINTETSU RAIL PASS is a special travel pass for foreign tourists visiting Japan, providing unlimited rides on Kintetsu trains, as well as designated areas on Nara Kotsu buses. The pass can be purchased through the Kintetsu website or at travel agencies, and as of December 2024, it has been upgraded to a digital ticket. This new feature allows users to simply display the pass on their smartphone and tap it at the ticket gate, providing a more seamless and convenient travel experience!
I used the KINTETSU RAIL PASS during my trip to the Kansai region. It was very convenient when taking Kintetsu trains to places like Nara, and I could travel according to my itinerary without having to buy a separate ticket each time.
For anyone planning to visit attractions along the Kintetsu lines in Osaka, Nara, Kyoto, and other areas, the pass also makes traveling by train much simpler. Riding the Kintetsu trains and watching the cities and scenery pass by outside the window also became part of the trip!
Kouri Beach
Located on Kouri Island, just across the Kouri Ohashi Bridge from Yagaji Island in Nago City, this beach features pristine white sand stretching on either side of the bridge, offering a scenic view of Kouri Ohashi Bridge itself.
Kouri Beach in Okinawa caught my eye at first sight with its ocean view! The water is a beautiful blue and so clear that you can see beneath the surface. The entire ocean looks incredibly clean and crystal clear.
Standing by the shore with the sea breeze blowing and looking out over the endless blue water made me feel completely relaxed. As the sunlight shines on the water, it takes on different shades of blue depending on the angle. It’s really beautiful.
Tokyu Plaza Harajuku Harakado
Doors are wide open at this brand new mega-retailer, opened at the Jingumae intersection between Harajuku and Omotesando in April 2024. Step inside to find nine different floors from basement to 7th floor rooftop terrace, complete with 75 shops and restaurants to browse, plus a public bathhouse, gallery, library, and so much more.
When I saw Tokyu Plaza Harajuku “HARAKADO” in Harajuku, its distinctive exterior immediately caught my eye! The entire building has a very modern design that creates an interesting contrast with the surrounding streetscape.
What impressed me most was the amount of greenery planted around the building’s exterior. The plants and architectural lines go well together and give it a distinctive look. It’s easy to notice this unique building when walking nearby.
