Tom J posted.
![[Image1]I went with my family to Gongen General Park, a charming new playground located near a rest area and](https://img.cooljapan-videos.com/files/member_posts/image/3e80ae7d932c741a749d9f6501aa6f75c5873148.jpg)
![[Image2]I went with my family to Gongen General Park, a charming new playground located near a rest area and](https://img.cooljapan-videos.com/files/member_posts/image/9dd56c974fa8815fde327fc64f7909f1ff7b541e.jpg)
I went with my family to Gongen General Park, a charming new playground located near a rest area and at the base of a mountain. The park was opened just last year, and has lots of slides for children to enjoy while being conveniently located next to family-friendly dining like a Katsudon restaurant, and most importantly connects to a pleasant and easily walkable nature trail. There are stairs for those who would like to take a short-cut, but its well worth doing the leisurely hike up to the summit.
The view from the peak is really wonderful! It seems there is a bug theme to the park, with a variety of cicada everywhere. On a holiday weekend it is a little crowded, but only enough to give a sense of liveliness rather than overcrowding. It is nice to see many families out there having fun! If you are in the area with young kids of your own and enjoy nature, you could do far worse than visit Gongen.
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Tom J posted.
![[Image1]Mentaiko! Spiced pollock roe, even when translated into English, isn't immediately familiar for many](https://img.cooljapan-videos.com/files/member_posts/image/d0f8931633ea20df3d8bd744adc0746008e7bd9d.jpg)
![[Image2]Mentaiko! Spiced pollock roe, even when translated into English, isn't immediately familiar for many](https://img.cooljapan-videos.com/files/member_posts/image/b769db423fa1ad54c247c09ad04ea599edf0fc45.jpg)
Mentaiko! Spiced pollock roe, even when translated into English, isn't immediately familiar for many native speakers. "Spicy fish eggs" gets the meaning across clearly, but isn't likely to win any new converts. For either committed fans or the merely curious though, there are Mentai Parks that combine a large variety of mentai-flavored foods, a production line where Mentaiko is made, and a surprisingly expansive play area complete with games, slides, trick art and even a theater showing Mentaiko videos, all at no entry fee. Visitors can watch the magic happen with windows that offer a behind-the-scenes look at Mentaiko production, or hear about Mentaiko-related trivia from a cheerful Mentaiko professor character.
That there should be one such Mentai Park would be a curiosity, an idiosyncrasy of Japan, which can often be found celebrating things seen as oddities from a more global perspective, but in fact there are no less than a half dozen, spreading west to east from Kobe, Biwako, Tokoname, Izu, Gunma and Oarai. If you are in the area of one, you could do far worse than visit. The food court offers Mentaiko (of course) and very little else, but that can take the form of onigiri, noodle dishes, baguettes, or even ice cream. There is a free tea dispenser, which is a further nice gesture. You may find yourself coming home with a cuddly soft spiced pollock roe toy, or awaken a new love of mentaiko-flavored ice cream. Whatever the case, the price is right, and its sure to be a distinct and pleasant experience.
Tom J posted.
![[Image1]Ashinoko Lake in Hakone offers a](https://img.cooljapan-videos.com/files/member_posts/image/d15f4eddecfc2e19fb5d4df7cada2ffe4dee39ad.jpg)
Ashinoko Lake in Hakone offers a "Pirate Ship Cruise"
Interestingly, none of the ships are "pirate" ships proper, but designed and modeled from European navy vessels from the age of sail, making them a sort of museum exhibit you can experience! There have been a long line of ships in Hakone; The Pioneer, which sailed Ashinoko from the cruise's start in 1961, was joined by the Victoria and the Royal to make up the first generation. The iconic trio that succeeded the first generation were the Vasa, inspired by the 17th century Swedish Royal vessel of the same name, the Victory, based on the HMS Victory of Trafalgar fame, and the Royal II, based on the 18th century French "Royal Louis." No trace of pirate associations to be had, but for many European sail vessels are inextricably linked with pirates, who enjoy good PR. I blame Jack Sparrow!
The "Vasa" was retired in 2019 after almost three decades of service, and the newest ship is the "Queen Ashinoko"- Perhaps characteristically of recent developments in Japan, it is no longer modeled on a foreign antecedent but is a Hakone original, albeit unmistakably aiming for the same aesthetic as the other vessels.
