Located in central Nagoya, Hisaya-odori Park stretches south from the area around Nagoya TV Tower, forming a lush green corridor through the city. Shady trees line the route, along with wide, comfortable walkways that make it especially pleasant to stroll through. It's rare to find such a relaxing green space in the middle of a busy, bustling downtown area. Various events are held from time to time on holidays, adding plenty of energy and activity to the park. After taking a leisurely walk around the park that day, I went shopping at the nearby Mitsukoshi department store, then met up with friends I hadn't seen in a long time for dinner and had a wonderful evening.
Hisaya-odori Park | Review by Linda Liao
Other Reviews by Linda Liao
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Kawagoe Bakery Rakuraku
Kawagoe Bakery Rakuraku is located near the entrance to Kashiya Yokocho, a popular tourist spot in Koedo Kawagoe. The bakery, with its façade reminiscent of traditional Kawagoe townhouses, sells unique breads made primarily with domestically sourced ingredients.
When I passed by Kawagoe Bakery Rakuraku, I saw a line outside and joined out of curiosity. I unexpectedly discovered that this small, cozy bakery was full of surprises! There was a wide variety of bread, from French baguettes and all kinds of savory breads to melon bread, a Japanese favorite. There were also unusual flavors like coffee and miso, leaving me overwhelmed by the choices. In the end, I chose the simplest salt bread, and its unpretentious flavor really showcased the baker’s skill. I still wanted more after finishing it, so I bought several other kinds that day and saved them for breakfast the next morning, adding a little happiness to my trip.
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Daimaru Shinsaibashi Store
Facing Midosuji, the main street of Osaka, this department store has been loved as the face of Shinsaibashi for nearly 300 years since its establishment. In 2019, the main building was rebuilt for the first time in 86 years and reopened. The design and materials of the old main building, which were handled by William Merrell Vories, an architect active from the Meiji to Showa eras, are used both inside and outside, creating a space that feels tradition in the newness.
I came to Osaka on a business trip this time, and at my family's request, I made a special trip to Daimaru to look for the recently very popular Ball & Chain shoulder bags. The colorful embroidered patterns with their bold use of color are eye-catching even from a distance, so it's no wonder they've won over so many people! The bags are made of durable fabric, offer some water resistance, and don't tear easily, making them tough enough for everyday use. They come in three sizes: S, M, and L. The small size works well as a casual shopping bag, while the large size has an impressive capacity, so you won't have to worry about running out of room no matter how much you buy while shopping abroad~ My favorite is the cat series. The embroidery is lively and playful, and it puts me in a good mood every time I carry it. It's both practical and cute!
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Sada Chinkabashi
The bridge is over the Shimanto River, which is called “Japan’s last clean stream” with ample clear water.
At the Shimanto River in Kochi Prefecture, Sada Chinkabashi is a very distinctive attraction~ This bridge has no tall guardrails, and its concrete surface runs low across the river, a design known as a “chinkabashi,” which is commonly seen throughout the Shimanto River basin. To reduce resistance when the river rises, there are almost no unnecessary structures on the bridge. The narrow road only allows one car to pass at a time, so vehicles traveling in opposite directions have to carefully yield to each other. Unfortunately, it was raining when I visited, but since I had already come all this way, I decided to rent a bicycle, put on a raincoat, and explore the area. On the way back, as I rode onto the bridge and watched the rain make the river flow even more rapidly, I honestly felt a little nervous. All I could do was slow down and carefully ride forward. After finally reaching the other side, I saw a small car slowly driving across, which made me admire the driver’s skill! Although the weather wasn’t good, this slightly thrilling cycling experience ended up becoming an unforgettable memory from the trip.
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