Okashigoten International street Matsuo store
Okashigoten International street Matsuo store is a popular souvenir shop located along Kokusai Street, the vibrant main shopping area of Naha City, Okinawa. Its dazzling exterior evokes the grandeur of the ancient Ryukyu Kingdom.
There are so many things inside—everything from cookies and awamori to little souvenirs. It's almost overwhelming to choose!
Hakone Sightseeing Cruise
A sightseeing ship that operates on Lake Ashinoko, a scenic spot in Hakone. The three ships, Royale II, Victory, and Queen Ashinoko, are characterized by their colorful and luxurious decorations. Each of them has a capacity of about 500 passengers and takes 25 to 35 minutes each way between Togendai Port, Hakone-machi Port, and Moto-Hakone Port. On a sunny day, the open deck is a great place to enjoy the scenery. Enjoy the pleasant breeze and the seasonal views of nature and mountains.
Looking out from the boat, I could really feel the fresh sea breeze and take in the stunning lake views. It honestly felt like I was inside a breathtaking landscape painting.
Yuge Shrine
This shrine stands on Hoogahara facing the Seto Inland Sea. Since the valley was one of the gates to the sea on Yuge Island, the buildings are facing the ocean. The dragon carvings of the main hall is marvelous, and a big round rock, said to be the symbol of man, stands on the premises.
The beach next to it is pretty quiet and not crowded at all. 👍
Ogaki Castle
Ogaki Castle is said to have been built in 1535 by Yasusada Miyagawa, a member of the Toki clan, a Mino governor, and is familiar to citizens as the symbol of the castle town of Ogaki. Ogaki Castle is a historically significant castle where Ishida Mitsunari established his headquarters during the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600, a battle that divided Japan under the rule of the Tokugawa shogunate.
There's a park right next to it, and some shops in the back. Honestly, it's more fun to explore outside than inside.
Nabana-no-sato
A theme park where seasonal flowers are in full bloom in the vast park area. The park is illuminated with seasonal flowers such as tulips and nemophilas in spring and cosmos in fall.
Every year, they have a different theme. The Tunnel of Light is always there, and the reflection in the Mirror Pond at night is just beautiful. It’s been ranked number one in Japan for three years in a row.
Asahikawa Ramen Village
Asahikawa Ramen Village was opened in 1996. Seven restaurants in the city got together in this complex to share Asahikawa ramen’s goodness and its culture. On the outer wall, students from Hokkaido University of Education Asahikawa Campus painted animals of Asahikawa Zoo enjoying ramen.
The shops are pretty small and there aren’t many seats, but the restaurants get really busy during meal times. I picked Santouka Ramen and it was pretty good. After eating, there’s a shopping area nearby to check out.
Nagoya Anpanman Children's Museum & Park
A place where children's dreams of “want to meet Anpanman!” and “want to enter the world of Anpanman!” come true. Lined up with Anpanman-related playground equipment, and Anpanman shows and events are held daily. It is also filled with a wide variety of original goods and food that you can't help but want to pick up. Play, eat, and laugh as much as you want!
Luckily, most of the attractions and shows are indoors. Compared to Disneyland and Universal Studios, it’s a lot more relaxed and easier to enjoy.
Miyako Island
The Miyako Archipelago is located in the middle of the Ryukyu Arc that arcs from Okinawa Island to Ishigaki and Iriomote Islands. Miyako Island is the main island among eight islands of various sizes, including Ikema Island and Ogami Island.
In summer, you can really soak up the sun and the ocean here, and try all kinds of water activities. The beaches are super clean—some say they’re the most beautiful in Japan.