Hakone is famous for its Onsen, and many people visit with Onsen in mind. But if you should find yourself in the area, why not consider a lake cruise as well? Its certainly an unexpected and interesting diversion to find yourself on a boat that looks like it sailed out of European history in a tranquil lake to the southwest of Tokyo!
Tom J posted.
![[Image1]For many western travelers, a surprisingly common habit when going to a new country is to find a loc](https://img.cooljapan-videos.com/files/member_posts/image/cbb3949f9b88db9250fdbd53197bce99f2a7dc54.jpg)
![[Image2]For many western travelers, a surprisingly common habit when going to a new country is to find a loc](https://img.cooljapan-videos.com/files/member_posts/image/8db6fd6bdc00e8fc1a080d4063f4e324534788ca.jpg)
For many western travelers, a surprisingly common habit when going to a new country is to find a local McDonalds. I am definitely guilty of this myself!
It seems very counterintuitive. Why go to the other side of the world to have the kind of forgettable fast food you could have had at home? But, just as many Japanese take instant noodles or other comfort foods with them when they go abroad, there can be an anchoring sense of familiarity to something, even if it isn't great at the best of times.
But the good news is, Japanese McDonalds has many things to set it apart as well! The Teriyaki Burger or the "Samurai Mac" with soy sauce can be reliably found at any time, but depending on when you visit you might find the "Moon-viewing" Tsukimi Burger with egg, the Macaroni and white cream croquette (!) Gurakoro Burger, or even a Cherry Blossom flavored Pie! In the past there have been various takes on "international" flavors, like New York and Texas themed burgers that invariably focus on extra meat, as well as Kebab and Taco-flavored burgers. Rare dipping sauces such as Black Garlic, Setouchi Lemon Tartar Sauce, Cheese Curry and even Takoyaki Mayo can make simple nuggets feel more exotic as well.
As a bonus, Japanese McDonalds prices are very favorable to similar portions in the US or Europe!
Nowadays, with translation apps and a boom in foreign visitors, the old phenomenon of a language barrier and not knowing what to order at Japanese Restaurants is less common, but it can still be a relief to step into somewhere you know exactly what to expect, and all the more so if it has its own special twist that reminds you that you are in Japan.
Finally, anecdotally I find the staff working at McDonalds in Japan work to a higher standard than anything I have been familiar with in Western countries, where to a large degree a lack of effort is accepted and expected from staff, since its "just McDonalds". The famous Japanese work ethic and attention to quality shines through here, meaning that even with an identical order it is more likely to be made correctly and with care.
Tom J posted.
![[Image1] The Japanese](https://img.cooljapan-videos.com/files/member_posts/image/995a4cebc5287ae6185d74ee2dcac9f917ef5658.jpg)
The Japanese "Dagashi-ya". It was never intended to be a shop selling an authentic Japanese snack experience (Wagashi has that covered), but as the years go by it is in some ways a type of shop that time forgot.
Anecdotally, I think many dagashi-ya are staffed by the elderly, and the outlook for their existence in fifty years time is something I wouldn't put much confidence in, but first, what is "Dagashi?"
Most simply it is very low-cost candy sold individually, so that you can find yourself paying from 5 to 35 yen. This lets you buy a wide variety of things you'd like to try, and you can make a really large amount of purchases and come away with a treasure trove without actually spending so much. Actual chocolate is in low supply, but expect lots of "Ramune" flavor, gum, or snacks that will change the color of your tongue. Charming! There are also more traditional and savory tastes, like dried squid or sweet potato.
It all has a strong Showa-era sense to it, so these kinds of shops are nostalgic for many Japanese people. For foreign visitors already impressed at the low prices of Japanese stores, it takes things even further! You can enjoy a distinctly Japanese experience, find some surprising treats not sold elsewhere, and do it all for a pittance. I make no claims for the health benefits, though...
Tom J posted.
![[Image1]Matcha has exploded in popularity worldwide, and Kyoto needs no introduction. But whether you have n](https://img.cooljapan-videos.com/files/member_posts/image/0d65f7285d16513fd9416458fcd9485c31d3711f.jpg)
Matcha has exploded in popularity worldwide, and Kyoto needs no introduction. But whether you have newly come to like Matcha or are an old fan from before the boom, Uji is the place to go, and well worth braving the Kyoto crowds.
