This is my third visit to Tokyo, but I had never been to the promised land of Otaku - Akihabara. This is the perfect place to find the latest edition of your favorite manga or anime. After browsing manga and anime, we continued our shopping at the souvenir shop CHABARA. The shop carries traditional foods from all across Japan, making it a great place to search for new discoveries.

This shrine can be found just slightly removed from the noisy tumult of Akihabara. I was fascinated by the illustrations from the Edo Period on its plaster walls, which allowed me to see the changes in the renowned Kanda Festival between then and now. I was also surprised by the miniature replica of a mikoshi portable shrine used in the procession. Compared to the Sensoji Temple in Asakusa, Kanda Myojin is a serene, relaxing location.

Cleaned, grilled, steamed and then grilled again - the Japanese grilled eel was a soft, savory delight, and the sauce further revealed its exquisite flavor. The traditional atmosphere of the restaurant, which offered tatami mat rooms, was also wonderful.

Takeshita-dori Street is my favorite street in Tokyo. It bustles with Japanese high-school girls visiting shops that carry inexpensive but cute accessories, and shopping for the latest apparel, fashion accessories and cosmetics. Takeshita-dori Street is also popular for its countless array of food shops - you can find many large pancake shops, confectionaries and other shops riding the latest trends. Takeshita-dori Street is not just an avenue of creativity, it's continuing to draw even greater crowds worldwide as a truly unique thoroughfare.

Stroll along Omotesando and you will find the Nezu Museum. This art museum exhibits the beautiful collection of the Japanese businessman Mr. Kaichiro Nezu. Art and architecture fans should not miss visiting this museum at least once. There is also a lovely garden adjacent to the museum. Definitely take a moment to be relaxed and healed by this oasis of green in the center of the city.

I was stunned by the quality of the food served at KIHACHI, a restaurant in Haneda Airport. Each of their authentic course meals was perfect. Furthermore, the restaurant décor was extremely chic, and featured a wonderful view.

When you're flying domestically in Japan, spending a night at the in-airport hotel is extremely convenient! You're freed from all worries about being late for your flight, and can enjoy a truly restful night of sleep. The spacious room was also just what I needed to relax after my flight. The restaurant in the hotel serves breakfast, and I was delighted by the large variety of dishes served.

Tokyo was thrashed by vicious winds and rain on the day of my flight to Takamatsu, but thanks to the rapid response of Japan Airlines, my flight was only delayed a mere 10 minutes. The informative announcements made on the plane allowed me and the other passengers to wait with peace of mind. My seat was very comfortable, and it was great that I could use the on-board Wi-Fi. I'm praying that other airlines start offering this service!

My journey in Kagawa began with a visit to the Konpira Grand Theatre, also known as the Kanamaru-za. Even today it is still the venue for several performances every year, and the beauty of the theatre is deeply impressive. I could feel the powerful aura the countless layers of history and tradition imparted to the theatre. After visiting the theatre, I continued to the Kotohira-gu shrine located on Mt. Zozu. While there are 798 steps to climb to reach the shrine, you're rewarded with a breathtaking view once you reach the top.

At the Nakano Udon school, I experienced making udon noodles with a rolling pin and kitchen knife as part of a lesson from a bright and cheerful instructor. When you taste udon noodles you made yourself served in a delicious broth with fresh, crispy tempura, you'll have made a memory of pride and culinary delight!

Zentsuji Temple is one of the temples on which the great Buddhist teacher Kukai placed great importance. A quiet, serene mountain rises from behind the temple, allowing you to feel nature close at hand. My most beautiful experience at the temple, however, was a search in the underground basement amid pitch darkness. Before I entered the dark passage I was told, "do not forget that you are not alone, remember that Kukai is with you." These words left a deep impression upon me, and my time in the darkness was very precious.

Marugame Castle is one of the twelve famous castles of Japan. After its original construction in 1597, it was destroyed and rebuilt several times, and today the castle tower and stone foundation remain. Looking upon the castle, I could feel that this was a place with deep history, and imagined what must have occurred in this location. Be sure not to miss the Marugame Castle Park, which lends its vibrant beauty to Marugame, a city surrounded by the sea and forests.

