金己田's Reviews Page 5/9

The Head Temple of the Tendai Sect, Mt. Hiei (Hieizan) Enryakuji Temple

It is a vast temple whose precincts are the area around Mt. Hiei (Hieizan) at the altitude of 848 meters and was built in 788 by Saicho, who opened the Tendai sect. Filling a role as a comprehensive Buddhist university, it has been called "the mother mountain of Japanese Buddhism" and has had a great influence on the history of Japan. Moreover, it also played a role in protecting Kyoto, which was the capital for 1000 years. It was registered as a World Cultural Heritage Site in 1994.

• Shiga
• Shrines & Temples

Enryakuji on Mt. Hiei is divided into three areas: Todo, Saito, and Yokawa, with Todo serving as the main center.
Although the Konpon Chudo is undergoing a major 10-year renovation, it remains open for worship during construction, and visitors can also observe the restoration work.
Saito is smaller in scale and has an overall peaceful atmosphere, and its buildings reflect a strong sense of history.
Yokawa is the most remote area, and its Chudo was designed based on a ship used by envoys to Tang China. Seen from a distance, it looks like a boat floating in the mountains.

Kasugataisha Shrine

At the beginning of the Nara period, Takemikazuchi-no-mikoto is said to have ridden on sacred deer from Kashima in Ibaraki Prefecture to Mt. Mikasa to protect Heijo-kyo and promote national prosperity.

• Nara
• Shrines & Temples

From the moment you step onto the approach to Kasugataisha Shrine, you're surrounded by lush forest and weathered stone lanterns. At the end of the path, the vermilion corridor appears. If it weren’t for all the tourists around, it would almost feel like traveling back in time!
Following the visitor route, we came to Fujinami-no-ya. It’s a small, completely dark space lit by the glow of countless lanterns. I can only imagine how much more spectacular it must be during the Mantoro festival.

Sightseeing Limited Express "AONIYOSHI”

Debuting in April 2022, this new sightseeing limited express train operated by Kintetsu connects the three capitals of Osaka, Nara, and Kyoto without changing trains. The train's name, "AONIYOSHI," is a pillow word Japanese waka poem that refers to the ancient capital Nara.

• Osaka
• Kyoto
• Nara
• Trains & Subway

The AONIYOSHI color scheme is mainly purple with gold accents, giving it an atmosphere of ancient nobility. The seating layout is open, but it still feels private. The seats are nicely cushioned and very comfortable, and the interior is full of thoughtful details. From the lighting to the decorations on the luggage racks, the whole train has a retro yet stylish feel.
There’s also a dining car where you can buy limited-edition sweets and Daibutsu Pudding, and this is also where you pick up the commemorative boarding certificate.
Overall, a lot of care clearly went into both the hardware and the service, which made this a fantastic ride. The trip from Nara to Kyoto is only 30 minutes, and it honestly left me wanting more.

Kyo-train GARAKU

The "Kyo-Train Garaku" is a special sightseeing train on the Hankyu Kyoto Line between Osaka-umeda Station and Kyoto-kawaramachi Station, inspired by Kyoto's nature and traditional architecture. The train operates on Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, and special operated days during the tourist season. The passengers pay only a standard fare.

• Kyoto
• Osaka
• Trains & Subway

Kyo-train GARAKU is probably the most affordable sightseeing train. No reservation or seat booking is needed, and you can travel between Kyoto and Osaka for the price of a regular train.
Each car is themed around Kyoto’s four seasons and representative plants, with features like a dry landscape garden, tatami-style seating, and noren curtains. Every car has a different atmosphere and is overflowing with Kyoto charm, so even choosing where to sit is hard!
In the end, I picked the spring-themed car. Sitting in a two-person window-facing seat, I enjoyed the scenery outside while soaking in the Kyoto travel mood on the way to Umeda.

teamLab Botanical Garden Osaka

A permanent nighttime outdoor museum created by the digital art collective teamLab, transforming the Nagaike Botanical Garden into a fantastical art space after dark. While it serves as a serene botanical garden during the day, at night it comes alive with immersive light and sound installations.

• Osaka
• Museums

Using light and shadow, it connects people with nature. Lights are projected onto the trees along the path, accompanied by music and the sounds of nature, making it feel like you’ve stepped into a fantasy world.

