Jun 23, 2011 - Kanazawa

ANA Crown Plaza Hotel June 23 – Fukui to Kanazawa Our hosts send us off with flourish and staff in kimonos line the exit in order to wave at the bus. Today we drive to Kanazawa to stay at the ANA Crowne Plaza ... it will be quite a change from the last hotel. According to Miko-san, it will be a more relaxed day which is lovely since it’s 35C with 98% humidity (which makes it feel like 42C). Along the drive, Miko-san gives us details of every-day life and the struggles people are facing since the earthquake. Self employed people in the...

Oct 28, 2010 - Castles and gardens

Kanazawa or bust! Today is a non-cycling rest day and we had a slightly later start. We had our customary morning onsen soak and downed a buffet breakfast that was fairly typical of buffets (read "ordinary"). Our big ride yesterday left us all a bit tired and hungry, so it was great to know that we would have a break today. It was also raining quite steadily and it was very cold (around 8 degrees), so it was also lucky that we weren't scheduled to cycle. We took the hotel bus to the railway station, which was quite a distance away, and...

Oct 10, 2009 - Gardening again

We had a bit of time before our trains to Kanazawa, so we wandered around town a bit more and did some shopping. There was some fantastic stuff - especially carved wood - but as usual all the best stuff was either too heavy, expensive, big, delicate, or all four. We have come to Kanazawa primarily to see the famous Kenroku-en Garden, one of Japan`s top three. I have to be honest, I was mildly disappointed, although it was at least another day without rain! Despite the crowds Kenroku-en was nice, even lovely in places, but not as nice as...

Apr 11, 2008 - Just the facts

Here it is, we are now past the half way point to our destination! Miles pedaled 1051 Yuki's pedal stroke count 351,4812 Flat tires 6 (all Rocky's!) Chopsticks used 324 Time is running out folks, this is your chance to have your virtual Japan dreams comes true! Let us know your thoughts, comments and even your secrets by clicking on "Leave a message" on the home page. We promise to read all your comments and keep your secrets secret. I promise to publish pictures in the next few days. So stay tuned, I've got some great ones coming.

Jul 11, 2007 - July 11-12, Kanazawa

Satoru and I arrived in Kanazawa after a 6 hour train ride from Tokyo and checked into our ryokan (Japanese style in). We spent our first day at Kenrokuen, one of Japan's finest gardens, before heading to Kanazawa Castle where we witnessed on ongoing archaeological dig. We then went to the Sakuda Gold Leaf Company to see a demonstration of the kinpaku (gold leaf) process. We drank tea with gold flakes! Later we met Satoru's friend Hiro, who studies in Kanazawa. We went out that night for sushi - from a conveyor belt. The sushi spins along...