Tokyo Tower 2.0 →

2.0 doesn’t really mean the version of Tokyo Tower, I just use it to imply that it’s my second time visiting Tokyo Tower. I first went there with my family in 2017 for vacation. That time, Tokyo Tower didn’t feel so special to me since we also went to other high-level spots that can make us see similar views from above. However, this time, it feels different. My friend and I arrived exactly during sunset, and lucky for us, the weather was very clear that we could see Mount Fuji, Tokyo Skytree, and then the sun setting down behind the mountains. It was a very beautiful scenery. In addition, during the night view, there were some snow projections and decorations that weren’t there when I first time came. Turns out, Tokyo Tower had just finished renovating on July 2019. Overall, the experience was exceedingly fun and the views were spectacular.

Ueno Zoo!

Tokyo has a lot of magnificent zoos to offer, especially this one that I went to with my friends. Ueno Zoo (上野動物園) is probably one of the biggest zoos in Tokyo, with various land and marine animals that you can enjoy together with your fellow friends or family. The price is not that expensive, it only costs 600 yen for adults (16 years and above) or 200 yen for students! The animals you can see ranges from small birds, big birds, reptiles, big land mammals, arctic animals, and aquatic animals. Moreover, there is more beautiful view you can enjoy from this zoo other than just seeing the animals. This zoo is so good that I spent almost the entire day without getting bored, because there is too much to explore!

Glico Man!

I am really sure you have seen this picture, either from internet or someone else’s post. That’s right, this is probably one of the most famous photo spot in Japan, which locates at Dotonbori (道頓堀), Osaka. It is definitely not traveling to Osaka without taking picture with this iconic Glico Man Sign. Why this sign is so famous after all? This bright sign has been glowing for more than 80 years, being a really important symbol for Osaka’s premier shopping and entertainment district. Besides, Glico is also one of Asia’s most famous confectionery companies. Every minute, this Glico Man Sign changes color, ranges from blue, yellow, and even pink! Tourists will take pictures with this sign by standing on the bridge that lies above a small canal, so it make sense if that bridge is always crowded by people. In addition, you can also enjoy Dotonbori by having a cruise trip across the canal, and it will be so much better during night time. There is no doubt that this place is a staple photo spot for you to enjoy in Japan.

Maxell Aqua Park

Who does not love marine creatures? I am sure that you guys have been to an aquarium at least once in your lifetime. However, this aquarium that I went to is exceptional! Located in Shinagawa, Tokyo, Maxell Aqua Park showcases wonderful world of marine creatures which is going to be breathtaking for their visitors. It is huge, full of attractions, and has many amazing water and light displays. It is also famous for their dolphin shows that is displayed several times each day. Maxell Aqua Park utilises cutting-edge technology in their water attraction, and I can guarantee you it is going to be an unforgettable moment! Besides dolphins attraction, rare underwater creatures also displayed in this aquarium. They let their visitors explore the marine world without even having to go underwater, which makes this place crazy with visitors every year.

The Best Doughnut in Kyoto

This is simply the tastiest doughnuts I’ve ever tasted in Japan. Japanese people call this 豆乳ドーナツ, or Tonyu Doughnut. Tonyu Doughnut is made of soy milk and therefore has a really chewy and soft texture once you take a bite. You can find this a lot in Nishiki Market, which is the second largest shopping district in Kyoto that offers various of traditional and delicious foods. Originally, Tonyu Doughnut is only served with white cane powdered sugar on top of it. However, you can find a lot of version with fillings or even more toppings like maple syrup or vegetable oil. This is definitely a must try food when you visit Kyoto.

Gyoza!

This is absolutely a comfort food that you should try when visiting Japan. Gyoza (餃子) or Japanese dumpling is actually originated from China, but got really popular in Japan since the 20th century. This food is a labour of love wrapped with minced meat vegetables, soy sauce, sesame oil, and many other delicious ingredients. which then will be fried for a while to be able to give a unique, crunchy, flavourful taste (usually also called as yaki-gyoza). Some gyoza are only steamed and not fried, we call them sui-gyoza. Most restaurants and stalls sell 6-pieces set of gyoza for around 300 until 500 yen, which is a really great price for such food! The flavour will elevate once you dip the gyoza into a soy sauce.

Arashiyama Bamboo Groove

Located across Ōi River, Kyoto, Arashiyama must be one of the top sightseeing district for visitors and Japanese locals. It has a lot of historic sites and beautiful sceneries to offer, including this majestic bamboo groove. These standing-tall bamboos are approximately 30 meters in height and 15-20 cm in diameter. When I visited this site back in June 2019, there were a lot of tourists taking pictures whilst enjoying the incredible view. During summer, Arashiyama gets really hot to the extent that it reached up to 35 until 38 degrees Celsius at noon, so you will probably see many umbrellas scattered among the visitors. However, you will experience a relaxin, cool wind breeze as entering this bamboo groove, especially since the bamboos are covering most of the sunlight. Once you finished admiring these sceneries, the route will lead you to places where you can buy Kyoto souvenirs and traditional food, that’s including varies of ice creams that you can enjoy in the hot weather. There is no doubt that this site is one of “Kyoto’s wonders” that you must visit in order to get full experience of Japanese culture and its beautiful views.

Fushimi Inari-taisha

Fushimi Inari-taisha is one of the most iconic places in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. This 1400-years-old shrine is always crowded with tourists and even local people. There are approximately 10000 gates that we can observe and take pictures with. For those of you who love physical activity, there are also a total of 12000 steps that you have to pass through if you want to completely explore this shrine. Back in June when I visited this place, I was totally tired, especially with the hot weather during summer. However, it was a fantastic experience being able to get closer to Japanese culture! The beautiful colours, architectural design, and new cultures that I got to see were just mesmerising. If you are planning to go to Kyoto, this is a really must-visit place that definitely offers amazing experiences.