Don Quijote Dotonbori Store | Review by Jk

Along Osaka’s Dotonbori Canal, it’s absolutely impossible to miss the massive yellow Ferris wheel built right into the exterior of the Don Quijote building—the Dotonbori Giant Ferris Wheel, “Ebisu Tower”! In the center is a huge statue of Ebisu, the god of fortune, holding a fishing rod and grinning from ear to ear. Together with the eye-catching yellow-and-black track, it perfectly captures Osaka’s over-the-top, humorous, and energetic character. Even just taking photos from across the canal makes for an impressive sight!
The wildest thing about this Ferris wheel is that it’s one of the world’s rare “oval-track Ferris wheels”! As the gondola slowly rises, your view gradually gets higher along the track, putting the entire Dotonbori Canal, sightseeing boats cruising back and forth, the famous Glico Running Man sign, and the dense sea of neon lights below you. Especially when it lights up at night, the dazzling cityscape and reflections on the river blend together. Looking down over the entire sleepless city from high above inside the gondola, with such a wide-open view, is an absolute thrill!

The entire hot spring town immediately surrounds you with a strong sense of old-world charm and relaxation! This is an ancient hot spring with over 1,300 years of history. Since ancient times, it has been highly praised as the “Bath of the Gods” in the Izumo no Kuni Fudoki. After just one soak, your skin feels as smooth and delicate as if you had just used a top-of-the-line skincare treatment, and after two, even all kinds of ailments are said to disappear. It’s renowned throughout Japan as the premier destination for beautiful-skin hot springs!
Stroll slowly along both sides of the Tamayu River, and you’ll see rows of traditional Japanese hot spring inns arranged harmoniously. In spring, both banks are covered in delicate pink cherry blossoms, making the area look like a secluded paradise. One of the best little pleasures while walking around town is the free natural footbaths found everywhere. Take off your shoes and socks and dip your feet into the steaming hot spring water, and the warmth instantly melts away the aches and fatigue in your feet. There’s even a “Hot Spring Water Jizo” along the street where you can fill a bottle directly. Many travelers bring small spray bottles and take home the freshest hot spring facial mist to keep their skin hydrated anytime, anywhere!
Continue up through the hot spring town, and at the end you’ll find Tamatsukuri-yu Shrine, which is associated with beautiful skin and matchmaking. Pick up your own special “wish stone” (kanai-ishi) at the shrine office, carry it to the sacred stone within the grounds, carefully wash it with the spring water, hold it close as you make a wish, and then place it in an amulet pouch to carry with you. It’s said to be extremely effective for finding love and making wishes come true. The whole ritual leaves you feeling both calm and full of anticipation.

Walking into Kobe Meriken Park, I looked up and was instantly captivated by the striking red tower with its incredibly graceful lines. This is Kobe Port Tower, Kobe’s most iconic landmark and symbol! The entire tower features an extremely rare structure inspired by the shape of a traditional Japanese wadaiko drum. Its vivid vermilion steel latticework intertwines in the air to create an elegant, slender waistline. Set against a blue sky with wispy white clouds overhead, it has both the refined elegance of a traditional instrument and the beauty of a modern skyscraper. It looks impressive no matter which upward angle you photograph it from!
Strolling slowly along the spacious, level, wood-patterned brick plaza by the harbor, I could feel the sea breeze on my face, carrying a slight chill and the scent of the ocean. The wide-open view immediately lifted my mood. Turning toward the calm blue bay, I could see the MOSAIC shopping complex across the water, the red-and-white Ferris wheel, and the large sightseeing boats docked along the harbor. Watching the boats glide slowly across the mirror-like harbor and cut through the water, while small groups of travelers occasionally passed by enjoying a walk and the breeze, gave the place such a relaxed, carefree port-city vacation rhythm that I just wanted to stop and zone out for a little longer.
The best experience at Kobe Port Tower is taking the elevator straight up to the observation deck. Standing inside the high-ceilinged observation room, you get a 360-degree view. On one side are downtown Kobe and the magnificent Rokko mountain range stretching into the distance, while on the other are the endless blue waters of the Seto Inland Sea and huge ships passing back and forth. The panoramic view of the entire port city, where mountains and sea come together, unfolds beneath your feet and is incredibly breathtaking.
At dusk and after dark, the entire harbor becomes unbelievably romantic! As the sun sets, the sea turns golden. Once darkness falls, Kobe Port Tower lights up with a warm, brilliant red glow, shining alongside the colorful neon lights of the Ferris wheel at MOSAIC across the water. Reflected in the shimmering black sea, the lights make Kobe’s night sky feel dreamlike.