Shiho
Producer of "World's Most Spectacular Views You Must See Before You Die!". Originally from Shizuoka Prefecture. Author of the book "World's Most Spectacular Views You Must See Before You Die!", which has sold over 630,000 copies, and has over 1 million followers on social media. She has led the recent "breathtaking views" boom and was even nominated for the Buzzword of the Year Award. Currently working as a freelancer, producing travel products and advising local governments on regional development. Tourism Ambassador for Shizuoka Prefecture and Hamamatsu City.
Instagram: @shiho_zekkei
YouTube: @shiho_zekkei
Web: Shiho and...
Enjoy luxury and local flavor in Bangkok, Thailand
Asia is close to Japan and travel times are short, so it is recommended for first-time overseas travelers. Thailand in particular is a country where prices are relatively low and public safety is good, making it a fun place for students to enjoy.
The capital city Bangkok is 30 to 60 minutes away from Suvarnabhumi International Airport. It is an attractive place because it is a big city with futuristic skyscrapers, but still has chaotic and charming areas. The subway system is spread throughout the city, so it is easy to get around, and you can easily take a taxi with a smartphone app. You don't have to worry about language because it is easy to specify your destination and make a payment. You can enjoy luxury and local things depending on your budget and purpose, such as visiting historical tourist spots, shopping at markets, and delicious gourmet food.
Wat Paknam: Beautiful colorful ceiling paintings
Bangkok is home to many colorful and unique temples that are not found in Japan. Among them, Wat Paknam, a historic royal temple founded during the Ayutthaya period, is a hot topic on social media as a temple with a spectacular view. If you go up to the top floor of the quiet temple, a ceiling painting depicting the life of Buddha (Buddha Biography) will appear before your eyes. In the center of the overflowing colors stands a towering emerald green stupa. When you sit and look up, you will feel as if you are in space. Lose track of time and surrender yourself to this beautiful space.
Wat Paknam Phasicharoen
address | : | 300 Ratchamongkhon Prasat Alley, Pak Khlong Phasi Charoen, Phasi Charoen, Bangkok 10160 |
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Opening hours | : | 8:00~18:00 |
closing day | : | none |
: | Watpaknam.bkk (foreign language site) |
Big impact! Wat Saman Rattanaram "Pink Ganesha"
Bangkok offers a wide range of day tours with Japanese guides, and if you go a little further, you can easily visit various historical tourist spots. Wat Saman Rattanaram is about an hour and a half drive from Bangkok. It is famous for its giant pink Ganesha statue, and its impact has made it popular with tourists recently. Such unique temples are unique to Thailand. Although it is a temple, you can visit it with a fun feeling. The way of worship is also unique, and if you whisper your wish to the rats around Ganesha, it will be granted.
Wat Saman Rattanaram (Pink Ganesha)
address | : | Moo 2, Tambom Bang Kaeo, Amphoe Muang Chachoengsao, Chachoengsao 24000 |
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Opening hours | : | 8:00~17:00 |
closing day | : | none |
: | Wat Saman Rattanaram (Foreign language website) |
Vertigo & Moon Bar: A rooftop bar where you can enjoy the nightlife of Bangkok
As a country with few natural disasters such as typhoons, Bangkok is lined with skyscrapers that would be unimaginable in Japan. Many of them have rooftop bars, which are recommended as spots to enjoy the nightlife in Bangkok.
One of the oldest rooftop bars, Vertigo & Moon Bar, is located on the 61st floor of the luxury hotel Banyan Tree Bangkok. Both the Vertigo restaurant and the Moon Bar offer a panoramic view of Bangkok's skyline. A popular photo spot is the outdoor deck. The narrow end of the deck resembles a boat, creating a romantic scene as if you were sailing into the night sky. Why not stretch a little and experience a feeling of luxury?
Vertigo & Moon Bar
address | : | 21/100 Sathon Tai Rd Khwaeng Thung Maha Mek, Khet Sathon Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10120 |
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business hours | : | 18:00-22:30 (Vertigo) 17:00-1:00 (Moon Bar) |
Holiday | : | none |
web | : | Vertigo & Moon Bar Official Website (Foreign Language Site) |
Beautiful cityscapes and stylish cafe hopping in London, England
London, a city in the UK, is one of the most well-known tourist destinations, and in its beautiful streets you can encounter many historic museums, art galleries, and stylish cafes, as well as scenery unique to Europe. There are also direct flights from Haneda in Japan to Heathrow International Airport, making it easily accessible. Also, considering that many people in Japan learn English in their school education, being an English-speaking country is another reason why it is recommended for student trips. This is because I have bitter memories of struggling with the language when I went to Italy on my first overseas trip as a student. If you are going to go sightseeing, it would be much more enjoyable if you could communicate.
A tour of photogenic cafes that will lift your spirits
As a country with a strong tea culture, London has many cafes. Many of the cafes have interior decorations that are hard to find in Japan, so you can enjoy visiting them not only for the tea and sweets, but also for the interior design.
