Almost every traveler visiting Kanazawa comes to the Higashi Chaya District. During the day, this teahouse district lined with traditional Japanese buildings is bustling with people.
I came here early one winter morning while a light rain was falling. The steady patter of raindrops and the crisp, cold air made the silence stand out even more. The shops on both sides were still closed, and I felt like someone from ancient times wearing the wrong clothes. When I returned to the main road and saw pedestrians and cars, I was back in the real world again.
Higashi Chaya District | Review by 蘇自強
Other Reviews by 蘇自強
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Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route
This tour route goes through the Northern Alps, lined with mountains over 3,000m above sea level, stretching 37.2km, and the difference in altitudes from the foot to the top is up to 1.975m.
When autumn comes to Tateyama Kurobe, you have to visit! The comfortable temperatures, mountains covered in red maple leaves, and magnificent mountain ranges.... There’s truly so much to take in, and the scenery stayed with me long after I returned to the city!
Maybe the fall colors were just too captivating, but I saw several young Westerners fall and get hurt along the way. Although the scenery is enchanting, you should wear appropriate clothing and watch out for stairs and changes in elevation along the route. That way, you can fully enjoy the beautiful fall colors and make unforgettable memories! -
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Cape Kamui
Located within the Niseko-Shakotan-Otaru Kaigan Quasi-National Park, this cape stretches out from the northwestern part of the Shakotan Peninsula into the Sea of Japan. It's approximately 770 meters from the parking lot to the tip of the cape, with a scenic 20-minute walk along a trail that has some ups and downs. The natural beauty of the surrounding area and the clear, azure waters known as "Shakotan Blue" make the journey truly breathtaking. At the tip of the cape, you can find the Kamui Rock and the Cape Kamui Lighthouse, offering a 300-degree rounded horizon view.
I'd heard there was a shade of blue called “Shakotan Blue,” and I'd always dreamed of seeing for myself what kind of blue it was.
One summer afternoon, I finally made it to the Shakotan Peninsula (also called a cape). The weather wasn't very good, so I didn't get to see the deep blue sea, but the vastness of the landscape was so breathtaking that spreading my arms made me feel as if I were flying through the sky. Walking along the well-maintained trail and admiring this unique terrain was definitely a very nice experience! -
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Happo Pond
A pond beside Happo-one Ridge, which extends from Mount Karamatsu in the Hakuba Mountain Range, and is known as one of Hakuba’s premier scenic spots. This natural pond, formed by collected snowmelt and rainwater, offers a mystical and beautiful view on clear days when the three peaks of Hakuba are reflected upside down on the water’s surface. From the foot of the mountain, use the Happo Alpen Line, which covers a total length of 3,445 meters and an elevation gain of 1,060 m.
Nagano Prefecture is beautiful everywhere in the fall! Of all the places, Happo Pond in Hakuba is the most enchanting.
This is an easy hiking trail because the ski lifts take you halfway up the mountain, so even children can “reach the summit”! The scenery changes constantly along the way. One moment the sun is shining brightly, and the next you're surrounded by clouds and mist. When the mist clears, the view before you is truly moving!
I brought bread and bananas for lunch, but ended up carrying them all the way back down untouched. With views of the Northern Alps along the trail and the colorful fall foliage right in front of me... I'm not kidding—you'll definitely be just like me and “forget all about eating and sleeping”! -