Uji has been a center of green tea production for centuries, and my dusty 1935 book on the history of tea affords it pride of place, describing it in detail, indicating it was known to America as a famous matcha center even in the first half of the 20th century.
2026 isn't 1935, and there's considerably more ice cream than there used to be, to say nothing of foreign visitors. But there is a core of authentic continuity there that continues to serve locally made tea, and its hard to beat the flavor. As a plus, the area is quite beautiful, with notable historical sites like the Byodoin temple, and a peaceful atmosphere. I always feel happier after having visited, so it has become a repeat destination for me.
Tom J posted.
![[Image1]I am a big fan of Toyooka's Mongol Culture Center, and find myself visiting there once every couple](https://img.cooljapan-videos.com/files/member_posts/image/ddfd0a8667e01f71b5382a79c85400e70967bee9.jpg)
I am a big fan of Toyooka's Mongol Culture Center, and find myself visiting there once every couple of years, even though it has not had many major updates.
Imagine my surprise, then, to learn it has a collaboration with a new anime! Incredibly, the original work's author seems to be named "Tomato Soup". What a world we live in!
For this new collaboration, which will run from August of this year to the next, the focus will be on notable female figures in Mongol history, especially Sorkhokthani Beki and Töregene. For fans of the anime, apparently there will be anime-related goods and content as well, so it is sure to have something for fans of either history or anime. Already the museum had a very interesting section where you could not just see but even try on various Mongolian clothes, but it sounds like they may specifically be adding some based on these Mongolian princesses.
I think it is great that Toyooka maintains such an active cultural life, and I can't wait to go to my favorite museum in Hyogo again to see the new exhibit!
Toyooka is a bit out of the way, but visitors are well rewarded with the famous Kinosaki Onsen, delicious crab cuisine, and lots of beautiful wildlife, including the nearby Stork Preserve. I would definitely recommend visiting!
Tom J posted.
![[Image1]Nishiwaki in the center of Hyogo prefecture proudly proclaims itself](https://img.cooljapan-videos.com/files/member_posts/image/8c88fa256b6445cc1b4aac408915436bc658ead1.jpg)
Nishiwaki in the center of Hyogo prefecture proudly proclaims itself "The Navel of Japan." Being a bellybutton seems a little unflattering, but it is actually a hotly disputed title, since Shibukawa in Gunma prefecture contests the title with its own Navel festival, complete with painted stomachs. Weird.
Nishiwaki itself has a "navel park", complete with monument, but thankfully has a lot more to indicate than its name or its relative geographic remoteness would indicate. A nice science museum and observatory is available, and the staff are very kind with on-hand demonstrations and explanations. A multipurpose community center "Mirai-e" has a large children's play area stocked with a very unusual amount of wooden toys from Sweden.
If you are looking for something more cultural, Nishiwaki is a center of the Banshu-ori textile tradition, making it one of the best places to get cotton products that are grown in Japan.
Tom J posted.
![[Image1] I recently visited Glicopia, a factory in Kobe that makes Pocky and Pretz. I think Pocky was the f](https://img.cooljapan-videos.com/files/member_posts/image/b3b620300fb776362abc1a7d2043f3995c8a452f.jpg)
I recently visited Glicopia, a factory in Kobe that makes Pocky and Pretz. I think Pocky was the first chocolate I ever knew was specifically Japanese, and I think it is definitely an iconic snack well-recognized around the world. It was fun to get a closer look at its production! The guided tours show the history of the company, from its early 20th century origins to the postwar expansion of products, with old commercials, toys that came included with snacks through the years, and a fun "digital cooking" game where you design and decorate your own sweets.
The assembly line itself is very advanced, and you can see pocky being made in great quantities. This time they were making a flavor that has yet to hit shelves, which made it even more interesting. The air near the production area has a warm, delicious scent, which is a bonus.
If you liked pocky a lot yourself growing up, or are travelling with kids, I think it is a great place to visit! Reservations are necessary, and I believe most of it is Japanese-language only, but looking at a chocolate factory is pretty universal regardless of language.
Tom J posted.
![[Image1]Today is Tanabata, a traditional Japanese festival that has its origin both in romance and the stars](https://img.cooljapan-videos.com/files/member_posts/image/ce55292780bd1515c860715a10a81eb8e7113e4d.jpg)