One of the cupcake shops that has been a hot topic on Instagram is PEGGY PORSCHEN, with its striking pink exterior that tickles the hearts of young girls. The cupcake decorations are all so cute that it's hard to choose.
PEGGY PORSCHEN
address | : | 116 Ebury Street, Belgravia London SW1W 9QQ |
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business hours | : | Monday to Sunday 10:00 to 18:00 Friday and Saturday 9:00-18:00 (L.O. 16:30) |
Closed Day | : | none |
web | : | PEGGY PORSCHEN official website (foreign language site) |
Tower Bridge: a unique view of London
Tower Bridge, spanning the River Thames, is one of the world's most famous landmarks. Although it looks like a castle, it is actually a movable bridge that has been moving for over 125 years. The glass walkway at the top of the tower and the view from there are famous, but it is also nice to see the whole bridge like this. Tourist attractions are inevitably crowded, so if you want to take photos, it is recommended to go early in the morning. You can take your time and have the view all to yourself.
The sight of the red double-decker bus passing over Tower Bridge is a sight that is only seen in London! It really lifts your spirits.
Tower Bridge
address | : | Tower Bridge Rd, London SE1 2UP |
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business hours | : | 9:30-18:00 (last entry 17:00) |
Holiday | : | December 24-26 |
web | : | Tower Bridge official website (foreign language site) |
Neal's Yard: a fun and colorful streetscape
Neal's Yard Remedies is a British organic brand that is well known in Japan. Neal's Yard, the birthplace of the brand, is an area surrounded by colorful buildings and exudes a sense of British good taste. It is a place where many tourists gather, with cafes, restaurants, bakeries, etc., but there is also a warm and relaxed atmosphere, with local elderly people chatting on benches. Please take a leisurely stroll around the area.
Neal's Yard Remedies (Covent Garden stote)
address | : | 15 Neal's Yard, London, Greater London, England |
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business hours | : | 10:00-19:00 (11:00-18:00 on Sundays) |
Holiday | : | none |
web | : | Neal's Yard Remedies official website (foreign language site) |
Stonehenge, a mysterious spot that can be visited on a day trip from London
London has a wide variety of day trips, and depending on how you spend your time, you can enjoy a variety of fun things to do. One of the things I would particularly recommend is Stonehenge, a World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The stone circle, which is said to have been created 5,000 years ago, is still a mystery as to what purpose it served and how it was created. The actual structure is larger than you can imagine, and from a distance, humans look like tiny sesame seeds. As I walked around the area, I enjoyed thinking about ancient times.
Stonehenge
address | : | Amesbury, Salisbury SP4 7DE, UK |
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Holiday | : | December 25 |
web | : | Stonehenge official website (foreign language site) |
A tour of beautiful and magnificent flower spots: Biei and Furano, Hokkaido
There are many scenic spots not only overseas but also in Japan. Hokkaido's greatest attraction is that you can enjoy the vast nature and seasonal changes. We recommend choosing a time to visit based on the scenery you want to see.
From early summer to summer, we recommend the Biei and Furano area, famous for its flowers. You can enjoy the beautiful and majestic scenery typical of Hokkaido, such as fields of lavender and hills stretching as far as the eye can see. It's easy to get around with a car, but there are many places you can get to by train or taxi, so there's no need to worry if you can't drive.
Enjoy the rainbow-colored carpet at Panoramic Flower Gardens Shikisai-no-Oka
The Panoramic Flower Gardens Shikisai-no-Oka is a vast 14-hectare site where seasonal flowers such as tulips, lavender, and sunflowers bloom in abundance, and the flower fields seen from the top of the hill look like a rainbow-colored carpet. The hilly area and Mount Daisetsu spread out beyond the colorful flower fields are beautiful, and the vast scenery typical of Hokkaido will make you want to take a deep breath. The garden is so large that we recommend getting around on a cart or tractor bus. There are also restaurants and a product corner inside the garden, so you won't get bored even if you spend the whole day there.
Panoramic Flower Gardens Shikisai-no-Oka
address | : | Hokkaido Kamikawa District Biei Town Shinsei Daisan |
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business hours | : | January 8:40-16:30 February to April 9:10 to 17:00 May and October 8:40-17:00 June to September 8:40 to 17:30 November to December 9:10 to 16:30 |
Holiday | : | none |
web | : | Panoramic Flower Gardens Shikisai-no-Oka Official Website |
Be enchanted by the enchanting scenery at Hinode Park Lavender Garden
July and August are lavender season. If you want to see the dreamy scenery of a purple flower field and a blue sky, we recommend Hinode Park Lavender Garden. This flower field in Kamifurano Town is covered with lavender blooming over an area of about 4.2 hectares. You will be enchanted by the sweet scent of lavender drifting in the refreshing breeze. In July, the light-up event "Lavender Festa Kamifurano" is also held. Another great thing about it is that there is no admission fee and you can enter and exit freely.
