Kanazawa Trip, Episode 4: Phonographs, Literature and Art
The Kanazawa Phonograph Museum consists of three floors showcasing historically significant phonographic items, such as the first phonograph ever made, the first one made in Japan, in addition to old record that could be listened on a table located on the third floor. I have to say that the gentleman working on the third floor was the most active guider in the museums we visited. He was very eager to show us around and explain what we were seeing. Most of the items were accompanied by a QR code that would lead to an English explanation of the item showed. Here we had the chance to listened to the first ever recorded audio message. Knowing my love for literature, I was probably the most excited visitor of the Kanazawa Literary Hall. It also consisted of three...
Read MoreKanazawa trip, Episode 3: Secret Temples and Tea Houses
We arrived at the entrance of the famous secret temple during the early afternoon hours. Our tour was booked (as required) for 13:30. Kanazawa, laying in between the surrounding mountains and the central sea, lived up to its reputation: tons of rain and coldness. My sneakers were already soaking wet. While Y. had been weighting between her options between wearing shoes and boots for our trip, I made the amateurish mistake of choosing a pair of old sports shoes. I had taken them for a walk in Tokyo and they seemed comfortable enough. But what worked out well for a Tokyo breeze, was not up for the challenge in Kanazawa’s weather. As we were entering the temple, I realized that my feet were very wet. Seeing the person walking in front of me, leaving a water...
Read MoreKanazawa Trip, Episode 2: DT Suzuki Museum
We arrive at the Kanazawa station just before 11:00 am. The station is huge and crowded. Y. guides me towards the tourists’ corner, where they have the cultural passport that allows entrance to 17 cultural attractions, mostly museums and the one-day bus pass. We get the three-day option for the cultural passport and one day bus pass (since our hotel is nearby, we plan to come back to get a bus for the other day). The station catches my eye immediately. It is so architecturally aesthetic and well organized that it makes Tokyo station look like a total mess. Located between the sea and mountains, Kanazawa already makes it presence known by the lower temperature. It is raining. A huge glass dome, supported by wooden beams, covers the roof, protecting from the rain....
Read MoreKanazawa Trip, Episode 1: The beginning…
December 16th, 2022 08:26 We have now embarked on our journey to Kanazawa, the north-western Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. Riding on the Kagayaki Shinkansen, the fastest to cover the Tokyo-Kanazawa distance for 2h30, we left Tokyo Station around 20 minutes ago. I am told that Kagayaki translates to brilliance or radiance in English and comes from the Japanese verb Kagayaku (かがやく), meaning to shine, glitter, or sparkle. Riding on a glittering bullet train, to the city of gold. It is as good as it sounds. Me and Ms. Sugar are sitting on the 6 E and D seats. I had spent last evening reading up on the history of Kanazawa and was pleasantly surprised at the huge network of tourist attractions, including nature and museums, and how inviting the city was for the visitors....
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