2geonomads

Day 8 – 3rd April 2017
Okayama to Kanazawa.
Time to check out of the excellent Hotel Granvia which has been our base in Okayama for the last 3 nights. We could not have asked for better accommodation.
A 45 minute train journey brings us to Shin- Osaka and then it’s on to the Limited Express Thunderbird for the 2 hours and 40 minutes it will take to arrive at our destination for the day, Kanazawa.
Kanazawa is a city of 450,000 and having not suffered any devastation during the Second World War it has been able to preserve its myriad historic and cultural sites. When you also add the beautiful samurai and geisha districts, impressive museums and temples it is little wonder that the city has become the main draw card of the Hokuriku region.
We’re first taken to the Kutani Kosen Ceramic Kiln which was opened in 1870 and a young member of the family takes us on a very informative tour of the business. He also provides us with a demonstration which perfectly showcases his expertise and artistry.

We all spend some time in the adjoining shop after the tour and the young man is rewarded for his efforts as a number of our group purchase items from the quality range of ceramics. We are also happy to linger here a while as during this visit the area is hit with a heavy thunderstorm with a dramatic drop in temperature and hail.
I think the cherry blossom buds have taken fright again!
We next visit the Sakuda Gold and Silver Leaf shop and Kanazawa’s old Geisha district Higashichaya.

(Even the ‘Ladies’ above has a touch of gold leaf)

Last but certainly not least we are able take our time strolling through the Kenrokuen Gardens, ranked as one of the top three gardens in Japan. Along with so many other visitors we are disappointed by the lack of spring blossom
but nothing can detract from these truly magnificent grounds. We are at last seeing a few trees in bloom and a number of our group have commented that this very late spring may be something of a blessing as we are able to take our stroll without the usual hordes to spoil the peace and tranquility.

By the time we get back to the bus everyone else is already seated in the warmth and getting some respite from what is now a seriously cold afternoon.
Dinner, at least for 5 of our group, is at a local sushi bar. Now I have never been a great fan of sushi but I have to say that the quality of the food is superb although the old chef is a real curmudgeon who only cracks a smile as we leave and I try to thank him in my very rudimentary Japanese.

 We are now staying for two nights at the Holiday Inn Kanazawa Sky with its novel reception on the 16th floor!

Cheers
The Obese Ferret