What could be waiting for me up ahead?

The glowing eggs scattered through the woods had a slightly mysterious vibe. The colorful spheres ahead swayed gently, and I couldn’t help but reach out and touch them. Following the pink muhly grass to the lakeside, the warm lights reflecting on the water made my heart feel calm as well.

Oarai Isosaki Shrine

This hilltop shrine faces out over Oarai Cape and the Pacific Ocean, revered by those seeking better health and good relationships. Legend has it the shrine was established in 856 when the deities Onamuchi no Mikoto (also known as Okuninushi no Mikoto) and Sukunahikona no Mikoto descended here.

• Ibaraki
• Shrines & Temples

It was raining when I visited, so I wasn’t able to see the sunrise torii view. I’ll have to save that for next time!

Before leaving, I stopped by Oarai Isosaki Shrine to pray. Maybe because it was a rainy weekday morning, there weren’t many visitors, so I was able to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. Besides wishing for a smooth trip, it also planted the seed in my heart to come back to Oarai again someday.

Hitachi Station

Hitachi Station on the Joban Line of JR East, facing the Pacific Ocean, is the central station of Hitachi City. The current station building, completed in 2011, is impressive with its beautiful all-glass structure. The design was supervised by Hitachi-born architect Ms.Kazuyo Sejima, winner of "The Pritzker Architecture Prize.", also known as the Nobel Prize in Architecture.

• Ibaraki
• Tourist Attractions

In winter, you can take the first train from Mito to Hitachi Station to catch the sunrise. As soon as I arrived, I saw a huge crowd packed into the front row of the viewing area. I didn’t expect so many people to come watch the sunrise!

After glancing outside and seeing the clouds were pretty thick, I figured I probably wouldn’t get great photos. So I moved outside the station first to take some wide shots of the building. When I went back inside, the crowd had gradually thinned out. Right then, the sun finally broke through the clouds, and I got to see the beautiful view where the sea and sky seemed to blend together.

Noritake Garden

This is the birthplace of Noritake, a western tableware brand highly acclaimed globally. The park is a lush green space to relax in, with stores, cafes, restaurants, and a museum.

• Nagoya
• Museums

I visited during the season of fresh greenery, and the contrast between the lush green scenery and the red brick warehouses was perfect. It was a real treat to stroll around casually and enjoy such a relaxing time in the middle of a dense urban area.

Sightseeing Limited Express "Shimakaze”

The Sightseeing Limited Express "Shimakaze" connects three departure stations in Osaka-Namba, Kyoto, and Nagoya to Kashikojima Station in Mie Prefecture. The train has dedicated attendants on board and offers services based on the theme of "the highest level of comfort". Inside the train you’ll find a wide variety of cabins to match any travel need, including premium seats, Western and Japanese style private rooms, and raised observation decks for taking in the impeccable views.

• Osaka
• Trains & Subway

I took Kintetsu’s sightseeing train, the "Shimakaze," to Ise. The exterior is painted a deep blue that symbolizes the scenery of Ago Bay, while the seats inside are a fresh pale yellow, almost like the breeze of Ise-Shima.

The ride from Yokkaichi to Toba takes about an hour, so I didn’t have time to stop by the café car for a meal. Even so, that one hour was enough to fully soak in the feeling of traveling. With the spacious, comfortable seats and the large windows looking out on all the greenery, I arrived in Toba before I knew it, in a great mood.

Kamiya Bar

Established in Meiji 13 (1880) and known as Japan's first bar, "Kamiya Bar" was adored by numerous literary greats like Osamu Dazai and Tayama Katai. This iconic spot often makes appearances in literary works. The building housing the bar, located near Azuma Bridge in Asakusa, was constructed in Taisho 10 (1921) and is a Registered Tangible Cultural Property of Japan.

• Asakusa, Tokyo Skytree
• Wine Bars

If you want to experience the atmosphere of a down-to-earth Japanese bar, check out Kamiya Bar in Asakusa!
The exterior has a strong retro vibe, and it’s also Japan’s first bar.
Even though it’s a bar, the inside feels more like a casual local diner, and most of the customers are Japanese.
If you want to get a feel for local life during your trip, this might be a great choice.