Impressions of Shinjuku

2025/10/22

• Under a sky of lingering clouds and gentle rain. ☂️

• Savoring the buttery perfection of a flaky, delicious croissant. 🥐

• Shinjuku Station is far less daunting than rumored—with clear, comforting guidance in Traditional Chinese signs welcoming Taiwanese travelers with familiar warmth. 😄💕

• Resting the night at Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku, perfectly nestled near the station with endless choices for dining and discovery just steps away. 🛌

• Bic Camera and Don Quijote are a pleasant twenty-minute stroll into the pulsating heart of the city. 🛍️

Matsumoto: City of the Crow Castle 

2025/10/23

• Riding the Azusa Limited Express and choosing a left window seat, I was blessed with the rare fortune of catching a glimpse of Mount Fuji's very first dusting of snow crowning its summit. 🗻

• Savoring soba noodles for the very first time right beside Matsumoto Station—though unaccustomed to their rustic, chewy texture and finishing only half before reluctantly letting the rest go. 😅

• The historic landmark of Matsumoto Castle exuded a profound sense of timeless heritage, glowing with pristine elegance under the evening lights.🏯

• The breathtaking Hida Mountains (the Northern Alps) stretched majestically across the western horizon of the city. 🏔️🏔️🏔️

• In the serene sanctuary of Yohashira Shrine, surrounded by a flock of gentle doves, one unexpectedly fluttered down to rest directly upon my shoulder without a moment's warning. 🕊️🕊️🕊️

Kamikochi: Sanctuary of the Gods 

2025/10/24

Myths and Energy Fields: Togakushi Shrine 

2025/10/25

• A revered spiritual energy field renowned for its ancient shrines and towering, sky-reaching ancient trees. ⛩️🌲

• The stay was nothing short of wonderful—the innkeeper of Yokokura Ryokan was exceptionally warm-hearted and kind. 🛖

• Togakushi Chusha Shrine stood solemn and serene, where a magnificent, centuries-old 'three-stemmed tree' of immense height and girth left an unforgettable impression. ⛩️

• Torrential downpours threw the itinerary into disarray, forcing a reluctant cancellation of the visit to Kagami-ike Pond. 😤

• Standing before the ancient Zuishinmon Gate and walking down the path flanked by three-to-four-hundred-year-old giant cedars, I was deeply overwhelmed by the sense that nature alone is eternal.

• A sanctuary truly worth seeking out for its profound, hidden beauty.

Zenkoji Temple

2025/10/26

• A temple brimming with fervent devotion and thriving incense, even amidst a torrential downpour. 😓

• Half of all the protective amulets (omamori) on display were dedicated to traffic safety—just how deeply devoted to safe travels can they possibly be?! 

• Beyond the magnificent main hall, the plaza out front even houses a bustling department store for charms and ascetic supplies, ensuring no pilgrim ever leaves empty-handed.

Tokyo Station

2025/10/27

• The layout is far less labyrinthine than legend suggests—simply keep the directions of Marunouchi and Yaesu clearly in mind.

• From the Marunouchi side, breathtaking views of the magnificent station architecture unfold before your eyes.

• Tucked away on the first basement level is a remarkably delicious self-service teppanyaki restaurant—a hidden gem where even a wait in line is profoundly worthwhile.