Matsushima, one of the "Three Great Views of Japan," is praised as one of those places you should visit at least once in your life, and it truly lived up to the hype.
Taking a sightseeing boat and admiring the many islands resting quietly on the sea was a wonderful experience. The islands are beautifully scattered about. They may look somewhat similar at first, yet each has its own character. It felt like wandering through a landscape painting, with layers of scenery fading into the distance.
Even the haiku poet Matsuo Basho found this beauty hard to capture in words. I highly recommend visiting.
周黛西's Reviews Page 2/5
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Oirase Stream in summer is a famous place to escape the heat, with lush greenery everywhere you look.
The showers the night before made the stream even fuller, and every photo I took with my camera looked like something out of a calendar.
The temperature was cool and comfortable, and the green forest and gently flowing stream made the scenery feel incredibly refreshing. -
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Nebuta Museum Wa Rasse, right next to Aomori Station, has a complete collection of the giant Nebuta lantern floats that have appeared in past festivals. The dazzling exhibits, along with videos and interactive experiences, gave me a deeper understanding of this cultural celebration with 300 years of history. Even if you’ve never actually attended the festival, Wa Rasse is a great place to satisfy your curiosity all at once.
The 2026 Taiwan Chiayi Lantern Festival also invited Wa Rasse to take part. Seeing those vivid, towering character lanterns reminded me of my fun experience in Aomori. -
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For Cup Noodles fans, visiting the Nissin Cup Noodles Museum should be an experience that fully delights all five senses. From the building to the souvenirs, even the manhole covers feature the little yellow chick.
When you come to the Cup Noodles “kingdom,” you of course have to make your own cup noodles. Everything from decorating the cup to creating your own flavor really brings out your inner child.
I also learned that Momofuku Ando was actually from Chiayi, Taiwan. His inspiring life story made the visit even more uplifting. -
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There’s an English-style Peter Rabbit garden on Mt. Rokko, and you can find little surprises in just about every corner.
From Rokko Garden Terrace, you can look out over Kobe, Wakayama, and other areas along Osaka Bay. The view is as colorful and dazzling as opening a jewelry box, and the night scenery sparkles like brilliant gems!
There’s also a ranch and a music box museum here, and you can even make your own music box as a souvenir. -
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Dotonbori is a great place to eat, have fun, and walk around.
The flashy, lively atmosphere is incredibly exciting! -
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The Matsue Horikawa Sightseeing Boat is a popular attraction in Matsue. A full loop around the moat of Matsue Castle takes about 50 minutes by small boat.
Along the way, you can enjoy views of the old castle and samurai residences. The boatman gently rows the boat, and in winter there are heated tables on board, which feels very cozy and thoughtful. Seeing everything from the boat gives you a completely different perspective from walking around, and it was a very special experience. -
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Walking into Tottori Hanakairo feels like stepping into a fairy tale. Surrounded by colorful flowers in full bloom, everything looks so vibrant and beautiful.
Strolling through the corridors, you can enjoy all kinds of gorgeous flowers and lush greenery. It feels so dreamy!
It’s a great place to take your time and snap photos. Wandering through the sea of flowers, even the air smells sweet. -
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Take the electric bus from Ogizawa Station to Kurobe Dam, at an elevation of 1,454 m. Standing on the dam, you can look out over truly magnificent scenery. To me, the charm of Kurobe Dam is how a sightseeing destination and the beauty of nature exist together in perfect harmony.
In spring, the distant mountain peaks are still capped with snow, and the water reflects the mountains ever so slightly. The air is crisp and refreshing...
I can easily imagine how the changing mountain views through the seasons would bring even more different feelings and impressions. -
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I really liked Izutsuya’s strong traditional atmosphere. Dining, soaking in the hot spring, and staying overnight were all very relaxing.
Both times, an older lady helped make our futons, and she was very kind.
The salmon dishes went great with rice—I couldn’t help eating a little extra.
If you’re visiting Yumura Onsen, Izutsuya is definitely worth considering. I had a really nice stay. -
