Haneda Airport (Tokyo International Airport)
Haneda is Japan’s largest airport, officially called Tokyo International Airport. Each of the three terminals has an observation deck where you can watch closely the airplanes take off and land, shopping facility, and restaurants with different cuisines.
Heading home now—I'll never forget my trip to Tokyo!
Uncle Rikuro’s Freshly Baked Cheesecake
Uncle Rikurou's freshly baked cheesecake" has been famous in the local market since 1984 for its fluffy texture and delicious taste. Since then, its reputation has spread nationwide, and it is now known as Osaka's famous confectionery.
Uncle Rikuro’s Cheesecake~~~😋
The soft and bouncy sponge cake is amazing! The sweetness is just right and the cheese flavor isn’t too strong. A must-buy in Osaka!
Oi Racecourse – Tokyo City Keiba (TCK)
Also known as Tokyo City Keiba (TCK), Oi Racecourse has recently become a popular amusement spot that hosts a variety of events.
I went a few years ago. There’s not just horse racing, but also great food and entertainment events.
I couldn’t really understand what was going on, but it was lively.
I think there were comedians performing or something like that. 🤭
Yokohama Chinatown
Yokohama Chinatown, one of Japan’s three major Chinatowns, is a district lined with countless Chinese restaurants. From affordable dishes you can enjoy as takeout or all-you-can-eat meals to authentic Chinese cuisine, there are options to suit your budget.
I've been to Tokyo many times, but this was my first time in Yokohama. Of course, I had to stroll around Chinatown and check it out~
Jodogahama Beach
"Jodogahama" is a rock inlet facing the Sanriku coast, a representative scenic spot of Japan. Around 1680, the name is said to have originated when Reikyo, a Buddhist monk, upon seeing its white rock beach, beautifully clear sea, and otherworldly complex terrain, exclaimed that it was reminiscent of the "Pure Land Paradise".
Absolutely stunning...
The nature in Tohoku really feels like nowhere else on earth.
Meguro River
The Meguro River flows through the Setagaya, Meguro, and Shinagawa wards of Tokyo until it reaches Tokyo Bay.
There are tons of cherry trees planted along the Meguro River. At the end of March, the cherry blossoms form a spectacular pink tunnel. The best way to enjoy the 4-kilometer stretch of blossoms is by taking a river cruise. At night, the crowds get bigger, and there are lots of food stalls along the way, so you won't go hungry. The nighttime cherry blossom lights are on until 9 p.m.
Narita International Airport
The international airport and gateway to Tokyo, visited by 44 million travelers each year (as of 2019). Opened in 1978, this world-famous airport (airport code NRT) has ferried over 6 million flights both in and out of Japan. The airport grounds include 3 different passenger terminals, a freight terminal and is currently planning to open a new runaway in addition to its two runways currently open.
Since I just returned to Taiwan from Narita Terminal 2 on October 12, 2022, here's an update on the airport. In the early days after visa-free entry reopened, the departure hall on the third floor was still pretty empty and quiet. About half of the shops and restaurants on the fourth floor were still closed. According to the staff at the open stores, the closed shops would start hiring and training staff from November, so some will reopen then. I believe the airport will get much busier in the future.
Also, there's now a new low-cost bus (LCB) running between Narita Airport and Tokyo since August 2022. It goes to places like Kawaguchi, Toyosu Market, Ikebukuro, Shibuya, and Ginza. A one-way ticket is less than JPY 2,000, so it's definitely worth considering for your next trip.
The Hakone Open-air Museum
Japan’s first open-air museum, founded in 1969, aimed at harmony between nature and art. It has about 120 sculptures spread across a cast landscape of 70,000 m², including classic work by Rodin, Moore, Miro and other world masters of modern and contemporary art.
This is an outdoor sculpture park. The weather wasn't great when I visited, but it's still an awesome place for taking Instagram-worthy photos. Definitely worth a visit if you get the chance!
Takachiho Gorge
Takachiho Gorge is a narrow v-shaped chasm made over thousands of years by the Gokase River’s erosion of Mt. Aso’s volcanic rock. This spectacular place is surrounded by cliffs that average 80 meters in height (reaching up to 100 meters) and extend along for 7 kilometers. Takachiho Gorge has been designated as a National Place of Scenic Beauty.
Entering the land of Japanese deities—Takachiho Gorge is located in Mitai, Takachiho Town, Nishiusuki District, Miyazaki Prefecture. The most famous spot in the gorge is the Manai Falls, which is listed among Japan's top 100 waterfalls and is now designated as a scenic spot and natural monument.
Okunitama-jinja Shrine
Okunitama Shrine, with a history stretching back about 1900 years, is where Okunitama-no-Okami, the deity protecting the Musashino area, is enshrined. Musashino was a vast area including modern-day Tokyo, Saitama, and parts of Kanagawa. Inside the shrine grounds are several smaller shrines, each one granting its own blessing. Among those, the shrine blessing love and marriage is especially well-known.
It's super easy to get here—just a 5-minute walk from Fuchu Station on the Keio Line. The path to the shrine is lined with famous zelkova trees, and right next to Japan's largest granite torii gate, there's a zelkova that's about 400 years old—the oldest one around.