A not so cold Japanese winter.

[rbjhan]

Sadly only spent one night....can't wait to go back!
Another local train to Joetsu Myoko,


very scenic ride...


Joetsu Myoko station

 

[rbjhan]

Kanazawa is one of my favourite cities in Japan. Amazingly the Aussies I talked to in Myoko didn't even know where it was...

Booked Mitsui Garden Hotel via IKYU, 6500 Yen (about A$80)! Unbeatable value for money.
By the way Mitsui Garden hotels and Dormy Inns are my top two favourite business hotel chains in Japan. Dormy Inns tend to have better public baths, Mitsui Garden better rooms. I prefer the Japanese chains over the western ones normally, Hilton/Marriott...generally are not good value in Japan I find.

Mitsui Garden Hotel Kanazawa opened in Jan 2019, brand spanking new! Located close to Omicho Market, only a short walk from Korinbo.
Double Room


Bathroom, nothing much to report, again I just used the public bath....


Public bath (not sure if it's natrual onsen) on top floor with lovely views. Picture from official website.

 

[rbjhan]

This was my 2nd visit to Kanazawa, so skipped a few places of interest, just FYI...

Statue of Maeda Toshiie, one of the leading men of the Sengokujidai.
Served under Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
Top tip: If you like history, the Sengokujidai was fascinating!

 

[rbjhan]

Kanazawa castle was the headquarters of the Maeda clan until Meiji restoration.
They were the 2nd most powerful clan (after Tokugawa of course).

Back in the day it must be really impressive.


Unfortunately not much survived...
The long store house was a restoration of 2001, using traditional techniques.


Steep!


View from up there.


This is the long storehouse.


I must say without the main keep the castle simply didn't look as impressive
Himeji and Matsumoto castles both are so much more imposing...the latter is my personal favourite.

 

[rbjhan]

Gyokuseninmaru Garden


Info centre with great views


Hmm, just realised I didn't take a picture of the main gate.....

 

[rbjhan]

Lunch was at a super popular restaurant specialised in Nodo Kuro (black throat) fish.
Queued for 50 mins
It was probably the single best thing I ate this whole trip. Next time I'll try to arrive early! Yes I think I'll go back to Kanazawa just for this

 

[rbjhan]

Kenrokuen
One of Japan's "Three Most Beautiful Gardens" (no idea why the Japanese like this top 3 thingy so much!), Kenrokuen used to be the outer garden of Kanazawa castle, sure did have a nice lifestyle those Daimyos...

Kenrokuen literally means "Garden of the Six Sublimities", referring to spaciousness, seclusion, artificiality, antiquity, abundant water and broad views, which according to Chinese landscape theory are the six essential attributes that make up a perfect garden.

Pine trees with winter protections. Not that they needed any during my time of visit!


Plum blossoms


The famous Kotojitoro stone lantern - picture below was from previous trip by the way...Sadly I found the gardens quite meh in winter (when there's no snow), didn't take many pictures.

 

[rbjhan]

21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art

The swimming pool, only a layer of water suspended over glass, hence all the people down below, ha.


This one is called The Wrapping


Colour Activity House

 

[rbjhan]

Afternoon tea at Le Musee de H


Kanazawa produce 99% of the gold leaf in Japan. So there are all kinds of things with gold leaf available, this one is a must try

 

[rbjhan]

More food pictures to finish Kanazawa
Mori Mori Sushi






Gram


Zeniya**

 

[drron]

You must have been hungry but it really does look good.

 

[rbjhan]

You must have been hungry but it really does look good.

Ha ha which one?
I was in Kanazawa for 2.5 days btw....

 

[rbjhan]

Didn't even go to Omicho Market otherwise there will be a lot more pictures of food

 

[rbjhan]

Osaka
After a week wondering in Nagano, Niigata and Ishikawa, finally back to big cities again

Found some reasonable price on Amex travel for St Regis Osaka, so booked two nights as I was flying out of KIX.
St Regis was directly on top of Honmachi station, walking distance to Shinsaibashi.


Corner twin room


Nice view of Osaka outside


Double sink and double doors, thumb up.


And the view!



Study

 

[rbjhan]

The snack came with its own instructions


Almost thought I was still in Kanazawa, ha


Turned out to be the minibar


Floor map


Lobby on level 12

 

[rbjhan]

Generally I prefer Umeda area in Osaka, but I heard many good things about St Regis so decided to give it a try.
Certainly was a very enjoyable stay.

The new Conrad apparently is very good but I'm not sold on the location...
Having said all that, if you are in Kansai I would normally recommend staying in Kyoto

 

[rbjhan]

Dinner was at an Izakaya near the hotel.
Big problem with cities like Osaka is people everywhere...any decent restaurant there would be a queue
Probably shoulda asked the concierge to made a reservation but I was feeling like Yakitori that night...

 

[rbjhan]

I've asked St Regis to make a reservation at Ca Sento in Kobe, no luck for solo diners, bah.
Concierge recommended Ryoriya Stephan Pantel in Kyoto instead, after checking some reviews, this was booked in.

Restaurant is located near Kyoto Imperial Palace Park, just that little bit off the main touristy area.
The chef is French, so at least the conversation part was easy...



After the first course I was totally sold.




Jamon!










Excellent meal, def plan to go back.

 

[zenyattamondatta]

Tokyo University canteen

Can I ask what inspired that choice? I’ve eaten there maybe 500 times (assuming you mean the 中央 “Central” one), but it hasn’t occurred to me to take many people there...

 

[rbjhan]

Can I ask what inspired that choice? I’ve eaten there maybe 500 times (assuming you mean the 中央 “Central” one), but it hasn’t occurred to me to take many people there...

I like to visit famous universities and pretend to be a student....ha ha not very successful but canteens are fun
Not sure if it was the central one, right in front of this building, underground...hoping you can tell me!