Motsuji Temple | Review by 黃國棟

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Motsuji Temple

The Pure Land Garden, which is said to be an expression of the Buddhist world on earth, is a must-see.

30 Sep 2026 See More

Upon arriving at Motsuji Temple, the first thing that catches your eye is its peaceful, beautiful garden. Compared with the traditional image of a temple, this place feels more like a Japanese garden built around a pond, showcasing the Pure Land aesthetic of the Heian period throughout.

Strolling slowly along the pond, you can admire the garden from different angles. The water, green trees, and historic temple complement one another, offering a different view with every turn.

The weather was lovely during this visit, and the sunlight streaming into the garden made Motsuji Temple feel even more serene and enchanting. With little noise around, I simply walked slowly, took in the scenery, and experienced the distinctive tranquility and elegance of an ancient Japanese temple.

Other Reviews by 黃國棟

Tsurugajo Castle

The castle is a cherry blossom viewing spot and the symbol of Aizu Wakamatsu City. Its official name is Wakamatsu Castle, and it is also sometimes called Aizu Castle or Aizu Wakamatsu Castle. The castle tower, the only one in Japan covered with red tiles, preserves the beautiful appearance of the castle in the feudal era.
- Fukushima
- Tourist Attractions
30 Sep 2026 See More

When visiting Fukushima, don't miss Tsurugajo Castle, a place full of history. It is listed as one of the “100 Fine Castles of Japan” and is also one of Fukushima's best-known castles. Its white walls and red-tiled roofs look especially elegant beneath the blue sky. Even seeing it from a distance makes you want to stop and admire it.

Although the current castle tower was reconstructed, the old stone walls and appearance of the castle grounds have been preserved. As you walk around, you can still feel the strong historical atmosphere.

What surprised me most was that the museum isn't just a place to look at exhibits. It also uses interactive multimedia displays, including video, lighting, and sound, to introduce the history of Tsurugajo Castle. This makes the visit lively and interesting, so it doesn't feel boring at all.
Morioka Zoological Park ZOOMO

Opened in April 1989 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Morioka becoming a city. In April 2023, the zoo reopened as "ZOOMO" after a full-scale renewal.
- Iwate
- Zoos & Aquariums
30 Sep 2026 See More

When visiting Morioka, besides enjoying the mountains, forests, and lakes, I also highly recommend a trip to Morioka Zoological Park ZOOMO! Its biggest appeal is that the animals live in environments close to nature, where you can see them moving around freely.

It's about a 40-minute drive from Morioka Station. The park is very large, and the animals have plenty of room to move around. It doesn't feel crowded like a city zoo; instead, it has a more relaxed and leisurely atmosphere.

This time, I quickly followed the route around the park and finished in about 1 hour. If you want to take your time and carefully observe each kind of animal, I recommend allowing another 30–45 minutes for a more relaxed visit.

The biggest surprise was a cougar cub born in June this year. You can see it moving around and playing with its mother. It's so tiny and incredibly cute. This was also the area with the largest crowd that day, and no one wanted to leave.

Although I visited on a Saturday, the park was surprisingly not very crowded. This may be because it's some distance from central Morioka, but that actually makes it easier to comfortably enjoy your time with the animals.

If you're taking the bus, be especially careful! Buses don't run very frequently, so I recommend checking the outbound and return times in advance and planning how long you'll stay so you don't miss the bus back.
Towada Lake Sightseeing Cruise

Lake Towada is a caldera lake formed by volcanic activity that began roughly 200,000 years ago. Renowned as one of Aomori’s most scenic destinations, it offers breathtaking views that can be fully enjoyed from the water aboard a sightseeing cruise.
- Aomori
- Experiences Facilities
30 Sep 2026 See More

Lake Towada in the fall is so beautiful that you won’t want to blink. Aboard the sightseeing boat, you slowly cruise across the deep blue lake, surrounded by mountains. The clear water reflects the sky and mountains, and the scenery is truly soothing.

In the fall, Lake Towada is adorned with red, yellow, and orange maple leaves, with the forests and lake coming together like a natural painting. Seeing the mountains from the lake offers a completely different perspective, and every turn makes you want to pick up your camera.

We were lucky to have clear, beautiful weather on this trip. The blue sky, white clouds, turquoise lake, and autumn mountains made the whole scene look like a postcard.