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Skating in Iizuka—A Yuri on Ice Pilgrimage

Over the weekend, I took a trip to Iizuka—not just for a bit of sightseeing, but for something much more exciting. As a huge fan of Yuri on Ice, I couldn’t pass up the chance to skate at the very rink featured in the anime! It was surreal stepping onto the ice, knowing this was the real-world inspiration for one of my favourite series. Naturally, I had to do a side-by-side comparison.

I took a screenshot from the anime and matched it with a photo I took myself—and the resemblance is uncanny! Seeing the similarities between the animated version and the real thing was amazing. It’s one thing to watch a show and appreciate the settings, but actually standing in the same spot where those scenes were based? It made me feel like I was stepping into the anime itself.

Interestingly, while the rink is in Iizuka, the castle shown in Yuri on Ice is actually Karatsu Castle in Saga. I visited Karatsu previously, so it was fascinating to realise that the anime had merged these two locations into one. It’s a reminder of how creatively anime blends reality with fiction, crafting a world that feels real while still taking artistic liberties.

Overall, it was such a fun experience—skating in a place with so much meaning to me, uncovering the real-world inspirations behind the anime, and geeking out over every little detail.

—Emmy

They Say Never Meet Your Heroes

Chapter 4

Kill Your Darlings, Yuuri

They say you can’t fix what you won’t admit is broken—which is a tough pill to swallow when you’re lying in a psych ward and an unexpected, sharp-tongued stranger is dropping truth bombs at you. But Yuuri isn’t just facing reality; he’s renegotiating it. Goodbye, illusions of perfection and glittery hero worship—hello, brutal honesty and the chance to rebuild himself from the ground up. Because apparently, sometimes you have to kill your darlings, especially when they’re the things holding you back.

MIKHAIL SHAIDOROV YOU ARE THE NEW 4CC CHAMPION!!!!!!!!

Can we have a Yuri on Ice resurgence please it would be so fun you guys

They Say Never Meet Your Heroes

They say never meet your heroes—because they might ruin the carefully curated pedestal you’ve put them on. Maybe they’ll shatter your illusions with a single offhand comment. Or, maybe—just maybe—they’ll offer you something so bafflingly tone-deaf that you’ll find yourself questioning every life choice that brought you to this moment. And maybe they’ll turn out to be alarmingly human, with quirks and flaws that make them real in ways you weren’t ready for. But then again, heroes have a funny way of surprising you, even when you think you’ve got them figured out. Whether that’s a good thing… well, that’s another story entirely.

Skating at the Iizuka Ice Palace: Living My Yuri on Ice Dreams

There I was, standing at the entrance of Iizuka Ice Palace, feeling like I had just stepped into an episode of Yuri on Ice. If you’re not familiar, this rink was actually featured in the anime, which made my inner fangirl do a triple axel (in spirit, not in reality—because let’s be honest, I’d probably break something).

It’s about an hour and fifteen minutes from Hakata Station, which, in Japan-time, feels like a minor detour rather than a full-on journey. When I arrived, I was pleasantly surprised to find the rink almost empty. No dodging wobbly beginners, no speed skaters zooming past me—just wide, open ice, ready for me to (attempt to) glide gracefully across it.

I laced up my skates, took a deep breath, and channelled my inner ice dancer. Somewhere deep in my brain, buried under years of London life, were the patterns my coach had drilled into me. (MORE KNEE BEND) And let me tell you—I almost remembered them! Well… sort of. My feet knew what they were supposed to do, even if my timing was an absolute disaster. But honestly, that’s half the fun, right? The struggle, the small victories, the moments when you finally nail that step sequence—only to immediately forget everything and having to start over.

To my delight, my forward scratch spin is still there—a minor miracle! But my jumps? Oh dear. Rusty doesn’t even begin to cover it. I gave one an attempt, wobbled mid-air, and decided that maybe today wasn’t the day for heroic comebacks. Let’s just say, I don’t think Viktor Nikiforov would be particularly impressed.

But something about being in that rink, in that moment, rekindled a fire in me. I need to skate more. Not just as a fun hobby, but because nothing quite compares to the feeling of moving on ice, chasing that perfect edge, and laughing at yourself when it inevitably goes wrong.

So, to anyone considering a visit—do it. Even if you’re not a Yuri on Ice fan, even if your skating skills are questionable at best. Because there’s just something magical about having almost all the ice to yourself and remembering why you fell in love with skating in the first place.

They also had a comic area near the lockers...

Titles like One Piece, Naruto and Go Ahead.

They also had a Yuri on Ice FRAMED POSTER at the front!!!

—Emmy

Princess Kaguya's Glowing Garden in Sakuramachi Kumamoto (かぐや姫の光る庭)

After a long day of work in Kumamoto, we finished after sunset, and the city was already draped in darkness. Though I was tired, I didn’t want to spend the evening holed up in my hotel room. While searching for things to do nearby, I discovered an illumination art display called Princess Kaguya’s Glowing Garden, located atop a shopping mall in Sakuramachi. The idea of a glowing garden inspired by Japanese folklore immediately captivated me, so I decided to make the 20-minute walk from my hotel to see it for myself.

The admission fee was 2,000 yen, which I initially thought was a little pricey. But as I stood at the entrance and caught the first glimpse of the glowing lights reflecting off the bamboo, I knew it was going to be worth it. This wasn’t just an illumination display—it was an artistic masterpiece.

The bamboo poles were intricately carved with holes, each one meticulously placed to allow the soft, warm light to shine through. The effect was magical. The garden shimmered in the night, transforming the rooftop into a glowing wonderland. Patterns of light danced across the space, creating an enchanting interplay of shadows and illumination.

Walking through the display felt like stepping into a fairytale, a fitting homage to Princess Kaguya, the ethereal moon princess of Japanese folklore. The artistry behind the installation was awe-inspiring, as if the bamboo itself was telling the story of Kaguya’s celestial beauty.

I’ll admit, I have a slight phobia of tightly packed circles—a peculiar thing that usually makes me uneasy. But that night, surrounded by the glowing light and immersed in the intricate designs, I forgot all about it. The beauty of the scene had me completely mesmerised, and any sense of discomfort melted away as I wandered through the illuminated garden.

Adding to the surreal experience was the fact that this magical display was located on top of a bustling shopping mall. Beneath the serene glow of the bamboo, the hum of city life continued, but up here, it felt like an entirely different world—a tranquil escape above the everyday chaos.

Although the 2,000 yen fee initially made me hesitate, by the end of the evening, I was certain it was worth every single yen. The combination of the serene atmosphere, breathtaking artistry, and the timeless allure of Princess Kaguya’s story made it unforgettable.

Overall, it was a magical experience...

—Emmy

That still doesn't change the fact that there are 49 million kangaroos in Australia and 3.5 million people in Uruguay. That means if kangaroos attacked Uruguay, each person would have to fight 14 kangaroos.

... Did you mean to send this to me?? Or??

They Say Never Meet Your Heroes

Chapter 5

Your Self-Centered Idol Might Give You The Urge Of Meeting Your Villain Instead

They say “Never meet your heroes,” and boy, they were they right. So Yuuri decides to meet his villain—his own anxiety—hoping he’s wrong about that, too. Between Viktor’s dazzled breakdown and Yuuri’s quiet resolve to face him again, both find themselves grappling with the illusions they once held. Viktor learns that fascination can be more powerful than anger, while Yuuri discovers that even a villain can sometimes be tamed.

READ HERE IF YOU DARE