World Report: Edinburgh

Hello friends!

Today I want to introduce my favorite city in the UK: Edinburgh! (エジンバラ)

When I was living in England, I enjoyed traveling to different cities on the weekends and school vacations. I wanted to see Scotland, so I reserved a train ticket and a hotel room for Edinburgh.

I was impressed by the beautiful stone buildings, the nearby ocean views, and the friendliness of the people there.

Scotland has its own history and culture. To tourists, it is well known for bagpipe music, tartan patterns, whiskey, and shortbread cookies.

There are many places to explore in Edinburgh, and many of them are free! For example, the Scottish National Museum (above photo) is free to all guests. It also has a roof terrace with views of the city. You can also visit Grassmarket, pick up souvenirs on the Royal Mile, or do some hiking in Holyrood Park to find Arthur’s Seat (top photo).

I visited Edinburgh in winter, and enjoyed exploring the Christmas Market. It’s very cold, of course, but I enjoyed some delicious stew and hot chocolate there!

Visitors can enter Edinburgh Castle for about 2500 JPY. The castle is a complex with several smaller buildings inside, so you can imagine the lifestyle of people from long ago.

And finally, if you are a fan of Harry Potter, you can visit the Elephant Cafe. The Elephant Cafe is a cafe where J.K. Rowling was writing the 1st and 2nd Harry Potter books, before she became very famous. I recommend their hot chocolate! And be sure to visit the toilets while you’re there– the walls are covered in messages from fans!