I arrived in Kanazawa in the late afternoon, and checked into a hotel next to the station. I spent the rest of the day walking around a bit. Had sushi at a sushi bar in the Omi-cho market. This is first real sushi bar Ive come across - didnt see any in Kyoto. But apparently Kanazawa is one of the places in Japan known for seafood.
The next day I caught main sites of Kanazawa. The cherry blossoms are still out here, and make for a great view of the castle.
Next to the castle is the extensive Kenrokuen garden. On one side it is on top of a hill and there is a great view over town and to the hillside with the mix of trees and blossoms. In the park itself there are interesting old pine trees that have gotten so large the branches need to be supported.
Here is a classic shot of the stone lantern by the pond.
It was still early, and workers were out maintaining the park. They were even sweeping the rocks in the stream.
There is a nice tea house where I stopped for a matcha, and it gave me the chance to relax and enjoy a view of a garden only really visible from the teahouse.
After the garden I went to the 21st Century Museum of Contempary Art, which had fantastic paintings and sculptures.
Finally I went to the Higashiyama Chaya district. This used to be an area of houses where geisha would perform for wealthy patrons. There is one house, called Shima, that is kind of a museum of the arts that were practiced - it has the rooms in the traditional style with paintings and musical instruments.
The rest of the is now shops. Kanazawa is known for gold leaf production, and there is a shop with things from fine dishes and vases to handbags that have gold leaf on them. There is even gold leaf in the drinks!
From there I went back to the Omi-cho market where I got a large bowl of udon for dinner.
Back at the hotel I did some internet searching and found a bar with really good reviews by tourists. It is a Scottish pub style with a Guinness and a great selection of whiskeys. I get there but it is early and for a while Im the only person. The owner is Japanese but lived in Scotland for a while. He is very helpful for information on things to see and do around Kanazawa. After a while three Japanese guys come in and sit at the bar with me. They are very friendly and talkative. The owner explains to them that if they speak slowly I could speak with them in Japanese, it works out well. They are visiting from a nearby town, and talk about places in the area worth visiting.
By now it is getting late and I go back to the hotel, and get to bed later than I have in a while.
The next day I caught main sites of Kanazawa. The cherry blossoms are still out here, and make for a great view of the castle.
Next to the castle is the extensive Kenrokuen garden. On one side it is on top of a hill and there is a great view over town and to the hillside with the mix of trees and blossoms. In the park itself there are interesting old pine trees that have gotten so large the branches need to be supported.
Here is a classic shot of the stone lantern by the pond.
It was still early, and workers were out maintaining the park. They were even sweeping the rocks in the stream.
There is a nice tea house where I stopped for a matcha, and it gave me the chance to relax and enjoy a view of a garden only really visible from the teahouse.
After the garden I went to the 21st Century Museum of Contempary Art, which had fantastic paintings and sculptures.
Finally I went to the Higashiyama Chaya district. This used to be an area of houses where geisha would perform for wealthy patrons. There is one house, called Shima, that is kind of a museum of the arts that were practiced - it has the rooms in the traditional style with paintings and musical instruments.
The rest of the is now shops. Kanazawa is known for gold leaf production, and there is a shop with things from fine dishes and vases to handbags that have gold leaf on them. There is even gold leaf in the drinks!
From there I went back to the Omi-cho market where I got a large bowl of udon for dinner.
Back at the hotel I did some internet searching and found a bar with really good reviews by tourists. It is a Scottish pub style with a Guinness and a great selection of whiskeys. I get there but it is early and for a while Im the only person. The owner is Japanese but lived in Scotland for a while. He is very helpful for information on things to see and do around Kanazawa. After a while three Japanese guys come in and sit at the bar with me. They are very friendly and talkative. The owner explains to them that if they speak slowly I could speak with them in Japanese, it works out well. They are visiting from a nearby town, and talk about places in the area worth visiting.
By now it is getting late and I go back to the hotel, and get to bed later than I have in a while.
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