Hinode Park Lavender Garden
address | : | Hokkaido, Sorachi District, Kamifurano Town, East 1 Line, North 27 |
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Opening period | : | Mid-May to mid-October |
Closed Days | : | Open every day during the period |
web | : | Official website of Kamifurano Town, Hokkaido Lavender Festa Kamifurano Official Website |
The mystical "Blue Pond" - hard to believe it's a natural color?
The popular tourist spot "Blue Pond" in Shirogane, Biei is an artificial pond that was created when river water accidentally accumulated during disaster prevention work on Mt. Tokachi. The blue water, which looks like dissolved paint, and the withered larch trees create a fantastic atmosphere. Another attraction is that the pond changes its appearance depending on the season, and in winter, the snow and frozen pond are lit up, creating an even more mystical atmosphere.
If you've been thinking "I want to see the Blue Pond someday," it might be best to go sooner rather than later. Recent typhoons have caused damage, including fallen dead trees and brown, murky water. There's a chance that one day we won't be able to see the scenery as it is today. Natural scenery is subject to change, so please make sure you don't regret it later.
blue pond
address | : | Shirogane, Biei, Hokkaido |
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business hours | : | Viewing available from sunrise to sunset |
Parking lot hours | : | May to October 7:00 to 19:00 November to April: 8:00 to 21:30 |
web | : | Biei Town Tourism Association Official Website |
Discover a scenic spot only known to those in the know: Dogo Onsen and JR Shimonada Station in Ehime
Ehime Prefecture, where I have been serving as a tourism ambassador since 2023, is one of my favorite places in Japan. With its islands floating in the calm Seto Inland Sea, Matsuyama with its castle town atmosphere, Dogo Onsen, one of Japan's three oldest hot springs, and delicious local products such as tai-meshi and mandarin oranges... Ehime's charm is that you can enjoy nature, history, and food in perfect balance. In fact, there are many scenic spots that only a few people know about, so it's a place you should definitely visit in different seasons.
A photogenic spot for viewing autumn leaves: Okudogo Ichiyu no Mori
Okudogo Onsen is about a 10-minute drive from Dogo Onsen. Hotel Okudogo Ichiyu no Mori is located on a vast site surrounded by a valley and is known for its 1,508 square meter open-air bath, one of the largest in western Japan. We especially recommend visiting during the autumn foliage season from late November to early December. From the floor-to-ceiling windows in the lobby, you can enjoy the spectacular view of thousands of autumn leaves along the Ishite River. In addition to staying overnight, day trips are also available. Why not stop by with your camera in hand?
Ichiyu No Mori
address | : | 267-1 Suemachi Otsu, Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture |
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phone | : | 089-977-1111 |
web | : | Ichiyu No Mori Official Website |
Even if you're not a train enthusiast, you'll want to visit JR Shimonada Station, where the sea stretches out before your eyes!
JR Shimonada Station was once known among railway and photography enthusiasts as "the station closest to the sea in Japan." It has also been featured in a movie, and has quickly become a famous tourist spot. It is about an hour's ride on the JR Yosan Line (Sea Route) from Matsuyama Station. All you can see in front of this unmanned station is the Seto Inland Sea and the sky. I would love to sit on a bench and spend the whole day staring at this view. It is especially beautiful at sunset. It gets crowded with tourists on weekends and holidays, so it is recommended to go on a weekday.
JR Shimonada Station
address | : | Okubo, Futami-cho, Iyo City, Ehime Prefecture |
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web | : | Iyo City Hall Official Website |
Ehime's Uyuni Salt Flats? Beautiful reflective water at Monchhichi Beach
At the Monchhichi Beach (Tateiwa Beach) in Matsuyama City, you can see the water reflecting the sky. The Uyuni Salt Flats are famous around the world, and the Japanese version of it is Chichibugahama Beach in Kagawa Prefecture, but in fact, there is a similar place in Ehime.
Monchhichi Beach is very shallow, and when the tide goes out, a large pool of water appears. If it's sunny and there's no wind, you should be able to see this beautiful water reflection. If dusk and low tide coincide, you can see a golden water reflection.
In our everyday lives, we rarely pay much attention to the tides, but as I waited for low tide to see this spectacular view, I really did realize that the moon really does have a gravitational pull. I had a strange feeling, like I was part of the universe.
Monchhichi Beach (Tateiwa Beach)
address | : | Shimonamba, Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture |
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business hours | : | The beach is open from July until mid-September. |
Of course, it's fun to see pictures of spectacular scenery, but I think you'll gain a lot of new realizations if you actually go there. Even if you think you're not good at history, if you actually go to the place, you will often find yourself wondering, "Why is it like this?" You will be able to have many experiences that will stimulate your curiosity, such as culture, customs, and even space! You may even be able to rediscover your interests and favorite things. The time, weather, and conditions are important when traveling to spectacular places, so it's best to go while you're a student when you have more flexibility in your schedule. Use the spectacular scenery as a gateway to many experiences that you can only have now.
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The contents published are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change.