Blogs from Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan, Asia
May 21st 2012
Taytyy sanoa, etta Kinosaki oli ihanan rentouttava paikka. Vai milta kuulostaa pieni japanilainen kaupunki, jossa taysihoidossa majoittuvat turistit lapyttelevat kaupungin halki yukatoissa (kevyt kimono) ja getoissa (puusandaalit) onsenista toiseen? Majoituimme siis perinteissessa japanilaisessa majoituksessa ryokanissa. Aamupala ja illallinen tuotiin suoraan huoneeseen ja majoitukseen hintaan kuului rajoittamaton paasy Kinosakin seitsemaan kylpylaan. Aluksi tuntui oudolta vaeltaa ympariinsa kylpytakissa ja puusandaaleissa, mutta pian siihenkin tottui. Ihan joka paikassa ei ole arkipaivaista, etta kaupassa voi kayda kylpytakki paalla :) Kaikissa kylpyloissa oli erikseen miesten ja naisten puolet, kylpyloissa ei kaytetty uimapukuja, vaan kaikki kylpevat alasti. Huomaa kylla, etta monet oppaat on tehty anglo-amerikkalaisesta nakokulmasta, koska niissa jaksetaan ihmetella sita, mite... read more
September 20th 2010
The train journey was relatively short in comparison to our previous ones which was a pleasant change …but in true travelling style, well, I should say mine and James travelling style, we still did not get to the Kanazawa till late afternoon. We had heard of a good hotel that was recommended on the typical backpackers grape vine called Pongi’s. We turned up during Pongi’s siesta time (but we did however persuade another backpacker to let us in to drop our stuff off so that we could explore and check in later on. So off to explore, the best thing about travelling is the exploring, being put in a new town walking down a new street, with wide eyes and taking it all in with the desire not to take out the lonely planet book to ... read more
August 28th 2010
28.08.10 Kanazawa The hotel was a short walk from the station. Outside the station, the water fountain was like a billboard switching from the "time" to "Welcome to Kanazawa" in both English and Japanese. After we checked in, we all visit the Myoryuji (Ninja Temple). The guide explained the history and showed us some of the rooms and secret exits from them. Outside as we waited for the rest of the gang, Kay and I decided to have a green tea ice cream; again an acquired taste. From here we walked to the Normura Samurai house. From here some of us walked to the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art. The main attraction (expalined by Ian) was to see the swimming pool which from above you could observe the people looking up from below. We ... read more
March 30th 2010
Nagamachi District We walked to the Nagamachi District via Hyakumangoku dori (a million stone road). As we set foot on the Nagamachi District, we could see the flavour of the former castle town, with beige coloured walls and pine trees. We looked round the little garden consisting of stepping stones, lanterns, hedges with autumn coloured foliage, gravel surface, and teahouse, which was designed by the trainee. We popped in the art gallery displaying and selling numerous pieces of Kutani pottery (2nd well-known pottery after the Arita pottery in Japan). We admired beautiful plates, bowls, dinner sets, teapots, and vases. Nomura House (Samurai House) We continued strolling around the Nagamachi District, and then reached the heritage building i.e. Nomura House, known as the former Samurai House. We looked round the authentic Japanese rooms with the family's treasure ... read more
May 6th 2009
I love being surprised by a city. Usually I have a strong mental picture about what a place is going to look like. Over active imagination is a must in being a teacher and it has spilled into other areas of my life. Kanazawa was a city where I really didn't have any real expectations and I ended up having the best time there! Wednesday morning I set out for the long 5 hour train ride to Kanazawa. I passed through wide farms, beautiful mountains, and little cities that dotted the train tracks. Mostly, I tried to keep to myself, watch some Anothony Bourdain that I had downloaded on my iPod, and relax on my first day of vacation. I got into Kanazawa station around 3pm and I had to find my way to my hotel. ... read more
January 24th 2009
I've been thinking of doing a round-the-world trip for 5 years. Now I'm finally at a point where I have both the money and the time to do it! I plan to leave in November this year, spend 1 year away, and then return to the UK and find a new job (and a new life). I got my first quote for the flights this week, and suddenly I've realised that this is really happening! All my planning and wishing is finally becoming reality! I'm excited and nervous just thinking about it. This is the year I start my trip. At long last I can start ticking things off checklists and packing lists. I'll keep you posted about how it's all coming along. ... read more
October 21st 2008
dienstag, 21.10.08 inzwischen bin ich schon wieder einige tage alleine unterwegs - und das hat auch vorteile. denn es ist halt schon auch schön, auf niemanden rücksicht nehmen zu müssen und einfach vorweg zu tun und zu lassen, wozu man gerade lust hat oder eben nicht... am letzten montag fahren adam und ich die letzte gemeinsame etappe von kushiro bis nach hakodate - immer noch in hokkaido. adam fährt am gleichen tag noch einiges weiter bis nach sendai, aber ich bleibe für zwei nächte dort, eben in hakodate. die fahrt ist angenehm, allerdings ist der 'super ozora limited express' eine recht wackelige angelegenheit und da eben an diesem montag noch ein feiertag ist, sind die züge pumpenvoll. nicht einmal mehr einen platz reservieren konnten wir... aber auf unseren rücksäcken sitzt es sich auch ganz bequem... ;-) ... read more
June 7th 2008
Not only is there piped music in the lobby of my smokey business hotel for the night, but to be heard at Kenrokuen park was the most serene and beautiful music befitting of the location.....a japanese harp player. My arrival in Kanazawa by train, 2 changes via naoetsu and nagano, was earlier than usual, and a great chance to see the city before bedding down in a smokey business hotel..........my reservation at the Garden hotel opposite the station was not on file, despite an internet reservation done 2 months earlier (I will be watching my credit card account closely as they have my details!) So a blessing it turned out to be as the extremely helpful tourist info people in the station, open until 7pm, found me a close hotel called the 'Econo' hotel, for only ... read more
May 28th 2008
Today Darren enjoyed a town of 500,000 that was less affected by ww2 bombings than others. Kanasawa is very tourist friendly, with really good bus routes and English literature but not many tourists other than Japanese! One local asked me if Kanasawa is famous in Australia - er, no. The Kenrouken Gardens are one of the top three in Japan and really enjoyable though they all have a certain flavour after a while. It strikes me that there are few flowers evident in spring other than pink camelias. The Kanazawa Castle, reconstructed over the last century, was interesting too. Then I enjoyed a very well presented museum on the arts and crafts of the region as Ishikawa prefecture is the traditional home of the arts in Japan. Finally I visited a former geisha teahouse dating back ... read more
September 1st 2007
Nous avons debute la journee par une visite du quartier des geishas. C'est vraiment un quartier special, avec les vieilles maisons de bois. C'est tres beau! C'est aussi tres different des autres places qu'on a vues jusqu'a maintenant, c'etait tres agreable a visiter! Il reste des maisons de geisha qu'on peut visiter, mais la plupart des batiments contiennent des boutiques de souvenirs. Partout ou il y a des touristes, il y a une tonne de ces boutiques, et partout ou il y a ces boutiques, il y a des tonnes de touristes (surtout japonais) dans les rues! Dans ce quartier, nous avons visite la boutique et ｌ'atelier d'une compagnie fabriquant des feuilles d'or. Il s'agit ici de feuilles vraiment tres minces, utilisees pour plaquer differents objets. Nous avons vu une femme a l'oeuvre lorsqu'elle manipule les feuilles, ... read more
