Sendai Toshogu Shrine | Review by 黃國棟

When I came to Sendai, I never expected to suddenly see the towering and impressive Sendai Daikannon in a residential neighborhood. It’s very eye-catching even from a distance and makes you stop and look up.

It’s about a 40-minute bus ride from Sendai Station and costs around JPY 400 one way. The bus takes you directly to the entrance of the Daikannon, so it’s quite convenient and there’s no need to transfer.

Once you get closer, you can really feel how solemn and awe-inspiring the Daikannon is. The surrounding area is very peaceful, away from the noise of the city, with a calm and serene atmosphere.

This wasn’t specifically planned as part of the trip, but unexpectedly coming across this Daikannon standing in a residential neighborhood ended up becoming a very special part of the journey.

This is one of the top cherry blossom viewing spots in Fukushima Prefecture, as well as an urban park where Koriyama residents usually go for leisurely walks and relaxation. Unfortunately, it wasn't cherry blossom season when I visited, so I missed the romantic sight of the trees covered in blossoms. The weather was also overcast that day, making the sky a little less bright, but the park was still peaceful and comfortable.

Strolling through the spacious grounds and enjoying the laid-back atmosphere, I could imagine how beautiful the entire park must look surrounded by a sea of pink blossoms when the cherry trees are in full bloom. If I have another chance to visit Fukushima, I'll definitely come back during cherry blossom season!

When visiting Lake Inawashiro, one of the most relaxing ways to enjoy it is to take a sightseeing boat and admire the vast natural scenery from the water. The weather that day was incredibly good, with blue skies, white clouds, clear lake water, and mountains in the distance. The whole scene looked just like a landscape painting.

As the boat slowly moved along, the breeze off the lake felt especially refreshing, and I never got tired of the scenery along the way. The sunlight sparkled on the surface of the lake, and the photos came out especially beautiful. Sometimes you don't need to plan too many activities on a trip. Finding a day with good weather, taking a boat ride, enjoying the scenery, and feeling the breeze is a simple kind of happiness.