A Japanese Christmas and a Thai New year.

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We left 2 days before. The Shinkansen service was suspended so we would have been stuck in Kanazawa.

Glad to hear you’re OK.

 

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The ways that the Japanese look after their trees. Support for the branches is very common.








And the Meiji monument. Built to commemorate local men who died during the Satsuma revolt in 1877. That was the end of the shoguns.

 

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There are some magnificent old pine trees here.








But it is not only large trees that feel the love.

 

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I climbed the hill at the far side of the garden.

 

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Look at the lengths that they have gone to to save this tree.












It looks like someone has been naughty here walking over the garden,

 

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And more evidence. These people have been very naughty as these probable footsteps lead to the Flying Geese bridge which you have not been able to walk on for many years.

















And a famous pine tree grown here in the 1800s from seed from a famous pine tree at Karasaki near Lake Biwa which was said to be over 1000 years old.

 

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I really like this tree. Majestic. A perfect setting on the lake.


And another famous Kenrokuen feature Kotoji-toro a stone lantern with 2 legs. Very popular with photographers so they have changed the surroundings funelling people past it and onto a bridge. Unfortunately he influencers have caused a real bottleneck as they must take their 100 poses in front of the lantern and then on the bridge.








Then came a moment that I will remember for some time and it involves the fellow you can see in the orange jacket in this next picture.


He, as you can see, is quite bent over and walks with 2 walking sticks. He was trying to photograph the Karosakinomatsu pine. He could hardly hold his camera he was shaking so much. I fortunately remembered the line I would use on Japanese tourists on the gold Coast in the 80s and 90s. Tamashi, anata wa watashi ni shashin o totte moritai nodesu Would you like me to take your picture. The response was amazing. He burst out into a huge smile. Pulled himself up as straight as he could and gave the V for victory signal. I took a few shots for him. When he looked at them he nearly cried. We had a little chat via google translator. He was 96 and this was where he met his wife 75 years ago.
I was a little bemused as there were lots of people around and no one else had offered. However then a young Japanese woman approached me and asked if I could take her picture which I did.

 

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And a picture of how they deploy the ropes to prevent damage from snow accumulating on branches.

 

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There is a second little hill you can climb up. but it is not natural
. It was created from the earth dredged to enlarge the Pool.

 

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A tea house is at the base.






I decided to see if eating at the garden was a possibility. it seemed not.




So I left the gardens and walked back to the hotel.




On the way some plants were struggling.

 

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A brief interlude to show you what the gardens were like in April 2016.
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And that time these 2 ladies wanted me to take their photo.


Don't worry we will be back at Kenrokuen again this April so be prepared for a lot more cherry blossom.

 

[Seat0B]

I love the Kenrokuen. Have only been in late winter, but it was spectacularly beautiful.

 

[drron]

Continuing my stroll back to the CP.
Even on roundabouts plants are treated with love.


Past the back of the Castle.




And across the road from that I saw this.


Another shrine. In fact the Oyama Shinto shrine.

 

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They are setting up for a fair which is probably going to be on New Years Day which is an important day for Japanese families and a time to visit the shrine.

New Year

Basic introduction to the Japanese New Year (shogatsu).

www.japan-guide.com

Though the 2024 celebrations would have been disrupted by the Noto Earthquake.

 

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Just outside the shrine entrance was this restaurant.

With a funny English menu in the window. Read the little note under the drinks menu. It was closed now.


A hotel I passed. I wonder if they have a loyalty program so you could book a pod and be upgraded to a hotel room.


Not far and you come across the Omicho market.The prices there have gone up considerably from 2016.

 

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Market continued.




Flowers as well.











Now over the road to the department store basement.

 

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When we flew from BNE - SYD at the beginning of this trip the QF magazine had an article on Japanese food. One of the foods not to miss was the Oden of Kanazawa. Now here in the basement was a restaurant with this out in front.



Well why not so in I went. I went for the 8 Oden plus a beer.




There were all quite bland. Presumably that is why it was served with a dollop of hot English mustard. No need to have this again.
Then the had various "spring" cakes. Assured it wasn't red bean paste I bought a packet.




Back at the hotel it turned out to be blocks of sugar. Ended up having some sweet cups of coffee.




An interesting building not far from the station.