The Marugame Genichiro-Inokuma Museum of Contemporary Art was designed by Mr. Yoshio Taniguchi, who is renowned for his redesign of the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, and displays the artwork of Genichiro Inokuma. The works of Genichiro, who studied under Henri Matisse in France, traverse many diverse forms, and you can see a wide range of styles and the progression of art at the museum.

At IKKAKU, you can feel in the sincere heart of hospitality. The staff are warm and welcoming, and you can spend a joyful time here with your friends and family. This restaurant specializes in cuisine made with chicken, and we enjoyed a delightful meal of chicken with rice, soup and salad.

Relaxing at your hotel is an unbeatable joy after a long, busy day. It was perfect for enjoying a quiet evening, and we had superb views of both the city and mountains. The bed was comfortable and I got a terrific night of sleep!

It's a one hour ferry ride from Shikoku to Naoshima. Naoshima is an island with a thriving art scene, and you'll undoubtedly be enchanted by many works of art exhibited on the island. Among the various works, the "Yellow Pumpkin" and "Red Pumpkin" by Yayoi Kusama are not to be missed. The Chichu Art Museum is also worth a visit while you're on the island. While the museum has a simple geometric design from the outside, you'll find that this massive concrete structure superbly accentuates the characteristics of the works of art on display. I was deeply impressed by this unique museum, and how well it highlights the works of art it contains.

Teshima can be reached with a simple ferry ride from Naoshima. The Teshima Art Museum designed by Ryue Nishizawa and Rei Naito features a location with a breathtaking view of the ocean, and the massive openings in the roof looking out at the sky evoke the image of two large drops of water. I would love for you to personally step into this captivating concrete structure and experience its mysterious beauty. And after you've toured the museum, why not enjoy a lunch box at the restaurant while looking down upon the azure sea? Their fish dishes are delightful, and despite the stunning location, the price is still perfectly reasonable.

You can enjoy a stunning view of the ocean from the Bay Resort Hotel Shodoshima. Looking out at the bay from one of the hotel's traditionally-styled rooms with tatami mats and futons is delightful. Sunset in particular was of such exquisite beauty, I was at an absolute loss for words! It was also exhilarating to try the onsen hotspring located on the top floor of the hotel. It even has an outdoor bath so you can fully enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Be sure to try the delectable sushi, sashimi, or topping your food with olive oil made from specially grown olives. I could also enjoy a leisurely, relaxed repast at their breakfast buffet.

Cinema fans will undoubtedly love the Twenty Four Eyes Movie Studio. Twenty-Four Eyes is a story about the relationship between a teacher who is a caring young woman and her students. This movie studio is located right next to the sea and fills you with a vigorous, refreshed feeling. Riding the cable car to the topmost point of the island, Kankakei Gorge, allows you to witness an unforgettable view of the bay. The vista is truly breathtaking, and the fiery colors of the Japanese maple leaves in the Autumn is particularly exquisite. Searching for a heart-shaped olive leaf among the many olive trees of the Shodoshima Olive Park is an entertaining way to pass the time. Also be sure to buy some of Shodoshima's signature olive oil before you leave the island! At low tide the waters surrounding the island recede, creating an "Angel Road," which you should definitely see before leaving the island. If lovers hold hands while walking the Angel's Road, it's said they'll be gifted with eternal happiness!

Ritsurin Garden is one of Japan's three great gardens. The garden is divided into two areas - the western area and the north, south and eastern area. It is wonderful to walk among the chestnut groves and past the waterfall and ponds. The bridges and the multicolored carp that swim beneath them are just as enchanting as the surrounding pine trees which have stood in the garden for hundreds of years. Please take the time to walk all the wonderful, scenic paths of Ritsurin Garden, you won't regret it.

Japan's alluring tourist destinations are not just Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka! Kagawa is a perfect place for everyone who wants to step away from the paved streets of the city and take a refreshing walk in nature! Nature lovers can have their fill exploring seaside shores, gardens, and olive orchards. Fans of art and architecture can gain inspiration from the many impressive art museums and works of art waiting to be discovered in person.