Just saw your email Lil. Thanks so much
for looking after Mum. It is, as always, very much appreciated. You're
in good hands Ma.
Back to the business of pleasure.
Last day in Kanazawa.
Another spectacular breakfast which I'm sure you saw on Instagram or Facebook. Posts to both.
I
forgot to mention in yesterday's scribblings that after I left Kanazawa
Castle Park and had stopped to check the way to the Nagamachi Samurai
district, I obviously appeared possibly lost and was approached by a
very lovely lady who offered to help with directions. Turned out she and
her husband were from Hokkaido and had just moved to Kanazawa for his
work. She had been a teacher but didn't have a job yet here. She
literally pointed me in the right direction but I also had the benefit
of Google Maps which I have to say is an absolute boon and coupled with
my portable wifi is a travel aid par excellence.
Walked to
Myoryuji Temple, which is commonly called Ninjadera, not because of any
association with ninja but because it contains numerous secrets to trick
attackers and fool would be opponents. On the way I met a really nice
man walking his dog (a Shiba inu- beautiful dog-a small version of the
Akita). He asked where I was headed and offered to walk me there even
though I pretty much knew the way. I have had more people talk to me
this trip, invariably asking where am I from, am I sightseeing, etc. it
is really nice.
When I got there place was jumping and a
guide asked me if I wanted to do the tour and did I have a reservation?
She explained that the tour took approx 40 mins in Japanese only,,,was
that OK?i agreed and she took my name and country then motioned me to
sit looking at the main sanctuary of the temple. People were whizzing
about and it became obvious that it was almost like a conveyor belt of
tour groups. As yet another party was called I heard "Orostraria-
Tim-san" called out and that was my group. The guide handed me a folder
with numbered tabs and an English explanation of the various rooms and
features therein.
Absolutely the best tour.
When I
walked outside a man asked if I spoke English and when I concurred he
asked was the tour worth it as his concern was the fact it was only in
Japanese. I said I felt it was well worth it. Hope he agreed if he
decided to do the tour on my recommendation.
From there I walked along a main road that is pretty much wall to wall temples but a bit of a disappointment all the same.
Then
walked to the Nishi Chaya District which was a step back in time even
allowing for power poles and the like. Back in the day the government
allowed "pleasure quarters" where you could drink tea, watch shows, be
entertained by geisha and the like in two distinct areas, which back
then were outside the city limits. One- Nishi- which means West and
Higashi- which means East, were located East and West of the city. After
a bit of a wander I decided to head for Higashi Chaya.
Kanazawa
has a loop bus service a bit like the City Circle Tram in that one goes
clockwise and the other counter, which they label Left Loop and Right
Loop and it costs ¥200 however far you travel on the loop. You can
actually do a round trip for ¥200. I needed to get from LL8 to LL11 and
then had a wander around an also interesting glimpse back in time.
Took
a tour of Kaikaro which is the biggest teahouse in Kanazawa built over
180 years ago and still operates as a venue for geisha performances.
Then back on the Left Loop from LL11 all the way back to LL8- round trip almost.
Visited
the Honda Samurai Museum- bit disappointing but a great sequence of
woodblock prints- "The 53 Stations of the Tokkaido" by Hiroshige. Made
it worthwhile actually.
Headed back to Kikunoya Ryokan by way
of the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art and the Kanazawa Noh
Museum. Also stopped off at Lawsons for dinner provisions including a
dessert cuppy thing that I just ate and posted pics of to Instagram.
Best $3.50 sweets EVER. Sort of sponge, cream, creme brûlée and coffee
jelly layers. Yummo dare I say oisshi.
Well I'm off for a bath and an early night.
Back to Hotel Taiyo tomorrow.
Update same Bat time same Bat channel.
Lotsalove,
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