A Pilgrimage for the Popular Manga, “Slam Dunk” | Review by 謝美芳

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A Pilgrimage for the Popular Manga, “Slam Dunk”

The Railway Crossing near the Enoden KAMAKURAKOKOMAE Station, a SLAM DUNK Pilgrimage

3 Oct 2026 See More

A travel show is featuring sights in Kamakura〜

I still remember the streets of Koshigoe one summer a few years ago. The lively streets happened to be hosting Koyurugi Shrine’s annual summer festival, and residents dressed in traditional happi coats (festival clothing) held lanterns and traffic batons as they kept the neighborhood streets safe.

A retro green train slowly made its way through the narrow streets with its lights on, while modern transportation and the everyday traditions of a century-old shrine festival blended harmoniously here.

A delightful surprise on this trip was finding four little metal birds on a railing dressed in blue-and-white summer sweaters. This gentle tradition, quietly carried on by local residents, brought the journey to an incredibly heartwarming close.

Other Reviews by 謝美芳

TOKYO SKYTREE(R) TOKYO SKYTREE TOWN(R)

Boasting a height of 634 meters, TOKYO SKYTREE is the world’s tallest free-standing tower which stands in the center of TOKYO SKYTREE TOWN surrounded by tourist facilities. The tower has two observation decks, Tembo Deck at a height of 350 meters and Tembo Galleria at 450 meters.
- Asakusa, Tokyo Skytree
- Observatories
25 Sep 2026 See More

As the weather gradually cools and a single leaf heralds autumn, I think back to my 2025 Tokyo fall foliage trip~

An unexpected discovery during the trip was strolling through a grove of ginkgo trees. The towering canopies on both sides had already turned a rich golden yellow, with sunlight filtering through the leaves. Walking among them, I was surrounded by the beauty and tranquility unique to autumn.

An autumn night beneath TOKYO SKYTREE. I arrived at TOKYO SKYTREE in the evening and looked up at the majestic tower soaring overhead. The warm surrounding lights intertwined with branches covered in orange-yellow leaves in front of me, adding a gentle touch of autumn to the modern architecture.

With autumn on my mind, I could feel in the slightly chilly weather that winter was approaching. May this feeling continue to accompany me on my travels around Japan ^_^
Sakitsu Church

Sakitsu is a peaceful fishing village now, but this “hidden Christians’ village” survived the era of persecutions. Sakitsu Church is at the center of the village with a Gothic-style tower standing tall.
- Kumamoto
- Museums
19 Sep 2026 See More

🌿 World Heritage Site・Sakitsu Village

First, I saw the commemorative marker for the “Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki and Amakusa Region” World Heritage Site.

On a quiet afternoon, I strolled through the sparsely populated World Heritage Site of Sakitsu Village. There was no bustling commercial district or crowd of people, so I could take my time observing the houses, streets, and residents’ daily lives.

Sakitsu Village weaves together faith, history, traditional homes, mountains, and the sea.

Christianity went through a period when it was banned. The older guides told stories about this fishing village and how the faith continued to live on here.

A quiet little place where you can walk slowly, look around at your own pace, and take in the stories that remain here.

“Take part in a famous life, enjoy life”〜
Yachiyoza

Yamaga is a town that flourished due to its distribution via water canals along the Kikuchi River, and as a hot springs resort during the Edo Period. A successful businessman at the time used these same resources to build Yachiyoza, a large style playhouse in 1910.
- Kumamoto
- Museums
11 Sep 2026 See More

First stop on our Kyushu trip: Yachiyoza in Yamaga (やちよざ)

We visited this famous century-old kabuki theater, whose architecture combines Edo-period wooden construction with a Western-style structure using German rails. The biggest highlight on the ceiling is undoubtedly the nostalgic advertisements left by sponsors from the Meiji period. Together with the traditional tatami seating and traditional stage lift, they create a wonderfully nostalgic atmosphere.

We were very lucky that there was no performance on the day of our visit, so we were able to personally explore the mechanisms beneath the stage. Guided by an experienced docent, we listened as he calmly recounted the theater's ups and downs and stories over the past century. It made the visit feel like more than just a quick look around—it was more like a journey across time and space, engaging in a heartfelt conversation with history.

〜“Participate in Mingsheng, enjoy life”〜