Places I'd Take You To in Japan

Every season, Japan never runs out of enchanting and picturesque places to visit. I was fortunate enough to spend my childhood going to different places with my parents since I first came here in Japan when I was about four years old. However, when I came back here 2 years ago, we didn’t have much time to go to different places and see more of Japan’s beauty. Foreigners from different countries love traveling around Japan because there’s too much fascinating places to be found. I wish to include all of the must-see spots but we’ll reach billion years mentioning all of that so be stunned at the top four places here in Japan that is worth visiting, worth the experience and has a special memory in my heart. Take note of these if one day you have the chance to visit the land of ninjas!

This is a great place to visit if you love seeing different sea creatures. The Marinepia Matsushima Aquarium holds about a total of 8,000 sea animals and 400 different species of fish and mammals that inhabit in the sea and other creatures from all over the world. Enthusiastic sea otters, dolphins, and seals who are waiting to be greeted by their visitors and they even smile back to them at times. You can also see 7 various kinds of cute waddling, walking penguin. A show with the sea lions can also be enjoyed. Personally, this place has a special place in my heart because I’ve been here countless times with my family since it’s just half an hour away from Sendai City. There are also various shops where you can eat your lunches, a mini playground for kids to play at and souvenir shop where you can buy cute stuffed animals and sea mammals. They also have a mini cruise around the Matsushima Bay.

If you’re into theme parks and your real adventure is riding thrilling rollercoasters, then Lina World is perfect for you! Although Lina World is closed during the chilly days of November ‘til March, its a perfect summer getaway and hang-out place! They

offer lots of thrilling rides and attractions for kids and even adults if you’re looking for extreme rides. There are several shops and restos where you can eat yummy meals and buy stuff after you get tired from all the rides.

Japanese people love nature so much that they feel connected to it and in ancient times, they even prayed to them because they consider the mountains and the trees their gods. So it’s not surprising that most Japanese are nature lovers and would prefer to visit in peaceful, calm and unpolluted places. Not only the river is known as a beautiful clean river that represents Sendai but the river enriches 90 different kinds of fish some of which are only found in this river. You can enjoy rustic scenery while eating bbq’s and having picnics with your family or friends and a lot of people go here for camping and holding “imonikai” get-togethers. Imonikai is an important autumn tradition especially here in Sendai where people flock together to prepare and eat “imoni” - a type of thick potato and meat soup. An ordinance was formed to ensure that the river would be kept unpolluted and clean.

Autumn leaves are almost gone and winter winds are being felt right now here in Japan so at this season, many people want to warm themselves up by going to hot spas. For sporty people and people who love adventures, Zao is the right place for you to try their famous skiing and snowboarding experience. Many professional snowboarders and skiers are trained here because Zao extends to 15 different slopes and 12 courses and even you are a beginner, it is the right place for you to start it! When you reach the top of the mountain, you will find ice monsters or in Japanese, they are called “juhyo”. These ice monsters are one of the natural wonders at Zao and they are found during the coldest months of December to February. Due to snowstorms, they encapsulate the mountain’s trees forming unique shapes usually of a monster hence the name ice monster. They are beautifully illuminated at night. When you need a place to regenerate from the chilly mountain, there are numerous varieties of restaurants and cafes and warm yourself in their spa and you can also choose to stay overnight.

PHOTO CREDITS: (1) datenamap, washingtonpost, relax (2) 2bo2bo (3) hirosegawa, alexforencich, kubo.rift.mech.tohoku.ac (4) yamagatakanko, wattention